Chris Jericho is a legend of the wrestling business, with a career spanning over 35 years across multiple promotions. The Painmaker was in the news recently, as reports have surfaced that he may be returning to WWE once his contract with AEW expires.
A return to the Stamford-based promotion opens the door to several potential feuds, and in this article, we explore a fantasy storyline that the company could think of booking for his comeback.
Before we continue, we would like to inform you that this is an opinion piece.
Going by reports, The Learning Tree is predicted to make his comeback at the Royal Rumble. However, instead of being a surprise entrant, he makes an appearance during a Triple Threat Match between El Grande Americano, AJ Styles, and WWE Intercontinental Champion, Dominik Mysterio.
After Dirty Dom secures a victory, El Grande Americano is seen lying in the ring. The lights go out, and when they are back on, we see El Grande rise and hit Mysterio with a Code Breaker. Upon unmasking, it is revealed to be none other than Chris Jericho, giving fans a throwback to his 2018 All In appearance.
Online we see the popular photograph of Triple H pointing at the veteran hyping his return after the event and on the next episode of WWE RAW, we see a frustrated Dominik cutting an in-ring promo, only to be interrupted by Jericho, who comes out and says that it was nothing personal, and that he realised that after John Cena, there was no more G.O.A.T. left in the company.
He continues that Dirty Dom has the title he has had the most success with, having won it 9 times in the past, and he plans to snatch it from him to become the G.O.A.T. Intercontinental Champion. However, Jericho’s promo is cut short by former partner and rival AJ Styles, who says he is glad the former WWE Champion is back as he now gets a chance to avenge his WrestleMania loss.
At WrestleMania 43, we see the clash of these two wrestling legends, and try as he may, Styles loses and is taken out by Jericho. Elsewhere on the PLE, Dominik has finally created history by becoming a double champion by capturing the AAA Mega Championship against Vikingo in a winner-takes-all match.
But this victory is short-lived as Dirty Dom realises that he has a massive target on his back. However, Jericho bides his time.
Chris Jericho Breaks The Walls Down in WWE
During Worlds Collide 2026, Dom and Vikingo are having a fierce contest for the AAA Mega Championship. However, Mysterio is distracted when the titantron shows a video of his Judgment Day stablemates being taken out.
Conflicted, Dirty Dom thinks for a while and continues the match. Jericho then runs in and attacks, forcing Dom and Vikingo to briefly ally against him. But another masked man suddenly slides in and attacks both with a steel chair. Upon unmasking, it is revealed to be Alberto Del Rio (aka Alberto El Patron).
The Neuve managed to pull some strings to bring back the controversial star. Curiously, El Patron has massive beef with Vikingo, as he was responsible for the former’s exit from AAA. The condition for his return is that he uses his influence to get Jericho a title shot against Dirty Dom, and just as insurance, Alberto has allied with wrestlers who were loyal to him to provide him with the muscle.
The following week, Dirty Dom tells The Judgment Day members that he needs them to take revenge. However, Finn Balor stops him there, stating that he saw the footage and didn’t appreciate the fact that Dirty Dom chose his title over his faction, something even Liv Morgan agrees with. They say they need some time to think about it.
The Learning Tree uses this as an opportunity to drive a wedge between them, constantly reminding them in promos of how Dirty Dom has caused the most issues for the faction. Things come to a boil at SummerSlam when Mysterio and Jericho face off for both of Dom’s titles, and while we have interference from both Judgment Day and AAA wrestlers, Balor decides to twist the knife and screws Dominik and helps Y2J become the new G.O.A.T. IC Champion.
Dominik’s Redemption And Future WWE Feuds
To wrap up this fantasy storyline, we can have Jericho run roughshod through two promotions to the point where even WWE grows tired of him. Meanwhile, Dominik tries to get the help of his father, Rey Mysterio, who tells him he is on his own. With his back against the wall, Dirty Dom goes on a path to right all his wrongs, starting with helping out Rhea Ripley.
Mysterio tries to take down Jericho on multiple occasions but fails. However, at Night of Champions, he throws down a final gauntlet, his last chance. If he loses, he can never challenge Jericho again. The match is a hard-fought one, which sees Mysterio’s redemption pay off as former rivals and Rey Mysterio come to assist him, including a returning AJ Styles, who takes out Jericho.
Upon his victory, present in the ring are Rey Mysterio and Styles, who pass the torch to the younger Mysterio. Post this, Balor and Dirty Dom could have a separate feud with the latter as the babyface. Meanwhile, Jericho could have a feud with Styles where it becomes his mission to retire The Phenomenal One.
What are your thoughts on this? Who would you book as Chris Jericho’s opponent on his WWE return? Share your opinion with us on X/Twitter or Facebook.