Chris Jericho and Nick Wayne will meet again at AEW Grand Slam France, with their rematch now official for tonight’s event at the Adidas Arena in Paris, France.

The matchup adds another personal issue to a card already loaded with championship bouts and major names. Jericho defeated Wayne when they first wrestled on the September 16 edition of AEW Dynamite, but that result did not settle matters for Wayne. The younger competitor has pushed for another opportunity, determined to show that Jericho no longer has anything left to offer him inside the ring.

AEW framed the rematch around Wayne’s refusal to accept his previous defeat and his stated desire to prove that Jericho has “nothing left to teach him.” That motivation gives the match a clear edge beyond simply evening the score. Wayne is not only seeking a win over a decorated veteran; he is trying to reject the lesson Jericho delivered in their first encounter.

Wayne Seeks a Different Outcome Against Jericho

The September 16 result remains the central piece of the story going into Paris. Jericho emerged victorious in the first meeting, establishing the veteran’s advantage in the rivalry. Wayne, however, has not been willing to leave that loss behind. Rather than accepting Jericho’s win as the end of the matter, he has demanded the rematch at Grand Slam France.

For more background on this topic, read Wheeler Yuta Eyes AEW World Tag Team Title Run With Daniel Garcia.

That decision puts considerable pressure on Wayne. A victory would give him the response he has been looking for and would immediately change the conversation around his clash with Jericho. It would also validate his insistence that the first match did not define what he can do against an opponent with Jericho’s experience.

Another defeat would make Jericho’s initial win even more decisive. Wayne has made clear that he sees this match as his chance to prove a point, which means the stakes are heightened by his own challenge. His focus is not simply on competing on a prominent international AEW event. He wants to establish that Jericho cannot claim to be the man still teaching him lessons.

“Jericho beat Wayne in their first match and Nick couldn’t accept it. Now, Wayne is demanding a rematch to prove that Jericho has nothing left to teach him!”

Jericho heads into the bout with the benefit of having already beaten Wayne once. In a rematch, that prior result can matter as much mentally as it does on paper. Jericho knows he has found a way to defeat Wayne before, while Wayne must show he can adjust after falling short in their first meeting.

The bout also presents a classic contrast in perspective. Jericho arrives as one of the most experienced figures on the AEW roster, while Wayne is approaching the contest with the urgency of someone who refuses to let a loss stand without an answer. The exact issue has been laid out plainly: Wayne believes it is time to show he no longer has anything to learn from Jericho, and Jericho has the chance to reinforce the opposite conclusion.

Grand Slam France Adds Another High-Profile Match

Jericho vs. Wayne joins an AEW Grand Slam France lineup centered on title matches and significant singles and tag team bouts. The show will be headlined by Will Ospreay defending the AEW World Championship against Kazuchika Okada, placing two of AEW’s top stars in a world title contest.

The AEW Women’s World Championship will also be on the line as Mercedes Mone faces Queen Aminata. Elsewhere, Darby Allin defends the AEW TNT Championship against Kyle Fletcher, ensuring that another championship will be contested in Paris.

Beyond AEW’s championships, the event includes an ROH World Championship match. Bandido will defend against Kofi, bringing the Ring of Honor title into the Grand Slam France lineup. Samoa Joe and Jack Perry are set for a Clockwork Carnage Qualifying Match, while Jon Moxley and Gabe Kidd will team up against Mark Davis and Jake Doyle.

Against that backdrop, Jericho and Wayne have been added to a card that already has several established stakes. Their match does not require a championship to carry a clear purpose. The unresolved result from September 16, Wayne’s dissatisfaction with the loss, and the question of whether he can defeat Jericho on the second attempt give the contest its own direct narrative heading into bell time.

Paris Crowd Will See the Match Before Broadcast

AEW Grand Slam France takes place tonight from the Adidas Arena in Paris. The event airs on TNT beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET and will be simulcast on HBO Max.

AEW’s announcement noted that Jericho and Wayne will be seen live before the match airs. For the fans inside the Adidas Arena, that means the rematch will be part of the live Grand Slam France experience as the company presents its international event in Paris.

The setting is a notable one for both wrestlers. International AEW cards bring an added spotlight, and Wayne has chosen that setting for his immediate attempt to reverse the outcome of his first match with Jericho. His demand for another chance has now been granted, leaving him with the opportunity he wanted on a night featuring some of the promotion’s biggest matches.

For Jericho, the rematch offers a chance to make the rivalry straightforward. He defeated Wayne on September 16. If he does so again in France, there will be little doubt about who holds the advantage between the two men. Wayne’s challenge, meanwhile, is to show that his refusal to accept the first result was justified.

Updated AEW Grand Slam France Lineup

  • AEW World Championship Match: Will Ospreay vs. Kazuchika Okada
  • AEW Women’s World Championship Match: Mercedes Mone vs. Queen Aminata
  • AEW TNT Championship Match: Darby Allin vs. Kyle Fletcher
  • ROH World Championship Match: Bandido vs. Kofi
  • Clockwork Carnage Qualifying Match: Samoa Joe vs. Jack Perry
  • Jon Moxley & Gabe Kidd vs. Mark Davis & Jake Doyle
  • Chris Jericho vs. Nick Wayne

With the rematch confirmed, Wayne now has the stage he requested. Jericho has already won once, but Wayne has made it clear that the first defeat will not be his final word. AEW Grand Slam France will determine whether the veteran repeats the result or whether Wayne can secure the statement victory he believes he needs.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.