After months of speculation Chris Jericho finally made his return to AEW after almost a year away from the company when he appeared on Dynamite in Winnipeg.
Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer is reporting that the belief is Jericho is now back with All Elite Wrestling long term and the idea of him returning to WWE is dead. Chris Jericho’s contract was said to have expired at the end of 2025, but Tony Khan extended the deal due to the time Jericho missed.
Meltzer noted that originally he was told WWE wanted to bring Jericho in for a retirement tour, and at one time the plan for 2026 was to build the year around retirements for AJ Styles, Brock Lesnar and Jericho.
“We had been told that WWE only wanted to bring (Jericho) in for a retirement tour and farewell. At one time, we were told that the 2026 year would be built around retirements for AJ Styles, Brock Lesnar, and presumably Jericho.
But even though there were teases by Pearce and another by CM Punk, we had been told repeatedly that you should not believe any of the stories going around involving WWE and Jericho.”
AEW recently confirmed that Chris Jericho will be addressing his return when he appears on next week’s episode of Dynamite in Edmonton.
Wednesday Night #AEWDynamite
LIVE, 8/7c on TBS + HBO Max
Wednesday, 4/8@IAmJericho Will Address His Return LIVEThe former AEW World Champion made a shocking return to AEW in Winnipeg last night on Dynamite.
We'll hear more from Chris Jericho LIVE in Edmonton, THIS WEDNESDAY! pic.twitter.com/F9Hy2WGKkm
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) April 3, 2026
Stay tuned for updates.