Chris Jericho joined All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in 2019 and quickly became one of Tony Khan’s most prominent stars during the promotion’s formative years. He was crowned the first-ever AEW World Champion and led the influential faction known as the Inner Circle. Recently, Jericho competed in his final match at Dynasty 2025, where he was defeated by Bandido, sparking widespread speculation that he may be departing AEW for WWE. Fans had anticipated seeing him in the 2026 men’s Royal Rumble, but his future in the wrestling world remains uncertain.
Remembering Jim Shank: A WWE Veteran Honored by Jericho
Jericho offered a moving tribute on Instagram to Jim Shank, who passed away recently. Shank had been WWE’s Technical Operations Manager and served the company since 1999. At the age of 60, Shank lost his long battle with colorectal cancer. Alongside Jericho, respected wrestling figures such as Triple H, Adam Pearce, and Nattie also expressed their condolences, highlighting Shank’s impact behind the scenes.
Jericho Reflects on Legendary Rivalries in WWE
In an interview with Radio X, Chris Jericho looked back on some of the greatest rivalries of his career, particularly focusing on his 2008 feud with Shawn Michaels. He described this storyline as one of the best in WWE history and praised other notable feuds, including matches against Kevin Owens and MJF. Jericho emphasized that his favorite rivalries are those with prolonged storylines, lasting six to eight months, which make the final payoff especially memorable.
“Oh, my gosh. I mean, it’s 35 years, man, so there’s a lot of them. But if you’re going WWE, the Shawn Michaels-Chris Jericho feud from 2008 is one of the all-time great feuds for sure. I think Jericho-Kevin Owens from 2016 was a great one. I think Jericho-MJF from 2020 was a great one. The ones that are my favorite are the long builds that take six, seven, eight months to before (it culminates) so in order to go that long, it has to be something special, magical,” said Jericho. – Chris Jericho, Wrestler
The Significance of Jericho’s Role in Wrestling’s Evolving Landscape
Chris Jericho’s contributions to AEW and WWE have made him a landmark figure in professional wrestling. His potential transition back to WWE would mark a significant shift in the industry, affecting storylines and talent dynamics. As fans eagerly await confirmation of his next steps, Jericho’s reflections on his career and his tribute to Jim Shank reveal a thoughtful and introspective side of the veteran performer amid a period of change.
