Chris Jericho to WWE? Status Update After RAW Mystery Box Angle

The wrestling world continues to buzz about a mysterious crate that appeared on Monday Night Raw, sparking speculation about a potential surprise return for Chris Jericho. However, despite the fervent rumors linking “Y2J” to a possible WrestleMania 42 appearance, current contract details suggest he remains with All Elite Wrestling (AEW).

According to reports from Fightful Select, Jericho is currently under a valid contract with AEW. The situation is complicated by a period of time off Jericho took in 2025, which appears to have effectively “frozen” his contract. Which means that the time he spent away from active competition was added to the back end of his deal, extending its expiration date.

Several factors could have contributed to this contract extension. Injury time, even if not substantial, is often factored into wrestling contracts. Fightful Select noted that other AEW talent, such as Matt Hardy, have had their contracts extended by a few weeks under similar circumstances. Crucially, there has been no internal memo circulated within AEW regarding Jericho’s departure, a standard procedure when a performer leaves the company.

The speculation surrounding Jericho’s status was further fueled by his absence from the lineup for the November 2026 Jericho Cruise. However, sources suggest this may simply reflect the uncertainty surrounding the new expiration date of his frozen contract. Interestingly, Jericho continues to accept bookings for convention appearances, a practice that is uncommon for wrestlers actively preparing for a return to WWE.

While Jericho has reportedly expressed openness to a return to WWE, concerns remain about the potential restrictions on his outside projects. He last wrestled for AEW at Dynasty in April 2025, where he lost the ROH World Championship to Bandido in a title versus mask match.

The mystery box angle on Raw, marked with a “Do Not Open Until 2-28” message – the date of WWE’s Elimination Chamber event – immediately ignited speculation about a potential Jericho appearance. However, the available information strongly suggests that Jericho’s immediate future remains with AEW.

The contract freeze situation is not uncommon in professional wrestling. It allows companies to retain control of valuable talent even during periods of inactivity, preventing them from becoming free agents prematurely. The specifics of Jericho’s contract are not publicly known, but the reports from Fightful Select paint a clear picture: despite the tantalizing mystery on Raw, a Jericho return to WWE is not currently imminent.

The lack of an official departure announcement from AEW, coupled with his continued convention bookings and the ongoing contract freeze, all point to Jericho remaining with the company for the foreseeable future. While the possibility of a WWE return down the line cannot be entirely ruled out, it would likely require a renegotiation of his AEW contract and a willingness to potentially relinquish some of his outside projects.

For now, the mystery box on Raw remains just that – a mystery. And while it successfully generated buzz and speculation, the underlying reality suggests that Chris Jericho’s current contractual obligations keep him firmly planted within the AEW landscape.