WWE Has Pitched Retirement Storyline To Chris Jericho (WWE News)
Is Chris Jericho set for a huge WWE return?
With plenty of speculation that Chris Jericho may be about to swap AEW for WWE, there's now somewhat of an update on Jericho's situation.
For those who may have missed it, Jericho's existing AEW deal is up at the end of this year. WWE is said to have interest in bringing the inaugural AEW World Champion back into the fold, whilst AEW President Tony Khan is keen for the veteran to remain #AllElite.
Not just does WWE have interest in Jericho, but the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter claims that the company has "offered him a retirement storyline." Per Dave Meltzer, "all hints are in the WWE direction" when it comes to the one-time Y2J's future, with "others" expecting Jericho to be back in WWE early next year. However, it was stated that nothing is confirmed as of now, so this remains a topic to keep an eye on.
While certain sections of the AEW fanbase may have soured on Chris Jericho in recent years, it's hard to overstate just how important and pivotal a figure he was to the promotion in its early days. As EVPs, Cody Rhodes, Kenny Omega, and the Young Bucks all obviously brought plenty to the table, but Jericho brought mainstream name value and gave the company an immediate figurehead and focal point for the main event scene to revolve around.
Of course, Jericho also has an extensive history with WWE, having joined the company in 1999 after departing WCW. The 55-year-old remained with WWE on and off until 2018, being a six-time World Champion, nine-time Intercontinental Champion, two-time United States Champion, one-time European Champion, one-time Hardcore Champion, and a seven-time Tag Team Champion during his time with the market leader.