Here’s why Chris Jericho won’t retire from AEW at All Out

Last night’s (Aug. 25) episode of Dynamite set up a match for All Out on Sept. 5 between Chris Jericho and MJF. The match comes with a high stakes stipulation - if Jericho loses, his in-ring career with AEW is over.

So, what’s the probability that Le Champion calls it quits in less than two weeks? I’d say the chances are rather slim. First, check out what Jericho had to say two weeks ago about retirement during an appearance on Audacy’s Bubba Show on 100.7 Star in Pittsburgh:

“Whenever I have the last match, who knows when that might be, it all depends on what the storyline is and what’s going on at the time. But I don’t think I’m going to be one of those guys that has like, ‘This is the last match!’ And it’s the big bruhaha, and cry at the end of it as Jericho wipes the tears away and goes, ‘Thank you for the memories!’

I’m not that type of guy. I don’t care about that sort of stuff. So when I have my last match, you might not even know it. It just depends. As long as I can continue to perform at the highest of levels, that I feel that I can, then I’ll keep going. And when I feel that I can’t, then I’ll step aside. And when that is, who knows? And who that’s gonna be against, like I said, it all depends on where we’re at at the time.”

That doesn’t sound to me like a wrestler who is planning to retire any time soon, or has any interest in going out with a match that has a retirement stipulation like this one.

Chris Jericho’s contract status with AEW is a more important factor to consider. Per Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer, Jericho’s three year deal with AEW technically runs out in January 2022, but there is an option for an additional year. Once again, that doesn’t strike me as the contract of a top star who is planning to walk away from an AEW ring in less than two weeks.

There might be a new Demo God in AEW, but I’d be surprised if Jericho hangs up his boots at All Out.

What do you think, Cagesiders?