Add as a preferred source on Google Chris Jericho had to turn his AEW return into a full-scale operation of secrecy.
The former AEW World Champion made his surprise return on the April 1 episode of AEW Dynamite at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, interrupting the start of the contract signing segment between MJF and Kenny Omega for Dynasty.
During a recent appearance on Close Up with Renee Paquette, Jericho revealed that the appearance had been planned for months and that very few people knew he was in town. Before that, Fightful Select had reported that he remained under contract with AEW, with the internal belief being that his deal had been frozen following his 2025 absence.
“We planned it for a while, so it was kind of months in the making. I actually flew in a private jet the night before because I didn’t want anybody to see me… I kind of scan the hotel lobby that was not the TV hotel. I made sure there was nobody in there and I basically sat in the room for almost 24 hours. I didn’t see any of my friends. I didn’t even tell any of my friends that I was there. One of my best friends was there, he flew in from Vegas for the show, he didn’t even know I was going to be there, so it was a surprise for everybody.
It was a really cool moment, obviously having the show in Winnipeg, and nobody knew. Tony knew and a few other people, but even when I got picked up at the hotel, one of our drivers was like, ‘I can’t believe it’s you! I was hoping but I didn’t know it was you!’ We waited outside on the street… I didn’t even take the elevator to the lobby because it was literally 15 minutes before. I was like, ‘If this elevator gets suck, I’m gonna miss it.’ So I ran down the stairs. I was not gonna leave anything to chance.
RD Evans, who’s one of our writers I was working with, he came and got into the car. We drove down to basically behind Gorilla. I waited in the car until 30 seconds before. I got out of the car, and walked right into the ring.”
After his return in Winnipeg, Jericho got back in the ring at AEW Dynasty on April 12 in Vancouver, where he was defeated by Ricochet following interference from Toa Liona and Bishop Kaun.
The expectation is that Jericho will continue to be used as one of AEW’s featured names during this new stretch, especially after the company managed to keep his return completely under wraps.