Rumor Roundup (January 9, 2026): Chris Jericho’s Possible Return, WrestleMania 42 Plans, Oba Femi's Call-Up, and More!
On January 9, 2026, at 6:00 AM UTC, the world of professional wrestling is buzzing with speculation, and for many fans, this guessing game is just as thrilling as watching the actual matches unfold. In this daily column, we delve into the latest whispers circulating within the pro wrestling community.
A Quick Note on Rumors: It’s crucial to keep in mind that these are merely rumors — nothing here has been officially verified. They’re currently making the rounds in the wrestling rumor mill. For those interested in tracking how accurate these rumors turn out to be, we offer a weekly review called "Rumor Look Back," which you can check out here. Always remember to approach these speculations with a healthy dose of skepticism.
Today's Rumor Highlights:
According to Andrew Baydala from Final Bell Media, there's strong belief that Chris Jericho has already "agreed" to make a return to WWE. This news comes alongside reports suggesting that Jericho is also keen on working with TNA, stirring up excitement about a possible appearance on the much-anticipated premiere episode of Thursday Night Impact on AMC next week. The combination of Jericho’s star power and TNA’s revival could make waves in the wrestling world.
In another development, multiple sources indicate that Oba Femi is set to be promoted to the Raw roster after he vacated his NXT championship earlier this week. Sean Ross Sapp from Fightful pointed out that WWE chose not to have Oba lose the title in order to protect his image ahead of this significant career move. This decision underscores how WWE values its talent and is mindful of their trajectories.
WrestleVotes has shared that plans are already in motion to push Oba Femi towards the upper echelons of the Raw card and to ensure he receives a prominent spotlight at WrestleMania 42. This kind of elevation speaks volumes about WWE’s confidence in Femi as a rising star.
There’s some buzz around Je’Von Evans' call-up to WWE being announced during a commercial break on Raw, which left many backstage bewildered. It appears WWE is focusing on increasing their online content, and this unconventional announcement may reflect a strategic shift in how they engage with fans.
Additionally, there have been discussions within WWE regarding potentially signing NJPW star David Finlay once his current contract concludes. The interest in bringing him into NXT highlights WWE’s ongoing effort to enhance its roster with fresh talent.
Bryan Alvarez from Wrestling Observer Radio revealed that AEW used genuine cinder blocks during Powerhouse Hobbs’ powerslam and Hangman Page’s Deadeye spots in their recent Lights Out match on Dynamite, showcasing AEW’s commitment to delivering intense and authentic match experiences.
If you’ve come across any intriguing rumors that you think should be included, we encourage you to share them in the comments section below! Just bear in mind that these are still rumors and not confirmed facts, so keep that in perspective as you engage with the information.
