Chris Jericho discusses retirement and fan backlash

Chris Jericho, a seasoned professional wrestler, recently shared his thoughts on retirement and dealing with fan negativity in a podcast interview. At 54 years old, Jericho is closer to the end of his in-ring career than the beginning, but he hasn’t given much thought to how he wants to wrap it up. Jericho said that the business has changed, allowing wrestlers to stay in it much longer. He’s still healthy and doing well by his standards, so there’s not much need to consider retirement for now. When asked about a potential retirement tour or final match, Jericho expressed his disinterest in a year-long retirement ceremony. He said, “I’ll just disappear, and no one will ever see me again.” However, he acknowledged that he might not be able to do that. Jericho doesn’t want the pressure of a final run or a last match being known ahead of time. He said, “When I retire, it’ll be ‘I’m retiring.’ I don’t want to do the thing where you come back or keep coming back.” As the current ROH World Champion, Jericho’s decision-making and storylines have sparked considerable backlash, especially in his “Learning Tree” gimmick. He shared his perspective on dealing with fan negativity, emphasizing the futility of trying to change the minds of detractors and instead focusing on his loyal fanbase and bringing in new fans.

Jericho reflects on career and fans

“People that hate you are going to hate you no matter what you do,” Jericho said. “I can’t worry about that; all I worry about is the fanbase that I have, which is massive, and bringing in new fans.” Despite the negativity, Jericho remains undeterred, focusing on his growth and continued engagement with fans. His outlook is a testament to his resilience and understanding of the wrestling industry’s dynamics. When asked about his future goals in the wrestling world, Jericho explained that he still hopes to create memorable moments and new memories for fans. He said, “If you’re looking at facts and figures, there’s really nothing left to accomplish for me. If you’re looking for just continuing to enjoy what I’m doing and create, like I said, cool moments for people to remember and cheer for, or whatever it may be, that’s basically what I have left to accomplish.” Jericho emphasized his commitment to giving his best performance every time he steps into the ring. He most recently competed at Ring Of Honor Final Battle, defending the Ring Of Honor World Title against Matt Cardona. Jericho’s dedication to his craft and his fans remains strong, as he aims to ensure that each performance leaves a lasting impression. His commitment to evolving and entertaining continues to drive his storied career, ensuring that he remains a beloved figure in professional wrestling.