Jake Hager, former AEW star and longtime teammate of Chris Jericho in the Inner Circle faction, recently spoke about the possibility of Jericho making a WWE return. Given that Jericho’s AEW contract is set to expire at the end of 2025, Hager expressed optimism about seeing his partner back in WWE, emphasizing Jericho’s enduring passion for wrestling and performance.
“With Chris, anything is possible. I fully expected to see him at the Rumble — or in the Rumble. That guy loves wrestling. He loves to perform. It’s who he is. He’s not going to stop,”
Hager said.
Jericho’s Work Ethic and Influence on Younger Talent
Hager praised Jericho’s professionalism and in-ring intelligence, highlighting how these qualities make him a model veteran in wrestling. He explained that Jericho’s extensive experience means he consistently delivers compelling storylines and well-executed segments.
“He’s not going to have a bad storyline. Every segment is going to be ironed out and great because he’s done it for so long. He knows what to look for,”
Hager noted.
Hager also commended Jericho for his willingness to elevate up-and-coming wrestlers during his AEW tenure. After becoming the first-ever AEW World Champion, Jericho devoted much of his efforts to helping younger talent develop, including notable stars like Orange Cassidy.
“He started off with the championship — he was the first ever AEW champion — but then after that he was constantly putting over Orange Cassidy, putting over the young guys, helping them grow,”
Hager said.
The Importance of Strong Villains in Wrestling Storylines
Addressing the art of wrestling storytelling, Hager made a case for the vital role villains, or heels, play in crafting compelling narratives. He stressed that a great heel is essential to making heroes stand out, using a metaphor of a knight and a dragon to illustrate their dynamic.
“A heel is more valuable than a baby face. In order to have the knight in shining armor, you’ve got to have that big nasty fire-breathing dragon. Otherwise everyone’s the same. The nastier, the more evil the heel is, the bigger it’s going to make the baby face,”
Hager explained.
Leveraging the Internet to Enhance Wrestling Storytelling
Hager offered insights on how wrestling companies might adapt to the challenges posed by the internet and social media, especially since many fans now uncover spoilers that can diminish storytelling suspense. Instead of fighting against this reality, he suggested that promotions could creatively use leaks and rumors to blur the line between fiction and reality, increasing fan engagement.
“You don’t have to tell all the wrestlers [a backstage argument] was a setup for a storyline — and then it can get leaked online that these two were fighting backstage. You can start working the fans again, having them believe stuff is real,”
Hager said.
He further emphasized that the internet isn’t just a threat to wrestling’s mystique but a tool that can be turned to the industry’s advantage.
“Everyone says the internet is where you can just find out everything. Well, you can use the internet right back at them. I think that’s an avenue that’s going to be next for wrestling companies,”
Hager added.
Future Prospects for Jericho and the Wrestling Industry
With over two decades in the wrestling business, Hager’s perspective reflects both a deep understanding of the industry and a hopeful outlook. His reflections on Chris Jericho’s possible WWE return, the role of compelling characters, and new strategies for engaging fans online point toward evolving narratives and approaches in pro wrestling’s future.
As fans and insiders await Jericho’s next career move, the ideas Hager shared suggest that the wrestling landscape may continue to blend traditional storytelling with innovative uses of digital platforms, reshaping how audiences experience and react to the sport.
