There has been heavy speculation in recent weeks regarding Chris Jericho WWE return as his AEW contract reaches its end, signaling the possibility of one of wrestling’s most iconic performers stepping back into a WWE ring. Jericho’s last stint ended with an underwhelming and much-criticized performance, but fans and industry insiders wonder if a comeback could allow the veteran to erase that disappointment and receive the farewell his celebrated career deserves.
Jericho’s Final WWE Bout Ended with Controversy in Saudi Arabia
As one of WWE’s most celebrated figures, Chris Jericho built a legacy starting from his explosive 1999 WWE debut opposite the Rock, extending over nearly two decades and multiple persona shifts. However, for all his championship wins and memorable moments, Jericho never quite sat atop the wrestler hierarchy alongside names like John Cena, Batista, Randy Orton, and Brock Lesnar. His career was defined by versatility and entertainment, from comedic storylines such as “The List of Jericho” to his famous feuds with Shawn Michaels, Kevin Owens, and others.
The “List of Jericho” era, which repositioned him as a mischievously entertaining villain, saw him build momentum alongside Kevin Owens. Their partnership dissolved in a dramatic betrayal, and fans widely expected their heated rivalry to headline WrestleMania 33. Instead, their match was relegated to a low spot on the card, contributing to Jericho’s frustration and signaling the beginning of his WWE decline. His departure from WWE became marked not by a grand showdown, but by a series of inconspicuous appearances and a final match described by many as lackluster.
On April 27, 2018, at WWE’s much-promoted Greatest Royal Rumble in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Chris Jericho made his last official appearance. Entering as the 50th participant in a massive 50-man Royal Rumble—an event widely dismissed by fans and media as a hollow spectacle—Jericho was quickly eliminated by Braun Strowman. The fleeting return and humiliating exit marked an anticlimactic conclusion to what could have been a legendary WWE tenure. Notably, Jericho was initially slated to face the Undertaker in a marquee Casket Match, but with Rusev ultimately taking the spot, the wrestling world was deprived of a highly anticipated showdown between two icons.
Reflecting on the situation and his place in WWE at the time, Jericho revealed his mindset in a candid interview with ESPN:
“I’m not a full-time wrestler. I haven’t been since 2010. It’s all based on what Fozzy’s doing and what else is going on in my career at the time. It just wasn’t working out this year. I’m not the type of guy who’s gonna fly in, do WrestleMania and leave. There has to be an angle. There has to be a buildup. There just wasn’t. Even though everybody thought it was a big conspiracy, I actually wasn’t even there. I wouldn’t be a surprise guest at WrestleMania unless it was something really, really huge, and at that point in time we were touring.” – Chris Jericho, Wrestler and Musician
By the end of his run, WWE’s international events in Saudi Arabia promised spectacle but failed to deliver the quality and significance of the company’s storied Royal Rumble PPVs. For Jericho, what could have been a send-off befitting a future Hall of Famer instead felt empty and unsatisfying—for him and his fans.
Stifled Ambitions and a Difficult Departure from WWE
Despite Jericho’s embarrassing WWE farewell, his wrestling prowess and worldwide popularity did not wane. While Fozzy commitments often kept him busy, Jericho used his remaining WWE goodwill to pivot into a new chapter abroad. With Vince McMahon’s blessing, he wrestled for New Japan Pro Wrestling, quickly reigniting his creative energies. A dramatic look overhaul and fierce encounters with stars like Kenny Omega, Tesuya Naito, Evil, Kazuchika Okada, and Hiroshi Tanahashi demonstrated Jericho’s continued relevance and ability to draw significant fan reception around the globe.
Behind the scenes, frustration brewed over the handling of his 2017 storyline with Kevin Owens. Jericho considered their feud the year’s standout narrative—one that Vince McMahon initially promised would headline WrestleMania 33, only for plans to switch abruptly, placing Brock Lesnar and Goldberg in the top spot instead. Demoted to the show’s second match, Jericho felt deeply disrespected, a sentiment he elaborated on in an interview with Outside the Ropes:
“Second, that’s it? I was like, I’m done. So that’s kind of where I made the decision to like, I really don’t wanna work here anymore. And had the match with New Japan with Kenny come about, I don’t know if I would’ve went back to WWE. I was talking to them about going back after I did the New Japan run, but it was a little bit of a runaround, and once again, I just wasn’t a priority there anymore. So it really kept the door open for this new venture, AEW, when I started hearing about it.” – Chris Jericho, Professional Wrestler
Jericho’s disenchantment with his WWE position and the shifting priorities within the company eventually led him to explore new promotional frontiers. His final WWE moments were not defined by triumph but by a growing awareness that the promotion no longer considered him a central figure in its plans.
Establishing a New Era With All Elite Wrestling
The North American wrestling scene underwent a dramatic shift in 2019. Mainstream dissatisfaction with WWE’s creative direction created space for competitors to leave their mark. Tony Khan, with the support of Kenny Omega, the Young Bucks, and Cody Rhodes, launched All Elite Wrestling (AEW), providing a new platform for both established and rising stars. The signing of Chris Jericho as AEW’s first major acquisition instantly granted the fledgling company legitimacy, particularly among casual and longtime fans. Everyone knew Jericho, and his addition made the AEW brand impossible to ignore.
As the company’s first AEW World Champion, Jericho became the face of AEW’s initial surge, lending both credibility and charisma. His performances and star power helped shape AEW’s identity in its crucial early months, further proving he was far from finished as a professional wrestler. As AEW gained momentum, WWE fans who had turned away from McMahon-era programming recognized the appeal of a reinvigorated Jericho on a fresh stage. Tony Khan and AEW managed to attract a fan base disillusioned with the previous dominance of John Cena, Brock Lesnar, and others who often occupied the spotlight during Jericho’s later WWE run.
Now, after six years of carrying AEW in headline bouts and memorable rivalries, evidence suggests Jericho’s run with the company may be over, reigniting speculation about a WWE comeback.
What Awaits Jericho if He Steps Back into WWE?
Given Chris Jericho’s age and the ever-evolving landscape of professional wrestling, a potential WWE return likely would not include extended world title reigns, especially as the sport pushes new stars. Yet, the WWE audience, which always regarded Jericho as more than a gimmick or nostalgia act, is eager for a redemption arc beyond the forgettable matches of his previous farewell.
If the company decides to treat Jericho with the respect deserved by his legacy, he could deliver compelling feuds and satisfying closure, even if his primary role is to elevate emerging talent. WWE’s next high-profile events, possibly including another Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia, could provide Jericho with a grand reintroduction and the chance to leave the ring on his own terms.
A Chris Jericho WWE return would bring closure to a storied career, allowing the Hall of Fame-bound performer to control his legacy’s final chapter. Whether he redeems his last embarrassment or not, Jericho’s enduring appeal ensures his actions in the coming months will be closely watched—not only by WWE loyalists but the wider wrestling world that has seen him thrive, stumble, and continually adapt for over three decades.
