Chris Jericho remains absent from AEW television as rumors swirl about his future with the company. During this hiatus, Jericho shed light on a memorable “Chris Jericho AEW musical segment” from 2020 that nearly did not air due to a last-minute legal issue, highlighting the challenges behind one of AEW’s most inventive scenes.
The Story Behind AEW’s Unique Musical Performance With Chris Jericho and MJF
In October 2020, Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) was attempting to secure a spot in Chris Jericho’s faction, The Inner Circle. On the October 21 episode of AEW Dynamite, the two shared a dinner meeting at a restaurant, initially to negotiate an alliance, but the gathering unexpectedly transformed into a musical number. They performed an adaptation of “Me and My Shadow,” a 1927 classic, in a segment called Le Dinner Debonair, which gained acclaim as one of AEW’s most creative productions under Tony Khan’s leadership.
Jericho recently reflected on this unusual segment during the Busted Open podcast, revealing how the concept evolved. He said Tony Khan insisted the routine should maintain realism rather than fall into fantasy, which inspired Jericho to propose an elaborate Busby Berkeley-style dance number reminiscent of the 1940s. The final act featured what seemed like a simple dinner that suddenly gave way to a full-scale singing and dancing performance.
“Tony didn’t want it to be fantasy; he wanted it to be real. So I said, well, why don’t we do like a big kind of a Busby Berkeley dance routine from like the 40s? (…) We were eating dinner, and then suddenly the whole back room opens up and here we are doing this huge singing and dancing routine.”
— Chris Jericho, AEW performer
Last-Minute Legal Issue Almost Derails the Segment
Despite the segment’s innovative nature, the team faced an unexpected obstacle just hours before it was due to air. Jericho shared that AEW’s music composer, Mikey Rukus, had to rush to rework the track after the promotion received a legal threat regarding the originally cleared version. The warning claimed that using the approved music would result in a lawsuit, citing what Jericho described as a personal dispute involving one of the musicians on the track.
“The version we used had been signed off on… and then two hours before airtime, we got a message saying, ‘If you guys use this version, we’ll sue you.’ “ guess they didn’t like the frickin’ horn player or the guy who played drums on it—it was some personal issue… We got it edited again and barely got it downloaded into the system with 10 seconds to spare. Tony said we’d have to do it live, but we were like, ‘We can’t do this live—we’re in the ring!’”
— Chris Jericho, AEW performer
Fortunately, the reworked version was implemented just in time, allowing the performance to air as planned without requiring a live rendition. This behind-the-scenes drama added an intense layer to what became a beloved moment among AEW fans.
MJF Joins and Then Betrays The Inner Circle
Following the musical segment, MJF defeated Jericho at the Full Gear pay-per-view in November 2020, officially becoming a member of The Inner Circle. However, this alliance was short-lived; MJF later turned on the group, initiating a brutal takeover by forming his own faction, The Pinnacle. This betrayal sparked major storylines and shifting dynamics within AEW’s roster, with Jericho’s factional battles continuing to captivate viewers.
Chris Jericho’s Current Status and Upcoming Engagements
Chris Jericho has not appeared on AEW programming since April when he left his allies Big Bill and Bryan Keith under unexplained circumstances. His absence has fueled speculation about his contract status and potential return to WWE, where he previously made a name for himself.
Despite his TV hiatus, Jericho remains active in the broader entertainment world. He is scheduled to appear at the Rhode Island Comic Con in November 2025, promising fans an opportunity to engage with the multi-talented performer outside the wrestling ring. The announcement highlights Jericho’s extensive career achievements across wrestling and music alongside his acting credits.
“#ICYMI @chrisjerichofozzy is coming to #RICC2025 November 7th & 8th at the @the_amppvd and @riconvention! Chris is a multiple time champion with the WWE/WWF, WCW, and CWC since 1996 and has been signed to All Elite Wrestling (#AEW) since January 2019. He is the lead singer for the heavy metal band Fozzy and played Adam Burke in Terrifier 2 & 3.”
— Rhode Island Comic Con announcement
While Jericho’s AEW status remains unclear, his enduring popularity and diverse talents ensure continued relevance within both wrestling and entertainment circles. Fans and industry observers will be watching closely for any sign of his return to AEW programming or new directions in his career.
