Major update on Chris Jericho's WWE return as AEW deal expires

Y2J’s AEW contract is set to expire on Wednesday.

Chris Jericho’s highly anticipated return to the WWE has been one of the most talked-about points as we head into 2026. Multiple reports have stated that Jericho’s AEW deal is set to expire on Wednesday, further fueling the rumors of his return.

Alex McCarthy of Wrestling Intel reports that Jericho’s AEW contract is set to expire on December 31, and multiple AEW sources reportedly believe he could make a WWE debut in the near future.

McCarthy also noted that WWE is said to be discussing a possible return for Jericho on the January 5, 2026, episode of RAW in Brooklyn, New York. Jon Alba of SI has also backed this report, stating “multiple higher-ups in AEW are under the impression that Jericho is done with the company and will be returning to WWE.”

Chris Jericho last appeared on AEW TV in April

Dave Meltzer of WON backed reports from McCarthy and Alba that there was a belief that Jericho would return to WWE in the near future.

“Regarding Chris Jericho, it is accurate that his AEW deal expires on Wednesday and most expect him in WWE in January. That’s been the expectation for months but I don’t have confirmation he’s 100 percent there.”

Additionally, Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful reported that, according to sources he spoke with, Chris Jericho had not been discussed creatively within AEW.

WrestleVotes reported that people within WWE had expected Chris Jericho to return once his time with AEW concluded, dating back to last August. “People in WWE have expected Jericho to come back once he was finished with AEW since last August.”

Jericho’s most recent AEW in-ring appearance took place on April 6 at AEW Dynasty, where he lost the ROH World Championship to Bandido in a Title vs. Mask match. On the other hand, his last WWE appearance came during the 2018 Greatest Royal Rumble event.

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