Chris Jericho responds to the criticism.
AEW is often the target of negativity online for a variety of reasons. In recent weeks, some fans and critics have highlighted the way the company has leaned into sports entertainment, which goes against the company’s typical focus on wrestling.
Speaking on WFAA, the fan criticism of AEW “having an identity crisis” came up in the conversation, and Chris Jericho was asked to comment. He stated that opinions are opinions. Jericho shared his belief that AEW is putting on great shows, and the company is building stars. (H/t Jeremy Lambert of Fightful for the transcription)
“People’s opinions are opinions, especially on social media, when everybody is going to say what they think, with no consequences, and mostly negativity,” Chris Jericho said. “I think our shows have been great, the matches have been great, and we’ve done a great job of balancing the storylines along with these amazing matches.
“The most important thing we’ve been doing is building stars. I’m sure people on the Dallas Cowboys or people making movies or if you’re in a band. It’s like being a KISS fan, KISS fans hate everything, but they still buy everything. I find a lot of wrestling fans are like that too. They hate everything.”
Chris Jericho Focus On Making News Fans
Chris Jericho went on to describe how public opinion online will say their opinions, and they are often negative. Jericho made it clear that he doesn’t worry about people who don’t like AEW. Instead, he focuses on the people who do like the show, while he also prioritizes making new fans.
“If you listen to public opinion online, I should be shot and killed and never show my face on wrestling again because I’m the worst possible thing that could ever happen to the business, me still being in existence,” Chris Jericho said. “Either you believe that or you don’t, and I don’t. I don’t think the majority of people do either, but people are still going to say that. It’s your opinion. I never worry about people that don’t like what we do because you can’t convince them, they just don’t like it, and that’s fine. It’s your opinion. I worry about the people that do like our show and worry about making new fans of our show, that’s the most important thing.”
Jericho recently said he will never have a big retirement match. Check out his comments here.
Catch up on our coverage of the December 13 episode of AEW Dynamite here.
