Who Is Chris Jericho? A Quick Explainer
Christopher Keith Irvine — better known to wrestling fans as Chris Jericho — has been a major figure in professional wrestling since his debut in 1990. He has wrestled in multiple top promotions including WWE, WCW, ECW, NJPW, and most recently AEW. Jericho is also a rock musician, podcaster, actor, and author. His ability to reinvent his character has made him one of the most enduring and successful performers in the industry.
Jericho is married to Jessica Lee Lockhart (married since July 30, 2000) and they have three children together — a son and identical twin daughters. They split their time between homes in Florida and California.
The Rumors: Was Chris Jericho Spotted with Mickey Rourke?
There is currently no credible report or evidence that Chris Jericho has been seen publicly with actor Mickey Rourke. Recent media stories about Mickey Rourke involve his financial and housing struggles, including crowdfunding efforts to help him avoid eviction from his Los Angeles home.
Mickey Rourke’s situation is making headlines because:
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A GoFundMe campaign was launched on his behalf to cover nearly $60,000 in unpaid rent and prevent eviction.
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He was photographed outside his home looking significantly different from his past Hollywood appearances.
These stories are entirely unrelated to Chris Jericho aside from two small unrelated older archived WWE articles where Jericho’s name appeared in a WWE.com story about a past confrontation with Mickey Rourke in 2009. That old content came from WWE archives and does not indicate any current relationship or public appearances together.
Bottom line: There is no legitimate recent confirmation that Jericho and Rourke were spotted together in January 2026.
January 6 Spotlight: Did Chris Jericho Return to WWE?
The biggest wrestling buzz this week surrounds rumors that Chris Jericho might return to WWE on January 5 or 6, 2026. Here’s the current state of that speculation:
1. Reports Suggest WWE Return Rumored
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A New York Post report claims that Jericho’s AEW contract likely expired at the end of 2025 and rumors pointed toward a surprise appearance at WWE Monday Night Raw on January 5, 2026.
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There has also been speculation about him possibly debuting at Royal Rumble on January 31 in Saudi Arabia, which is historically a high-profile platform for surprise appearances.
2. Contradictory Social Media Community Reports
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Fan forums and insider Reddit posts suggest that as of January 5, WWE creative had not yet factored Jericho into their plans, and he remained listed on the AEW roster page, indicating he might not have officially left AEW as of early January 2026.
3. Jericho’s Own Comments About His Future
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In interviews, Jericho has repeatedly said he’s not done wrestling and wants to stay active in 2026, though he has not publicly confirmed which company he’ll work with.
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Earlier remarks from 2025 reveal he would consider returning to WWE, even though his focus has been on AEW until recently.
Key takeaway: There is currently no official confirmation that Chris Jericho returned to WWE on January 6, 2026. It remains rumor and speculation, though interest and chatter are extremely high. Some reports indicate a WWE return is possible, but nothing has been confirmed by WWE itself.
Why Fans Are Excited About a Possible WWE Return
There are a few compelling reasons why wrestling fans and insiders are excited about the possibility of Jericho’s WWE return:
Legacy Impact
Jericho is one of WWE’s most decorated performers, having key runs in the company across multiple eras. A return — even short-term — would be a major nostalgia draw.
Creative Opportunities
WWE commentators and analysts believe a Jericho run could involve fresh matchups with stars he never faced or hasn’t faced in decades.
Hall of Fame Potential
Even if his comeback ended up being brief, fans see a potential Hall of Fame induction or farewell storyline culminating in a marquee WrestleMania appearance.
Chris Jericho’s Personal Life: Relationship with His Wife
People are frequently interested in who Chris Jericho’s wife is, especially when wrestling news spikes. Here’s what we know:
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Jericho is married to Jessica Lee Lockhart since 2000.
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The couple has three children — one son and twin daughters.
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They share a family life divided between Florida and California.
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Jericho has a tattoo of his wife’s name on his wedding ring finger and often speaks publicly about how family keeps him grounded.
Unlike entertainment rumors around Rourke or wrestling contracts, Jericho’s marriage is consistent and longstanding with no public reports of trouble or separation.
Is Chris Jericho Still with AEW?
Despite the WWE speculation:
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While numerous media outlets have linked Jericho’s 2026 future with WWE, there are reliable reports noting no creative plans for him at AEW as of early January 2026, even though he may still be listed on the active roster.
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His AEW contract reportedly ended in late 2025, though official details and announcements are limited.
This official ambiguity fuels fan discussion and makes platforms like Reddit rife with differing insider theories, but no confirmed corporate announcement has been made by AEW or WWE regarding his exact status as of January 6.
FAQs
Did Chris Jericho return to WWE on January 6, 2026?
No official confirmation exists that Chris Jericho returned to WWE on January 6, 2026. Reports and speculation suggest play-by-play rumors but no verified appearance on WWE programming as of that date.
Was Chris Jericho seen with Mickey Rourke?
No credible current sources indicate Jericho was spotted with Mickey Rourke in public. Recent Rourke headlines are about his financial/legal struggles, unrelated to Jericho.
Is Chris Jericho married?
Yes — he has been married to Jessica Lee Lockhart since 2000 and they have three children.
Is Chris Jericho still wrestling?
Yes — Jericho has stated he plans to wrestle in 2026, but where (WWE or AEW) remains unconfirmed.
Could Chris Jericho be at Royal Rumble 2026?
Rumors suggest he could debut at Royal Rumble on January 31, 2026, especially if a WWE comeback occurs, but this is speculation and not officially confirmed.
Conclusion
Chris Jericho continues to be one of the most talked-about figures in wrestling heading into 2026. While rumors of a WWE return on January 6 and links with Mickey Rourke have circulated online, none of these have been officially validated. What is confirmed is that Jericho is still active, open about wrestling in 2026, and remains married with a stable family life. Rumors about his return keep fans on their toes — but until official announcements drop from WWE or Jericho himself, everything stays in the realm of high-profile wrestling speculation.
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