Chris Jericho’s Social Media Slip-Up Has Wrestling Fans Losing Their Minds Over Potential WWE Return

Look, wrestling fans are basically detectives at this point. They’ll analyze every tweet, every Instagram like, and probably your grocery shopping list if it means getting a clue about their favorite wrestler’s next move. And boy, did Chris Jericho just give them something juicy to sink their teeth into.

The wrestling world collectively lost its mind when eagle-eyed fans noticed that good ol’ Y2J had liked an Instagram post discussing his potential WWE return. Yeah, you read that right—a simple social media interaction has turned into the hottest topic since someone decided pineapple belonged on pizza (it doesn’t, fight me).

What’s All This Fuss About Jericho’s Instagram Activity?

So here’s the tea: Wrestling fans spotted that Chris Jericho liked a post recapping his previous comments about being open to a WWE return “depending on the situation.” The post also mentioned his AEW contract expires at the end of 2025, which apparently was enough to send the wrestling community into full conspiracy mode.

Now, before we all start booking Jericho’s return to WWE in our heads, let’s pump the brakes for a hot second. The man liked a post on Instagram—he didn’t exactly show up at WWE headquarters with a pen in hand, ready to sign on the dotted line. But in wrestling, even the smallest gestures can spark wildfire speculation, and honestly, that’s part of what makes this whole thing so entertaining.

The post in question wasn’t even new information. It was literally just rehashing stuff Jericho had said before about potentially returning to WWE under the right circumstances. But apparently, his decision to hit that little heart button was enough to make wrestling Twitter explode like it was 1999 all over again.

Where the Hell Has Jericho Been Lately?

Here’s where things get interesting (and by interesting, I mean frustrating if you’re an AEW fan). Chris Jericho hasn’t graced AEW programming since April 2025. His last appearance involved walking out on his Learning Tree stablemates Big Bill and Bryan Keith, which was a perfectly dramatic way to write him off television.

Initially, everyone assumed his absence was due to touring commitments with his band Fozzy. Because apparently, being a wrestling legend isn’t enough—you also need to be a rock star. The tour wrapped up in May, but guess what? Still no Jericho on AEW TV.

According to Dave Meltzer’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter (because of course Dave knows everything), the decision of when—or if—Jericho returns to AEW television now rests entirely with AEW President Tony Khan. No pressure there, Tony.

Some fans have actually been relieved by Jericho’s absence, and honestly, I can’t blame them. The 54-year-old legend had been inserting himself into feuds with younger talent, and let’s be real, not everyone was thrilled about it. There’s something to be said for knowing when to step back and let the next generation shine, but apparently, that memo got lost somewhere between Y2J and the Learning Tree.

The AEW Contract Situation That’s Got Everyone Talking

Let’s talk money, because that’s what this all boils down to, doesn’t it? Jericho’s AEW contract is set to expire at the end of 2025, and historically, AEW has a habit of keeping talent off television in the months leading up to contract expirations. It’s like wrestling’s version of being put in time-out, except the stakes are way higher and the toys are much more expensive.

Now, here’s where it gets spicy: At 54 years old, Jericho isn’t exactly wrestling a full-time schedule anymore. The question becomes whether Tony Khan is willing to shell out another seven-figure deal for a part-time performer who might be past his prime. I mean, the guy’s been one of AEW’s highest-paid stars since day one, so we’re not talking about chump change here.

There haven’t been any public signs that Jericho is unhappy with AEW—no dramatic backstage reports or cryptic social media posts (well, except for that Instagram like that started this whole mess). But the wrestling business is notoriously unpredictable, and contracts expire whether you’re happy or not.

Could Y2J Actually Return to WWE?

Here’s where things get really interesting. Jericho was absolutely crucial to AEW’s early success—he was their first-ever World Champion and gave the upstart promotion instant credibility when he jumped ship from WWE in 2018. His departure was a legitimacy statement that said, “Hey, we’re serious competition here.”

But wrestling is a business, and businesses change. Triple H is now running WWE’s creative side, and he’s shown he’s not one to hold grudges if there’s money to be made. If Jericho could bring value to WWE’s current product, you can bet they’d be interested in having that conversation.

The Instagram post Jericho liked referenced his previous comments about being open to a WWE return, but let’s be honest—those comments were pretty non-committal. “Depending on the situation” is about as vague as you can get without actually saying nothing at all.

Why This Social Media Drama Actually Matters

Look, I get it. On the surface, this whole story seems ridiculous. A 54-year-old wrestler liked a post on Instagram, and suddenly we’re all acting like he’s already walked through the curtain at WrestleMania. But here’s the thing—in wrestling, perception is reality, and fan speculation drives the conversation.

Jericho’s extended absence from AEW television, combined with his contract situation and now this social media interaction, creates a perfect storm of wrestling drama. Whether it amounts to anything significant remains to be seen, but it’s certainly got people talking.

The wrestling business thrives on these moments of uncertainty. Will he or won’t he? Is he staying or going? It’s the same energy that made the Monday Night Wars so compelling—that sense that anything could happen at any moment.

The Reality Check Nobody Wants to Hear

Here’s the truth that might burst everyone’s bubble: Jericho liking an Instagram post probably doesn’t mean much of anything. The man has been in the wrestling business for decades—he knows how to work fans, and he definitely knows that his every move is being watched and analyzed.

Could this be a calculated move to generate buzz and potentially strengthen his negotiating position with AEW? Absolutely. Could it be a genuine hint about his future plans? Maybe. Or could it just be a guy scrolling through Instagram and mindlessly hitting the like button like the rest of us mortals? Also very possible.

The wrestling industry loves its mystery and speculation, but sometimes a like is just a like. Though in Chris Jericho’s case, nothing is ever quite that simple.

What This Means for Wrestling’s Future

Whether Jericho stays with AEW, returns to WWE, or rides off into the sunset with Fozzy, his situation highlights the current state of professional wrestling. We’re in an era where talent has more options than ever before, and loyalty isn’t what it used to be.

AEW gave Jericho a platform to reinvent himself in his 50s, but WWE represents his wrestling home for the majority of his legendary career. There’s something poetic about the possibility of Y2J coming full circle, even if it’s just wishful thinking from nostalgic fans.

The bottom line is this: Chris Jericho’s future remains one of wrestling’s most intriguing storylines, and that Instagram like has only added fuel to an already burning fire of speculation. Whether it leads anywhere meaningful or just ends up being another case of fans reading too much into social media activity, well, that’s a story for another day.

One thing’s for sure—Chris Jericho still knows how to get people talking, even if he’s just sitting at home scrolling through his phone like the rest of us.