Chris Jericho has responded to fans who criticize the pace of long-term storytelling. Speaking on the Untapped podcast with Spencer Matthews, the former AEW World Champion defended the "slow-burn" approach that has defined much of his career.
Jericho argued that the most impressive rivalries – such as his year-long program with MJF or his historic 2008 feud with Shawn Michaels – require patience to reach their full potential. He believes that today's fans often demand an immediate payoff rather than progressing the story.
Jericho used the film Saving Private Ryan as a metaphor for his creative approach, and emphasized that a story should only be evaluated after the final chapter has been written. He shared his frustration with viewers who dismiss a rivalry midway through its execution, comparing it to leaving a movie theater before the climax.
Jericho said, "I like long-term stories. My favorite stories are always the ones that last for months, you have to be creative. You don't have to be on the show every week, both guys don't have to be on the show every week." “I always love wrestling fans, especially modern ones, who want to know the answer right now, give us the answer right now!
"If I'm watching Saving Private Ryan, it's 3 hours long... If I say, 'This movie, they haven't got Ryan yet. This movie sucks! It's stupid! It's too long!' I hear it every day from wrestling fans,'' he said. "My point is to shut the fuck up and let me tell my story when it's over."
"The Learning Tree" has not appeared on AEW programming since April 2025, when he disbanded his faction and informed partners Big Bill and Brian Keith that he would be taking an extended hiatus. The report from Fightful Select reveals that while his contract was originally set to expire in December 2025, AEW management has "paused" the deal in consideration of his time away.
This interruption typically occurs when an artist takes significant time off for outside ventures, such as Jericho's recent United Kingdom tour with his band, Fozzie. Despite heavy speculation about a possible WrestleMania 42 return to WWE, Jericho is listed on the official AEW roster page. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter stated that Triple H has reportedly expressed interest in a retirement tour for the veteran, but that no formal negotiations can occur until his current obligations to Tony Khan are completed.
