Chris Jericho WWE WrestleMania 42 Opponent

Rumours have been circling for a number of months that Chris Jericho may be on his way back to WWE following the expiration of his AEW contract.

With the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania just around the corner, it seems likely that we may see Jericho factored into plans for the upcoming big event.

There are a number of potential opponents Jericho could face off against when WrestleMania comes to Vegas in April.

Here are six potential WWE WrestleMania 42 opponents for Chris Jericho.

6. Drew McIntyre

While Drew McIntyre is currently holding the WWE Undisputed Championship, the Road to WrestleMania 42 is a long one.

Potentially losing the the title to someone else at Royal Rumble 2026, it could be that by the time WWE rolls into Las Vegas, McIntyre is in need of a brand new feud.

Able to channel some of his rage about those returning to WWE from AEW being met with adoration from the audience, McIntyre could have a legitimate axe to grind.

With the pair of veterans able to put on an emotionally evocative as well as technically compelling bout, this match might be perfect.

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5. Randy Orton

While last year Orton’s 20th WrestleMania appearance was almost derailed when Kevin Owens was injured, he instead went on to face a mystery opponent who was revealed to be Joe Hendry.

Potentially having a more substantive feud heading into WrestleMania 42 season, it could be that Orton ends up finding himself at odds with Chris Jericho.

Able to take a similar perspective of displeasure as Seth Rollins when CM Punk arrived, perhaps Orton could take offense to a former foe turning friend again. Able to tap into the emotions of the audience feeling betrayed and abandoned by Jericho, there could be some interesting ground to cover.

Giving way for an epic feud that could be truly historic, there could end up being a resolution in respect by the end that also serves to bring around any Jericho doubters in the WWE fan base who identify with Orton’s perspective.

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4. Cody Rhodes

While Cody Rhodes’ journey away from WWE has been painted in the narrative as a way to find himself and return ‘home’, there might be a very different story told about Chris Jericho.

Potentially a catalyst for the rumored shift in Cody Rhodes’ character in WWE, the arrival of Chris Jericho could agitate Rhodes’ spirit.

With the ability to entirely fictionalize events outside of WWE, the duo could break the internet easily by dropping vague hints at AEW antics that send sleuths wild with every promo.

Blending reality and fiction within the context of events that they never have to discuss or verify, there could be an amazing modern story told through a feud between these two men.

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3. CM Punk

One amazing feud straight away for Chris Jericho in WWE could be CM Punk, making a showdown between the pair at WrestleMania 42 a major moment.

Similarly to Rhodes, there is plenty of emotional ground to mine in regards to CM Punk and Chris Jericho’s shared time in AEW.

Potentially taking umbrage with Jericho’s actions in the fall out from Punk’s end with AEW, there could be a fascinating re-telling of history.

Capitalizing on the potential box office draw of a massive drama that AEW could not, there could be a fascinating rivalry born in WWE based primarily on fictionalized lore from “the other place”.

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2. Kevin Owens

After a brutal battle at Elimination Chamber against longtime friend and sometimes enemy Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens was poised to take on a major match at WrestleMania 41.

Set to face Randy Orton, the match would end up being scrapped after KO was not medically cleared to compete and would go on to undergo surgery on his neck.

With a potential return by this year’s WrestleMania 42 a hopeful possibility, it would be an amazing return to see Owens taking on Jericho.

Harkening back to their battle at WrestleMania 33, it could be time for this Festival of Friendship to get violent once again in WWE.

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1. AJ Styles

With a slim margin of error to make this dream match-up happen again, it would seem that a WrestleMania 42 farewell for AJ Styles would be perfect against Chris Jericho.

While the duo have history with one another both as tag partners and rivals, the match in 2026 could be an amazing benchmark in the swan song of AJ Styles.

With Styles being referenced on screen in WWE as being clear that his full-time in-ring career will end in 2026, there could be some enthralling feuds to come.

In what could be AJ Styles’ final WrestleMania appearance, it would be legendary to see him face off against another top veteran of the industry.

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