Andrew Ravens
Chris Jericho has issued a blunt rebuttal to fans who criticize the pace of long-term storytelling. Speaking on the UNTAPPED podcast with Spencer Matthews, the former AEW World Champion defended the “slow-burn” approach that has defined much of his career.
Jericho argued that the most impactful rivalries—such as his year-long program with MJF or his historic 2008 feud with Shawn Michaels—require patience to reach their full potential. He thinks that today’s fans often demand immediate payoffs rather than allowing the story to breathe.
Jericho used the film Saving Private Ryan as a metaphor for his creative take, insisting that a storyline should only be judged once the final chapter has been written. He shared frustration with viewers who dismiss a rivalry midway through its execution, comparing it to leaving a movie theater before the climax.
“I like long-term stories. My favorite ones have always been ones that last for months, you have to be creative. You don’t have to be on the show every week, both guys don’t have to be on the show every week,” Jericho said. “I always love wrestling fans, especially modern day ones, who just want to know the answer right now, give us the answer right now!
“If I’m watching Saving Private Ryan, it’s 3 hours long… An hour and a half in if I go, ‘This movie, they haven’t even found Ryan yet. This movie sucks! This is stupid! This is too long!’ I hear it every day from wrestling fans” he added. “My thing is, shut the f*** up and let me tell my story when it’s done.”
The “Learning Tree” has not appeared on AEW programming since April 2025, when he disbanded his faction and informed allies Big Bill and Bryan Keith that he would be taking an extended hiatus. Reports from Fightful Select indicate that while his contract was originally slated to expire in December 2025, AEW management has “frozen” the deal to account for his time away.
This freeze typically occurs when a performer takes significant time off for outside ventures, such as Jericho’s recent United Kingdom tour with his band, Fozzy. Despite heavy speculation regarding a potential WrestleMania 42 return to WWE, Jericho remains listed on the official AEW roster page. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter noted that while Triple H has reportedly shown interest in a retirement tour for the legend, no formal negotiations can take place until his current obligations to Tony Khan are done.
