Exact Reason Why Chris Jericho Left WWE For AEW

The AEW World Champion tells all in new interview.

Chris Jericho
AEW

All Elite Wrestling World Champion Chris Jericho has conducted a new interview with the Mature Audiences Mayhem Podcast, in which he shed new light on the circumstances leading to his WWE departure.

'Le Champion' started off by talking about the build to WrestleMania 33. He claimed that he was originally supposed to take the Universal Title from heel champion Kevin Owens in the night's main event, capping their long-running storyline. Unfortunately, this was changed when Brock Lesnar decided he wanted to keep his Goldberg feud running, so the belt was switched to Goldberg at Fastlane and Jericho vs. Owens was demoted.

"And not only did they take us out of the main event, but they took us from that slot and moved us to the second match on a card that has 12 matches on it," Jericho said. "I was like, that's a f*cking insult! We had the best storyline of the year, but it still doesn't matter. It's still not going to get me higher on the card than second at WrestleMania."

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At that point, he felt he needed to leave, and this is what led to him showing up in New Japan and, eventually AEW.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.