Ric Flair doubts Chris Jericho would get Cena-type WWE sendoff
Ric Flair doubts that Chris Jericho would get a John Cena-type sendoff if he were to return to WWE.
While speaking with Escapist Magazine for a new interview, Flair was asked about the rumors that Jericho could return to WWE when his AEW contract expires at the end of this year. Flair spoke highly of Jericho as a person and performer but said he doesn’t think WWE would give him a final run like Cena is currently on.
“Well, of course I do because Chris has meant a lot to the business,” Flair responded when asked if he thinks Jericho deserves a final WWE run. “But I don’t think he’ll get it. I’m sure he’ll go to the Hall of Fame. I mean, he’s been a Hall of Fame athlete, human being, wrestler, everything. But I would doubt very seriously if he’d get the kind of deal that John Cena got. I could be wrong. I would enjoy it. But John had a level of popularity very similar to The Rock’s. He was huge. Everyone loved him. It might be a bit of a stretch to see him back in there, but you never know.”
Flair and Jericho have been co-workers in WCW, WWE, and AEW, and Flair still remains under AEW contract despite only very making infrequent appearances since being part of Sting’s retirement run.
A WWE return would mark Jericho’s first time back with the company in more than seven years. He joined AEW at its 2019 launch and was the promotion’s inaugural World Champion. For much of 2025, Jericho has been off AEW programming after taking a break in April amid negative crowd reactions he was receiving.
Tony Khan expressed last week that he would love to have Jericho back if and when the time presents itself, saying that Jericho is “always in the highest of standing in AEW or ROH.”
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.