The questions came after rumors about Chris Jericho spread online ahead of the Dec. 30 PPV.
Leading up to the Worlds End PPV on December 30, much of the social media discussion surrounding AEW focused on rumors and speculation about sexual harassment/misconduct within the company. The discussion was sparked by comments made by Nick Hausman in his Rumor & Innuendo podcast about Chris Jericho:
“There are issues with Chris behind the scenes where I know many people who have been hurt by Chris and his actions. You know, it makes me very uncomfortable to see him praised the way he is and just focus on that because I think there are a lot of questionable stories about Chris that will come to light over time when people are ready to tell them These stories will put him in a completely different light.
“I mean, Harvey Weinstein has won a lot of Oscars, Harvey Weinstein has produced a lot of very popular films. Harvey Weinstein is in prison now… I'm not saying this is happening to Chris, but the story can change quickly when you have a lot of skeletons hidden in your closet.”
The online conversation that developed when this Hausman quote was shared included and led to speculation about certain past events several signs indicating rumors and loud boos for the veteran wrestler during his tag match at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.
While TBS host Julia Hart answered questions at the post-show media scrum, Kevin McElvaney of Pro Wrestling Illustrated Tony Khan asked about sexual harassment in the company and fans' concerns about the safety of female wrestlers. AEW's owner, president and head of creative responded (while wearing Toni Storm's hat and sunglasses from the previous section of the press release) by saying:
“This is something that we take very seriously and we have a policy in place and that is definitely – I think whenever there is something like this, we would make sure that we do everything we can to to prevent it.” AEW, in my opinion, has the best safety record of any pro wrestling company in the world.
“I believe we have the safest environment, I believe we have the best safety record of any pro wrestling company, and I would hold AEW's record for safety against any other wrestling company in the world, and I think AEW is the safest place for professional wrestling. And if any of our wrestlers ever have a concern, they are always available to me. I think anyone would sit here and tell you they can talk to me any time they’re worried.”
McElvaney didn't mention Jericho, but asked specifically about the policy Khan alluded to and what was “passed down to staff.” Khan replied:
“Well, if anything came to light, I would present it to the disciplinary committee, and that's what we did. The disciplinary committee has done a great job and everyone knows they have an open line with me or anyone on that committee.”
When Khan later answered questions himself, Phil Strum of USA Today followed. He asked about Jericho – specifically whether Jericho was or has been subject to an internal investigation for sexual misconduct or any other type of misconduct during his tenure with AEW.
Khan, now without his hat and sunglasses, replied:
“I can't do anything with the internet and rumors without attribution. I think I spoke to Kevin earlier and mentioned the policies we have and the disciplinary process. We've always stuck to it and I believe it's the safest wrestling company in the world and we have the best track record in safety and I would stress that to everyone. And whenever anyone has a complaint, the door is open for them to report it to me or anyone in the office and we would always look into the matter. So Kevin asked about that policy again earlier, and I think I gave a pretty solid answer and it would apply here too.”
The topic was brought up a third time by someone from the Wrestling Observer, who again specifically addressed Jericho. Khan rephrased his previous answers that wrestlers and employees could speak to him or the disciplinary committee at any time and about the company's safety record, but continued to not confirm or deny specific investigations.
Jericho did not appear at the scrum or respond to any recent dialogue on his own social media.
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