AEW News Roundup: Four-time WWE World Champion makes his return, Top star pays tribute to Bayley, Chris Jericho's whereabouts revealed

Welcome along to the latest rendition of Sportskeeda Wrestling's AEW News & Rumor Roundup. Today, we are looking at stories involving top pro-wrestling stars, including Chris Jericho and Bayley, among others.

A four-time WWE champion finally made his return to AEW. Meanwhile, a major star of the promotion paid tribute to WWE star Bayley, and Chris Jericho's whereabouts were revealed just hours before Full Gear 2025. All this and more as we explore the top news today from the All Elite Wrestling universe. Let's get started.

#4. Paul Wight returns to AEW; knocks out top star

Paul Wight, formerly known as The Big Show in WWE, returned to AEW at Full Gear last night, appearing at the commentary desk for a tag team match featuring “Big Boom!” A.J. and QT Marshall (Boom & Doom) are taking on the RPG Vice of the Don Callis Family. Wight, who is a former 4-time WWE World Champion and has made sporadic appearances in the Jacksonville-based promotion in recent years. Interestingly, Wight has an existing connection with Big Boom A.J., whose match he also supported during last year’s Full Gear event.

During commentary, tensions increased between Wight and Don Callis, as Wight believed members of the Don Callis Family were going overboard in their actions toward Big Boom A.J. and his son, Big Justice. The situation escalated into chaos at ringside, eventually involving Wight physically. When Rocky Romero taunted Big Justice near the apron, Big Justice responded with a Diamond Cutter while the referee was distracted. Trent Beretta tried to intervene, but Paul Wight responded with a K.O. Punch. The interference allowed Boom & Doom to win with their combination finisher.

#3. Kris Statlander pays a tribute to Bayley at Full Gear 2025

Last night at Full Gear, Kris Statlander surprisingly paid tribute to WWE’s Bayley in the middle of a high-stakes AEW Women's World title defense against Mercedes Mone. Statlander and Mone have a notable history, with Mone holding a 3-0 record over Stat heading into their Full Gear bout. Their last singles match at Full Gear 2024 ended with The CEO retaining the TBS Championship.

The tribute occurred in the second half of the match. The Galaxy's Greatest Alien countered one of Mone’s maneuvers and executed Bayley’s signature finishing move, the Bayley to Belly suplex. Statlander used the momentum from that sequence to shift the match in her favor, ultimately defeating Mone once again to retain her AEW Women’s World Championship.

#2. Chris Jericho was in Calgary ahead of Full Gear 2025

Amid widespread speculation surrounding Chris Jericho’s future in the Jacksonville-based promotion, new information emerged regarding his whereabouts just hours before Full Gear 2025. Jericho has not appeared on AEW programming since April, fueling speculation that he may return to WWE once his contract expires in December.

In a recent post on Instagram, Jericho revealed he was in Calgary, Canada, performing as the frontman for ONE NIGHT ONLY.

"Stoked for a great rock show TONIGHT at the @arrowheadcalgary at the Franks & Johnny’s reunion extravaganza!! Honored to pay tribute to the legendary #LarryGillstrom and become the frontman for ONE NIGHT ONLY for one of my all time favorite bands @kickaxeband with my bro @toddkerns! Come on down and go crazy with us as we get On The Road To Rock!!," he wrote.

Check out his IG post here.

#1. Jon Moxley says the battle continues following loss at Full Gear 2025

Jon Moxley addressed his future after suffering another major loss at Full Gear on Saturday. In a No Holds Barred singles match, Moxley was defeated by Kyle O’Reilly of The Conglomeration, marking the third straight time the Violent Weapon has beaten the former AEW World Champion. The rivalry has intensified in recent months, and this match served as another major chapter in their ongoing feud.

After the match, while Kyle O’Reilly was being treated by medical staff, Moxley attacked him. Later, in a backstage video, Moxley spoke about the loss, delivered verbal shots toward O’Reilly, and clarified that he had no plans to step away.

"The battle continues tomorrow, that's what the life is about man. Y'all celebrating the regular season, man. You don't look too good, it's a shame because the playoff's about to start," Moxley said [H/T: WrestleTalk]

You can check out AEW's video of Moxley on X here.

It will be interesting to see what unfolds next in the ongoing Conglomeration v/s Death Riders feud.

Edited by Karan Raj