Update on Chris Jericho’s AEW Status & Potential WWE Return

As noted before, Chris Jericho’s contract with AEW is currently set to expire by the end of 2025. Jericho has been absent from AEW since this past April. Jericho recently announced the talent list for his upcoming new Chris Jericho’s Rock N Wrestling Ranger At Sea cruise event in November of 2026 that was notable for no AEW talent being listed and leading to online speculation of Jericho leaving AEW for WWE.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources spoken to brought up how the last time Jericho did a cruise event, he had announced nobody from AEW until a few months out from it.

In regards to the potential of Jericho returning to WWE, Meltzer reported that Jericho is either going to return to WWE or he wants people to think he’s going back to WWE in order to increase his price from each side for a new deal. Meltzer also reported that WWE officials already have an idea in place for Jericho to have a retirement tour and be inducted into their Hall of Fame.

Meltzer also reported that Jericho’s upcoming new cruise also has nobody from WWE in it either but he speculated that WWE probably wouldn’t allow their talent to go even if Jericho was with their company.