Chris Jericho Confirms AEA Tried To Sign Former Champion As Contract Expired
All Elite Wrestling made a genuine attempt to sign AJ Styles when his contract expired, according to former WWE champion and current TNA/Impact star. During an interview on March 26th at PwnMania in Las Vegas with Chris Jericho's team of wrestlers who were part of the AEW roster during that time period they confirmed this pursuit happened after he retired from active competition following his appearance as a guest competitor for WWE Royal Rumble event which took place earlier than expected.
Key Points
-
1Chris Jericho confirmed that All Elite Wrestling (AEW) actively pursued signing former WWE Champion and independent wrestler AJ Styles when his contract became available.
-
2Jericho reflected on the longevity of modern wrestling, warning today's generation may struggle to achieve career length comparable to his own at age 55.
-
3AJ Styles retired following a loss in the February 2026 Royal Rumble match against Gunther despite expressing initial intent not to retire.
Developments
Chris Jericho confirmed All Elite Wrestling previously pursued AJ Styles when he became available but questioned why some wrestlers retire from one company to immediately join another. Speaking about his own longevity at age 55, Jericha expressed concern that modern wrestling's emphasis on physicality over character increases injury risks and shortens careers if athletes do not carefully manage their in-ring moves.
Chris Jericho revealed that AEW attempted but failed to sign AJ Styles when his contract expired, noting their differing company structures and questioning why a wrestler would retire in one promotion only to join another immediately afterward. Despite this past interest from the wrestling alliance's rival league, styles chose to remain with WWE following an announcement of retirement after losing at Royal Rumble 2026 before joining Hall-of-Fame Class for induction next month.
Chris Jericho confirmed that American Wrestling Entertainment previously considered signing AJ Styles after he retired from wrestling following the WWE Royal Rumble, though styles currently works in a scouting role with WWE and remains open to future opportunities despite dismissing rumors of an immediate return there since April 2025.