Jonathan Coachman Disputes Chris Jericho’s Rumored WWE Return on the 1-Year Anniversary of Raw on Netflix

Jonathan Coachman doesn't think that Chris Jericho would be showing up on WWE programming as early as this Monday's Raw in Brooklyn.

Jonathan Coachman Disputes Chris Jericho’s Rumored WWE Return on the 1-Year Anniversary of Raw on Netflix

Jonathan Coachman comments on Chris Jericho's WWE return [via- Fightful and Wrestling World]

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Former Raw commentator Jonathan Coachman has made several claims regarding Chris Jericho‘s WWE status. It was previously reported by Alex McCarthy of Wrestling Intel that ‘Y2J’ would be a free agent as soon as the new year kicks in.

Moreover, the report noted that he’s expected to be signed by WWE, and the company was looking to have him show up on the 1-year anniversary of Raw on Netflix. If that were to be the case, Jericho could make his first appearance on the red brand since 2018 very soon. However, Jonathan Coachman has his sources stating otherwise.

The former ESPN anchor outright claimed in a post on X that Jericho wouldn’t be on Raw this Monday. Coachman further said that the inaugural AEW World Champion is slated to make his WWE return at the Royal Rumble with a revamped presentation.

‘The Coach’ also asserted that WWE is planning to use ‘The Lionheart’ in a part-time role akin to Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar in order to retain the former Learning Tree leader as a special attraction on WWE television. Coachman, albeit, mentioned that Jericho will at least make more on-screen appearances than the likes of Reigns and Lesnar due to his impeccable mic work and audience-swaying capability.

Coachman quoted his sources, saying that Jericho is in his best physical shape in years, something that the fans already know through the mirror selfie of his jacked physique that he revealed on his 55th birthday. Coachman revealed that the 9-time Intercontinental Champion has a brief Fozzy stint booked between the Royal Rumble and the Elimination Chamber, which is scheduled for 02/28 in Chicago.

Coach claimed that Jericho would be heavily factored into the plans for the Elimination Chamber PLE at the United Center. And it goes without saying that Jericho would most probably be featured in a major spot at this year’s WrestleMania in Las Vegas, which would be his first since 2017.

Jonathan Coachman reviews the first SmackDown of 2026 with three key takeaways

SmackDown went back to being a three-hour show this week, and it will continue that way for the foreseeable future. And to the delight of the fans, the show came across as a vast improvement from the product WWE put out on Fridays for the majority of 2025.

What did Jonathan Coachman make of it? The former WWE personality gave his three major takeaways through a recap video on his X account.

Jonathan Coachman
Jonathan Coachman [via- WWE]

The 52-year-old first noted that Randy Orton‘s an absolute star, and he implored WWE to keep him on television, with SmackDown adding an extra hour to its airtime. ‘The Viper’ notably returned to the blue brand after a three-month hiatus, and he engaged with The Miz, which ended with Orton hitting two RKOs on ‘The A-Lister’.

Coachman was blown away by Trick Williams‘ showing that he had standing next to Sami Zayn. ‘The Coach’ noted how the crowd was fully into the former NXT Champion. Coachman, therefore, asked WWE to stop gatekeeping NXT stars from the main roster.

He urged the company to call up Ricky Saints, Oba Femi, and Je’Von Evans and have them mix it up with seasoned vets, as they couldn’t be the only bright spots on the show.

While Saints doesn’t seem likely for an imminent call-up, Femi and Evans are pretty much there. Last but not least, Jonathan Coachman was mighty impressed by Drew McIntyre and the way he’s been acting dastardly in his ongoing feud with Cody Rhodes. Coach affirmed that McIntyre is exactly what WWE should be positioning as its top heel and not Gunther, who hasn’t won over ‘The Coach’ since retiring John Cena three weeks ago.

The former Raw commentator advocated for ‘The Scottish Psychopath’ to dethrone Rhodes for the WWE title next week. Coach, however, had his guts saying that WWE will most likely drop the ball with McIntyre again by having him lose to Rhodes.

At last, the host of The Coach & Bro Show underscored how much better of a dynamic it would be for a mega heel world champion like McIntyre to be chased by all the babyfaces on the brand as opposed to Rhodes.

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