The wrestling world is buzzing with anticipation, and at the heart of it all is the enigmatic Chris Jericho. Could we be on the brink of witnessing one of the most shocking returns in WWE history? Fans are eagerly speculating about Jericho's potential comeback, but the truth remains shrouded in mystery, leaving everyone guessing.
This past Monday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the crowd erupted into chants of 'Y2J,' convinced that the nine-time world champion would make a surprise appearance on the Raw Netflix anniversary show. Yet, as the night unfolded, Jericho's presence was conspicuously absent, leaving fans both puzzled and intrigued. But here's where it gets controversial—was this deliberate misdirection, or simply a missed opportunity?
To understand the fervor, let’s rewind to late December. Alex McCarthy of Wrestling Intel reported that Jericho was expected to return to WWE once his contract with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) expired. McCarthy even hinted that WWE's creative team was considering featuring Jericho during the January 5 Raw anniversary show. While 'consideration' is far from a guarantee, the speculation gained momentum when Raw General Manager Adam Pearce dropped a cryptic 'Break the Walls Down' reference on social media—a phrase synonymous with Jericho's iconic entrance. PWInsider later claimed this was tied to a Stranger Things cross-promotion, but many fans remain skeptical. And this is the part most people miss—could WWE be playing a long game, keeping Jericho's return under wraps until the perfect moment?
So, what do we really know about Jericho's situation? As of now, he’s still listed on AEW’s roster page, a detail AEW is meticulous about updating. This suggests he’s still under contract with Tony Khan’s company, reportedly until the end of 2025. However, Jericho hasn’t appeared on AEW programming since April 2025, and Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp has yet to confirm whether his contract has been extended or frozen. Adding to the confusion, Sapp noted that Jericho hasn’t been discussed in recent WWE creative meetings, contradicting McCarthy’s earlier report.
This ambiguity is likely part of Jericho’s master plan. As Andrew Baydala of Final Bell Media pointed out, this could be Jericho’s final chance to pull off a major surprise. Baydala believes Jericho has already agreed to a WWE return but is keeping the details tightly guarded, staying true to his old-school roots. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing—Baydala also floated the idea of Jericho making a pit stop in TNA Wrestling before returning to WWE. With TNA’s debut on AMC’s Thursday Night iMPACT! on January 15, could Jericho make a statement by appearing on the first episode? Imagine him wrestling at TNA Genesis and then showing up at the Royal Rumble on January 31. It’s a bold theory, but one that’s impossible to ignore.
While nothing is confirmed, the speculation alone is enough to keep fans on the edge of their seats. Is Jericho’s return to WWE a done deal, or is there a twist in the tale? And what about TNA—could this be the crossover moment no one saw coming? One thing’s for sure: Jericho knows how to keep the wrestling world talking. What do you think? Is Jericho headed back to WWE, or is there another chapter yet to unfold? Let us know in the comments below!
