Chris Jericho made a surprise return to AEW on Wednesday night's Dynamite in Winnipeg, ending a year-long absence and months of speculation about a potential WWE return. The 55-year-old opened the show in his hometown, telling the crowd "Winnipeg... I'm home."
Jericho appeared in a sparkly purple jacket and black jeans, taking in several minutes of crowd cheers before delivering his brief statement. The inaugural AEW World Champion has been away from the company since April 2025, when he departed on-screen as The Learning Tree faction fell apart alongside Bryan Keith and Big Bill.
Jericho's contract situation had been unclear for months. He previously stated in interviews that his deal was set to expire in December 2025, fueling widespread belief he would return to WWE for a final run. AEW President Tony Khan repeatedly expressed his desire for Jericho to return when asked about the situation over the past year.
Contract Frozen During Absence
A report surfaced during Jericho's time away, indicating his AEW contract had been frozen due to his absence. Last week, Jericho filed a trademark for "The Cornerstone," signaling a potential return was imminent.
Earlier on Wednesday, both Dave Meltzer and Fightful reported that Jericho was not expected to return to WWE after all. The veteran wrestler has consistently denied retirement plans when asked about his future in the business.
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