Chris Jericho Makes Surprise Return To All Elite Wrestling: ‘Winnipeg, I’m Home!’

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by Matthew MendivesApril 4, 2026, 11:20 pm >

Chris Jericho made a surprise appearance with All Elite Wrestling on April 1.

Jericho hadn’t been seen in the ring for over a year. His faction, The Learning Tree, was disbanded.

“Winnipeg, I’m home!” Jericho said.

Jericho started his wrestling career in the 1990s. He wrestled for the Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling leagues. He also did promotions in Canada, Mexico and Japan.

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In 1999, he joined the World Wrestling Federation. In 2001, he became the undisputed WWF Champion. He defeated “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson on his way to a championship.

Jericho holds the record for most WWE intercontinental championships with nine. In 2008 and 2009, he won the Superstar of the Year and Tag Team award. He became the first to win both of those awards.

He left WWE in 2018. He cited creative freedom and new opportunities as reasons for his departure. His 2017 storyline with Kevin Owens was demoted to the second spot in WrestleMania 33. Many fans feel this was a reason for his departure.

He joined the New Japan Pro-Wrestling league in 2018. He won the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. He was the first man to win a WWE and IWGP intercontinental championship.

In 2019, he signed with the All Elite Wrestling league. Jericho had a 20-11 record in 2024. In his All Elite Wrestling career his record is 93-48-1.

The All Elite Wrestling league advertised the “Learning Tree” storyline. However, his teammates put up a disappointing performance, leading to the group being disbanded. The lack of a storyline led to All Elite Wrestling writing him off.

There were rumors that Jericho could return to the WWE. However, in late March, he signed an extension with All Elite Wrestling. This extension was kept a secret before his surprise return on April 1.