Chris Jericho comments on the vibe in the AEW locker room following AEW All Out.
Following AEW All Out 2022, an altercation between CM Punk, Ace Steel, and The Elite, Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks, resulted in multiple suspensions and title vacancies.
In the weeks that followed, AEW rallied behind a rejuvenated team spirit and Fightful Select reported that Chris Jericho, along with Bryan Danielson and Jon Moxley, has stepped up as locker room leaders.
Several top wrestlers held a talent meeting at AEW Dynamite on September 7, as Fightful Select reported.
Bryan Danielson, Chris Jericho and Jon Moxley conducted a talent meeting for wrestlers, managers, announcers and referees before AEW Dynamite. Details from the actual meeting are few and far between, as several that were to be in attendance spoke highly of it. One talent said "those were the right people to call a meeting like that at that time, and for it to resonate well." Everyone that we were able to speak with would only elaborate hat they were encouraged to keep personal issues with one another in-house and solve them there, as opposed to the leaks that have exploded over the past couple of months. This was also stressed at previous talent meetings, including via an e-mail that went out to several. Most of the word we got were specific reactions to the reported hosts as opposed to the meeting itself.
Danielson, Moxley, and Jericho were heavily praised by those that we spoke to for various different reasons. Jericho -- even at All Out -- was credited for stepping up as a backstage presence even more than he previously was. One young AEW talent had said to us that the resolve that Jericho showed at the press scrum after the Brawl Out situation happened was a great example to be set. Moxley and Danielson also seem to be widely adored by the AEW locker room. Much of Moxley's promo after a recent title run when he said he was "the answer" to a lot of problems was echoed, especially considering he was supposed to have time off. Danielson's general friendly, funny demeanor was also credited as "calming" from one AEW talent.
Now, Chris Jericho has spoken with GQ and addressed how he feels about the backstage turmoil in All Elite Wrestling
“Without getting into specifics, it happens all the time,” Chris Jericho admitted. “That’s one of the things about being around as long as I have: You just recalibrate and you focus on the positives and realize we got a great locker room, a great group of guys and girls. I think we re-established that [on TV the last few weeks]. We know that this is a pretty special place, and we’re gonna go out there and we’re gonna kill it. That’s what we did. It’s a reset and that’s exciting for everybody involved, including me. We’re just gonna keep building upon it. That’s what you do. That’s how you have longevity.
“I bet you the Edmonton Oilers were terrified when Wayne Gretzky left, and they won a Stanley Cup that year. That’s just how it goes when somebody leaves—somebody else steps up," Jericho continued. "That’s the best thing about wrestling, or pro sports, or even SNL. Adam Sandler leaves and suddenly Jason Sudeikis is the big name or whatever. So absolutely we’re not gonna miss a beat. We’re gonna go on and become bigger and better and stronger than ever.”
Chris Jericho has been a big part of AEW since the inception of the company and following AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam, Chris Jericho is embarking on a new journey as the World Champion of Ring of Honor. Learn more here.
