Detailed Update on Chris Jericho’s AEW Future Amid WWE Return Rumors

The future of Chris Jericho — one of AEW’s founding stars and most decorated champions — is once again the subject of major speculation. With whispers of a potential WWE return in 2026 growing louder, AEW President Tony Khan addressed Jericho’s status head-on during an interview Monday on Busted Open Radio.

Jericho, 54, hasn’t appeared on AEW television since April, when he announced on-screen that he was “stepping away for a while.” His extended absence, coupled with news that his 2026 “Rock ’N’ Wrestling Rager at Sea” cruise will be the first not to feature AEW talent, has fueled chatter that “The Ocho” might soon be WWE-bound once his AEW contract expires.

Tony Khan Praises Jericho’s Legacy in AEW

“Yeah, I love Chris Jericho. He’s a huge part of AEW. He’s been here since the beginning,” Khan said. “And you know, I think we’ll see what happens here in the coming months. But Chris is always a welcome, big part of AEW. We’d always want to have him here. So I absolutely am so grateful to Chris Jericho for everything he’s done.”

Khan continued, making it clear just how instrumental Jericho was to AEW’s early success:

“When you look at the history of AEW, Chris Jericho is a huge part of that history. The very first AEW World Champion, a nine-time world champion overall, and someone who helped shape the identity of this company from day one.”

It’s clear from Khan’s tone that there’s no bad blood — just genuine appreciation for a man who helped legitimize AEW in its infancy.

Jericho’s AEW Legacy

Jericho’s shocking AEW debut in January 2019 — during the company’s launch press conference in Jacksonville — was the moment many fans realized AEW was serious competition. His signing gave the new promotion instant credibility, and his name value brought eyes to the product.

As AEW’s first-ever World Champion, Jericho carried the company through its formative year, defending the title against names like Cody Rhodes, Jon Moxley, and Kenny Omega. Beyond his in-ring work, Jericho played a major role in elevating younger stars such as MJF, Sammy Guevara, and Daniel Garcia, often using his veteran status to shine a spotlight on the next generation.

He even added to his accolades during his AEW run, capturing the Ring of Honor World Championship twice, further cementing his place as one of the most versatile performers of all time.

What’s Next for Jericho?

While nothing has been confirmed regarding his next move, several industry insiders and WWE sources believe Jericho will return to WWE by early 2026. His ongoing absence, coupled with the cruise lineup changes and a noticeable lack of AEW branding on his recent outside ventures, only adds to the speculation.

If Jericho does make the jump back to WWE, it would mark his first run there in nearly seven years — and potentially one final chapter to an already legendary career.

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Jericho’s rumored WWE return is more than just a “veteran comeback” story — it could be a strategic power play from both sides. AEW has leaned heavily on fresh, homegrown talent in 2025, and Jericho’s potential exit could clear the way for a full generational reset.

That said, if WWE really is looking to load up on nostalgia and name recognition heading into WrestleMania 42 season, Jericho’s arrival could be huge. Few stars bridge eras quite like him — and Vince McMahon or not, WWE knows the value of nostalgia that can still go in the ring and on the mic.

Whether he’s “Le Champion,” “The Ocho,” or “Y2J,” one thing’s certain: Chris Jericho will write his own ending.

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