Chris Jericho was arguably the most important name when AEW opened its doors in 2019.
The Young Bucks may have had the indie cool, and Kenny Omega the buzz from Japan, but Jericho was a recognised star the world over — the name that gave the company mainstream credibility.
In the last six years, he’s had memorable feuds, multiple gimmick changes and factions, outstanding matches — as well as a “Mimosa Mayhem” bout. However, at 54, father time is counting down, and his run with the company will, at some point in the not-too-distant future, come to an end.
Here are seven stars who could be chosen as his final AEW opponent.
7. Kenny Omega
AEW was born out of the success of Kenny Omega and Chris Jericho’s legendary dream match at New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s Wrestle Kingdom 12 in 2018.
Tony Khan, seeing the level of interest in the bout, realised it was possible to build a new company around stars like Jericho, Omega, and the Young Bucks.
The two would go on to headline AEW’s first official pay-per-view, Double or Nothing 2019.
A final match between Jericho and Omega would be the ultimate full-circle moment – the perfect way to bring closure to Jericho’s AEW run.
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6. MJF
One of Chris Jericho’s most memorable AEW rivalries was his near year-long saga with MJF.
From opponents to uneasy allies in the Inner Circle, and eventually full-blown blood rivals, their long-term story helped define AEW in 2020 and 2021.
A final match between the two would be an impactful way for Jericho to finish his AEW run.
Moreover, victory for MJF would give him another accolade to endlessly articulate: the man who retired Chris Jericho.
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5. Hangman Adam Page
At All Out 2019, Chris Jericho and Hangman Adam Page battled in the main event, with Jericho becoming the first-ever AEW World Champion.
While historic, their match was considered as something of a letdown – unfortunately tasked with following the spectacular tag bout between The Young Bucks and the Lucha Brothers.
The two haven’t faced off one-on-one since.
What better way for Jericho to close the chapter on Jericho’s AEW career than by righting that wrong and delivering a certified banger against Page?
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4. Eddie Kingston
Going back to the idea of using Chris Jericho’s final match to right past wrongs, a showdown with Eddie Kingston would make perfect sense.
The two had a memorable feud in 2022, starting with an outstanding bout at Revolution and peaking during the iconic Anarchy in the Arena match – highlighted by a bloodied Kingston carrying a gas canister to the ring.
Despite the feud’s highs, it ended in a whimper in the critically panned Barbed Wire match on Dynamite that July.
A final bout between the two could give their story the proper ending it deserves.
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3. Kyle Fletcher
A final AEW bout for Chris Jericho could serve as the perfect opportunity to elevate one of the company’s future main eventers.
Few fit that bill better than “The ProtoStar” Kyle Fletcher – a supremely talented young performer with unlimited upside.
Fletcher could get an outstanding bout out of Jericho, only to brutally beat him down post-match to send him packing from AEW.
“Beating Jericho into retirement” would give Fletcher bragging rights akin to Jericho’s legendary claim that he “beat Rock and Austin in the same night”.
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2. Big Bill
Big Bill has undergone an undeniably impressive career resurgence.
Once viewed as a limited big man and plagued by personal issues, his transformation in AEW – especially as part of The Learning Tree – has been nothing short of remarkable.
Fan support for him as grown since last summer after getting over massively with British crowds – and many clearly want to see him break free from Jericho.
Having Bill be the one to face and defeat Jericho in his final bout would solidify him as a serious player in AEW.
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1. Sammy Guevara
Over AEW’s history, no wrestler has been more closely linked with Chris Jericho than Sammy Guevara.
Guevara aligned with Jericho on the very first night of Dynamite, becoming a key part of both the Inner Circle and later the Jericho Appreciation Society.
Despite their long history, the two have only met once in singles competition – at Grand Slam 2023.
There may be no more poignant choice for Jericho’s final AEW opponent than his longtime protégé and tag partner, Guevara.
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