Landscape-changing WWE return expected on SmackDown to launch new era 

WWE SmackDown this week will be a huge event for the company since it's not only the first show of 2026, but also the first of the new three-hour format and the final to take place in America for several weeks.

The roster head out on the European Tour following RAW, which means that SmackDown needs to make an impact.

WWE could be making sure that this is a memorable event, and there may be a huge clue why. January 2nd is the date back in 2012 that Chris Jericho famously returned to RAW to a standing ovation, which could be the repeat on tonight's show after 13 years.

Jericho hasn't been seen on WWE TV since 2019, but his deal with AEW expired on Wednesday, which could mean he's a free agent and ready to redebut with his former company.

Would Chris Jericho be better as a surprise in The WWE Royal Rumble?

Jericho returning as part of The Royal Rumble would actually be harder for the company to pull off this year because of the trip to Saudi Arabia.

It's likely that the flight info would be shared, or he would be spotted on the way to the country so it would be spoiled. Which could be why a return in America would serve as a much bigger shock.

Jericho has always enjoyed dropping clues before his returns and this could be another way of him ensuring that only die hard fans are aware of his return status.

Throughout his career he has always made sure that returns, debuts and many of his bigger moments are deliberate and looking back at the return from 2012, it would be fantastic for the company, for SmackDown and the perfect way to kick off the new era of the show in 2026.

Read all the hottest WWE news from Sportskeeda by choosing us as your preferred source. Click HERE.

Edited by Phillipa Marie