Backstage Details on Chris Jericho’s Shocking AEW Return, Talks With WWE & AEW

As previously reported, former AEW World Champion Chris Jericho made a shocking return to AEW TV last night on Dynamite, in his hometown of Winnipeg. Rumors had begun circulating earlier in the day that Jericho could be making his AEW return as early as last night. Dave Meltzer had more details on Jericho’s return to AEW on today’s edition of Wrestling Observer Radio.

Meltzer indicated that he received a text message a couple of days earlier regarding Jericho appearing at WrestleMania. However, not long after, Meltzer received word that Jericho would be at last night’s Dynamite in Winnipeg.

Meltzer stated, “So what happened was a couple days ago, I woke up, and I had a text message, which you had as well, about Jericho and WrestleMania, and then, as soon as I woke up, five minutes later, I got a phone call from somebody saying ‘Jericho’s going to be in Winnipeg for AEW.’ But I mean, it’s like, it’s not something you can go with, but it was what I heard.”

Meltzer then went on to say that WWE believed at one point Jericho was returning to the company, but apparently, plans changed. He continued, “So I checked with WWE, because I know he’d been talking to WWE. They thought he was, at one point, he was going. And the response from WWE was that he is not coming to WWE now, any time soon, and maybe never. So, at that point, I kind of figured that, by that, he was going [returning to AEW] — because at that point, he had done the trademark for the term, I just didn’t know what company it would be.”

Additionally, it appears that people in Warner Bros. Discovery were also made aware of Jericho’s TV return before it happened. Meltzer added, “During the day, there was all kinds of rumors, and there were people, not only in the company, but also in WBD, who were aware of this, and it was out in the afternoon that he was most likely going to be there.”

Why Did Chris Jericho Opt To Return To AEW Instead of WWE

Meltzer also spoke about Jericho’s AEW contract being previously frozen. AEW reportedly added more time to Jericho’s deal, since he took time off at multiple points, for his Fozzy obligations and acting gigs.

Meltzer noted that he was told that WWE wanted to bring Jericho back for a retirement tour, but he speculated that perhaps that was not what Jericho wanted. He explained, “From the WWE standpoint, and I don’t know what they told him. I know what I was told, and I was told that, as far as they wanted him for a retirement tour, okay? And maybe that’s not what he wanted. But I don’t know. I just know that they told me that they wanted him for a retirement tour, and that was it. With AEW, perhaps he was going to get more longevity.”

For whatever his reasons, Chris Jericho is officially back in AEW. As he announced last night, “Winnipeg! AEW! I’m home!”

If using any of the above quotes, please credit Wrestling Observer Radio, with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.