Chris Jericho Says There Was A Time When AEW Went After AJ Styles After His Contract Was Up

Chris Jericho speaks on AEW having a previous interest in AJ Styles.

AJ Styles retired from wrestling following a loss to Gunther at WWE Royal Rumble. Despite losing and saying he would retire, fans quickly wondered if he might join AEW. Styles has since dismissed that notion.

Speaking to Tanaka Haruto of GamesHub, Jercho commented on AEW having interest in Styles in the past.

“There was a time when we were going after him when his contract was up. Could he be a good fit? Of course he would be. AJ’s a great performer and a great guy. But there is something to be said for the fact that when you’ve worked in the Vince McMahon system for a long time, you think differently. There are ways WWE runs their company, and there are ways AEW runs theirs. I’m not going to speak for AJ, but I don’t know why you’d retire in one place and then immediately go somewhere else. That said, I’m sure it’s always a possibility,” he said.

Styles is currently working with WWE in a scouting role. Fans can learn more about his role here.

Chris Jericho has been off AEW TV since April 2025.