“AEW Dynasty” will probably be a homecoming affair for Chris Jericho, in additional methods than one. According to reviews, Jericho’s AEW in-ring return in his dwelling nation of Canada is simply the primary look in now-confirmed long-term deal between the previous AEW World Champion and the Jacksonville-based promotion.
Fightful Select launched particulars concerning Jericho’s AEW standing Saturday. While AEW has deliberately stored particulars concerning Jericho’s contract confidential, AEW CEO Tony Khan confirmed that Jericho’s contract was “multi-year.” Earlier reports state that this deal was signed previous to Jericho’s return. An assortment of unnamed wrestlers, apparently, are in the identical boat as followers, as backstage expertise are reportedly additionally attempting to be taught the specifics of Jericho’s new contract.
If followers weren’t already confused by the Jericho contract rumor saga, a delicate identify change might have raised some eyebrows. Fightful Select additionally addressed Jericho’s quiet transition from “Chris Jericho” to “Jericho” following his return on “AEW Dynamite,” and described it a private “insistence” from Jericho himself. While promotional materials for “Dynasty” refers to Jericho as his most popular mononym, it appears that evidently AEW will nonetheless discuss with him as “Chris Jericho” periodically all through tv broadcasts. As of writing, Jericho continues to be listed as “Chris Jericho” on AEW’s on-line roster.
Jericho was the primary subject of free agency rumors originally of 2026 following his prolonged hiatus from AEW and sister promotion ROH. While Jericho in the end ended up again in AEW amidst the whir of the rumor mill, Fightful Select’s report seems to substantiate, to a point, the legitimacy of WWE’s curiosity. Reportedly, WWE and Jericho had conversations concerning a potential WWE return and retirement run for the previous World Heavyweight Champion, and Jericho was open to a WWE homecoming. However, Jericho in the end denied the supply, in worries that WWE would stress him into stepping away from his outdoors initiatives.