Sammy Guevara has fueled speculation of a potential Chris Jericho return to an AEW-affiliated ring, dropping a major hint during the pre-show for tonight’s Ring of Honor Death Before Dishonor. Guevara is scheduled to defend the ROH World Tag Team Championship with a mystery partner after his partner, Dustin Rhodes, was recently sidelined with an injury. When asked who would be joining him, Guevara directly referenced Jericho’s old WWE theme song.
“Lexi, I know you’re trying to break the walls down on who I’m gonna pick,” Guevara stated.
The tease comes nearly five months after Jericho’s last appearance on AEW programming, which saw him lose the ROH World Championship to Bandido on the episode of Dynamite following Dynasty. Guevara’s comment lands amid widespread reports that Jericho is not expected to re-sign with AEW when his contract expires at the end of 2025, with many inside both AEW and WWE anticipating his return to the latter.
Recent reports have indicated there is “significant interest” from within WWE for a Jericho comeback, with the belief being that Jericho or his representatives have already made overtures to gauge the company’s interest. Many current WWE talents would reportedly welcome his return, though one source noted that as of early last week, his name had not been brought up in creative discussions.
Jericho himself has contributed to the speculation. He has been absent from AEW television since April, a break he has stated was due to negative crowd reactions. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer noted that this fan reception is a major factor in Jericho contemplating a departure. In recent weeks, Jericho “liked” a social media post discussing a potential WWE return, and the official WWE Vault YouTube channel has increased its output of his classic matches. Furthermore, his iconic WWE theme music was reportedly heard playing outside the LDLC Arena in France just ahead of the August 29 episode of Friday Night SmackDown.
The speculation has become so specific that some believe a surprise appearance at the 2026 Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is a potential target for his return. When recently asked about the rumors, AEW President Tony Khan avoided a direct answer, instead praising Jericho as a “great champion, a great ambassador, a great leader and a great friend,” adding, “I would love to have Chris back, if and when the time presents itself.”