Tag: Chris Jericho

Tony Khan media call notes: TNA blocks, Kyle Fletcher injury, Chris Jericho, WWE purchase interest

Posted on by Josh Nason

During a media call on Thursday, AEW head Tony Khan openly discussed his 2023 bid to buy WWE in addition to his thoughts on the recent blocks of talent by TNA Wrestling in addition to the re-signing of Chris Jericho and Kyle Fletcher’s injury.

We will have audio available later on today.

TNA

Asked for a comment about TNA pulling talent from matches with MJF and Ricochet, Khan said he approved both the matches they were involved in, and put over his partnerships with NJPW and CMLL as he loves collaboration. He said he “was surprised to see those matches were changed as a result of the other company not wanting them involved” as they were previously agreed upon.

Kyle Fletcher’s injury

Khan said Fletcher’s recent injury affected plans for several shows including Dynasty in addition to other TNT title defenses he had planned. Khan said he has taken a half-full approach to the injury as there is also a lot of positivity. Fletcher is expected out months and not a year or anything like that, according to Khan who hopes he’ll be back for All In London.

“That’s a goal and realistic based on the timeline,” Khan said.

Chris Jericho’s return

Khan was asked about any details with Jericho’s new contract to which he simply said it was a multi-year deal, that he wanted Jericho back in AEW, and that Jericho had a lot of options from around the world of wrestling.

Asked about whether Jericho wanted to return to the ring at Dynasty a year after he left, Khan said 100%. He said they had talked and Jericho wanted to return on TV at Winnipeg and back in the ring at the PPV.

Potentially buying WWE in 2023

Asked for a follow-up to his comments about not being able to live with himself if he didn’t bid for WWE, Khan said he felt it was an interesting opportunity in the market but that he was flying blind compared to others given the restrictions like not getting access to the data room, but understands why they left him out.

But, he said that made it challenging for him to do more than anyone else would and his bid was based on the stock market rather than the same info other bidders were getting.

Later asked about any other insight on what his plan would have been if he had acquired WWE, Khan said there was a lot of intriguing things happening at the time (2023) and there was a lot of free agent pursuits like Okada, Mone and Ospreay. He was focused on AEW, but cognizant of the process. He would have kicked himself if he didn’t get involved, but all he could do was bid with the stock market as that’s all the information he was provided (no data room, etc).

“Given our position and the opportunity and partners we work with, he thought it was an opportunity worth exploring,” he said.

Other Notes:

  • Khan says that Spring BreakThru editions of Dynamite and Collision will be returning next week after all.
  • He stopped short of saying there was interest in a potential collaboration with JCW, only saying that some wrestlers have worked in both companies and that they are a cool company.
  • Asked if more Joshi talent will be used in Toni Storm’s absence, Khan said Yuka Sakazaki will be in an ROH Survival of the Fittest qualifying match and that Hikaru Shida will team with Kris Statlander this Saturday on Collision. He said they will work with Stardom this summer on events including Forbidden Door.
  • Asked if he is considering the Camping World Stadium in Orlando for an event since the Jacksonville Jaguars will be playing there in 2027 due to renovations, Khan said it’s a great thought but one he had never considered it until getting that question.

Chris Jericho to wrestle for first time in 371 days at AEW Dynasty, brings back ‘The List’

Posted on by Josh Nason

After more than a year, inaugural AEW World Champion Chris Jericho will make his in-return at this Sunday’s AEW Dynasty and he’s bringing an old gimmick along with him.

He will do so in a first time ever match when he faces former AEW National Champion Ricochet in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Jericho, a full babyface, appeared on Wednesday’s Dynamite to officially sign his new contract when Ricochet and the Gates of Agony interrupted. After Ricochet verbally ran down Jericho and put over how much he feels he has impacted Dynamite, Jericho said part of his contract gives him the opportunity to call out someone without a match for the pay-per-view.

He then said he could pick Bishop Kaun or Toa Liona, but said he was going to do something he hasn’t had to do in ten years but it was “valid” for Ricochet.

