AEW News: Dynamite Ratings, Reviews, and Chris Jericho Updates

Chris Jericho returned to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) during the April 1, 2026, episode of Dynamite, ending a television absence that began in April 2025.

The return occurred during the opening segment of the broadcast in Winnipeg, which is Jericho’s hometown. Commentator Tony Schiavone was in the ring preparing to introduce a contract signing between AEW World Champion MJF and Kenny Omega when he was interrupted by Jericho’s entrance to his Judas theme music.

After spending several minutes in the ring without speaking, Jericho addressed the crowd, stating, Winnipeg… AEW… I’m home. Following these remarks, he exited the ring, allowing the scheduled contract signing between MJF and Omega to proceed.

Context of Jericho’s Return

Jericho’s return follows months of industry speculation regarding his contractual status. Reports indicated a belief that his deal with AEW was set to expire at the end of 2025, leading to expectations that he might return to WWE for a final run and a subsequent Hall of Fame induction.

Despite these expectations, Jericho remained on the AEW roster after the conclusion of 2025 and has now reappeared on television.

April 1 Episode Results and Developments

The April 1 edition of Dynamite featured several key matches and storylines as the promotion prepares for the Dynasty pay-per-view scheduled for April 12, 2026.

• AEW World Champion MJF defeated Speedball Mike Bailey via pinfall in the main event.
• Will Ospreay defeated PAC via pinfall.
• Mina Shirakawa and The Brawling Birds defeated Triangle of Madness via pinfall.
• Kenny Omega, Brody King, and Jack Perry defeated The Demand via pinfall.

In addition to the match results, Don Callis announced a new match for Dynasty between Andrade El Idolo and Darby Allin. The stakes for the match include a shot at MJF’s championship if Allin is victorious.

The episode also included a backstage segment where Will Ospreay attacked Jon Moxley, leading The Death Riders to attempt to separate the two performers.

Viewership and Ratings Analysis

According to data from Wrestlenomics and Programming Insider, the April 1 episode of Dynamite averaged 730,000 viewers. This represents a five percent decrease from the March 25 episode, which averaged 765,000 viewers.

In the 18-49 age demographic, the show earned a 0.15 rating, which was a seven percent increase over the previous week. The program ranked sixth on cable for the night, a night that saw high rankings for cable news due to an address by President Trump.

When compared to the same period in the previous year, Dynamite viewership is up 21 percent compared to the April 2025 average of 605,000. However, the 18-49 rating is down six percent from the April 2025 average of 0.16.