Chris Jericho's WWE Return Thrown Into Doubt After AEW Colleague's Comments

Chris Jericho's current contract with AEW is thought to expire either at the end of this year or the beginning of 2026. He has teased fans about a possible return to WWE by re-posting clips of his previous time spent with the promotion.

The 54-year-old has been off AEW TV since April, when he concluded the Learning Tree storyline. He headed off to undertake ventures away from the ring, including fronting his band Fozzy.

While away from Tony Khan's Jacksonville-based promotion, his contractual situation has become a topic of discussion. There have been suggestions that some in WWE believe he'll return to the company, perhaps as early as the Royal Rumble in January 2026.

Tony Schiavone, who shared the AEW commentary booth with Jericho on several occasions, has responded to rumours regarding the former AEW World Champion's departure and re-joining WWE.

He told the What Happened When podcast that he hadn't heard any suggestion that Jericho's exit is being discussed: "If there’s smoke to that fire, it has not been thrown my way. I was backstage with Tony Khan most of this entire trip (for Forbidden Door). Chris Jericho’s name was not mentioned. But that doesn’t mean anything."

Schiavone added that AEW owner Khan does keep his cards close to his chest regarding such issues: "Tony, a lot of times, he’ll get on the phone with that person and not tell anybody. He likes to keep things close to the vest. I don’t know. I really don’t know. I’ve been wondering myself. I guess I should have asked, and then I would have known."

Jericho has been with AEW since January 2019 and was one of the biggest pro wrestling names to sign for the promotion. He was also the inaugural AEW World Champion and has regularly appeared on television while continuing to pursue other non-wrestling activities.

Schiavone has a good relationship with Jericho, dating back to their time working together on commentary in AEW, as well as outside the ring. The legendary former WCW commentator appeared on his "Talk Is Jericho" podcast back in 2018.

Chris Jericho's on John Cena's Farewell Tour and his own Retirement Plans

If Chris Jericho does return to WWE, he will do so without the opportunity of re-igniting his storied rivalry with John Cena. The 17-time world champion is retiring in December after he concludes his Farewell Tour at Saturday Night's Main Event in Boston, Massachusetts.

The first-ever Undisputed WWE Champion gave his thoughts on Cena's announcement of a retirement tour back in the summer of 2024. He praised his former rival for choosing a unique way to call time on his career (via Wrestling Observer): "It's great. John’s always had a great love for wrestling and he’s got a great connection with the fans. So I think it’s a cool way to go about it."

Cena's Farewell Tour consisted of a heel turn that didn't quite reach expectations, as well as a character transformation that occurred before Jericho's assessment. But he did talk up the prospect of seeing the tour play out: "People know that this is it. And John’s not the type of guy to say anything lightly, so I’m sure he’s been focused on this and working with the company to make sure it’s right. And I’m sure it’s going to be a really great year-and-a-half for Cena fans and for John Cena himself."

Jericho's own retirement has been pondered by fans in recent years, given his AEW contract is expiring, and he is heading into his mid-fifties. He opened up on how long he felt he had left while with WWE's main competitor at the time: "I’ll know when it’s time, you know? I’m really enjoying what I’m doing and I’m still contributing at a high level… I can still have the best match on the show on any given night… and I just really love what we’re doing with AEW right now. So there’s really no rush on that. And when I know, I’ll know."

A potential Jericho Farewell Tour could be an interesting way for him to end his career, whether that's in WWE or AEW. He was the first pro wrestler to be allowed to appear on WWE TV while an active member of the AEW roster when he was a guest on Stone Cold Steve Austin's Broken Skull Sessions podcast in April 2021.

There could be some dream matches that come to fruition if Jericho were to return to WWE, including against Bron Breakker. He could also re-ignite his feud with CM Punk, a longtime foe whom he reportedly promised his AEW colleagues would never return after his controversial release in 2022.