Chris Jericho has spent much of his AEW career leading factions, from the Inner Circle to the Jericho Appreciation Society and The Learning Tree. However, since his return to the promotion in April, he has stepped away from that role, operating as a solo act. During a recent interview on TMZ Inside The Ring, Jericho shared insights into the evolution of his career and what drives him now.
Reflecting on his time leading stables, Jericho noted that those alliances were born out of necessity during AEW’s early days. “When we started AEW, it was basically just me, Jim Ross, and to a lesser extent Cody and Kenny and those guys, but they weren’t really national stars,” he said. “So, I knew I had about a three-month window to make as many stars as I could.” He emphasized that the Inner Circle was formed to quickly assemble a roster of talent, including names like Sammy Guevara, Jake Hagar, Santana, and Ortiz. Over time, other groups like the Jericho Appreciation Society and The Learning Tree followed, each serving as platforms to elevate emerging talent.
Choosing Independence Over Group Leadership
Jericho explained that his decision to return without a faction was intentional. “I just didn’t feel like I needed a stable. It was the self-titled era of Chris Jericho—hence ‘Jericho,’” he said. “I could have had another bunch of nicknames. I trademarked a bunch, but then I’m like, ‘What’s the difference between The Cornerstone or The National Treasure, and The Learning Tree and Le Champion?’ It’s like, I don’t need that. Jericho is enough to instill whatever memories you have from 35 years of doing this. You figure it out; it’s up to you.”
He likened his approach to iconic albums like Metallica’s Black Album and The Beatles’ White Album—stripped-down and iconic. “You just see the Beatles; you don’t need anything else. You see Metallica, you know what they do. And it was the same with Jericho,” he added.
A New Mission: Mentorship and Collaboration
Since returning, Jericho has shifted focus from leading groups to working one-on-one with rising talent. “Instead of having the factions, it was working with guys—Ricochet, let’s build Ricochet and the Gates of Agony. Let’s do something with the Hurt Syndicate. Let’s do something with the Bucks and Jericho for the first time ever,” he said. This collaborative spirit has extended to partnerships with performers like Ciampa and Nick Wayne.
“The idea is to give these guys—it’s almost a task. Like, ‘Here’s your assignment when you work with Chris Jericho, and let’s build something. What is it? Is it a promo? Is it a work rate? Is it your persona? Is it your overall appearance? Is it your overall vibe?’” Jericho explained. He described this phase as an opportunity to help others grow while continuing to evolve himself. “So maybe they learn something, and I’m learning something too. And the fans are seeing a different side of these guys, and suddenly next thing you know everybody’s a little bit further up the food chain for that.”
If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit TMZ Inside The Ring with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.
