Most folks are digging Chris Jericho’s 2016 run with WWE - even comparing it to his late-Aughts one which included an all-time great feud with Shawn Michaels. But even if you’re over the Ayatollah of Rock ‘n’ Rolla and ready for him to go back to podcasting, acting, writing and singing, there’s one question to which everyone would like the answer...
In the above interview Jericho gave to John Pollock at The LAW: Live Audio Wrestling in advance of Survivor Series and his live Talk is Jericho show with his best friend Kevin Owens, he spoke about the original plans for his latest stay in WWE, and revealed where things stand today:
...my original plan when I came back last January was to stay until WrestleMania... four months. Then, it started going so good, I re-signed I think until July and then I re-signed until October and then I re-signed until November. Now it's basically a month by month thing. I've got a certain time frame in mind but I can't even say that because what was supposed to be four has already been ten because I am smart enough to know this.
I've been doing this for a long time and to have - like you said, this could be my best run, I still think my 2008 Shawn Michaels, Rey Mysterio, Big Show might have been better but if it was, it's not by far. This could be the best run I've ever had and at 45 years old, ten years ago, you would think that was old. Now, the Stones are still killing it at 74 years old so as long as physically I can go and still basically look the part, I don't really put any limits on age or anything like that. I can still go out there and have the best match of the show on any given night and I'm working with guys that are 10-15 years younger that don't feel that.
Other than how well his act has been received by fans, Y2J is open-minded about how long he’ll stay full-time with WWE because he’s having fun - especially working with a new wave of talent like Owens, Seth Rollins and others:
I love working with Owens and Rollins and Reigns and Sami Zayn and Dean Ambrose and AJ. Those guys are re-invigorating my love for the business because I have been through a lot of generations of the business.
Also, keep this in mind, my generation of guys, as sad as it is to say this, my best friends have either passed away or retired so now I have this whole new group of guys who it starts with a little bit of hero worship, that's great but now let's get down to it, just start working and having some fun.
These are like my best friends on the job right now, I love hanging out with the guys, they're all really great guys and there's no reason for me to stop because I'm doing something for the right reason because I love doing it and that's why I do anything at this point. Thankfully, I don't have to worry about any financial issues, I do something because I love it.
Right now, in the WWE, I'm enjoying this run as much as I had anything in my entire career and I'm going to enjoy it as long as I can and continue to build it and continue to entertain for as long as I can in the WWE, for sure.
Anyone got a problem with that? Because I think you know what will happen to you if you do...