Former AEW personality gives an interesting take on Chris Jericho's new gimmick

A former AEW personality has offered some interesting insights on Chris Jericho's newest gimmick. The individual in question is none other than Kevin Kelly.

Jericho has fashioned a new heel character in recent months, dubbing himself The Learning Tree and claiming to be on a quest to share his veteran experience with young talent. He has already introduced two budding AEW stars into his new circle in the form of Big Bill and Bryan Keith.

During a recent appearance on Eric Bischoff's Wise Choices podcast, former AEW announcer Kevin Kelly shared his views on the latest gimmick developed by Chris Jericho. He credited The Ocho for his skills at re-invention and at popularizing new things in his programming.

Kelly further seemed to propose that the character of The Learning Tree reflected a certain perspective of Jericho's position in his career at present. Kevin also suggested that understanding this viewpoint could enable audiences to relate to the gimmick better and change their response to it.

"You can never discount Chris Jericho's ability to get new things over. It's like he always wants to challenge himself and do different things. It is where he sees himself at this time in his career, so let's look at it from that point of view. And I think that will help the audience embrace it. It is a little 'Inside Baseball' and I think that might be where some people miss out," Kevin Kelly said. [H/T WrestlingINC]

Kelly has been working in the pro wrestling industry since the 1990s. He has lent his services to several promotions, including WWE, Ring of Honor, Major League Wrestling, and New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Kelly provided commentary for AEW Collision after joining the company in 2023. However, he was controversially terminated from the Jacksonville-based promotion earlier this year.

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Chris Jericho and Big Bill have a match on the upcoming AEW Collision

On the June 12, 2024, episode of AEW Dynamite, Chris Jericho presented the latest edition of his show TV Time with The Learning Tree, hosting Private Party as his guest. The reigning FTW Champion critiqued the recent performances of Isiah Kassidy and Marq Quen, blaming their in-ring technique for their losses.

At one point during the segment, Y2J claimed that the up-and-comers had not been trained at properly climbing the top rope. On being requested by the duo to demonstrate how to do so correctly, Jericho began to ascend to the top rope.

However, Private Party launched a surprise attack on the former AEW World Champion. After swiftly dispatching The Redwood and The Bounty Hunter to the outside of the ring, Zay and Quen delivered a Swanton Bomb and a Shooting Star Press, respectively, on Jericho, before escaping.

It was recently announced that Private Party will take on Chris Jericho and Big Bill in a tag team match on the upcoming episode of Collision.

It remains to be seen whether The Learning Tree and his partner will emerge victorious on the Saturday night show.