WWE Rumor Roundup: Chris Jericho's return; AJ Lee's contract; SmackDown's time format & more (January 5, 2026)

Let’s discuss the latest rumors making the rounds among fans on social media!

Speculation and rumors are among the favorite pastimes of WWE fans worldwide. Fans from all over the world enjoy discussing and debating various aspects of the world of pro wrestling.

In today’s edition of the roundup, we cover the latest rumors and news circulating among fans on social media, including Chris Jericho’s return on Monday Night Raw, AJ Lee’s contract, SmackDown’s time format, and much more.

Chris Jericho’s return

Despite rumors, reports, and speculations of his return on the first Raw of 2026, Jonathan Coachman suggests that Jericho won’t appear on Raw, but is expected to make his comeback at the Royal Rumble with “an entirely new look and character.”

“Jericho will NOT be at Raw on Monday. He is scheduled to make his return at the Rumble with a whole new look at character. He will be a special attraction similar to how they use Roman and Brock only he will be more visible in an on air role due to his ability to cut promos and sway the audience.

My sources have told me that Jericho looks to be in the best shape he has been in years. He does have a Fozzy stint already booked between the rumble and chamber but is scheduled to be a big part of the Chamber plans.” Coachman wrote.

AJ Lee’s contract & B-Fab’s injury

According to Fightful Select, those earlier claims about AJ Lee working full-time may have been exaggerated, noting that this was never directly communicated to them. They also stated they cannot confirm a WrestleMania match with Becky Lynch, even though it had been discussed in previous reports.

Additionally, Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful reports that there are concerns that B-Fab may have been injured during WWE’s Holiday Tour. “B-Fab is feared to have sustained an injury on the WWE Holiday tour, sources tell myself.”

SmackDown’s time format

SmackDown kicked off 2026 with a return to the three-hour format; however, according to Bryan Alvarez, the shift is temporary.

During an appearance on the Bryan and Vinny Show, Bryan Alvarez explained that SmackDown’s current three-hour format is expected to play out much as it did in 2025. He said there is an internal belief that the show could return to a two-hour runtime later in the year.

Per Alvarez, when WWE confirmed SmackDown’s move to three hours in January 2026, sources suggested the plan was to follow the same approach as the previous year, when the show aired in a three-hour slot early on before eventually reverting back to two hours.

“I was told, when the announcement was made that they were going back to three hours in January, that it probably was going to be the same thing this year, where it would be a three hour show for the first half, or whatever,” Alvarez stated.

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