Chris Jericho, a wrestling icon who has captivated fans for over three decades, remains active in the professional wrestling world as he approaches his 55th birthday in November 2025. His career spans approximately 35 years, beginning in the late 1980s and including memorable runs in WCW, WWE, New Japan, and AEW. The ongoing Chris Jericho WWE return speculation centers on whether this storied athlete will come back to WWE as his toughness and ability to adapt have kept him relevant far longer than most in such a demanding sport.
Jericho first gained widespread attention during his time with WCW in the late 1990s as a unique and intriguing character, often dubbed the “conspiracy theorist.” Despite showing potential, WCW failed to elevate Jericho to the upper tiers of its roster, opting instead to rely on older stars like Goldberg and Diamond Dallas Page. Recognizing limited opportunities in WCW, Jericho left in August 1999, making one of the most impressive debuts in WWE history shortly thereafter.
Defining Moments in Jericho’s WWE Career
Jericho’s arrival in WWE was marked by a high-profile debut on Monday Night Raw in Chicago on August 9, 1999, where he interrupted a promo by The Rock. This moment remains vivid for long-time fans and wrestling historians alike, symbolizing the start of his meteoric rise in WWE.
One of the landmark events in Jericho’s WWE journey occurred on April 17, 2000, when he defeated Triple H for the WWE Championship in a controversial match marked by a fast count from referee Earl Hebner. Although his title reign lasted just five minutes before being revoked, this event triggered one of the loudest ovations in WWE history and cemented Jericho’s status among the company’s elite.
Jericho’s Most Memorable In-Ring Personas and Feuds
Throughout his WWE run, Jericho developed several distinct and compelling character personas. His cocky heel phase from 2008 to 2010, featuring sharp suits and sophisticated insults, stands out as a fan favorite. This character pinnacle was highlighted by an epic rivalry with Shawn Michaels, Jericho’s longtime wrestling hero, which evolved organically into one of the most celebrated feuds in wrestling lore.
Later, Jericho found renewed popularity with the simple yet effective “The List” gimmick during his interaction and rivalry with Kevin Owens. The concept of ticking names off a list resulted in a surprisingly strong fan response, illustrating Jericho’s ability to innovate in ways that resonate with audiences.
Transition to AEW and Impact on the New Promotion
In January 2019, Jericho left WWE to explore new horizons in New Japan and then AEW. This move was widely regarded as timely and beneficial for his career, allowing him new creative freedom and positioning him as the first-ever AEW World Champion. Jericho’s association with Tony Khan’s AEW helped the promotion gain credibility with casual fans due to his established name.
Jericho’s leadership of multiple stables in AEW was a deliberate effort to elevate younger talent, although some groups, like The Learning Tree, failed to hit the mark. While his early years in AEW were marked by strong booking, the quality of his storylines has been somewhat uneven in later years, with a mix of successes and setbacks.
Speculation Intensifies on Jericho’s Potential WWE Return
With Jericho’s AEW contract, signed in 2022, set to expire toward the end of 2025, rumors and speculation about his return to WWE have escalated. Reports link Jericho to a possible comeback at the 2026 Royal Rumble event, scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer has notably commented on this possibility, highlighting ongoing discussions within WWE and Jericho’s own career timing.
“Jericho’s actually a really big story. His contract’s up at the end of the year, and there’s certainly been lots and lots of talk about WWE. I know from a WWE standpoint that there is lots of talk there about Jericho. People are speculating about the Royal Rumble. Nobody has officially said anything, nor will anyone officially say anything. From a timing standpoint – all things being equal from Jericho’s standpoint, it’s time to go to WWE.The stuff that has been plaguing him, like fan response, he goes to WWE…a guy that goes from AEW to WWE is going to be over like crazy. It’s new again, so from that standpoint, especially for a guy that’s always looking to revitalise his career, it’s the move.” —Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Journalist
Meltzer’s assessment suggests that Jericho’s move back to WWE would be met with enthusiasm, given the novelty and Jericho’s legacy. The change could reinvigorate his career and provide new angles for storytelling, particularly as he would return to a company undergoing significant shifts post-Vince McMahon.
What WWE Looks Like Today and How Jericho Might Fit In
The WWE of 2025 has evolved from the era Jericho initially left. Under new leadership, the company has scaled back live events and adapted to accommodate veteran wrestlers with part-time schedules. If Jericho returns in 2026, at age 55, it’s plausible he would take on a reduced in-ring schedule, competing only occasionally, similar to other older performers like Randy Orton, who manages to balance active competition with rest periods.
Jericho’s return would not only excite fans who grew up watching him but also younger WWE stars who idolized him, creating organic storylines involving mentorship and competition. His unparalleled mic skills and adaptability would allow him to engage audiences and share his expertise both on-screen and behind the scenes in a player-coach capacity.
Evaluating Jericho’s Role and Importance to AEW Moving Forward
From AEW’s perspective, Tony Khan might prefer to keep Jericho owing to his historical value and star power. However, many analysts argue that the company does not depend on Jericho as much as it did during its inception. Current AEW stars like Will Ospreay, Swerve Strickland, Darby Allin, Jon Moxley, and Kyle Fletcher are capable of carrying the promotion without relying heavily on veteran figures.
This shift emphasizes a natural generational transition within AEW, where the early presence of Jericho helped establish its foundation, but the future focus is increasingly on rising talent. Allowing Jericho to depart could open new opportunities for these younger wrestlers to define the promotion’s direction.
Fan Perspectives and the Desire for Jericho’s WWE Return
Among fans and longtime followers, the anticipation surrounding Chris Jericho WWE return speculation is intense. As a self-professed Jerichoholic, one wrestling enthusiast reflected on Jericho’s extraordinary career, expressing hope that he eventually finishes his journey with WWE, the company where he made some of his most iconic memories and where a Hall of Fame induction awaits.
Jericho himself has given mixed signals about his feelings toward the WWE Hall of Fame, leaving some to wonder whether his comments stem from contractual allegiance to AEW or genuine personal views. Nonetheless, many in the wrestling community expect Jericho to keep his plans close to the vest and continue to surprise fans.
With just months remaining in 2025, the speculation will only grow louder if Jericho’s appearances on AEW programming become more sporadic. Wrestling fans across generations look forward to seeing whether the legendary wrestler will indeed make his long-anticipated return to WWE in 2026.
