Tony Khan Reveals Why Chris Jericho Chose AEW Over WWE

Chris Jericho had options—but according to Tony Khan, his decision to stay with All Elite Wrestling came down to one thing: it’s where he wanted to be.

After months of speculation linking Jericho to a possible return to WWE, a new update has now clarified how everything played out behind the scenes. Speaking on The Coach and Bro Show on April 7, 2026, Khan addressed how close Jericho actually was to leaving AEW—and made it clear that the final call wasn’t about pressure or last-minute negotiations.

“I do know Chris Jericho had a choice, and he wanted to be in AEW. He would be the best person to ask, but I know that I’ve been in communication with Chris, and he definitely told me he wanted to be in AEW—and very specifically in Winnipeg on that day.”

Khan then pointed to how long this decision had been in the works, suggesting Jericho’s preference wasn’t something that changed overnight: “We had that circled back for a long time, going back to last year. It was a choice that Chris made, that he’d rather be in AEW than anywhere else.”

While earlier reports confirmed Jericho did speak with WWE and even had the chance to explore his options, Khan noted that the decision ultimately came down to Jericho’s own priorities—not just contract terms.

“I can’t say for sure, Coach, exactly what his mind was, but I know definitely he has been consistent—he loves AEW and wants to be here, and I’m glad he chose AEW.”

Khan closed by making one key point clear—Jericho wasn’t locked in when this decision was made: “Because that’s a choice he made, because he was a free agent.” That update reframes everything.

While reports previously suggested AEW’s stronger financial offer helped secure Jericho, Khan’s comments shift the focus to Jericho’s personal decision—choosing AEW even with WWE in the picture. With Jericho now staying put, the speculation is over—but the bigger takeaway is just how competitive things got behind the scenes before that call was made.

Do you think Chris Jericho staying in AEW was the right move, or would a WWE return have been the bigger play for his career? Share your thoughts and feedback below.

Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.