‘Real Reason’ He Didn’t Show Up at WWE Royal Rumble

Chris Jericho last stepped into a WWE ring in 2018, marking the end of an era for one of the company’s most iconic performers. Now 55, Jericho is still associated with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), yet his interests appear to be pivoting from in-ring competition to life on the stage.

A fan-favourite throughout his 15-year tenure in WWE, the three-time world heavyweight champion has been absent from the company for nearly eight years, fuelling ongoing speculation about whether the “Ayatollah of Rock ’n’ Rolla” could ever make a return.

There were widespread rumours of Jericho making his much-anticipated return to WWE at this year’s Royal Rumble, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on the 31st of January. However, he was nowhere to be seen in the lead-up to the event, and as the days passed, the likelihood of a return to the global stage grew increasingly slim.

Why Chris Jericho Wasn’t at the Royal Rumble

The apparent reason behind the star wrestler’s absence from this year’s Royal Rumble appears to be his global success as a musician. Jericho is set to take his band, Fozzy, on a tour across the United Kingdom from the 6th of February 6 to the 21st of February, effectively ruling out any surprise return to WWE.

Titled the ‘Eyes On You’ tour, the run will kick off in Brighton and conclude 15 days later in Wolverhampton.

It’s not just the band, however, behind his absence, as PWInsider have also reported that Jericho was never meant to be at the Rumble and was never even discussed to be part of the Premium Live Event.

Jericho has been the lead singer and primary songwriter of the heavy metal band since 2000, releasing seven albums to date. While his WWE career long overshadowed his work in music, it now appears that the veteran wrestler is returning to his true passion, as he prepares to take the band back on tour alongside Rich “The Duke” Ward, Billy Grey, P.J. Farley, and Grant Brooks.

Chris Jericho’s Illustrious WWE Career

Jericho’s WWE career was defined by an extraordinary list of achievements that placed him among the most decorated Superstars in company history. Over multiple runs between 1999 and 2018, he captured numerous championships and established himself as one of WWE’s most reliable titleholders across divisions.

Jericho is a three-time world heavyweight champion and made history in 2001 by becoming WWE’s first-ever undisputed champion, defeating The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin on the same night. This milestone remains one of the most significant accomplishments of the modern WWE era.

In addition to his world titles, Jericho is best known for his record-setting success in the mid-card. He won the Intercontinental Championship nine times, more than any other Superstar, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest champions in the title’s history.

Jericho also found consistent success in tag team competition, winning multiple tag team championships with a variety of partners. Combined with his Grand Slam Champion status, these achievements underscore his versatility and lasting impact on WWE’s championship landscape.