Chris Jericho, a legendary figure in professional wrestling for over three decades, has reignited speculation about a possible WWE comeback following recent developments in his AEW career. As Jericho remains on a break from active wrestling, his latest social media activity, featuring a rare vintage photo with The Rock, has intensified the ongoing Chris Jericho WWE AEW return rumors.
Jericho’s last match occurred on April 6 at AEW Dynasty, where Bandido ended his second reign as ROH World Champion after 165 days. Shortly after that event, Jericho walked out of The Learning Tree segment, indicating that he needed time away from wrestling. This break coincided with Fozzy’s 25th anniversary tour, for which Jericho paused his in-ring work.
There had been plans for Jericho to appear in a storyline for AEW’s Wednesday Dynamite episodes, as the band had those nights free during the tour. However, the storyline was ultimately scrapped as Jericho decided he needed a genuine break, responding to ongoing fan chants urging him to retire. At 54 years old, he has also visibly lost weight since stepping away from action.
Despite Jericho’s public dismissal of WWE return rumors, insiders suggest backstage conversations within AEW hint at a brewing situation surrounding his future. Speculation has grown that Jericho might transition from AEW to WWE for a final run and a Hall of Fame induction. This despite his frequent denials of such plans while working under Tony Khan’s AEW banner.
The rumors escalated after Jericho recently “liked” an Instagram post claiming that his AEW contract expires in December and suggesting he is open to returning to WWE if the right opportunity arises. Moreover, reports from WWE sources indicate that Jericho’s return is being seriously considered, with some insiders predicting he could be a surprise participant in WWE’s Royal Rumble next year.
A Look Back: Jericho’s Unseen Photo from WWE’s 2002 International Tour
Chris Jericho and The Rock shared the ring extensively between 1999 and 2003, including a memorable international tour to Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia in March 2002. During this tour, Jericho and The Rock faced off multiple times, with The Rock successfully defending the Undisputed Championship in a 20-minute main event on March 1 in Japan. Matches also took place on March 3 in Singapore and March 4 in Malaysia.
Jericho recently posted on X/Twitter a rare group photo from that tour, which he claimed to never have seen before. The photo features notable WWE figures present on the tour, including The Rock, Pat Patterson, Lita, Molly Holly, Stacy Keibler, The Dudley Boys, Fit Finlay, Torrie Wilson, and Dean Malenko. Jericho expressed gratitude to Dean Malenko, referring to him as “The Man of 1000 Holds,” for providing the photo.
Amid swirling rumors about his future, it is noteworthy that Jericho disabled most comments on the post, allowing only those he tagged—among them The Rock—to respond. This selective interaction adds fuel to the speculation surrounding his next career move.
“Great pic that I’ve never seen before from the classic #WWF tour of Japan, Singapore & Malaysia in March of 2002! I worked with @TheRock for the World Title the whole tour, and we tore the house down every night. Then, we drove our mentor, #PatPatterso, crazy by doing 20 minutes of improv comedy for the fans after the matches. Thx to #DeanMalenko for sending this to me!” —Chris Jericho, wrestler and musician
Jericho and The Rock’s Historic Matchups and Their Last Encounter
Throughout their years of collaboration, Jericho and The Rock clashed over 50 times, captivating audiences worldwide. Their last known wrestling bout occurred on June 15, 2002, at a non-televised event in Honolulu, Hawaii, where The Rock secured the victory. This match took place just weeks after a televised meeting on SmackDown in Rochester, New York, making it one of their final high-profile encounters.
This rich history, combined with Jericho’s recent nostalgic social media posts, has added depth to the rumors that he might soon return to WWE, potentially closing the chapter on his in-ring career on his own terms. The possibility of a Royal Rumble appearance underscores WWE’s interest in leveraging Jericho’s legendary status, which could excite fans eager for a nostalgic yet impactful WWE storyline.
Should Jericho rejoin WWE, it would mark a major shift in the wrestling landscape, symbolizing not only a reunion with the company where he made much of his name but also signaling potential new storylines and opportunities for both him and WWE’s expanding roster. Meanwhile, AEW’s backstage dynamics will remain a focal point for fans and insiders watching how the situation develops over the coming months.
