During the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble held at the KAFD arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, fans passionately chanted for Chris Jericho, fueling speculation about his potential return to WWE. Although Jericho’s participation in the event was never officially confirmed, the crowd’s enthusiastic calls created a palpable buzz throughout the venue.
Unconfirmed Return Amid AEW Contract Status
Jericho remains listed on All Elite Wrestling’s (AEW) official roster as the head of The Learning Tree stable, indicating he is still contracted with the promotion. Despite this, the widespread “Y2J” chants during the Royal Rumble kickoff show reflected fans’ hopes that Jericho might make a surprise appearance, igniting excitement during the live broadcast.
“LOUD “Y2J” CHANTS FROM THE FANS IN SAUDI ARABIA THEY WANT CHRIS JERICHO TONIGHT 👀#RoyalRumble” ?FADE, Media Outlet
Additional Highlights From the 2026 Royal Rumble
Aside from the fervent Jericho chants, the event featured dramatic moments, including a mysterious attacker targeting Bron Breakker during the match. The post-show saw Triple H facing intense heckling from the crowd, with chants demanding Vince McMahon’s presence and further calls for Jericho and AEW.
Implications for Wrestling Fans and Future Events
The ongoing anticipation around Chris Jericho’s WWE involvement underscores the excitement within the wrestling community, especially as the industry watches closely following AJ Styles’ retirement rumors. The fervent fan reaction at the Royal Rumble suggests Jericho’s name still holds significant weight in both WWE and AEW contexts, potentially shaping future storylines and appearances.
LOUD “Y2J” CHANTS FROM THE FANS IN SAUDI ARABIA
THEY WANT CHRIS JERICHO TONIGHT 👀#RoyalRumble
— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) January 31, 2026
