What if AEW fails in its first year?

#2 Chris Jericho is caught in limbo

In the twilight of his career, Chris Jericho may find himself in an uncomfortable spot if AEW fails.

Chris Jericho rolled the dice in signing with AEW. He was a top level WWE Superstar, whom WWE wanted back in the fold, but who chose instead to work elsewhere. Jericho has since made no bones about talking about how he feels blackballed by WWE, including not getting to interview any WWE talent for his podcast in the build to WrestleMania.

Jericho’s a big enough star that WWE probably wouldn’t rule out accepting him back into the fold. However, with the dark cloud of his disloyalty hanging overhead, it’s doubtful WWE would give him another shot at the very top.

Would Jericho come back for any less? As he approaches fifty years of age, he probably doesn’t have many years of top level performance left in him. In the end, if AEW fails, Jericho legacy may be one of the biggest casualties. He probably wouldn’t get the chance to finish out his in ring career in the high profile way he’d want to, and may even get snubbed for his otherwise inevitable WWE Hall of Fame consideration for years.