Chris Jericho Was About To Quit Wrestling Before Joining AEW: ‘I Was Already Thinking About Doing Other Things’

etcanada.com:

Chris Jericho almost quit wrestling. Speaking with ET Canada’s Carlos Bustamante, the Canadian-American pro wrestling legend opens up about how he nearly hung up his hat before joining All Elite Wrestling in 2019. READ MORE: Chris Jericho Credits Winnipeg As ‘The Genesis’ Of AEW, Promises ‘Magical Night’ When Dynamite Debuts In His Hometown “I think the dream has been lived, but I think what’s been great about AEW is if AEW hadn’t started, I don’t know if I’d still be wrestling right now,” he said. “Because I was already thinking about doing other things.” He continued, “Obviously working for WWE for 20 years is amazing, but they have a certain way of doing things.

I just wasn’t getting the same vibe from it.” Describing the unique stories being told at AEW, Jericho said, “They kind of reinvigorated my passion for pro wrestling,” adding, “I have no interest in ever wrestling anywhere again, and I love being where I am with AEW and seeing the company grow, and to still be able to perform it at a high level, and knowing that I have a lot of creative influence in those stories that I’m telling.

It’s just a win-win.” Of course, at 52-years-old, Jericho is getting up there in age for a professional wrestler, but he still makes sure to look the part in the ring. “I think it’s one of those things where you’re in show business, you have to look….

Like, I have to look like Chris Jericho,” he explained. “You know, like you go to [see the Rolling Stones]. Mick Jagger still looks like Mick Jagger.” He went on, “That’s kind of part of your responsibility when you have longevity in this business and wrestling is show business.