Chris Jericho knows the WWE Hall of Fame conversation isn’t going away, but he isn’t losing any sleep over whether he ever gets the call. While acknowledging that politics and company rivalries can influence decisions, the AEW star made it clear he’s already comfortable with everything he accomplished in WWE.
Speaking to TMZ’s Inside the Ring, Jericho was asked whether his ongoing AEW run could delay—or even prevent—a future WWE Hall of Fame induction because of the long-standing rivalry between the two companies. Looking back on his WWE career, Jericho said he spent nearly two decades with the company and believes he more than earned a place in the Hall of Fame.
“I mean, once again, I had a great career in WWE. It was almost 20 years, with a few years here off. It was always my dream to be in the WWE. And did I create enough memorable moments and matches and characters and creations and rivalries and moments to be in the WWE Hall of Fame? Absolutely.”
At the same time, Jericho said he understands how the wrestling business works. If politics or tribalism end up affecting his chances, he won’t take it personally.
“That’s all I need. And if they—if I’m in, if I’m not in, if it’s tribalism, if it’s politics, I get that too, man. I’ve been in this business 36 years. I understand how it works. It’s not personal. I’m not insulted.”
Jericho also looked beyond WWE, saying he’d be just as happy if his career ended with AEW and he eventually became part of a future AEW Hall of Fame.
“And if I finish my career with AEW and the first inductee or the second inductee or the 10th inductee into AEW Hall of Fame, that’s great, too.”
Ultimately, though, Jericho doesn’t feel he needs an official ceremony from either company to validate what he’s done in wrestling.
“But I’m in—I’m in the Hall of Fame in my head and in the heads of anybody that appreciates the work that I’ve done. That’s good enough for me, man. Like, it really is, you know? I don’t need anything else than that, you know?”
Le Champion said that he’s grateful for everything wrestling has given him over the past 36 years, from traveling the world to entertaining fans—whether they cheered him or booed him.
“And that might sound a little bit like, ‘Oh,’ but it’s really true. Like, I’ve had a real blessed life in that I’ve got a chance to travel around the world doing what I always wanted to do and making people happy by doing it or getting people angry by doing it, which is, yeah, the same thing.”
Whether Jericho eventually takes his place in the WWE Hall of Fame, an AEW Hall of Fame, or both, it’s clear he isn’t letting that question define how he views one of the most accomplished careers in professional wrestling.
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This transcript was produced exclusively for Ringside News from the original recording. Republishing the transcription in full is prohibited. When using excerpts, provide prominent credit and a link to this article.
