Tony Khan says it’s “scary” how good Chris Jericho is right now.
Jericho won his eighth world title when he beat Claudio Castagnoli for the ROH World Championship on AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam. He will defend the gold against Bandido on the September 28 episode of AEW Dynamite, which will be held in Philadelphia.
Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Khan discussed wrestling’s history in Philadelphia, specifically with ROH and ECW. He noted that he watched Jericho’s last match in ECW over two decades ago, and “The Wizard” is wrestling at the highest level he has in years. Khan also stated that Jericho has found the fountain of youth.
“Ring of Honor has a great history in Philadelphia,” Khan said. “Before Ring of Honor, ECW had a great history in Philadelphia. I grew up, Tommy himself I saw when I was a 13-year-old kid, and Chris Jericho, his last match in ECW, actually his last two matches in ECW, I was there to see them both. It’s scary to say that it’s been over 26 years since that show, and Chris Jericho, it is not a stretch to say, is wrestling at the highest level he has in many years. It’s unbelievable.
“Chris has found the foundation of youth. His matches this year have been the best matches he’s had in AEW so far. It’s the fans saying that around the world and also the people he’s been in the ring with. Jon Moxley has wrestled Chris Jericho in AEW, also in WWE, and Jon and Chris have wrestled all over the world. Jon said to me first-hand, Chris is the best he’s ever been right now. He was blown away. It was Jon who asked for the Lionheart to come back, and he got what he asked for. Chris came back, better than ever.”
The AEW president continued by recalling how Jericho made his first defense of the AEW World Championship in Philadelphia three years ago, and he’s wrestling at a higher level now.
“He made his first defense of the AEW Title against Darby Allin in a Philly Street Fight, and honestly, Chris is better, stronger, faster, and has lost about 30 pounds, and put on muscle,” Jericho said. “He’s wrestling honestly at a higher level three years later than he was when he first won the championship with AEW. So it’s pretty scary how good Chris is now. I think he could win any championship in the world. It is pun intended, it’s an honor to have Chris Jericho as the Ring of Honor World Champion in AEW.”
"Chris has found the Fountain of Youth."@TonyKhan talks ROH World Champ @IAmJericho ahead of his #AEWDynamite match against @bandidowrestler in Philly tonight?@AEW @davidlagreca1 @THETOMMYDREAMER @MickieJames #AEW
Full 'Tony Time' on today's podcast:https://t.co/zyreWR1PQa pic.twitter.com/BBnr5q4xF6
— SiriusXM Busted Open (@BustedOpenRadio) September 28, 2022
WrestleZone will have coverage of AEW Dynamite as it airs on Wednesday.
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