AEW News: Chris Jericho officially confirms his position in AEW, takes a jibe at WWE

What's the story?

Speaking to RT America, former WWE Superstar Chris Jericho opened up on a myriad of topics.

Most prominently, Jericho took a shot at the WWE, noting that there is "a lot of micromanaging going on in the WWE". Additionally, Y2J confirmed that his contract with AEW makes him an official AEW employee and not an independent contractor as opposed to most other pro wrestlers.

In case you didn't know...

The professional wrestling, as well as combat sports community, has, for long, been rife with debates and disagreements regarding the "independent contractor" status of performers/fighters in the given sport.

While being an independent contractor has its set of pros and cons, being contracted to an organization as an "employee" also comes with its own mixed bag of advantages and disadvantages.

The heart of the matter

Chris Jericho asserted that most professional wrestlers in the 1980s weren't really able to make adequate savings in order to secure their future, owing to which they've faced incredible difficulties especially with regard to healthcare in their older days.

Jericho noted that AEW intends to change the pro wrestling industry and that they aim to help out a large number of veteran performers who are currently facing health issues due to the all-around chaotic financial management prevalent in professional wrestling in the old days.

Furthermore, Jericho explained that there is a lot of micromanaging in WWE right now.H e claimed that too many scriptwriters, micromanagement, and things of the sort aren't good for the business.

Moreover, the former World Heavyweight Champion let the professional wrestling community in on his contract and position in AEW:

"For myself, I am an employee of AEW...There are inroads to that, at least for me. I'm a registered employee with the company -- so there are options that are opening up more into this sort of vibe. There is a much more of a big-time sports mentality rather than the old school kind of the way wrestling is done mentality" (*H/T Sportskeeda for the transcription)

What's next?

AEW's next big event "Fyter Fest" is set to transpire at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida on June 29th.

The general consensus in the professional wrestling community is that Chris Jericho is set to work in a prominent role, both creatively as well as in the in-ring wrestling realm for AEW.

What are your thoughts on Chris Jericho's statements? Sound off!