In recent weeks, it's become common knowledge that Randy Orton's ten year contract with WWE was nearing its end. In what was either a very public negotiating tactic or an attempt to troll fans, The Viper took to social media to tease an apparent leap to All Elite Wrestling.
Now, Chris Jericho has weighed in on Orton's decision to stay with WWE.
"I can’t say anything about it because I don’t know anything about it, no-one’s calling me to tell me about these things," he explained. "But I know this – nobody is getting out of WWE, especially Randy Orton, because unless he’s very, very committed to saying ‘I don’t care if you pay me 20 gazillion dollars I’m leaving’ that’s not what he’s doing. I mean, obviously Vince is going to pay millions and millions of dollars to not have Randy Orton go."
"If you’re using AEW to make more money off of Vince, go for it," he added. "That’s great too but it’s not like we’re taking everybody that’s going to leave WWE to come to AEW."
"The point is that Vince just doesn’t want anybody to leave WWE because it looks like an exodus if they do and makes us look even cooler. We do things our way, we’ve got a great roster of guys and if somebody becomes available that really wants to be with us and we think that they fit our vibe then we’ll take them."
With Jake Hager - better known as Jack Swagger in WWE - now part of AEW, some fans have criticised the company because they do appear to be following in TNA's footsteps by relying heavily on former WWE Superstars. What do you guys think about Jericho's comments?