Chris Jericho Contract Update, The Box, Much More (Patreon)

What’s in the box? Well, fans think it’s Chris Jericho. But as of now, it’s not. 

On the February 16 episode of WWE Raw, a giant box with a “do not open until 2-28” label on it. Naturally, speculation was that it could be Chris Jericho. 

Fightful has repeatedly inquired within All Elite Wrestling about Jericho’s status with the company. Due to AEW announcing years back that his deal ran through 2025, this led to many assuming his deal would be up then. So far, Jericho is still listed on the AEW roster page, which indicates a talent remaining under contract. There have been exceptions for some such as Hobbs, who was removed after his final appearance in AEW.

Chris Jericho is firmly under contract to AEW, and Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp is told the belief from those around Jericho and in AEW is that his deal was frozen after he took time off in 2025.

Without seeing the contract itself, a number of factors could have extended that deal, from him re-signing, to injury time, to a deal freezing. Even if the injury time wasn’t substantial, talent like Matt Hardy have had their deals extended by two weeks in the past.

Fightful has asked AEW a number of times in an official capacity if Jericho had left the company, and didn’t get a response where those usually occur upon departure. No internal memo has been distributed regarding Jericho’s departure which is usually standard in AEW.

Also usually standard is the inclusion of AEW talent on the Jericho Cruise, which is currently not the plan for the November Cruise. Sources have indicated Jericho is still actively accepting convention dates for upcoming months.

Those close with Chris Jericho have been very tight lipped about his future, but we’re told that he’s mentioned to people he would be open to a WWE return, but feared he would have to give up his remaining outside projects while there.

We don’t have a specific date as to when Jericho’s deal is up.