“You know what happens when you’re bald, wearing a fancy pants sweatsuit and when Jericho needs an opponent when he doesn’t have one?”

He then revealed his personalized clipboard and said Ricochet just made “The List,” signing the contract, saying he’ll see him on Sunday. “The List” was a running gimmick of Jericho’s during part of his WWE run.

Jericho’s last match came in a mask vs. title match at last year’s Dynasty when he lost the Ring of Honor World title. He left the Learning Tree on the following Wednesday’s Dynamite and didn’t return until last Wednesday, ending speculation he was heading back to WWE.

Current AEW Dynasty lineup | Vancouver, Canada | Sunday, April 12

  • AEW World Champion MJF defend against Kenny Omega
  • AEW Continental Champion Jon Moxley defends against Will Ospreay
  • AEW World Tag Team Champions FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) defend against Christian Cage & Adam Copeland
  • Darby Allin vs. Andrade El Idolo with a World title shot for Allin with a win
  • AEW Women’s World Champion Thekla defends against Jamie Hayter
  • Young Bucks vs. Kazuchika Okada & Konosuke Takeshita
  • Gauntlet match for vacant TNT title
  • Chris Jericho vs. Ricochet
  • Zero Hour: Alex Windsor vs. Marina Shafir

Can Chris Jericho make AEW fans care about him again? | Opinion

Posted on by Josh Nason

Months ago, I would have bet my mortgage that Chris Jericho would be in WWE by now and in fact, I may have said that exact thing on my shuttered podcast or a Sunday episode of Wrestling Observer Live.

Thankfully for myself and my marriage, I didn’t put any money down on that.

I had a column in drafts for the past four months about how Jericho and WWE were the perfect fit for each other at this stage of things. For Jericho, it was a chance to go back where he became fully realized, to have a final run as a part-timer with interesting programs and meaning for whatever he has left in the tank, and to go out to massive recognition and a WWE Hall of Fame induction in a few years from an accepting fanbase.

Alas, that was not to be and I was surprised by that fact as I think most of you reading this probably were when he popped up on AEW Dynamite last week.

Despite the feelings some fans have toward him, Jericho is no dummy. Throughout his career, he has constantly evolved and in doing so, he has had two HOF worthy runs alone, if not three. He branched out into different forms of media and often performed better in those forms than his brethren. From a band to improv to acting to whatever else he is up to, Jericho is always trying new things. I admire that.

But he’s got a pretty big challenge in front of him at 55 years old: making AEW fans truly care about him again.

Part of that surprise of him returning was due to Jericho fatigue, a non-medical disorder that ran through a good portion of the AEW fanbase in 2024 and 2025. I think he and Tony Khan would agree that final go-round with The Learning Tree wasn’t it. He was playing off the internet chatter about him being a succubus for younger talent and not really achieving what was intended: to leave them in a bigger and better spot.

Was this his fault or Khan’s or a combo? Success has a lot of fathers, but failure is an orphan. Regardless, that last few months felt a lot like the forgettable last AEW act of Cody Rhodes with the never-ending inter-Nightmare Factory feud. I’m shuddering as I type that.

After a year away with plenty of chatter and scuttlebutt about him (remember that TNA comment?), Jericho returned in great shape and looks revived. He did the smart thing in that return (no big surprise) in making fans wait for the kickoff to this next chapter of the story, simply saying he was “home” and leaving people guessing.

That attempts to be answered tonight on Dynamite, but I suspect there will be even more to come as the intrigue gets drawn out. I don’t expect him to wrestle at Sunday’s Dynasty, but that next breadcrumb feels like it will be found in Vancouver.

But what could the plan be? Here’s a few thoughts.

One of the reasons I thought Jericho returning for WWE would be smart is there were more fresh matchups there, plus the all-important old rivalries to work from. In AEW, there are opportunities at the upper level as his MJF, Kenny Omega, and Hangman Page feuds are now years old. He’s never wrestled Swerve Strickland or Andrade. He’s only wrestled Will Ospreay, Kazuchika Okada and Kyle Fletcher once each.

