Chris Jericho thinks AEW talents need to work with Vince McMahon for six months to understand accountability in the business

Chris Jericho is a professional wrestler who has been in the industry for over thirty years. He is currently a superstar in AEW, but he gained fame and recognition during his time in WWE. Jericho had a successful career in WWE and had a good relationship with Vince McMahon, the former CCO of the Stamford-based promotion.

The Demo God suggested that every rising talent in AEW should work under Vince McMahon for six months to unlock their prime potential and learn the norms of the business.

Chris Jericho thinks AEW talents need to work with Vince McMahon

Jericho made his debut in AEW more than four years ago and became the first AEW World Champion. He played a crucial role in carrying the company through its initial year. Jericho’s arrival in AEW was considered a significant event in the pro wrestling world, and he remains a big star in the company to this day. However, there are reports of backstage issues in AEW, with some talent feeling that they are above the law.

Last year, there was a brawl between CM Punk and The Elite, which led to fans blaming Tony Khan for his lack of punishment and consequences for the drama in the company.

During an interview with Chris Van Vliet, Chris Jericho was asked about his opinion on Vince McMahon stepping away from his creative role. Jericho praised McMahon for his business acumen and suggested that everyone at AEW should work under him for six months to understand the importance of completing assigned tasks.

Chris Jericho stated the following: “I mean, once again, there are the reasons why he was stepping aside, and I’m not talking about that side of things. I never thought he would step down. And then, I think, had those other issues come up, there’s no way he would have. But also, Vince is smart. And I bet you he was like, Okay, I’m at the point now where this is not good for me to be here.”

“So he trained and groomed Triple H for 20 years and probably felt confident enough that things would continue without him. And I say this all the time in AEW: I think everybody could use six months working for Vince McMahon. Because that’s what you understand—what wrestling is, the wrestling business is, and how the business works.”

“But he has that work ethic; he would always say, I don’t expect you to do anything that I wouldn’t do myself. And that rubs off. There’s a way that the WWE works where you don’t say no to anything. I mean, they asked you to press; you did it; they asked you to sign 1,000 action figures; you did it. Because if you don’t, you know there’s going to be consequences, and big ones. And I think everybody in AEW needs to understand that sometimes.”

It has been reported that Vince McMahon, the CEO of WWE, wanted Chris Jericho to leave his contract with AEW. However, with Vince McMahon no longer having a direct influence on WWE, it is unlikely that any AEW wrestler will have the opportunity to work under his leadership.

Vince McMahon finds himself in legal trouble

WWE investors are currently contesting the merger between WWE and the UFC. They believe that former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon ignored other offers to choose one that would allow him to regain power within WWE, despite facing sexual misconduct claims before the sale of the company.

On November 22, 2023, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that unsealed documents from a Delaware court showed that Vince McMahon, the former chairman of WWE, pushed for a “quick sale” of his company to Ari Emanuel, who is claimed to be a “close friend and longtime ally” of McMahon. The lawsuit, which alleges breach of contract, names McMahon, Nick Khan, and Paul “Triple H” Levesque, among others, and seeks to represent all stockholders who cashed out their shares in the merger of UFC and WWE.

The lawsuit claimed that Emmanuel offered a favorable agreement to McMahon, which enabled him to remain as the executive chairman of the TKO Group. This deal allowed McMahon to evade any investigation related to allegations of sexual misconduct that could have resulted in his dismissal from the company.

Investors have filed a complaint against the board members of WWE, alleging that they created a biased sale process that favored Endeavor and excluded any other bidder who wanted to remove McMahon from WWE. According to reports, two other deals with better cash terms were ignored, and McMahon and his supporters on the board timed negotiations to favor the deal with Endeavor.

Investors in a lawsuit claim that Vince McMahon’s company, WWE, was undervalued in a sale to the UFC for $21 billion. They allege that there were better deals on the table and that the process was unfair. McMahon is accused of turning to Emanuel to help him remain at the helm of the merged company.

What is your opinion on Chris Jericho’s recent comments? Are you surprised by his statement? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.