"Some fans want him to retire" - Matt Hardy gets brutally honest about current champion's AEW run

ROH World Champion Chris Jericho is one of the top performers in AEW. However, the veteran often gets thrashed around on social media by fans stating that they are tired of seeing him on television. Former WWE star Matt Hardy has shared his thoughts on the criticism.

Y2J was the first-ever AEW World Champion and has remained a regular on television since 2019. Chris Jericho has consistently reinvented himself over the past few years and his recent Learning Tree gimmick was born due to the constant backlash from the fans. Jericho has managed to use the heat against the fans and the character is seemingly liked by All Elite Wrestling management as they continue to use him in major spots on the card.

In a recent chat on his Extreme Life of Matt Hardy podcast, the WWE veteran noted how some fans want Chris Jericho to retire and compared his situation with himself and Jeff Hardy. Matt Hardy claimed that the live crowds are always appreciative as compared to the fans online who don't shy away from criticism.

"I get that it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but he’s in a bit of a tricky spot since some fans want him to retire. Jeff and I have been in a similar position before. The live crowds were always great for us—every single time we went out there, they were into us. There was never a night where we got booed or the crowd was quiet. It was amazing. With Chris, though, you see the online feedback, and it’s similar to what we experienced. The die-hard fans online can be hyper-critical.” H/T:[Ringside News]

Matt Hardy believes AEW star Chris Jericho adds a lot to professional wrestling

In an episode of the Extreme Life of Matt Hardy podcast, the former AEW star defended Chris Jericho by claiming that the fans wanting Y2J off television were wrong. Hardy believes that Chris Jericho has a benefit and still adds value to professional wrestling.

"I think the people that say Chris Jericho should not be on TV at this stage of the game, I just think they’re absolutely wrong. I think he has a benefit, I think he adds a lot to pro wrestling.”

Chris Jericho is the current Ring of Honor World Champion in his second reign, having won the title from Mark Briscoe in a Ladder War. It will be interesting to see who defeats him for the title.