Chris Jericho has been with AEW since its infancy, but he will always be associated with WWE for his run from 1999-2017. During this time, he held world titles, engaged in legendary feuds and created moments that will forever be cemented in company lore. No matter how far he distances himself from WWE, the connection will always exist.
Considering everything the Fozzy frontman has achieved with WWE, it is safe to say that he’s guaranteed for the Hall of Fame. That probably won’t happen as long as he’s a full-time member of AEW, but one day he will inevitably be recognized and honored alongside other industry legends.
However, in an interview with Chris Van Vliet on Insight, Jericho addressed the possibility of not being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. He partially attributed his indifference to the requirement of having a pre-approved speech and the fact that the Hall of Fame doesn’t actually exist (h/t Fightful for transcription).
I always like going against the grain. I loved when Axel Rose didn’t show up to the Hall of Fame and sent a note saying, ‘Not only am I not showing up, you’re not allowed to say my name.’ I love that s–t. That’s f–king rock N roll, man. I don’t really understand the point of a Hall of Fame. If you think I’m in it, that’s great. There is no real Hall of Fame, it’s all in WWE’s mind and their chambers of the mind. Does it really matter if I’m in it or not? I go up there and give some approved speech where you have five minutes to encapsulate 33 years. I was at the Hall of Fames when you had Hillbilly Jim talking for 45 minutes and you’re like, ‘F–king hell dude, you were on Saturday Night’s Main Event once. You don’t have a lot to say. Enough.’ Nothing against Hillbilly Jim, he’s a cool guy and deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. Then you get Undertaker, and he gets 50 minutes. I’m not interested in that at this point. It’s not a disrespectful thing. I don’t see the benefits of it and I kind of like doing opposite things.
Jericho obviously doesn’t care if WWE inducts him into the Hall of Fame. A real Hall of Fame would amplify WWE’s ability to celebrate their greatest of all time, but it doesn’t seem like that’s happening anytime soon, so Y2J will probably continue to remain indifferent.
Regardless of whether or not he is immortalized, Jericho will always be considered a WWE legend, so perhaps an induction holds little significance.