AEW Star Chris Jericho to Appear on WWE's Broken Skull Sessions with Stone Cold
April 2, 2021
WWE shockingly announced Friday that All Elite Wrestling star Chris Jericho will appear on Broken Skull Sessions with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin on Peacock and the WWE Network on April 11.
The surprising crossover was made official with the following tweet:
WWE teased Jericho's sit-down interview with Austin on Thursday with a countdown clock reminiscent of the one that started Jericho's original entrance in WWE:
By waiting until April Fools' Day passed, WWE erased any doubts about the authenticity of the landmark event.
When Jericho and Austin appear on Peacock and WWE Network on the same day that Night 2 of WrestleMania 37 takes place, it will mark the first time that a current AEW performer appears on WWE programming via original content.
While the 50-year-old is one of the faces of AEW and a former AEW World champion, he reached megastar status during his time in WWE.
After competing in WCW from 1996-99, he signed with WWE and made his debut for the promotion in 1999 to tons of fanfare.
Jericho worked for WWE on and off until 2018, and during that time he became one of the most decorated Superstars in WWE history.
All told, Jericho is a six-time world champion, nine-time intercontinental champion, seven-time tag team champion and two-time United States champion in WWE.
Jericho is undoubtedly a WWE legend, but it is still surprising to see a wrestler from a rival company working with WWE in some capacity. Austin shed some light on how everything came together, however.
In an interview with Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated, Austin explained that Jericho contacted him following his Broken Skull Sessions with The Undertaker to tell him how much he enjoyed it.
Jericho expressed interest in doing the show, and Austin reached out to WWE Chairman Vince McMahon via text to ask permission. Austin said Vince replied, "It's cool. Go ahead."
Barrasso added that Jericho received permission from AEW President Tony Khan to do the show as well, which makes sense considering it could help AEW get some additional exposure.
While Jericho has taken some shots at WWE since signing with AEW, he has long talked about his relationship and friendship with McMahon. Given how long they have known each other and worked together, there is likely plenty of respect on both sides.
McMahon giving the OK for Jericho to appear on a WWE show is a sign that the performer remains on good terms with the company, and it bodes well for him potentially working with WWE again in some capacity in the future, such as a WWE Hall of Fame induction.
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