WWE Offers Chris Jericho Retirement Storyline

WWE has extended a formal offer to veteran wrestler Chris Jericho for a retirement storyline, positioning the promotion as a frontrunner in the race for his services as his contract with All Elite Wrestling nears its expiration at the end of 2025.

Jericho, 55, has not appeared on AEW programming since April 2025, when he lost the Ring of Honor World Championship to Bandido at Wrestle Dynasty. This marks his longest absence from the company he helped establish in 2019, where he became its inaugural world champion. The hiatus, coupled with a recent photo showing a significant physical transformation, has fueled widespread speculation about his next move. Industry reports indicate that while Jericho's decision remains his own, signs increasingly point toward a WWE return, potentially as early as the start of 2026.

Sources within WWE have confirmed the offer centers on a scripted retirement arc, designed to cap Jericho's decades-long career with a high-profile narrative. The proposal aligns with the company's interest in leveraging his legacy for a meaningful send-off. Financial incentives are also substantial, with expectations that WWE would provide an annual package worth several...