Matt Hardy Says Chris Jericho’s AEW Future Depends On How Tony Khan Uses Him

Matt Hardy thinks Chris Jericho still has plenty to offer AEW — but says everything now comes down to how he’s booked.

After Jericho made his surprise return to AEW following roughly a year away, Hardy shared his reaction on his podcast and made it clear that the veteran still brings star power. However, he also stressed that name value alone won’t be enough if Jericho isn’t placed in the right situations.

Hardy reacted to Jericho’s comeback as it happened live, noting that moments like this prove how unpredictable wrestling can be. He said the real test now isn’t whether Jericho can still contribute — it’s whether AEW puts him in the right role moving forward.

“God bless him, man, best of luck… The thing that is really going to be interesting now is to see what direction Tony goes with Chris, and just how the AEW fan base reacts to it. How big a contributing factor can Chris Jericho be to AEW right now?”

Hardy also pointed out that AEW’s audience has developed a strong preference for fast-paced, high-intensity matches, which could make things tougher for an older star trying to reconnect with that fanbase. He explained that while Jericho still has major star power, the company must be careful about how he’s presented if they want fans to stay invested.

“I don’t think their fan base… are going to be crazy about Chris, because they want their younger guys who are out there with the highest work rate possible… So Chris being an older act, he is just such a star. He has so much star power. There’s so many ways he could contribute to the show. They just have to utilize him in the correct way.”

Hardy emphasized that one of the biggest keys will be pairing Jericho with the right talent. He said Jericho works best when he’s involved with wrestlers who fit his style and already have fan interest, rather than being placed into mismatched roles.

“They have to make him seem important and put him in positions for him to succeed… He needs to be with guys that he can elevate, but they also got to be guys that people care about… It needs to make sense.”

Despite his concerns, Hardy made it clear he still believes Jericho can help build new stars if everything lines up correctly. He said Jericho has a strong track record of helping talent grow, especially when he’s motivated and working in a storyline that fits his strengths.

“I think he is very good at it… if he is put in the right position.”

Jericho’s return already grabbed attention, but Hardy’s comments make it clear that the real story isn’t just about him being back — it’s about what AEW does with him next and whether the company can turn that star power into something meaningful for the roster.

Do you think Chris Jericho can still make a major impact in AEW, or does his success now depend completely on how Tony Khan books him? Let us know your thoughts and drop your feedback below.