Chris Jericho Eyeing WWE Comeback At WrestleMania 2026 In Las Vegas

For the first time in years, the wrestling world feels genuinely unsettled in the best possible way. Chris Jericho, one of the most adaptable and influential performers of all time, is once again at the center of serious WWE return talk. This time, the noise is louder, more consistent, and far harder to dismiss.

Multiple reports indicate that WWE is actively planning for Chris Jericho to return in time for WrestleMania 42, set for April 18 and 19, 2026, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. With Jericho’s AEW contract expiring in December 2025, the timing feels deliberate rather than coincidental.

Jericho has always been a master of reinvention, but this potential return feels different. This is not about chasing another run or proving anything. This feels like a legacy.  Closure. A final statement made on the biggest stage professional wrestling has to offer.

Contract Situation And Wrestling Future

Chris Jericho’s current status with AEW has been under a microscope throughout 2025. His deal is set to expire in December 2025, and as of today, no extension has been announced. 

While Jericho has remained respectful and professional when discussing AEW publicly, his reduced presence on television since April 2025 has not gone unnoticed. Jericho has been clear about one thing. He is not finished wrestling.

In interviews earlier this year, he openly stated that fans will see him in a wrestling ring somewhere in 2026. He carefully avoided naming a promotion, which only added fuel to the speculation. Industry insiders believe WWE has been quietly preparing for this moment. 

There is a growing belief backstage that Jericho’s return would not be a full-time schedule, but a carefully structured run. The kind that allows him to tell meaningful stories, work with select opponents, and ultimately exit on his own terms. Talk of a WWE Hall of Fame induction has also intensified. 

Many within the industry feel that a WrestleMania-centered run would be the perfect bridge between Jericho’s final matches and his eventual induction. For a performer who has succeeded everywhere he has gone, the symbolism of closing his in-ring career in WWE carries weight.

Why WrestleMania 42 Is The Perfect Setting For Y2J’s Return

WrestleMania is not just another event. It is where WWE history is rewritten, where careers are validated, and where legends become immortal. WrestleMania 42 already has the ingredients of a landmark show. Two nights. Las Vegas. A stadium built for spectacle. For Jericho, this setting feels tailor-made.

His last WWE appearance came at the 2018 Royal Rumble, a brief but memorable return that left fans wanting more. WrestleMania offers something that appearance never could. Time. Narrative. Purpose.

There is also the matter of timing. Jericho’s AEW contract expiration lines up perfectly with WWE’s WrestleMania build cycle. That window gives WWE ample space to reintroduce him properly, whether through a Royal Rumble appearance or a carefully teased storyline. WWE has leaned heavily into nostalgia in recent years, but Jericho is different from most returning legends. 

He can still go in the ring. He can still talk circles around most of the roster. He does not feel like a guest. He feels like someone who belongs. He could get in a feud with the likes of Seth Rollins, or Roman Reigns when he’s back, to pump up the nostalgia even more. 

Fans have already shown that there is an appetite. Even in arenas where he has not appeared in years. Jericho chants and theme songs continue to surface. The connection never faded.

Fan Speculation And Backstage Buzz

This rumor has not stayed confined to internet forums. Wrestlers, analysts, and veterans have all weighed in, and the consensus is strikingly similar. If Jericho returns, WWE will treat it as a major moment.

There has been open discussion among insiders that WWE sees Jericho as someone who could help elevate younger talent during his final run. A short program. A high-profile match. A passing of the torch that actually feels earned.

One particularly eye-catching moment came when Diamond Dallas Page reportedly placed a bet that Jericho would appear in the 2026 Royal Rumble. While symbolic, it highlights how confident many within the industry are about Jericho’s WWE future.

Meanwhile, voices within AEW have been equally respectful. The Young Bucks have publicly stated they would love to see Jericho remain part of AEW. That sentiment reflects the role he played in helping establish the company during its early years.

This is not a story about disloyalty or jumping ship. It is about timing. Jericho has nothing left to prove in AEW. Returning to WWE now would be about closing the circle rather than opening a new chapter.

What A WWE Return Could Mean?

Chris Jericho’s career is almost impossible to summarize neatly. He thrived in WCW. He became a household name in WWE. He helped launch AEW. Very few performers can say that without exaggeration.

A WrestleMania return would not erase his AEW contributions or diminish his legacy elsewhere. It would enhance it. WrestleMania provides context. It allows stories to breathe. It offers finality in a way that no other event can.

A match at WrestleMania 42 would likely be framed as one of Jericho’s last major appearances, if not his final one. WWE could utilize that platform to showcase his entire career, rather than just his WWE highlights.

There is also a business reality. Jericho still moves merchandise. He still draws attention. He still sparks conversation. WWE understands the value of moments, and Jericho represents one of the last true crossover legends of his generation. A Hall of Fame induction would almost certainly follow. Whether it happens the same year or shortly after, the groundwork would already be laid.

What Comes Next

As of today, no official announcement has been made. WWE has not confirmed a deal, and Jericho has not publicly declared his next move. That silence, however, feels strategic rather than uncertain. Multiple reports suggest WWE is confident Jericho will be part of their 2026 plans in some capacity. The belief is not based on hope or fan fantasy, but on real conversations happening behind the scenes.

Jericho himself has kept his responses measured. He has praised AEW. He has praised WWE.  He has emphasized that wrestling is healthiest when multiple promotions thrive. That balance is classic him. Thoughtful. Calculated. Intentional.

If this truly is the final run, it deserves to be done properly. A WrestleMania return in Las Vegas. A crowd that understands what they are witnessing. A career that ends not with silence, but with celebration.

Chris Jericho has always known how to leave an impression. If WrestleMania 42 is where he chooses to do it one last time, the moment will be unforgettable.