Chris Jericho is rumored to be returning to WWE following the end of his AEW contract, and with Monday Night RAW’s 2025 debut approaching, fans are eager to see how the company will handle his comeback. As speculation around Chris Jericho WWE return rumors grows, wrestling insiders stress the importance of a creative approach to his homecoming, warning WWE against repeating past mistakes.
Speculation Builds Around Jericho’s WWE Future
With Jericho now a free agent, the wrestling world is rife with discussion about what his return to WWE might look like. Conversations have spread across social media and wrestling forums, indicating strong anticipation for his potential reappearance on WWE programming. As the January 5th episode of RAW—the first show of 2025—draws near, attention has turned to how WWE will capitalize on Jericho’s momentum and legacy.
Well-known wrestling personalities Jonathan Coachman and Vince Russo recently weighed in on the situation during their discussion on The Coach and Bro. They highlighted that simply having Jericho return as a surprise entrant in a match like the Royal Rumble could undermine the magnitude of his return.
“If everything the dirt sheets say are true and his deal is up today and he’s a free agent. Uh we’ve been talking about this for months. So if they don’t have something super creative for him being rolled out and it’s just hey he’s number 17 in the Royal Rumble, and there’s his music to me another missed opportunity by WWE.”
—Jonathan Coachman, Broadcaster
Calls for Creative Planning from WWE
Echoing Jonathan Coachman’s perspective, voices within the wrestling community believe that Jericho’s return deserves thoughtful execution. A standard Royal Rumble entrance, even with enthusiastic audience reaction, could be seen as a missed chance to generate significant excitement and headlines. Coachman specifically noted that the company’s handling of major comebacks has sometimes fallen short, and he argued for a more impactful, story-driven debut to truly reward long-time fans and create a memorable moment.
WWE and Triple H have previously faced criticism for underwhelming comebacks, most notably with John Cena‘s tour, which was deemed disappointing by some observers. This recent history reinforces why many urge WWE’s creative team to avoid a repeat scenario and instead deliver a landmark return segment for Jericho that makes use of his star power and status in the business.
Recent Developments in WWE
While anticipation surrounds Jericho, WWE has seen several other major storylines unfold. Matt Cardona returned on the first SmackDown of 2026 and is now performing under his real name. Liv Morgan‘s legal troubles in 2023, ongoing injuries sidelining several superstars, and the intrigue surrounding Britt Baker‘s AEW future amid her own possible WWE move have all made headlines. Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre are also set for a highly anticipated ‘3 Stages Of Hell’ match, adding to the company’s current buzz.
The Stakes for WWE’s Booking Team
How WWE chooses to reintroduce Jericho could set the tone for audience engagement in 2025, especially as stars like Matt Cardona and Britt Baker spark their own sets of rumors and expectations. Fans and insiders alike have made it clear that a formulaic approach won’t suffice this time, and the pressure is on WWE leadership, including key figures like Triple H, to deliver. As January approaches, the wrestling world will be watching closely to see whether the company can seize this opportunity—potentially shaping Jericho’s return into one of the year’s landmark moments and impacting WWE’s creative direction moving forward.
