Chris Jericho made his long-awaited return to AEW this week, and fresh details are beginning to emerge about how the comeback came together behind the scenes.
Chris Jericho appeared on the April 1, 2026, episode of AEW Dynamite in Winnipeg, marking his first live appearance on AEW programming in nearly a year. His previous on-screen outing came on the April 8, 2025, edition of Dynamite.
According to a report from Mike Johnson of PWInsider, the “general belief” backstage is that Jericho and AEW have agreed to a new contract.
The report adds that Jericho’s return was handled with a high level of secrecy. He reportedly did not arrive backstage until moments before the show went live, and was “driven right into the venue about two minutes before AEW began broadcasting and went right to the gorilla position for his ring entrance.”
Chris Jericho Filmed New Content Following His AEW Return
Following his appearance, Chris Jericho is said to have filmed additional content once he returned backstage. He also participated in a photo shoot and spent time introducing himself to newer talent he had not previously met.
Jericho had recently filed to trademark the term “Cornerstone,” which led to increased speculation about his future. A report from Fightful Select noted that AEW sources expected him back as soon as that night’s show, which ultimately proved accurate.
There had also been discussion about a possible return to WWE, though it was denied that the company had any creative plans in place for him. The same report stated Jericho was never scheduled for recent major events, including Raw’s Netflix-era anniversary, the Royal Rumble, or Elimination Chamber.
In a follow-up, Dave Meltzer noted WWE sources believe fans should not expect Jericho to appear in the company “any time soon, if ever.”
Jericho’s next AEW appearance has not yet been confirmed. Outside of wrestling, he is set to perform in New York on Thursday and Friday with his KISS tribute band Kuarantine, with scheduled stops in Cohoes and Rome.
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