Chris Jericho Wants To Take AEW Rival To The Next Level

Chris Jericho will only retire when he can no longer elevate fresh talent.

At WrestleDream, Chris Jericho will go in search of a ninth World Championship when he challenges Mark Briscoe for the ROH World Title. However, his most recent run hasn’t been smooth sailing.

Although his current character has leaned into it, Jericho has proved to be divisive among fans with many feeling it’s time for him to step away from such a prominent role. Despite this, the veteran has shown no signs of slowing down.

During an appearance on Busted Open Radio, Jericho dismissed the idea he should retire while looking ahead to his match with Briscoe. The former AEW World Champion added that he’s determined to try and elevate his rival as much as he can.

“I still love the business. The moment I feel, and no one else, the moment I feel I can’t contribute at the highest level, I’ll step back. Everybody that I work with…I watched HOOK the other day and thought, ‘This kid has learned. He’s really starting to get it.’ Not just because of me, working with Samoa Joe as well. We’re helping elevate these guys.

I got in the ring with Orange Cassidy for the first time in five years. How much has he advanced? MJF. Hangman Page. I’m really looking forward to and enjoying this story we’re starting with Mark Briscoe.

I think Mark Briscoe, and God Bless Jay (Briscoe), who is not with us anymore, it’s a drag that he’s not here. Mark is very special. He’s a guy that I really want to do the best I can for him to get to the next level and for people to understand how special of a talent he is. He’s working, not just for himself and his family with his 18 kids [laughs], he’s doing it for his brother as well. He’s doing it for Jaymin.

We’re going to beat the hell out of each other. He’s batsh*t crazy. What a talent that connects with the audience. I’m not going to say Dusty Rhodes because no one is Dusty Rhodes. He doesn’t look like the typical wrestler, doesn’t act like the typical wrestler. He’s a special talent and a special character. I want to help him get to the next level,”

Chris Jericho Takes Jab At AEW Critics

During the same interview, Chris Jericho said AEW’s new media rights deal made so-called experts look like idiots. It was recently announced that the company had agreed a new deal with Warner Bros Discovery which could be worth a stunning $555 million across three years when all aspects are added in.

Meanwhile, it’s been reported that MVP has squashed his real-life beef with Chris Jericho after signing with AEW. Although they had been friends previously, the relationship has deteriorated in recent years with MVP knocking Jericho out on a cruise in 2020.

H/t to Fightful