Real Reason AEW Picked Chris Jericho As First World Champion Revealed

At All Out back in August, Chris Jericho defeated Hangman Adam Page to become the inaugural AEW World Champion.

Jericho, who is set to face Hiroshi Tanahashi for NJPW at Wrestle Kingdom 14 in 2020, will be defending his title against Cody at Full Gear next month.

A few people were somewhat unhappy that Jericho was selected as the first AEW World Champion. Being nearly 50-years-old, many thought that the younger Page should have been selected as the company’s inaugural champion.

However, you can understand why AEW made the call to pick Jericho as the first champion. As a former WWE, WCW and NJPW star, Jericho appeals to many different wrestling fans, and have the name-recognisability that AEW will need in their infancy.

While speaking to the New York Post, AEW Executive Vice President Matt Jackson explained why the call was made to have Jericho as the first champion:

“We felt like if we want someone to be the identity of this company, it’s got to be the most famous guy who everyone knows and it’s Chris Jericho, who just so happens to be one of the greatest wrestlers of all time.”

Jericho likely won’t have an overly lengthy reign with the title. I expect him to drop the belt to a younger guy in the coming months.

• Hangman Adam Page
• chris jericho
• Cody
• AEW

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