AEW President Tony Khan has directly addressed the rampant speculation surrounding Chris Jericho, making it clear he wants the company’s inaugural World Champion back in the fold.
During an interview on the Torg and Elliott show, Khan praised Jericho’s foundational role in the company and expressed his desire to see him return. “Well, Chris Jericho’s been here since the very beginning… I would love to have Chris Jericho in AEW any time,” Khan stated. “Yeah, we absolutely want Chris Jericho back in AEW, and hopefully soon… Chris is a huge part of the history of AEW and still in great shape, still a great wrestler.”
When pressed on a specific timeline, Khan teased an imminent comeback. “Well, I think you got to stay tuned to the show. That’s one of the reasons you watch the wrestling show is to see the returns,” he said, hinting that fans should keep a close eye on AEW programming.
These comments land as Jericho himself has been pushing back against rumors of a potential WWE jump. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Jericho dismissed the idea he was leaving and framed WWE’s recent counter-programming efforts as standard practice for the business.
“It’s wrestling. It’s always been that way… It’s kind of fun to see the different chess moves from both sides,” Jericho commented, showing an engaged perspective on the current landscape.
Jericho has been absent from AEW television since April, an extended break that has fueled the rumor mill regarding his contract status. While his return now seems to be a matter of when, not if, the real question is what version of Jericho will show up. Will this time away and the need to address his own future lead to a revitalized character, or will he pick up right where he left off?