Chris Jericho Addresses WWE Return Rumors Amidst AEW Absence

Chris Jericho may be off AEW television, but he’s not off fans’ radar—especially with his contract set to expire at the end of the year. Amid swirling rumors of a potential WWE comeback in 2026, Jericho finally gave a small but telling response during a live stream on his YouTube channel.

While AEW Worlds End was airing on Saturday night, Jericho hosted a Christmas Dinner With The Winnipeggers special on his channel. During the stream, a fan sent in a message recalling watching Jericho’s iconic 1999 WWE debut at their grandma’s house—and expressed hope that he might return to WWE one more time.

Jericho’s reply was short, but loaded with meaning. He simply said, “You never know. You never know.”

This is the first public comment Jericho has made addressing the growing speculation about his future. Although it wasn’t a confirmation or denial, it keeps the door open and adds fuel to ongoing rumors.

Jericho hasn’t appeared on AEW programming since April, when he walked out on Big Bill and Bryan Keith following a segment expressing disappointment in their performance. Since then, he’s been off TV completely, and according to earlier reports, he hasn’t even been mentioned in AEW creative meetings. The report noted that Jericho typically works directly with Tony Khan on his direction, but currently, there are no plans involving him at all.

Instead of appearing at Worlds End, Jericho chose to revive his YouTube show The Winnipeggers for a live broadcast at the same time as AEW’s pay-per-view, further separating himself from the company’s current direction.

As Jericho’s AEW deal nears its end, all eyes are on what his next move will be—and after Saturday night, fans now know he’s not ruling anything out.

Do you want to see Chris Jericho return to WWE in 2026, or should he finish his run in AEW? Share your thoughts in the comments below.