What Happened to Chris Jericho?

Christopher Keith Irvine, globally recognized as Chris Jericho, has carved out a legendary career spanning over three decades in professional wrestling and music. Born in Manhasset, New York, and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Jericho began his wrestling journey in the early 1990s, honing his craft in various international promotions before making a significant impact in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in the mid-to-late 90s. His WCW tenure saw him gain notoriety as a four-time Cruiserweight Champion and one-time Television Champion, often engaging in memorable feuds that showcased his evolving persona.

Jericho's career reached new heights upon his highly anticipated debut in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in 1999. He quickly ascended to the top, becoming the first-ever Undisputed WWF Champion in 2001 by defeating both Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock on the same night, unifying the WWF and WCW World Championships. Throughout his multiple runs with WWE, he secured a record nine Intercontinental Championships, three World Heavyweight Championships, and achieved both Triple Crown and Grand Slam Champion status, solidifying his legacy as one of the most decorated performers in the industry.

In 2019, Jericho became a foundational figure for the nascent All Elite Wrestling (AEW), signing as one of the company's first major stars and becoming its inaugural AEW World Champion. His leadership and innovative character work, including forming factions like The Inner Circle and the Jericho Appreciation Society, have been instrumental in establishing AEW's identity. Beyond wrestling, Jericho is the frontman for the successful rock band Fozzy, which has released several albums and toured extensively. Their 2017 single "Judas" became a major hit, often used as his entrance theme in AEW.

As of April 2026, Jericho, at 55 years old, remains a prominent figure despite a nearly year-long absence from AEW programming, having last wrestled at AEW Dynasty 2025 where he lost the ROH World Championship to Bandido. His AEW contract, initially believed to expire at the end of 2025, was reportedly frozen during his time off, and he is firmly signed to the company. There has been significant speculation regarding a potential return to WWE for a retirement run in 2026, and while talks did occur, WWE sources indicated he is not expected back "any time soon, if ever," with no creative plans ever put in place. Instead, a strong belief exists within AEW that Jericho will return to the company, possibly as early as the April 1, 2026, Dynamite in his hometown of Winnipeg, fueled by his recent trademarking of the term "Cornerstone." Concurrently, Fozzy announced their "Twisted Faith Tour 2026" for the U.S. in May, following a UK tour in February 2026, and released their latest single "Fall In Line" in April 2025. Jericho also has concerts scheduled with his KISS cover band, Kuarantine, in New York on April 4 and 5, 2026.