Longstanding speculation has intensified around a potential Chris Jericho WWE return, as insiders expect the wrestling veteran to rejoin the company when his All Elite Wrestling (AEW) contract concludes. According to a report from WrestleVotes, several individuals within WWE have maintained this belief since last August.
“People in WWE have expected Jericho to come back once he was finished with AEW since last August,”
WrestleVotes stated.
Internal Push for Jericho Build Throughout 2025
Support for bringing Jericho back to WWE has been strong for months. As early as August 2025, WrestleVotes Radio revealed that not only company officials but also active roster members were advocating for his return. At that stage, rumors suggested a deal could be wrapped up shortly after Jericho’s AEW contract, which is set to expire on December 31, 2025.
The prospect of his return has persisted throughout the year, fueled by Jericho’s lack of appearances on AEW programming since April, following a defeat to Bandido. No significant creative plans have been reported for him since then, and he was noticeably absent from the Worlds End pay-per-view event as well.
Jericho Addresses WWE Rumors and Contract Status
Chris Jericho has neither confirmed nor denied the possibility of returning to WWE. During a December 27 live stream with fans, he responded ambiguously to a question about the prospect, saying,
“You never know. You never know.”
Chris Jericho, on his YouTube channel.
Earlier in the year, he added to the speculation during a media appearance, stating,
“I’m pretty sure you’ll see me in 2026 in a wrestling ring somewhere.”
Chris Jericho, to media.
Once his AEW contract lapses at the end of 2025, Jericho will officially become a free agent on January 1. Notably, WWE’s highly anticipated Monday Night Raw is set for January 5, 2026, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Industry observers have highlighted this event as a likely stage for Jericho’s reemergence, given the company’s plans to make the show especially significant.
What This Could Mean for WWE and Fans
If Chris Jericho does in fact return to WWE, it would mark a significant moment for the promotion and fans alike, closing a chapter on his time away since joining AEW. The speculation from sources, free agent status, and vocal support from WWE roster members all point toward a major comeback that could reshape upcoming storylines and provide a boost to WWE events in early 2026. All eyes are now on his AEW contract’s end date and the subsequent WWE shows in Brooklyn for possible surprises involving Jericho.
People in WWE have expected Jericho to come back once he was finished with AEW since last August. https://t.co/2SaJma6BAb
— WrestleVotes (@WrestleVotes) December 28, 2025
