Chris Jericho has revealed that AEW made a serious attempt to sign AJ Styles away from WWE when his contract was nearing expiration.
Speaking to Tanaka Haruto of GamesHub, Jericho confirmed that AEW actively pursued "The Phenomenal One" during contract negotiations, though the move ultimately never materialized.
"There was a time when we were going after him when his contract was up," Jericho said. "Could he be a good fit? Of course he would be. AJ's a great performer and a great guy."
Different Company Philosophies
Jericho explained that the different approaches between WWE and AEW can affect how talent adapts when switching companies, particularly for wrestlers who have spent significant time in one system.
"But there is something to be said for the fact that when you've worked in the Vince McMahon system for a long time, you think differently," Jericho noted. "There are ways WWE runs their company, and there are ways AEW runs theirs."
The former AEW World Champion added that he understood why someone might not want to jump immediately from retirement in one promotion to another company.
Styles' Current Status
"I'm not going to speak for AJ, but I don't know why you'd retire in one place and then immediately go somewhere else," Jericho said. "That said, I'm sure it's always a possibility."
AJ Styles retired from in-ring competition earlier this year following a loss to Gunther at WWE Royal Rumble. Despite fan speculation about a potential AEW move, Styles quickly dismissed those rumors and has since transitioned into a scouting role with WWE.
Jericho himself has been off AEW television since April 2025, with his future with the company remaining unclear.
