Chris Jericho was in headlines in recent weeks due to his continued absence from AEW, leading many fans to believe his long-rumored return was finally about to happen on WWE RAW.
The speculation reached a peak ahead of the January 5, 2026 edition of WWE RAW on which featured a special Stranger Things crossover. The show also marked one year of being on the streaming giant.
WWE fueled the rumor mill when Adam Pearce used cryptic wording in a promotional video that many fans interpreted as a nod to Jericho’s famous “Break the Walls Down” catchphrase. Despite the buzz, Jericho did not appear on the show and a new report has now explained why.
According to PWInsider, Jericho was never scheduled to appear on Raw. Sources stated that, despite the online speculation and WWE’s vague language, Jericho was not planned for the episode and was actually in Los Angeles at the time of the show.
The report also clarified the confusion surrounding Adam Pearce’s comments. While some fans connected Pearce’s “breaking walls down” line to Jericho, the wording was actually tied to the Stranger Things crossover theme, referencing the show’s iconic wall and the Upside Down dimension.
The report noted that Pearce’s comment was meant to fit the episode’s theme rather than tease a returning superstar. Although Jericho remains absent from All Elite Wrestling television, he is still listed on AEW’s official roster page. Reports prior to WWE RAW also suggested that the chances of him appearing on the show were slim, despite widespread fan expectations.
For now, Chris Jericho’s next move remains unclear, and his WWE return, if it happens, will have to wait.
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