Tony Khan Addresses Chris Jericho's AEW Future Amidst WWE Rumors
- Kimmie Funk
- Oct 21
- 2 min read
The speculation machine is running wild regarding the future of one of wrestling’s biggest names, Chris Jericho. With the inaugural AEW World Champion’s contract reportedly nearing its expiration date—believed to be late 2025—and his notable absence from AEW programming since April, rumors of a potential WWE return are circulating louder than ever.
AEW CEO and President Tony Khan recently addressed the swirling rumors during an appearance on Busted Open Radio, offering a measured and complimentary response about the veteran star.
Khan started by emphasizing Jericho's invaluable role in the company's history. Khan said:
"I love Chris Jericho , He's a huge part of AEW. He's been here since the beginning, and... I absolutely am so grateful to Chris Jericho for everything he's done."
When pressed for an update on Jericho's status, Khan was noncommittal, suggesting the situation is still playing out.
"You know, I think we'll see what happens here in the coming months." He quickly added, however, that the door remains wide open: "Chris is always a welcome, big part of AEW, we'd always want to have here."
The rumors gained significant momentum not only from Jericho's extended hiatus from TV but also from the announced lineup for his 2026 "Rock 'N' Wrestling Rager at Sea" cruise, which, unlike past cruises, currently does not feature any AEW talent.
For more on that I have provided the link to the article previously posted to the website.
For his part, Jericho has acknowledged the possibility of a move, stating earlier this year that he "wouldn't be opposed to it," but that he is currently still with AEW.
For now, one of the biggest free-agent stories in wrestling remains a waiting game, with Tony Khan signaling that the ball is ultimately in Jericho's court as his contract winds down.
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