Chris Jericho’s future in AEW has been beneath critical hypothesis ever since he disappeared from tv again in April 2025.
Rumors swirled round every little thing from artistic burnout to the chance of a large WWE return. Now, Jericho himself is providing a glimpse into the place his loyalties at present stand—and it got here throughout an sudden look on NHL on TNT.
On October 30, Jericho posted Instagram Story clips, the place he casually addressed each WWE and AEW throughout a dialog evaluating the drama of wrestling with hockey rivalries. Whereas the section was largely light-hearted, Jericho dropped a line that seemingly confirmed he nonetheless considers himself an AEW expertise.
Whereas discussing his iconic ladder match with Shawn Michaels and evaluating it to present AEW rivalries, Jericho mentioned:
“It’s onerous to say, however I had a ladder match with Shawn Michaels and that one was a extremely nice type of end result to the great man and dangerous man dynamic. After which in AEW, the place I work now, we acquired this man Jon Moxley, he’s slightly bit off his rocker. I’d say he’s type of just like the Mark Messier of professional wrestling to the place you by no means actually know what he’s going to do and he’s acquired his demise stare and we at all times find yourself reduce open and bleeding. However you recognize, it’s going to be thrilling and bodily and persons are into it and that’s—that makes it extra enjoyable as a result of such as you guys mentioned, if you’re taking part in 80 video games a 12 months, it’s slightly little bit of a grind. However in case you have a sure Boston tonight, oh, that is going to be a—that’s the identical take care of wrestling as nicely, rivalries in hockey.”
That key phrase—“the place I work now”—appears to close down the concept Jericho has secretly left AEW or is in the midst of a quiet exit. It additionally comes at a time when his podcast has notably shifted away from AEW matters, and his annual “Rock ‘N’ Wrestling Rager at Sea” cruise in early November 2026 has dropped AEW branding altogether.
In accordance with a earlier studies, a number of promotions—together with WWE—have saved tabs on Jericho’s contract state of affairs. WWE sources consider Jericho may command “a number of million {dollars} yearly” to return, however AEW is reportedly able to matching that determine.
At the least two different national-level wrestling promotions are mentioned to be focused on bringing Jericho aboard in some capability, although none need to get right into a critical bidding warfare. One promotion reportedly sees it as a “fruitless enterprise” given his market worth and Tony Khan’s want to maintain him.
Jericho signed a three-year AEW extension in October 2022, putting the expiration window between November and December 2025—simply weeks away. However regardless of his absence from AEW programming, sources declare he hasn’t requested for day without work, and there’s no indication that AEW is making an attempt to freeze his deal.
In the meantime, WWE executives haven’t initiated any artistic talks concerning Jericho’s return. Nonetheless, one firm higher-up acknowledged that latest fan reactions to Jericho’s title and signature strikes being referenced on WWE programming have been extraordinarily constructive.
Nonetheless, Jericho’s latest feedback may imply extra—or much less—than they appear. He might have merely referred to AEW as “the place I work now” as a result of his contract hasn’t formally expired, or he may nonetheless be dealing with media duties on the corporate’s behalf till it does. The previous AEW World Champion is understood for enjoying thoughts video games with followers and the media alike, and this is perhaps one other instance of that. So whereas his “the place I work now” comment appears like affirmation of his AEW allegiance, it may simply as simply be Jericho protecting everybody guessing till his subsequent large transfer is revealed.
Do you assume Chris Jericho ought to stick with AEW or journey yet one more wave again to WWE? Tell us your ideas within the feedback beneath.
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October 31, 2025 12:51 am