Chris Jericho, who gained widespread fame during his long tenure with WWE before joining AEW in 2019, recently made a surprising nod to his wrestling past amid his extended absence from AEW programming. The veteran wrestler shared a fan’s post referencing a significant moment from 2002, when he headlined a SmackDown event—the final show under the WWF banner—facing Hulk Hogan for the World Championship but losing by disqualification. This unexpected WWE reference has sparked speculation about Jericho’s future plans in professional wrestling.
Jericho originally made his WWE debut in 1999 as the Millennium Man, quickly establishing himself through memorable bouts, including confrontations with icons like The Rock. After multiple runs with WWE, his final appearance was in 2018. Shortly after, he became the first athlete signed by AEW during its launch, beginning a new chapter in Jacksonville. Despite AEW’s growth, Jericho has been off-screen since the AEW Dynasty pay-per-view, stepping away to focus on his band Fozzy’s 25th anniversary tour, which concluded in May.
Last AEW Appearance: Title Loss and On-Screen Fallout
Jericho’s most recent televised contest in AEW saw him defending the Ring of Honor World Championship in a ‘Mask vs Title’ match against Bandido at AEW Dynasty. After a prolonged rivalry, Jericho lost the championship, ending his reign. Following the match, he criticized members of his Learning Tree faction, specifically Bryan Keith and Big Bill, blaming them for their underperformance. This conflict culminated in Jericho leaving the AEW Dynamite episode immediately after the pay-per-view event, marking the start of his quiet departure from television.
Uncertain Future for a Wrestling Icon
As Chris Jericho remains off AEW television while continuing to stir chatter with his WWE reference, fans and analysts are left guessing about what lies ahead for the former World Heavyweight Champion. Jericho’s career, marked by his status as the Ayatollah of Rock and Rolla and his influential roles in both WWE and AEW, suggests any potential return could have a significant impact. Whether his current hiatus will lead to a comeback or a new direction remains unclear, keeping the wrestling world attentive to Jericho’s next move.
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— Unknown
