Backstage Details on WWE Discussions With Chris Jericho, Retirement Storyline Reportedly Offered to Him

What’s next for AEW star and former WWE Superstar Chris Jericho? This week’s edition of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter has some more insight on where Chris Jericho might go next.

As previously reported, AEW President and CEO Tony Khan recently told Ariel Helwani that he would “absolutely” hope to get Jericho back in AEW. He said during the interview, “I absolutely hope we’ll get Chris back in. A star like Chris Jericho, you negotiate a certain number of dates.” He added, “I love having Chris in AEW, and he’s always welcome. The door is always open for Chris to come in.”

It was rumored earlier by Fightful that several global and national companies are interested in Jericho, including WWE. His current AEW contract is reportedly expiring at the end of the year.

Additionally, Fightful Select reports that Jericho would likely be offered “several million dollars” a year to return to the promotion, although AEW could also match such an offer. The Observer reports that where Jericho goes next is a Jericho decision, and all hints are currently leading in a WWE direction.

Also, as noted, Chris Jericho recently raised some eyebrows when commenting on TNA Bound For Glory at the Tsongas Center, saying the event had a “WWE-level crowd,” adding that “TNA looked like the second biggest company in the world.”

He also said of AEW taping Dynamite at the 2300 Arena, “I was watching this, and you know, not saying anything out of school here, but comparing it to watching Dynamite when they were at the ECW arena, which looked like a Tony Condello taping. Sorry, it did.”

Additionally, The Observer reports that WWE offered Jericho a “retirement storyline,” and WWE sources have said that they’d be interested in doing with Jericho. The Observer also notes that others expect Jericho to be back in WWE early next year, but nothing has been confirmed.

Chris Jericho has been with AEW since the company began, signing with them in early 2019. He also became the promotion’s first world champion later that year.