With WrestleMania quickly approaching one of the company’s most decorated champion appears to be on the outs with his former employer. In a recent edition of Chris Jericho‘s highly successful Talk is Jericho Podcast, the former Unified WWE champion claims he has been “banned” from the WWE. While the term is used facetiously, or at the least a slight exaggeration, it does hold some weight.
“I’ve talked with him (Vince McMahon) a couple of times but I’m kind of public enemy number 1 there now. I’ve been kind of removed from the annals of history.”
“I asked the other day if I could have a couple of their (WWE) guys on my podcast to promote Mania and I was told ‘no, it’s not appropriate because you’re in AEW.’ I am banned from WWE.”
“I know that they had to take some videos down from UpUpDownDown of me playing. They edited some stuff from the Edge and Christian Show that had my name on it.”
(Editor’s Note: Upon looking at Xavier Woods’ UpUpDownDown page, Chris Jericho’s episodes are actually still available)
While it does appear the WWE is preventing their talent from appearing on his podcast, the timing seems a little awkward with WrestleMania a week away, and having their talent not take part in what is essentially a media opportunity is strange. One would think that such a decision would come after the Showcase of the Immortals, but to do so beforehand doesn’t aid in a company-wide effort to promote the event
Jericho being prevented from having WWE talent appear on his show is due to his current contract with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and that doesn’t appear to be changing in the immediate future. The terms of Chris Jericho’s AEW contract runs until 2022. If that is the case and this prevention of having any affiliation has any long term clout, it could be at least until after 2022 until the two sides may work together in some capacity. WrestleMania takes place on Sunday, April 7th from the Metlife Stadium in New Jersey.
