Chris Jericho Talks Retirement, Adesanya Praises Oba Femi, WWE Unreal Nominated for Sports Emmys

Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from the WWE Universe.

Jericho on How Long He Plans to Keep Wrestling

Legendary pro wrestler Chris Jericho suggested that he has no immediate plans to retire despite being 55 years of age.

In an interview with Tanaka Haruto of GamesHub, Jericho referenced his own wrestling future in a discussion about today's physical style of wrestling and how it impacts younger performers.

"What worries me about the guys working today is here I am at 55, 35 years in, with still some career left to go," Jericho said. "I don't know if it's a year, two years, four years—I'm not sure. But I don't know how many of the guys working now will have the option to go 35 years."

After spending time in Mexico, Japan, ECW and WCW, Jericho signed with WWE in 1999, and he went on to spend a large chunk of the next two decades with the company.

Jericho sent shockwaves through the wrestling world in January 2019 when he surprisingly announced he had signed with upstart wrestling company AEW.

Y2J played a pivotal role in AEW's early success en route to establishing itself as the clear No. 2 wrestling promotion in the world. Jericho was the inaugural AEW world champion, and he was involved in countless important feuds and matches over the first few years of the company.

Jericho was moved into a lesser role in more recent years, though, and it has now been nearly one full year since his last appearance on AEW programming.

Despite constant speculation about Jericho possibly returning to WWE to finish out his career, there is no indication of when or if it will happen, as he remains listed on the official AEW roster page, which suggests he is still under contract.

Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t Steve Carrier of Ringside News) reported this week that he is "95 percent sure" AEW has frozen Jericho's contract during his absence.

It isn't known when or if Jericho's contract will be unfrozen and allowed to lapse, but until that happens, it appears his in-ring career is essentially on hold.

Adesanya Applauds Femi for WWE Dominance

Count UFC star Israel Adesanya among the many supporters of rising WWE Superstar Oba Femi.

In an interview with Full Send MMA (h/t Fightful's Corey Brennan), the two-time UFC middleweight champion had several positive things to say about the two-time NXT champion.

"I really like the way he just moves," Adesanya said. "I like the way he's carrying the WWE right now. He's the guy. He's just like, he's got that swagger. So shout out to Oba Femi."

Adesanya brought up Femi during a discussion about the best WWE theme songs and entrances. There is little doubt that The Ruler's crowd-interactive entrance has had a hand in him becoming a star so quickly.

Oba signed with WWE in late 2021, made his in-ring debut one year later and didn't become part of the NXT roster until April 2023.

Less than three years later, Femi is viewed as a future world champion and WrestleMania main eventer, and he is preparing for the biggest match of his young career thus far.

At WrestleMania 42 next month, Femi will clash with one of the all-time greats in Brock Lesnar.

If Oba manages to defeat The Beast Incarnate, it could catapult him to the next level and help him become a world champ by the time next year's WrestleMania rolls around.

WWE Unreal Nominated for Multiple Sports Emmys

The popular Netflix series WWE Unreal received three Sports Emmys nominations this week.

According to Michael Schneider of Variety, WWE Unreal was nominated in the categories of Outstanding Sports Documentary Series: Serialized, Outstanding Sports Editing: Long Form and Outstanding Sports Graphic Design: Specialty.

WWE Unreal provides a behind-the-scenes look at WWE's Superstars and its creative team, giving fans a chance to see how the storylines they enjoy on TV are initially conceived.

The first season dropped this past summer, and it was such a success that Season 2 was released earlier this year.

Seth Rollins' fake knee injury and eventual Money in the Bank cash-in on CM Punk to win the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam was among the main storylines featured in Season 2 of the show.

WWE Unreal has already been renewed for Season 3 this coming summer, and it could potentially have one or more Sports Emmys wins to its credit by then.