Chris Jericho, arguably AEW’s biggest name and a key component of its early success. Although firmly committing to AEW, a return to WWE is fair game if the stars align. Jericho’s comments represent a change in tone from someone who built much of his legendary career in the WWE. The comments come at a time when AEW—as a burgeoning competitor to WWE—has provided wrestlers with more options and greater bargaining power than ever before in wrestling.
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A Changing Wrestling Landscape: Two Teams, One Industry Boom
Chris Jericho of All Elite Wrestling appeared as a guest at Horror Rock and Wrestle Fest 2025. When Warren asked about Jericho joining WWE for a potential return, Y2J said he would think about it and would have to evaluate the circumstances at that given time.
“I would have thought about returning to WWE before everything shifted,” Chris Jericho said. “Once again, you can play on two teams, which is awesome, and that is one of the reasons I wanted to take a chance and go to AEW in the first place; it was a gamble…”
Chris Jericho was clear in stating that the industry has changed tremendously in recent years. “There are two teams you can play for,” he said, noting the concurrent rise of WWE and AEW. That wasn’t the case always, Y2J getting a job with AEW was a huge leap of faith, abandoning his WWE legacy.
That gamble, however, has paid off. AEW’s rocket like rise to prominence has changed the entire landscape of the wrestling industry. It is giving wrestlers career choices and fans with a new product. Jericho believes this new competition forced both companies to be better:
“It benefits everybody, talent, fans, business as a whole.”
Chris Jericho’s WWE Legacy and AEW Evolution
To appreciate the impact of Chris Jericho even pondering a WWE return, we must return to the significance of Jericho’s history with that company. Jericho has built a Hall of Fame career at WWE over the course of more than 20 years. He has won multiple championships, creating some of the best memories in wrestling history, and performing at a top level.
When he left WWE for AEW, it helped change the game. As AEW’s first World Champion, he was not only a top star; he was the face of the company during its early days. Jericho’s creative control, in ring persona and experienced leadership role helped AEW shape its brand during it’s formative years.
Now, with AEW’s stability and growth, Jericho’s openness to a WWE return shows he understands how the tides keep shifting. Chris Jericho legacy lives on in both companies, making him a rare link to both sides of the equation.
“Depends on the Situation”: What Could Bring Jericho Back?
Chris Jericho emphasized that he is not looking to go back to the promotion, however, he is keeping that option open for the right situation. What does that actually mean to him? There may be several variables in play :
Creative Incentive: For years, Jericho has placed significant importance on creative control and storytelling over titles or the amount of time spent on-screen. If he were to make a return to WWE, wrestling, and the promotion in general, he would likely require a story or feud that excites him.
Financial Incentive: AEW has offered Jericho a very lucrative deal with a high level of influence from an executive position. Although WWE has a much larger budget, which may be the deciding factor for Jericho if the right financial offer is made.
Personal Fulfillment: Chris Jericho has often expressed that he is enjoying his work in AEW where he is helping create the future stars. Should he contemplate a move back to WWE, he would need to have similar professional satisfaction.
Timing: Wrestling is somewhat circular, and chances can come very fast or not at all. Should WWE reach out during a major story arc, or with WrestleMania season on the horizon, timing could line up.
What a WWE Return Could Mean—for Everyone
If Chris Jericho were to make a comeback, the ramifications of his return would be immense. For the WWE organization, re-signing a star with Jericho’s legacy would strengthen their star power. This will also create nostalgia, and potentially give a crossover match with their current talent. It could also provide a bridge for different generations of storytelling to engage some unfinished business.
For AEW, however, it might be seen as a symbolic loss. Chris Jericho, has obviously not only been a performer for the company but a foundation. Jericho’s absence could potentially create a leadership void (perhaps for a little while). It also shows how mature the Tony Khan-led company has become where a star can come and go, and the brand still maintains the fan’s interest.
As for the fans? There will be a mixture of response – excitement mixed with concern. Some fans will welcome Jericho back to his old stomping grounds, while others will feel upset or view it as a step backward.
Chris Jericho willinging to go back to the WWE isn’t so much a move to another promotion. It is a sign of the reality of the wrestling world today. With two major promotions operating, there are pro wrestlers now like Jericho that can follow many avenues, instead of relying on one specific path.
Jericho’s comments symbolize a trend in the business—the lines between promotions are more flexible than they have ever been. There are a multitude of opportunities for pro wrestlers who have the imagination and legacy to work in different promotions. Jericho may not return to WWE, but a statement like that is a signal to the audience that nothing is really off the table in pro wrestling— it just depends on the circumstances.
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Sachin Singh