WWE Hall of Famer John “Bradshaw” Layfield (JBL) has voiced support for the potential return of Chris Jericho to WWE, expressing hope that it will happen by 2026. Jericho, currently signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), has a contract with Tony Khan’s promotion set to expire by year-end, stirring speculation about a move back to WWE, possibly at the 2026 Royal Rumble event.
During his appearance on the Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard podcast, JBL reflected on Jericho’s illustrious past in WWE, highlighting his significance as one of the company’s biggest stars. At 58 years old, JBL fondly recalled watching Jericho compete in the early 1990s, before his rise to global fame.
“I hope so. Because he made such a big name there. He was the first (undisputed) champion, all this stuff, beat The Rock and Stone Cold on the same night. I remember seeing him back in the early 90s, I was overworking for Tenryu as my first big-time step up in a Japanese company. They were doing the junior heavyweight tournament there, and Chris was part of that when he was younger,” said JBL.
JBL emphasized Jericho’s consistent stardom across every wrestling promotion he has been part of and noted his admiration for Jericho’s versatile talents. Although unaware of the current contract talks, JBL expressed a strong desire to see the AEW star return to WWE, where he personally watches more programming than any other company.
“I remember seeing him then and thinking, ‘Man, if this guy lives, he’s gonna be fantastic’ – I say that because they were doing so much crazy stuff at the time, it was wild what they were doing. Everywhere he’s been, he’s been a massive star. I don’t know if this negotiation… if he’s not coming in, this is great negotiation for whatever he’s doing, it’s smart. Chris is obviously a very smart guy, all the stuff that he’s done outside of the business. I hope he does. Mainly because I watch a lot more WWE than I watch anything else, and I’d love to be able to see him,” added JBL.
Chris Jericho’s Current Status and Wrestling Hiatus
Chris Jericho has not competed in professional wrestling since April, taking time off to focus on his musical career with his band Fozzy, which recently wrapped up a tour. Despite the hiatus ending, Jericho has yet to return to the ring or announce a definitive comeback date.
The last time Jericho competed was at AEW’s Dynasty event, where he faced Bandido in a high-stakes Title vs. Mask match. Bandido succeeded in winning, ending Jericho’s 168-day reign as the ROH World Champion, marking a noteworthy moment in Jericho’s recent wrestling career.
Given this timeline, fans and analysts remain curious about when Jericho will re-enter competition and whether his return to WWE—much discussed in wrestling circles—will eventually materialize within the coming years.
The Legacy and Significance of Jericho’s Potential WWE Comeback
Chris Jericho’s possible return to WWE holds significant implications, both for the promotion and for Jericho’s ongoing career. Known as
“The Ayatollah of Rock and Rolla,”
Jericho has a rich history with WWE, including being its first undisputed champion and delivering memorable victories over icons like The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin on the same night.
A return to WWE would not only showcase Jericho’s enduring star power but could also inject fresh excitement into WWE programming as audiences eagerly anticipate how his evolved persona and skill set will fit within the current landscape. JBL’s endorsement underscores the respect Jericho commands within the industry, adding weight to the speculation that WWE could welcome back one of its most influential performers.
As negotiations reportedly continue behind the scenes, the wrestling world watches closely, anticipating whether Jericho will indeed rejoin WWE by the Royal Rumble in 2026, potentially marking a new chapter for both the veteran wrestler and the company.
