Why Chris Jericho Needs To Stay off AEW and WWE TV Until January

Rumors have been swirling about Chris Jericho making a surprising return to WWE.

The former WWE superstar is currently under contract with AEW until December 2025. He has been off AEW television since April 2025, marking nearly five months of absence. His last AEW appearance was at AEW Dynasty on April 6, where he lost the ROH World Championship to Bandido. A few days later, on April 9, he walked out on his Learning Tree faction.

The Demo God himself teased a possible WWE return, stirring fan excitement for a potential comeback. But despite strong rumors, neither WWE nor Chris Jericho has made an official confirmation, leaving his future an intriguing question in the wrestling world as 2025 draws to a close. Fans eagerly await any indication of his next move in professional wrestling.

On Notsam Wrestling, Sam Roberts discussed Jericho’s absence from AEW and the wrestling world altogether. He suggested Y2J should stay off TV until January before making any big return.

Whether Jericho ends up back in AEW or WWE, Roberts believes Jericho should keep his plans secret and make a surprise comeback, ideally on January 1st, tying his return to the New Year.

This idea connects to Jericho’s legendary WWE debut in 1999, when he used a countdown clock, based on a real “Countdown to the New Millennium” he saw at a post office, to create a memorable entrance that kicked off his iconic career.

I think either way, Chris Jericho should stay off television until January. I think, whether he re-signs with AEW, whether he signs with WWE, I think he should do whatever he’s going to do in absolute secret and just show up somewhere in January. And if he can, January 1st would be amazing because you could count down to the new year. And we know that Jericho loves a New Year’s countdown. If he can be free to go by January 1st, I think showing up to AEW or WWE would be great. (From 1:05:03 to 1:05:35)

Chris Jericho vs LA Knight in WWE???

Speaking on the Busted Open After Dark, WWE Hall of Famer Bubba Ray Dudley said he wants to see Chris Jericho return, specifically to feud with LA Knight. Dudley believes even a limited one-year run working with Knight would be worthwhile.

“You just want Chris Jericho to retire because he’s going to be 55 and work behind the scenes. I’m sorry. I just don’t. I would bring Chris Jericho back to the WWE just to work with LA Knight. If you told me that that was the only thing he was going to do for one year, that’s good enough a reason alone.”

He believes a Royal Rumble entrance mimicking Jericho’s original WWE debut would electrify the crowd. Bubba noted that Jericho’s ability to tap into nostalgia is a unique asset, and his return could create exciting moments for fans. Despite the former ROH Champion approaching 55, Dudley doesn’t want to see him retire quietly but go out with memorable storylines.