Chris Jericho’s rumored WWE return, which was widely discussed before the new year’s first “WWE Raw,” may not be as definite as fans initially believed, especially with Royal Rumble season approaching. Fightful Select reports that no signals from AEW suggest Jericho is leaving, and he is expected to re-sign with AEW after All Out 2022, with a deal extending through 2026. Jericho disappeared from AEW TV after losing the ROH World Championship to Bandido last spring and expressed frustration with his Learning Tree teammates, Big Bill and Brian Keith, hinting he might have been better off quitting until things were sorted. It’s unclear if this time away influenced the contract extension. As of now, Jericho’s name still appears on AEW’s roster page, even as some wrestlers with expired contracts were removed. AEW also inquired officially about Jericho’s status but did not get a reply. Meanwhile, WWE sources indicate Jericho is not currently part of their creative plans for “Raw,” acknowledging that they have been misled before. WWE seems to be hinting at his return with cryptic social media posts from “Raw” GM Adam Pearce, although Jericho was not spotted backstage at Barclays Center before the show.
Fan Take: This situation keeps AEW fans on edge, as Jericho is a major draw whose movements impact both companies significantly. His potential WWE return or continued AEW stay could shift storylines and star power, influencing the wrestling world in meaningful ways.
