Major Promotions In BIDDING WAR Over Top AEW Star (WWE News)
It's Triple H vs. Tony Khan in this fight for one of wrestling's biggest names.
Fightful Select reports that "multiple companies on a national and global level are interested in using" Chris Jericho once his AEW contract expires at the tail end of 2025. Currently, it looks like All Elite boss Tony Khan is similarly up for bringing Jericho back too, but the veteran has a lot of bargaining power heading into the new year.
It seems likely the 35 year pro will be subject to a bidding war very, very soon.
AEW sources told Fightful that their working relationship with Chris "is still strong", but that doesn't necessarily mean he'll plump for an extension with the company in the end. Meanwhile, sources on the WWE side told the site that Jericho could get offered "several million dollars" to jump back over to the promotion with which he really made his name.
Internally, WWE's creative team hasn't exactly been scheming anything concrete for Jericho, but there have been references to him on TV and PLE. At Crown Jewel, John Cena used his old Liontamer/Walls Of Jericho finisher, and it went down well with the live audience in Australia.
It's worth noting that there's still some time remaining on Jericho's AEW deal, but he hasn't worked a match for Khan's league since putting Bandido over in a 'Mask vs. Title' bout for the ROH World Championship at Dynasty in April. Currently, it'll surely please the legend that he's the talk of the town, but what would a WWE comeback look like in 2026?
Opinion: Jericho Should Return To His 'Y2J' Character
Jericho has consistently distanced himself from 'going back'. By that, he means creatively. When asked, he's shut down any thoughts of returning to his old 'Y2J' character, or even whipping out the 'List Of Jericho' for a pop. Instead, Jericho has repeated the same mantra: He wants to evolve, change with the times and always look for something new.
The Canadian might have to go back on those words if he inks a deal with WWE.
There'd definitely be significant call for some retro-infused 'Y2J' goodness. A countdown sequence heading into next year's Royal Rumble would get a monster reaction from the live crowd, and people would be thrilled to see Jericho return to his roots for one last WWE whirl. That, if handled correctly, could include a Hall Of Fame induction and several marquee matches internationally against some of the biggest names on the roster.
Naturally, Jericho himself would have to do what's right for him, but he's no fool. Business is business, and some fresh 'Y2J' merchandise would be a license to print money.