But, do any of those feel like dream matches in 2026? That’s where I’m struggling a bit. I don’t think he is returning for another mid-card run, but a final run at or near the top. He could be inserted into the war against the Don Callis Family (remember the Golden Jets with Omega?) which would seem like a natural fit if he wanted to be a babyface.

The bigger question: are AEW fans ready to accept him at that level again? I’m skeptical of that. A lot has changed in a year and all those guys above, as well as Konosuke Takeshita, are the top tier and have made the World title picture consistently mean something again. There has to be something compelling for fans to want some of those Jericho matches in that mix.

They other option is the midcard that is already too packed with talent trying to break through to have another name dropped in trying to get attention. That would feel too much like the end run in 2025 and I don’t think he came back just to put the

A big challenge lies ahead for both Jericho and Khan to not just make this work, but make it succeed. Tonight will be the first step toward seeing if they can make that happen.

Tony Khan: Chris Jericho had a choice, but ‘wanted to be in AEW’

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Chris Jericho had a choice, and ultimately chose AEW.

In an interview with Jonathan Coachman & Vince Russo, Tony Khan was asked about Chris Jericho’s status with AEW during his time away, noting the long period of absence before eventually making his return recently. Coachman asked the AEW President how close Jericho came to leaving for WWE.

“I can’t say with any certainty. I do know that Chris had a choice, and he wanted to be in AEW,” he said. “He would be the best person to ask. But I know that I’ve been in communication with Chris. He told me he definitely wanted to be in AEW and very specifically in Winnipeg on that date. We’ve had that circled for a long time going back to last year.”

Khan reiterated he didn’t know Jericho’s mindset at the time, but revealed he was consistent expressing how much he loved AEW while exploring his free agency.

“It was a choice that Chris made, rather being in AEW than wrestling anywhere else, and I think that’s awesome. So I can’t say for sure Coach exactly what his mind was or what he was thinking but he definitely has been consistent that he loves AEW and that he wants to be here and I’m glad he chose to be in AEW and that’s a choice he made because he was a free agent,” Khan said.

After being gone for close to a year, Jericho made his return on the April 1 edition of Dynamite, declaring that he was back. He will appear on this week’s Dynamite to share more information.

WOR: Janel Grant case update, Chris Jericho’s AEW return

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

Dave Meltzer and I are back on Wrestling Observer Radio discussing the major stories from today’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

We talked about:

  • The latest on the Janel Grant case
  • AEW Collision recap
  • Chris Jericho
  • AEW Dynasty
  • WrestleMania 42
  • Weekend preview

Click here to listen (subscription required) or watch on YouTube

Fight Game: What’s left for Chris Jericho in AEW?

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

John LaRocca and Garrett Gonzales return with a brand-new Fight Game to discuss some of the most topical things going on in pro wrestling this week.

They gave out their thumbs up and thumbs down before jumping into two main topics:

  • The first is about the return of Chris Jericho to AEW. What does he have left and why did he choose AEW over WWE?
  • Then, they focused on the Gunther vs. Seth Rollins match at WrestleMania 42, which John predicted last week, as well as the newly-made WrestleMania 42 matches.

They finished up with their Observe This segment, talking about stories from Dave Meltzer’s 1985 Observer Book. They went over the very first WrestleMania, gave thoughts from the rewatch, and also discussed Dave’s comments from 1985.

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

Update on Chris Jericho’s status following AEW Dynamite return

Posted on by Ian Carey

Dave Meltzer provided an update on Chris Jericho in today’s edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Jericho returned to AEW after a nearly year-long absence on Wednesday’s edition of Dynamite, which took place in his hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Meltzer writes that the belief is Jericho is back in AEW for the long term and that him going to WWE is “now dead.” Jericho’s contract is said to have expired at the end of 2025 but was extended by Tony Khan due to time Jericho missed for various reasons, including acting commitments.

