Chris Jericho Taking AEW Hiatus as Fozzy Launches 2025th Anniversary Tour

Chris Jericho is stepping away from AEW television for the time being, and it comes at a moment that feels well-timed for both his schedule and his character.

As reported by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Jericho is taking a hiatus to coincide with his band Fozzy embarking on their latest tour. In the past, Jericho went out of his way to ensure he’d still be available for AEW Dynamite, even structuring Fozzy’s tours around Wednesdays so he could fly in for the weekly TV tapings. This time, however, the veteran star felt it was the right moment to take a full step back.

According to Observer's Dave Meltzer, Jericho’s decision was driven not just by his musical commitments but also by a belief that his character could benefit from being off-screen for a stretch. "Jericho wanted to take time off because he felt his character needed a break," Meltzer reported.

This comes after weeks of increasing backlash from AEW crowds and online fans, with some vocal detractors even breaking into “Please retire” chants during his segments. Rather than ignore the noise, Jericho did what he’s done best over the years: he adapted. He took the criticism and flipped it into his ongoing reinvention, leaning into the negativity to fuel a fresh layer to his persona.

Jericho has always been a master of knowing when to pivot. At this point in his career, stepping away for a bit feels like the right move to reset the narrative and come back refreshed. His ability to evolve has kept him relevant for over three decades, and there's no doubt that when he returns, he'll have something new up his sleeve.

Fozzy’s 2025th Anniversary Tour kicks off on April 17 and runs through mid-May, with stops across the U.S. As of now, there’s no confirmed timetable for Jericho’s return to AEW programming, but when he does resurface, expect the next chapter of his ever-evolving story to unfold.

Here’s a look at the upcoming Fozzy tour dates:

April 17 - Springfield, MO - The Riff
April 18 - Wichita, KS - Temple Live
April 19 - Colorado Springs, CO - Sunshine Studios
April 20 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theater
April 21 - Phoenix, AZ - Crescent Ballroom
April 24 - Las Vegas, NV - Count's Vamp'd
April 25 - Los Angeles, CA - Whisky A Go Go
April 26 - Fresno, CA - Strummer’s
April 27 - Roseville, CA - Goldfield Trading Post
April 28 - Anaheim, CA - The Parish @ House Of Blues
May 1 - Grand Junction, CO - Mesa Theater
May 2 - Denver, CO - HQ
May 3 - Lincoln, NE - Royal Grove
May 4 - Des Moines, IA - Wooly's
May 5 - Madison, WI - Majestic Theater
May 8 - Cadillac, MI - Venue Event Center
May 9 - Joliet, IL - The Forge
May 10 - Green Bay, WI - EPIC Event Center
May 11 - Belvidere, IL - Apollo Theater
May 12 - Wyandotte, MI - District 142