There has been much speculation in recent months about Chris Jericho’s future – his AEW contract is set to expire at the end of the year, and talk has revolved around a possible return to WWE.
If he chooses to remain with AEW, it’s likely we’ll see him return with a new gimmick and an all-new faction.
Here are five stars who could be part of a potential new group led by Chris Jericho in AEW.
5. Davey Boy Smith Jr.
All of Chris Jericho’s AEW factions have featured a big-man enforcer – a heater to protect the iconic star: The Inner Circle and Jericho Appreciation Society had Jake Hager, while The Learning Tree had Big Bill.
Returning with a new group, we could see 6’5″ Davey Boy Smith Jr join him in that role.
Fellow Canadians, the pair have previously teamed together in WWE, when Smith Jr – then known as David Hart Smith – was part of The Hart Dynasty.
The son of the legendary British Bulldog has yet to appear in AEW, and joining Jericho could make him the first member of the famed Hart family to compete in the company.
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4. Tetsuya Naito
One of the more surprising company departures this year was Tetsuya Naito leaving New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
The iconic former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion has yet to find a new home promotion since departing NJPW in May.
Naito shares history with Chris Jericho – the pair feuded in New Japan between 2018 and 2019, battling over the now-defunct IWGP Intercontinental Championship.
Could Naito be about to sign with AEW and unite with his old rival?
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3. Killer Kross
Many expected that when Karrion Kross’ WWE contract expired in August, it was part of a company storyline – that Kross, who had gotten over with fans, would soon be brought back.
We now know that didn’t happen, and the 40-year-old is officially a free agent.
Given the buzz Kross created before his WWE departure, could AEW look to bring him in?
If so, we could see him debut alongside Chris Jericho – perhaps with Jericho reintroducing his darker Painmaker persona.
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2. The Good Brothers
Chris Jericho has regularly been flanked by tag teams in AEW – from Santana & Ortiz in The Inner Circle to Angelo Parker & Matt Menard in the Jericho Appreciation Society.
Who could join him this time?
The Good Brothers were released from WWE earlier this year and, while they’ve since made appearances for New Japan Pro Wrestling, the NWA, and have an upcoming date with MLW, they remain free agents.
Could we see Machine Gun Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows sign with AEW and align themselves with Jericho?
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1. Steve Maclin
Steve Maclin’s TNA contract is reportedly set to expire at the end of the year.
The 38-year-old revitalized his career after joining TNA in 2021, coming off a middling WWE run and proving himself as a no-nonsense, intense, hard-hitting in-ring performer.
Maclin has clear upside – could we see him brought in to flank Chris Jericho?
If Jericho does stay with AEW, we likely won’t see him return until the end of the year or the start of 2026 – which just so happens to coincide with when Maclin becomes a free agent, making this pairing a possibility.
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