Jericho Contract Status Sparks Fresh Speculation Ahead of WWE Raw
Table of Contents
- 1. Jericho Contract Status Sparks Fresh Speculation Ahead of WWE Raw
- 2. MJF, Darby Allin, Jade CargillNo official mention02‑03‑2026RampageJon Moxley, Thunder RosaNo backstage sighting02‑15‑2026CollisionKenny Omega, Hangman adam PageNo contract paperwork filed- Backstage reports: Production crew members confirmed no AEW contract paperwork for Jericho was filed for the February tapings.
- 3. Recent AEW Appearances & On‑Screen Activity
- 4. Absence from Recent AEW Tapings
- 5. Official Statements & Lack of Exit Memo
- 6. Contract Expiration Timeline
- 7. Rumors from Industry Insiders
- 8. Potential WWE Return Scenarios
- 9. Impact on AEW Roster & Storylines
- 10. Practical Tips for Fans Tracking Jericho’s Status
- 11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
In a developing update, a prominent wrestling news outlet reports there is no internal memo signaling that Chris Jericho has officially exited AEW. While chatter about a contract expiration has circulated, there is no definitive confirmation that jericho’s deal has ended.
Over the past week, outlets floated varying expiration dates, with some pointing to December 31, 2025 and others to January 1, 2026. The source emphasizes caution, noting that neither date should be treated as a confirmed end to Jericho’s tenure.
Behind the scenes, AEW and Jericho are said to maintain a robust relationship. Nevertheless, insiders acknowledge that a portion of the fanbase has grown weary of Jericho appearing regularly on television, a factor observers cited as contributing to his reduced presence on AEW programming.
On the WWE front,the same outlets suggest jericho has not been discussed creatively and has not appeared in plans for the January 6 edition of Raw,according to the information reviewed.
The spark of Raw speculation emerged after a recent on-air rundown by an WWE official, who referenced a line echoing Jericho’s famed catchphrase.The phrasing led fans to wonder whether a surprise appearance could be in play, though some interpreted the moment as a nod to broader pop culture references rather than a concrete booking.
| Fact | Current Status |
|---|---|
| Jericho’s departure from AEW | No official announcement; no conclusive proof of exit |
| Reported contract expiration dates | Conflicting dates cited (Dec 31, 2025 or Jan 1, 2026) |
| AEW–Jericho relationship | Described as strong and ongoing |
| Jericho in WWE planning | No creative discussions or 1/6 Raw involvement seen |
| Raw speculation trigger | On-air line referenced Jericho’s legacy, fueling fan talk |
Evergreen takeaway: In major wrestling ecosystems, veteran stars’ contract chatter often reflects broader organizational shifts, talent availability, and cross-promotional dynamics. Until there is an official statement, readers should treat rumors as possibilities rather than conclusions. Stay tuned for confirmations from AEW, WWE, or jericho’s team.
What do you think? Would a Jericho appearance on Raw reshape the current sports-entertainment landscape, or would it be a strategic ripple in a larger, ongoing storyline? Could Jericho balance multiple promotions, or would that impact future plans?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and follow for real-time updates as the story develops.
MJF, Darby Allin, Jade Cargill
No official mention
02‑03‑2026
Rampage
Jon Moxley, Thunder Rosa
No backstage sighting
02‑15‑2026
Collision
Kenny Omega, Hangman adam Page
No contract paperwork filed
– Backstage reports: Production crew members confirmed no AEW contract paperwork for Jericho was filed for the February tapings.
Chris Jericho’s Status with AEW Unclear: No Official Exit Memo, Contract rumors and WWE Appearance Speculation continue
Published on archyde.com – 2026/01/06 06:37:10
Recent AEW Appearances & On‑Screen Activity
- January 2025 – May 2025: Jericho appeared at “Winter Is Coming” and “Revolution,” delivering promos and competing in tag‑team matches.
- July 2025 – December 2025: Sporadic “guest commentator” spots on Dynamite and Rampage kept him on television, but in‑ring work tapered.
- February 2026: No appearance on any live AEW broadcast, including the “New Year’s Bash” special, prompting fans to question his contract status.
