A new update on Chris Jericho’s status pours cold water on speculation that he could make his return to WWE at Elimination Chamber.
Since this past summer, there have been rumors that Jericho’s time in AEW could be coming to an end early in 2026. Reports suggested that his contract was set to expire at the end of 2025, and he was open to returning to the company that made him a wrestling legend. Furthermore, follow-up reports claimed that WWE was interested in a comeback for one last run.
However, over the last five months, it has been all quiet on the Jericho front. While many in and around the industry believe he will return to WWE, “Y2J” remains on AEW’s roster page. But hopeful fans began to speculate about his arrival this week when a mysterious box arrived on WWE Raw with a note not to open until February 28. The date of this month’s Elimination Chamber event.
Chris Jericho’s AEW contract was frozen
Some wrestling fans have started to wonder if the box has something to do with Chris Jericho’s return. Well, it seems it doesn’t. According to a new report from Fightful Select, the former AEW champion is still under contract with the promotion, and his deal was “frozen after he took time off in 2025.”
“Without seeing the contract itself, several factors could have extended that deal, from him re-signing, to injury time, to a deal freezing,” the report states. “Fightful has asked AEW several times in an official capacity if Jericho had left the company, and didn’t get a response where those usually occur upon departure. No internal memo has been distributed regarding Jericho’s departure, which is usually standard in AEW.
Fightful also notes that AEW talent being on the Jericho Cruise is standard, and none are set to be a part of the November event.
“Those close with Chris Jericho have been very tight-lipped about his future, but we’re told that he’s mentioned to people he would be open to a WWE return, but feared he would have to give up his remaining outside projects while there,” Fightful reports.
