Tony Khan Addresses Chris Jericho’s AEW Status Amid WWE Return Rumors

With WWE fans still reeling from a cryptic Jericho-themed tease on the January 5, 2026 episode of RAW, Tony Khan has finally addressed Chris Jericho’s AEW status—and it looks like the “walls” aren’t coming down just yet.

Speaking in an interview with Adrian Hernandez on January 7, 2026, Khan was asked directly about Jericho’s status after WWE sparked speculation by using his iconic phrase “break down the walls” during a Stranger Things-themed episode of RAW.

“I checked the AEW website before this interview started, and I see that Chris Jericho is still listed on the roster. Is there any insight you can share about his current status with AEW?,” asked Hernandez.

Tony Khan responded by showing nothing but respect and appreciation for Jericho’s role in building AEW from day one and made it clear just how crucial Le Champion has been to AEW. Khan focused on Jericho’s continued importance to the company—even if he hasn’t appeared on AEW TV since April 2025.

“Well, first of all, I’m really grateful whenever I talk about people who have been here from the very beginning and think about that first show in Las Vegas. None of this would be possible without Chris Jericho, who’s been instrumental in AEW from the start.

I love Chris very much, and I would say that Chris is always a big part of AEW. This promotion is here to stay, and Chris Jericho is a huge part of our history. We’re really proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish, and Chris is an instrumental part of that.”

This comes after fans online went into overdrive when RAW General Manager Adam Pearce teased the show with the line: “Who will break down the walls and walk out with gold?”

Given Jericho’s AEW contract was rumored to expire on December 31, 2025, many assumed it was WWE hinting at his return. But as PWInsider later confirmed, Jericho was never scheduled for the show—and was actually in Los Angeles during the RAW broadcast. “PWInsider.com is told Jericho was never slated for the show and is actually in Los Angeles this week.” WWE’s reference turned out to be a clever nod to the Stranger Things crossover theme, not a Chris Jericho tease.

“Given tonight was a Stranger Things crossover-themed episode, that was obviously a smartly played reference to that series having the wall into the Upside Down dimension.”

Still, Jericho hasn’t exactly shut the door on speculation. When asked about the rumors during a recent YouTube livestream, he smiled and simply said: “You never know. You never know.”

For now, Tony Khan’s comments suggest Jericho remains firmly part of the AEW family, despite the absence and the noise. But as with anything in wrestling—never say never.

Do you think Chris Jericho should finish his career in AEW—or make one final WWE run before calling it a day? Drop your thoughts below and let us know!

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