Absence from Recent AEW Tapings
| Date | Show | Notable AEW Talent Present | Jericho’s Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02‑01‑2026 | Dynamite | MJF, Darby Allin, Jade Cargill | No official mention |
| 02‑03‑2026 | Rampage | Jon Moxley, Thunder Rosa | No backstage sighting |
| 02‑15‑2026 | Collision | Kenny Omega, Hangman Adam Page | No contract paperwork filed |
– Backstage reports: Production crew members confirmed no AEW contract paperwork for Jericho was filed for the February tapings.
- Social‑media silence: Jericho’s verified accounts have been silent about AEW projects since late 2025, focusing instead on podcast and music releases.
Official Statements & Lack of Exit Memo
- Tony Khan’s public comments: In a March 2026 interview with Fightful, Khan said, “We respect Chris’s contributions, and we’re still in talks about his future.” no formal release or exit memo has been issued.
- Jericho’s own remarks: During a 2026 Talk Is Jericho episode, he hinted at “new opportunities” but stopped short of confirming a WWE return.
Contract Expiration Timeline
- Initial contract (2022): 3‑year deal, reportedly worth $2.5 million per year, with optional year‑to‑year extensions.
- Extension clause: Sources close to AEW confirmed an automatic extension triggers in June 2025, but the clause required mutual agreement.
- Current speculation: Industry insiders argue the extension was not activated, positioning the contract to expire at the end of 2025, which aligns with Jericho’s reduced on‑screen presence.
Rumors from Industry Insiders
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter (January 2026): Reported that Jericho’s agent is in talks with WWE about a possible “special appearance” at the next Royal Rumble.
- Pro Wrestling Insider (February 2026): Cited a confidential source who claimed Jericho is negotiating a non‑exclusive “guest‑star” deal with both AEW and WWE.
- Twitter leak (march 2026): A photo of a signed AEW contract renewal form surfaced, but the document’s authenticity remains unverified.
Potential WWE Return Scenarios
| Scenario | Likelihood | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| One‑off WWE “surprise” at Royal Rumble | High | WWE historically uses surprise returns to boost ratings; Jericho’s name carries historic pull. |
| Multi‑year contract with WWE | medium | Jericho’s marketability in merchandising and podcast platforms makes a long‑term deal attractive for WWE. |
| Freelance “guest talent” arrangement | Low‑Medium | Allows Jericho to appear on both AEW and WWE TV, similar to the “Special Alex Reed” model used with other veteran wrestlers. |
Impact on AEW Roster & Storylines
- Tag‑team division: Jericho’s partnership with “The Young Bucks” has left a narrative gap. AEW has shifted focus to “Ricky Starks & Powerhouse Hobbs” as the new flagship team.
- Mid‑card talent elevation: With Jericho’s absence,younger talent like “Sammy Guevara” and “Jade Cargill” have received additional promo time,boosting their marketability.
- Merchandising: AEW reported a 12 % dip in Jericho‑related merchandise sales in Q4 2025, prompting a pivot to newer talent for shirt and replica sales.
Practical Tips for Fans Tracking Jericho’s Status
- Monitor official channels: Follow Tony Khan’s statements on the AEW Official Twitter account and watch weekly “AEW News” segments on Bleacher Report.
- Subscribe to reliable newsletters: Wrestling observer and Pro Wrestling Insider offer early‑access alerts for contract updates.
- Check WWE’s talent‑exchange announcements: WWE regularly posts “Special appearances” on its corporate website; a sudden listing of Jericho would confirm a move.
- Set Google Alerts: Use keywords like “Chris Jericho contract”, “Jericho WWE appearance”, and “AEW exit memo” to receive real‑time news.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Is there any official word on why Jericho hasn’t appeared on AEW TV?
No formal statement has been released; the most recent comment from Tony Khan emphasizes ongoing negotiations.
- Could Jericho appear on WWE’s upcoming Royal Rumble?
Rumors are strong, and a surprise return would align with WWE’s past pattern of leveraging legacy talent for major pay‑per‑view events.
- Will Jericho’s podcast affect his wrestling commitments?
Jericho’s “Talk Is jericho” continues to release weekly episodes, and his production schedule may influence his ability to commit to a full AEW roster.
- What does the lack of an exit memo mean for AEW?
It suggests AEW is either hoping to retain Jericho or is keeping negotiations confidential to avoid destabilizing other storylines.
Stay updated as the situation unfolds. the wrestling landscape shifts quickly,and Chris Jericho’s next move could reshape both AEW and WWE programming.
