4 reasons WWE's Chris Jericho signed with AEW

In case you've been living under a rock for the past couple of weeks, you'll have heard about the new upcoming promotion, All Elite Wrestling.

Formed by Cody Rhodes and the Young Bucks, AEW hopes to capitalize on the massive success of last year's ALL IN, and will showcase huge names in wrestling, as well as introduce new talent.

One huge name already confirmed for AEW is Chris Jericho, with the former Undisputed Champion attending a press conference this week, and signing the contracts to make him an AEW star.

Never one to shy from controversy, Jericho has brought a massive buzz to the company already, with many wondering how WWE will retaliate to the Best in the World at what he does, now exclusively working for a competing company.

Here are four reasons why Chris Jericho signed with AEW.

#4 Problems with Vince McMahon

The first-ever Undisputed Champion had some strong things to say about the Boss in a recent interview.

Joining the WWE in 1999, and becoming a multi-time World Champion, it's no secret that Jericho is friends with Chairman Vince McMahon.

When Jericho left the WWE in 2017, he told McMahon that he wanted to concentrate his time as the frontman of Fozzy, and also compete for New Japan Pro Wrestling.

Supportive, McMahon gave him his blessing, though Jericho has since said in an interview with Busted Open Radio that he feels the Boss may not be pleased.

"When I told him I was going to do more [New Japan shows], he wasn't really negative, but wasn't supportive... I know for a fact that Vince takes every company very seriously."

We're sure that McMahon will certainly take things seriously when he sees Y2J as part of the AEW roster.

#3 More creative control

Jericho pushed his own boundaries when he joined with New Japan Pro Wrestling.

Chris Jericho is definitely one of the most creative Superstars in wrestling history.

Constantly evolving his character, Y2J has been everything from a cocky rookie, a beloved babyface, a methodical tactician, and a seasoned veteran.

Changing his look more in NJPW, the 48-year-old shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

But whilst he has been great in WWE, the company, and Jericho's history with them, has led to Y2J being shackled at times from being more creative.

Evidence of this being Jericho's time as IWGP Intercontinental Champion, where he explored face-paint, new costumes and pushing even more boundaries to entertain.

Now part of All Elite Wrestling, Jericho will have more creative control than ever before, as everyone who has ever supported him will be excited to see what he does next.

#2 Proving he doesn't need WWE

The List of Jericho was part of Y2J's most recent return to WWE.

Chris Jericho's name is synonymous with WWE.

A multiple-time World Champion, Jericho has also held the United States, European and Tag Titles, and is a record-setting 9-time Intercontinental Champion in the company.

And despite his brief appearances on the indie scene and with New Japan, many consider these as just small projects that Y2J undergoes between stints in WWE.

Now signing with AEW as an exclusive contracted Superstar, Jericho has the chance to fully prove himself as someone who doesn't need the WWE to remain relevant in the minds of the fans.

AEW will be the first non-WWE company Jericho has been a full-time star with since WCW, and the Ayatollah of Rock and Rollah will certainly be aiming to prove why he has been a massive success everywhere he has been.

#1 A main event spot

Jericho at WrestleMania 26 in 2010, the last time Y2J was a World Champion.

Despite being one of the biggest Superstars in WWE, Chris Jericho is not someone many see as a main eventer.

Jericho last held a World Championship in 2010, and although his returns to the company over the past eight years have been entertaining, it's been clear the WWE were not going to push him as the top star.

In All Elite Wrestling though, Jericho will presumably be the biggest star on the roster when the promotion debuts, unless something truly massive changes that.

Fans can expect Jericho to certainly be one of the most featured stars of the new company, and is already a (very) favorite to be the first AEW Champion.

That all comes down to Jericho though, who may prefer leaving that spot open for younger talent.