Meltzer wrote:

“We had been told that WWE only wanted to bring (Jericho) in for a retirement tour and farewell. At one time, we were told that the 2026 year would be built around retirements for AJ Styles, Brock Lesnar, and presumably Jericho.

But even though there were teases by Pearce and another by CM Punk, we had been told repeatedly that you should not believe any of the stories going around involving WWE and Jericho.”

Meltzer continued:

“There are more questions than answers right now as nobody is talking about the details. The belief is that him going to WWE is now dead and he’s back in AEW for the long term. What he’ll be doing and how the crowd will react to what he’s been doing will be a lot more clear in two weeks when they are out of Canada.”

The full edition of today’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter is available here for subscribers.

April 6, 2026 Observer Newsletter: Detailed Janel Grant allegations about Vince McMahon, WWE WrestleMania 42 card, Chris Jericho returns to AEW

Posted on by F4W Staff

Dave Meltzer has returned with the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Dave leads off with the latest allegations from Janel Grant against Vince McMahon which were graphic to say the least. The details were revealed as Grant’s side put forth its arguments as to why the case should not go to arbitration.

He also looks at what could be the final card for this month’s WWE WrestleMania 42 with a few matches yet to be announced.

Chris Jericho made his surprise return to AEW instead of WWE as many had speculated. Why? Dave gets into it.

All that plus news and results of the wrestling & MMA week from around the world await.

Click here to read (sub needed)

Chris Jericho appearance, injured wrestler’s return part of AEW Dynamite lineup

Posted on by Josh Nason

A week after making his surprise return to the promotion, Chris Jericho will address his return as part of next week’s AEW Dynamite — the go-home for next Sunday’s Dynasty.

Referred to as simply Jericho during the promo read on Thursday’s Collision, he will appear live in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, after he said just three words this past Wednesday in Winnipeg.

Queen Aminata will make her return from injury after missing five months with a tall task in front of her: a challenge of reigning TBS Champion Willow Nightingale.

Ahead of his challenge of AEW World Champion MJF at Dynasty, Kenny Omega will be on the show for the final time before the match.

After a union was made Thursday backstage, Darby Allin, Jack Perry and Brody King will take on Andrade, Konosuke Takeshita and Mark Davis of the Don Callis Family.

Both AEW Continental Champion Jon Moxley and Dynasty title challenger Will Ospreay will also be in attendance.

Current AEW Dynamite lineup | This Wednesday | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

  • Chris Jericho live
  • Kenny Omega appearance
  • TBS Champion Willow Nightingale defends against Queen Aminata
  • Darby Allin, Jack Perry & Brody King vs. Andrade, Konosuke Takeshita & Mark Davis
  • Jon Moxley appearance
  • Will Ospreay appearance

WOL: Janel Grant, Jericho return, Dynamite, more!

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Lance Storm is back with tons to talk about including the latest on the Janel Grant lawsuit, Chris Jericho returns on Dynamite and what we know about the timeline, AEW Dynamite from Wednesday night, and tons more! A fun show as always so check it out~!\

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WOR: Jericho return, AEW and NXT, Mania matches, live earthquake coverage

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including the return of Chris Jericho, the WrestleMania match update, Randy Orton’s mystery person, Sakura Genesis, Arena Mexico this week, ratings, your Dynamite and NXT TV reports, Collision spoilers, and AN EARTHQUAKE STRIKES DAVE’S STUDIO. Not making that up. A fun show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:
Start: Mitsuo Momota is cancer free, more on Seth Rollins vs. Gunther & other WrestleMania matches, Randy Orton to reveal mystery caller on SmackDown, lineups for the weekend
11:13: Chris Jericho returns to AEW
18:41: Corrections, upcoming Stardom stipulation, Best of the Super Juniors update
24:45: CMLL notes
32:17: Ratings
41:47: MMA & RAF notes
49:32: AEW Dynamite recap & earthquake coverage
1:07:31: Additional earthquake coverage & WWE NXT notes
1:17:42: AEW Collision spoilers

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Chris Jericho returns on AEW Dynamite after year-long absence: ‘I’m home’

Posted on by Josh Nason

After months of speculation as to whether a return to WWE was in his future, inaugural AEW World Champion Chris Jericho has returned to AEW.

