Why Losing Chris Jericho Would Hit AEW’s Foundation and Not Just Its Roster

The latest Chris Jericho speculation may have started with WWE, but the real story isn’t about RAW, Netflix teases, or cryptic wording. The bigger issue is what happens to AEW if Jericho actually leaves—and according to Jim Ross, the damage would be real.

The rumor mill exploded after WWE appeared to tease Jericho during the January 5, 2026 episode of Monday Night RAW. PWInsider quickly shut that down, reporting that Jericho wasn’t scheduled, wasn’t backstage, and wasn’t even on the East Coast.

“PWInsider.com is told Jericho was never slated for the show and is actually in Los Angeles this week.”

They later clarified the “break down the walls” line was tied to a Stranger Things theme, not a wrestling callback.

“For those who were incorrectly piecing Adam Pearce making a reference to breaking walls down… that was obviously a smartly played reference to that series having the wall into the Upside Down dimension.”

So the WWE part of the story fizzled. But the question remains: if Jericho is done with AEW, who actually suffers? Jim Ross didn’t dodge that question on Grilling JR. He addressed it directly and painted a clear picture of what AEW would be losing—not just a performer, but a pillar of the company.

“I think Jericho is just a... he's such a valuable member of AEW. Him leaving would hurt the brand to a degree. No doubt. You can't lose a talent like Chris Jericho and say that, ‘Oh well, we'll just move on, it doesn't matter. We got other guys that are ready to step up.’ And I hope that’s true. But bottom line of it is... he's got options, and that's a smart guy.”

That’s not framed as nostalgia. That’s Ross acknowledging that Jericho’s value isn’t easily replaced, even in a stacked roster. He’s talking about someone who contributes creatively, mentors talent, and shapes the product in ways viewers don’t always see. Ross went further, explaining why Jericho remains relevant when others fade out.

“You know, I’ve said here before—the one thing that impresses me about Jericho is that he is not afraid to reinvent himself and throw a different log on the fire to see how hot it burns.”

That adaptability is exactly why Jericho has stayed central to every company he’s worked for. In AEW’s case, it’s also why his absence wouldn’t feel like a normal roster change—it would feel like losing infrastructure.

Jericho hasn’t appeared on AEW television since April 2025 and skipped the Worlds End pay-per-view on December 31. He’s also leaned into the mystery when asked about WWE rumors, responding on a livestream with, “You never know. You never know.”

That uncertainty is enough to keep speculation alive, but Ross’s comments make one thing clear: if Jericho’s AEW run is truly over, the impact won’t be subtle. It won’t just affect storylines. It affects leadership, creative depth, locker room guidance, and the overall identity of the brand.

AEW has survived talent departures before, but Jericho is different. He helped launch the company, carried major programs in its early years, and continued to evolve alongside it. Losing him isn’t just losing a name—it’s losing experience, structure, and influence that’s hard to replace.

Do you think AEW could maintain its momentum without Chris Jericho, or would his departure leave a hole that’s impossible to fill? Drop your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion.

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