Top AEW star reveals Chris Jericho personally recruited him to The Learning Tree after talking to Tony Khan - "F**k yeah, let's do it"

Wrestling legend Chris Jericho's passion for reinvention has led him to 2024's ultimate meta gimmick: The Learning Tree. The veteran has embraced the ire of AEW's fans and is using his platform to pass his knowledge to the rising stars in All Elite Wrestling. His primary underling, Big Bill, recently provided details on how he came to be part of Jericho's faction.

Chris Jericho has led several stables during his time in AEW, from the highly successful Inner Circle to the despicable Jericho Appreciation Society. But as more and more fans began turning on the legendary star, he decided to form The Learning Tree.

The Ocho now spends his time happily waving to fans and enthusiastically (and condescendingly) teaching his disciples the ins and outs of professional wrestling on a big stage. Former WWE and TNA star Big Bill has embraced his role in the faction, and it's all because Jericho personally recruited him.

Speaking to Brandon F. Walker on Rasslin', Bill revealed that Bryan Danielson mentioned his name in a creative meeting, and Chris Jericho immediately decided to include him in the group:

"He called me, and he pitched it to me, and he said they had a meeting with Tony [Khan], and he has this idea, and I believe they were…in a meeting, and Chris had pitched this idea, and I guess there were quite a few people in there, and Chris told me that Bryan Danielson mentioned my name. They were throwing around names, and the second he said my name, everyone said, ‘That’s it. Boom, that’s the one right there.’ So he called me, and he told me that, and I said, 'F**k yeah, let’s do it,'" Bill said. [H/T Fightful]

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The Learning Tree's Big Bill gets shocking reaction in Cardiff, Wales, ahead of All In 2024

AEW headed to the UK late last month for All In 2024. Before the big event, the company produced its weekly Dynamite and Collision shows at a sold-out Utilita Arena in Cardiff, Wales. Big Bill was on the show, but the reaction he got from fans left many stunned.

As part of The Learning Tree, Bill is a heel. However, the fans in Cardiff loudly cheered the 6'10 star. When Bill tried to get heat by antagonizing them, the fans became even rowdier. The reaction was so loud and sustained that FTR's Dax Harwood commented on it after the show.

Harwood took to X/Twitter to point out what many already know: Big Bill is a star.

Big Bill and The Learning Tree lost their match against HOOK and The Conglomeration on the August 28 edition of AEW Dynamite. The faction didn't make an appearance at All Out this past weekend, and it remains to be seen where they go from here.