Chris Jericho's Expected WWE Return Takes a Twist

Some expected Jericho to return to WWE on last night's episode of WWE RAW, but he didn't appear on the show. Such has been the gossip over the possibility of seeing him back with the promotion that fans were heard chanting "Y2J" on occasion.

According to Fightful Select, there was no internal memo on Monday about Jericho leaving AEW, unlike other departures. He remains listed on the AEW roster page, which makes his contractual situation a mystery.

Jericho has recently teased a WWE return, including in September, when he said he wouldn't be opposed to it. The 55-year-old hasn't appeared on AEW TV since April 2025, and it was widely expected that he would leave the company once his contract expired.

Three members of the AEW roster have departed after their contracts expired: Mercedes Martinez, Alex Abrahantes, and Matt Taven. If Jericho leaves the promotion and signs with WWE, he's expected to receive a retirement run.

Jericho has been with AEW since 2019 and became the inaugural AEW World Champion before taking on different gimmicks and storylines. AEW president Tony Khan has only had positive words to say about him when asked for updates on his status in recent months.

Chris Jericho Teased on WWE RAW

There were several Chris Jericho references on WWE RAW that didn't go unnoticed by fans. General manager Adam Pearce had previewed the show by asking who would "break the walls down."

Corey Graves said Bron Breakker sat under "the learning tree" of Paul Heyman during Breakker's main event against CM Punk . Liv Morgan delivered DX chops in response to fans chanting "Y2J", and Kairi Sane executed a Wall of Jericho in the RAW opener.

While this may just be playful teasing from each individual, it feels bizarre to have them make references to Jericho without reason. The episode was Stranger Things themed, which might explain Pearce's line.

Jericho's future remains uncertain, but one possibility is that he is returning at the Royal Rumble on January 31st in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Ironically, his last appearance in WWE came in the Greatest Royal Rumble in Saudi back in 2018.