Clad in a sparkly purple jacket and black jeans, Jericho made a surprise appearance to open Wednesday’s Dynamite in his hometown of Winnipeg, interrupting Tony Schiavone as he was about to introduce the Kenny Omega/MJF World title contract signing for this month’s AEW Dynasty.

After taking in the crowd cheers for several minutes, Jericho said “Winnipeg…I’m home.”

And that was that, at least for the time being.

Jericho has been away from the company since April 2025 when he departed in an on-screen huff with Bryan Keith and Big Bill as The Learning Tree faction fell apart.

He had said in previous interviews that his contract was coming up in December 2025, leading many to believe he was returning to WWE for a final run. However, AEW head Tony Khan said he wanted Jericho to return when asked many times about his situation over the last year. A report came out during that period that his contract was frozen due to his absence.

Last week, Jericho filed a trademark for “The Cornerstone” and then earlier on Wednesday, both our Dave Meltzer and Fightful reported that Jericho wasn’t expected back in WWE after all.

The 55-year-old has not hinted at retirement, instead saying the opposite when asked about if an end run is near.

WOL: Dynamite, Jericho, Mercedes, unannounced Mania matches, NXT

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Filthy Tom Lawlor is back to talk tons of different subjects including AEW Dynamite tonight, rumors of Chris Jericho and Mercedes Mone, last night’s NXT with the bizarre finish to the show, the planned unannounced matches for WrestleMania, and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

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Update on Chris Jericho’s WWE status, AEW return speculation

Posted on by Ian Carey

Multiple reports regarding Chris Jericho are now available.

Wednesday’s episode of AEW Dynamite will take place in Jericho’s hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, which has led some to speculate it could make for a good place for him to return to the company.

Our own Dave Meltzer wrote on social media Wednesday that he was told a week ago by WWE sources not to expect Jericho in WWE “anytime soon, if ever.”

Meltzer wrote:

“Regarding Jericho, I was told a week ago from WWE not to expect him in WWE any time soon, if ever, regarding rumors going around of him starting in WWE & AEW, both of which were out at the same time when he filed for the trademark.”

Jericho filed to trademark “Cornerstone” on March 25 with the US Patent and Trademark Office.

Fightful Select also posted an update on Jericho Wednesday, stating that there is a “growing belief” within AEW that Jericho could be returning to the company. The report noted that there has been “chatter” regarding Jericho returning on the April 1 Dynamite in Winnipeg.

“At the very least, Jericho and AEW have been discussing a return in the last couple of months,” Fightful wrote.

Jericho’s profile is still listed on the AEW roster page.

Chris Jericho files new trademark

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Absent from AEW for several months now, Chris Jericho has now filed for a new trademark.

On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, Jericho filed to trademark “cornerstone.” The full description of the filing under USPTO reveals it to be for goods and services.

“IC 025: Shirts; Sweatshirts; Hooded sweatshirts; Hats; Bandanas; Socks,” the filing read.

“IC 041: Providing wrestling news and information via a global computer network; Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibits and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer; Entertainment in the nature of wrestling contests; Entertainment services, namely, televised appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainer; Entertainment services, namely, personal appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainer; Entertainment services, namely, live appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainer; Providing online interviews featuring professional wrestler and sports entertainer in the field of professional wrestling and sports entertainment for entertainment purposes,” it continued.

Despite no rumors or hints about Jericho’s on-screen return, “cornerstone” seems to be another one of his gimmicks. The former ROH World Champion was also known as The Learning Tree during his last run in AEW.

Jericho, 55, was last seen losing his ROH World Championship to Bandido at AEW Dynasty 2025.