Chris Jericho Explains Why He ‘Couldn’t Say No’ to AEW, Gives Roman Reigns Update

– Chris Jericho spoke with WSVN-TV’s Chris Van Vliet for a new interview discussing his AEW signing and more. Video and highlights are below:

On why he decided to sign with AEW: “As the past year progressed, going from New Japan to All In to The Cruise, and kind of seeing how life was on the other side, I realized, like The Young Bucks, like Kenny Omega and these guys, you can make a good living outside the WWE. Then when you have a billionaire getting involved, suddenly you have the biggest offer of my career — by far — I couldn’t say no. For the next three years, it’s AEW. That’s where I’m signed, and that’s the contract that I have.”

On the possibility of CM Punk signing with AEW: “CM Punk’s not so much a free agent as he is a retired wrestler, from what I understand. Of course we’d love to have Punk come in there.”

On Kenny Omega’s future: “Once I signed, the last remaining huge free agent is Kenny Omega. Jericho and Omega were the two. Where’s he gonna end up? I hope it’s with AEW, I really do. I guess we’ll find out, because his contract ends very quickly. People always think he will be in the Rumble, I am getting the same thing also.”

On speaking with Vince McMahon about going to AEW: “I spoke to Vince before I signed, and he knew it. The words we exchanged were very amicable, and it wasn’t like it was a surprise. Business is business. Vince McMahon is my friend; I respect him, I love the guy — no ill will whatsoever, just the business road took me this way. I would’ve been crazy not to do it because I might insult somebody. I think the first guy who would agree with that is Vince.”

On Roman Reign’s health: “He’s doing his treatment, and I think things are going really well. I don’t really know much about leukemia. I don’t know what the endgame is as far as when you’re ‘cured’ — when it goes into remission, when you can do physical matches or travel or whatever it is. But we talk to him quite a bit. I’ve got a group text with him in it, and I text him on the side quite a bit. He always seems to be doing pretty well and in good spirits… We love him, and I think it’s just a matter of time before he comes back. But more importantly — that he stays healthy for his family, for sure.”

On what gimmick he’ll use in AEW: “The makeup was more of a Japan thing. I don’t know what we’ll see in AEW. The lighted sparkly jacket guy is gone, and I knew if I went back to WWE they would want that. Things are never good the second time as much as they are the first time. I don’t want to drive it into the ground.”