Chris Jericho Not Retiring in 2026 and Still Has More Matches Left in the Tank

Chris Jericho might be teasing fans with cryptic social media posts and nostalgia-filled interviews, but don’t count him out of the ring just yet.

During a new episode of Fightful Select’s Q&A Podcast, Sean Ross Sapp shot down speculation that Jericho is planning to retire next year, saying he’s been told directly that “he is not done wrestling right now.”

The WWE return rumors continue to swirl, but Sapp explained that retirement wouldn’t be a roadblock even if it were true. “I don’t think that would prevent WWE from bringing him back.”

Sapp offered his take on Jericho’s current role in AEW compared to WWE, suggesting his time in Tony Khan’s promotion may have run its course.

“I believe his time with AEW right now is just over and has reached — they’ve squeezed all the juice out of that one that they can. It’s not that way in WWE. I think the crowd will react the way that WWE wants them to for this tour.”

He added that Jericho still has creative potential left to explore in WWE, especially considering outside partnerships.

“I think it’s a better fit right now. I think it’s a better pace right now. And I think that there is more creatively for him to do — especially considering the ties to TNA and AAA, of which he has also not performed in.”

There’s still a possibility that Jericho plans a retirement tour eventually, but nothing is confirmed.

“I mean, it’s always possible with him that he does a retirement tour and then does an honest-to-God retirement match in AEW afterward. Like, anything’s possible with him.”

For now, don’t expect Jericho to hang up his boots in 2026. He may be closer to the end, but the final chapter hasn’t been written yet.

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