Chris Jericho has revealed that his discussions with TNA Wrestling in 2007 were more than just casual conversations, but there was also a calculated business strategy behind them.
Speaking during the Dark Side of the Ring Season 7 Q&A in New York City on July 6, 2026, Jericho shared a backstage story that had never been publicly told before.
The revelation offers a fresh look at the negotiations that ultimately led to one of WWE’s biggest returns of that era. As it turns out, Jericho wasn’t just playing the game inside the ring — he was working the contract sheet, too.
Chris Jericho explains how TNA helped secure a better WWE deal
Jericho recalled meeting with Jeff Jarrett and Dixie Carter at a Cheesecake Factory in Tampa while discussing a possible move to TNA.
“I’m not sure this story has ever been told publicly. Jeff and I and Dixie, we met at the Cheesecake Factory in Tampa, Florida,” he said.
At the time, Jericho had been away from WWE for a couple of years and was negotiating a return. However, he explained that Vince McMahon had a salary ceiling that WWE wasn’t willing to exceed.
“Vince had the magic number of a salary… he wasn’t coming close to it,” Jericho said, adding that he decided to see what would happen if TNA entered the picture.
To make sure word spread, Jericho even had his cousin quietly alert a wrestling dirt sheet that the meeting was taking place.
“Just go sit over there and just comment on what you see,” he recalled telling his cousin.
The strategy worked almost immediately.
“I’m not saying I wasn’t entertaining the idea, but two days later, guess who came back with the magic number?” Jericho revealed.
He also admitted TNA was genuinely appealing at the time, praising the rivalry between Samoa Joe and Kurt Angle. “It wasn’t like I was not thinking about it… that’s the reason why it’s great to have two viable companies,” he said.
Jarrett seemingly understood the opportunity as well, recalling his reaction afterward: “Dixie, if we can get him, it’s a freaking grand slam.”
Jericho ultimately returned to WWE, but his story highlights how competition between promotions can reshape negotiations behind the scenes.
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