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Jim Ross says Chris Jericho leaving AEW ‘would hurt the brand’

Posted: Jan 9th 2026 By: Shounak Chakrabarti

For several months now, former World Champion Chris Jericho has been heavily rumored to leave All Elite Wrestling and make his return to WWE. While speculations suggested Jericho would return on the January 5th, 2026 episode of Raw, it unfortunately did not happen. Now, amid Jericho’s WWE return speculations, Hall of Famer and current AEW commentator Jim Ross has addressed the veteran’s future, suggesting that his leaving AEW would hurt the brand.

Speaking on the latest edition of his Grilling JR podcast, Ross claimed, “I think it’s WWE or nothing for [Chris] Jericho. He’s happy. He’s got a lot of influence in AEW, basically, to simplify, he books his own angles. He works with the creative guys, and they communicate well. Chris [Jericho] doesn’t come empty-handed; he always got a plan. But I think his goal, if it’s to leave AEW, he’s got a great deal. I’m under the impression, he’s got a great deal, then I think it’s WWE or stay where he is. I don’t think the TNA thing plays into it but I could be wrong. Money changes a lot of opinion, sentiment. I hope he doesn’t leave.”

“He’s such a valuable member of AEW. He does a lot of things, people don’t see, helping talent, counselling talent, coming up with ideas, and so forth. And I think Tony Khan needs guys like Chris Jericho to contribute ideas,” Ross stated.

“Him leaving would hurt the brand to a degree. No doubt. You can’t lose a talent like Chris Jericho and say that, ‘Oh well, we’ll just move on, it doesn’t matter. We got other guys that are ready to step up,’ and I hope that’s true. But, bottom line of it is that he’s got options, and that’s a smart guy.”

Recently, Fightful Select also noted that, unlike other previous AEW departures, there has been no internal memo suggesting Jericho’s AEW exit. Jericho was last seen in action at AEW Dynasty 2025, losing the ROH World title to Bandido.