Chris Jericho knows plenty of wrestling fans think it’s time for him to retire. He just doesn’t think they’ll feel the same way once he’s actually gone.
Speaking with Fox News Digital, the former AEW World Champion predicted that even many of his biggest critics will eventually appreciate what he brought to the business, arguing that people often don’t realize what they have until it’s no longer there.
“I think it’s like a great rock and roll band, you know? I mean, the Rolling Stones just put out a new album, and it’s amazing, but the Stones have been 60 years and some of the eras you like, some of the eras you hate, some of the eras you wish they would have gone away, and some of the eras you wish they would have done more, and you’re still glad that they’re here. I think when I’m done, people will be sad that I’m not around anymore.”
Jericho has spent years dealing with fans who believe he has stayed in wrestling too long, particularly during his AEW run. But he believes opinions will change once his career is finally over. According to Jericho, even the people who criticize him most on social media will eventually look back and realize they took his longevity for granted.
“I think a lot of the people that you mentioned, social media wise, that don’t like me just because I’m still doing this will realize like, hey, we had something pretty cool there, we should have been watching a little bit more because all I ever do is give my best 1,000% for whatever situation I’m in to make it better, to make my opponent better, to make me better, to make the company better, to make the show better.”
Jericho also made it clear that his motivation has never changed. He said he continues wrestling because he still loves the business and takes pride in trying to improve every show, every opponent, and every company he’s part of.
“I’m very proud of all the work that I’ve done. That’s why I still do it, that’s why I still love wrestling and making documentaries involving wrestling, per se, because I think it’s such a wonderful sport that really does tie the world together, wonderful form of entertainment. I live my dream doing something that I always wanted to do and here I’m doing it almost longer than anybody else at a high level. I think that’s something to be proud of.”
Jericho has repeatedly said he’ll retire on his own terms rather than because of outside criticism. And if he’s right, he believes many of the fans asking him to walk away today will end up wishing they had appreciated his run while it was still happening.
Do you agree with Chris Jericho, or do you think it’s already time for him to retire? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
