Is Chris Jericho returning to WWE in 2026? That question is picking up steam as the end of the year approaches and Jericho’s future comes into focus. A recent report from F4WOnline notes that Jericho’s AEW contract is set to expire at midnight on December 31, a key detail that has only added fuel to the speculation. With that date looming, attention has shifted to what comes next for one of wrestling’s most accomplished veterans.
Chris Jericho’s Last Appearance in AEW
Chris Jericho has not appeared on AEW television for months, and that absence has become impossible to ignore as his contract situation comes into focus. His most recent in-ring appearance came at AEW Dynasty in early April, where Jericho lost the ROH World Championship to Bandido in a title versus mask match. The loss effectively closed the door on his latest run and did not tease a follow-up storyline.
Shortly before that match, Jericho also dissolved his Learning Tree faction on Dynamite, a moment that felt more like an ending than a pause. Since then, AEW has not referenced Jericho on television in any meaningful way, nor has there been any indication of plans for his return.
With no on screen angle, no announced appearances, and no creative direction hinted at, Jericho’s quiet exit has stood out. Combined with the timing of his contract expiration at the end of the year, his disappearance has only added to the belief that his time in AEW may already be over.
If Jericho is indeed done in AEW, you can see what could be his final appearance from the April 9, 2025, episode of AEW Dynamite:
Rumored WWE Appearance Dates
With Chris Jericho’s AEW contract set to expire at midnight on December 31, attention has shifted to when he could realistically appear in WWE if a return happens. A few key dates keep coming up in industry chatter.
The first is the January 5, 2026, episode of Raw, which doubles as a major Netflix era milestone and is already being positioned as a headline show. Several reports have pointed to that episode as a logical spot for a surprise appearance.
The 2026 Royal Rumble is another date fans continue to circle. The event has a long history of surprise returns, and Jericho entering the match would immediately reestablish him as a major player.
Why a WWE Return Makes Sense for Chris Jericho
The situation lines up for Chris Jericho. His AEW contract is set to expire, he has quietly disappeared from television, and there has been no indication that another AEW storyline is waiting for him. At this stage of his career, it does not feel like there is much left for him to accomplish in AEW. If a return to WWE is not in the cards, which feels unlikely, retirement would be the only other option. For a performer as big and as dynamic as Jericho, that final Dynamite appearance does not feel like a true ending.
WWE, meanwhile, has a long track record of bringing back established names when the timing feels right. Jericho is someone who could step in immediately without needing much explanation, whether for a short run, a featured program, or a handful of major appearances.
A WWE return would also give Jericho the chance to bring his career full circle. One final run, capped off by a WWE Hall of Fame induction, feels like a fitting way to close the book on one of the most unique careers in wrestling history.
