Chris Jericho Says WWE Wanted Him to Return with “The List” Gimmick in 2022

Chris Jericho had a highly successful career in WWE but left the company in 2018 to become one of AEW’s first major signings in 2019. However, Jericho has now claimed that in 2022, WWE wanted him to return using his popular List gimmick.

While speaking to Chris Van Vliet, Chris Jericho explained that he never wanted to become a nostalgia act and still feels the same way. This mindset was one of the main reasons he joined AEW in 2019 instead of returning to WWE.

Jericho claimed that he knew WWE would want him to bring back “The List,” but he wasn’t interested in repeating the past. He noted this took in 2022, when at the time “The List” was simply not a relevant act for him.

“I never wanted to be a nostalgia act, still don’t. It’s one of the reasons I went to AEW in the first place in 2019, I didn’t want to go back to WWE and do The List. Which I knew they wanted me to do, and this is three years later and the List was not a thing for me back then.”

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Jericho emphasized the importance of constantly evolving, staying relevant, and continuing to push forward in the wrestling industry. His goal is not only to grow as a performer but also to help build the business and elevate other wrestlers. He believes this is possible as long as one truly understands what the wrestling industry is all about.

“You want to continue to push and grow and evolve and stay as relevant as possible and still build the business and build other guys and you can do all those things as long as you understand what the business is all about.”

In October 2022, it was announced that Chris Jericho had inked a three-year contract extension with AEW, extending his tenure with the company through October 2025. At the time, some in WWE believed he was going to return to the company once his AEW contract expired to enjoy one last run before being inducted into the Hall of Famer.

Regarding a WWE return, Chris Jericho already made it clear he would reject a Hall of Fame induction. Therefore, it would be best for fans if they simply do not have any hope of Jericho returning to WWE one day, as it seems highly unlikely at the moment.

Would you have liked to see Jericho return to WWE with The List? Or do you agree with his decision to move forward creatively in AEW? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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