Backstage WWE and AEW Rumors on Chris Jericho, Chelsea Green and More

Could one of the biggest and most decorated stars in WWE history be on his way back to the company?

It is one of the biggest sources of speculation facing the pro wrestling industry this Fall as Chris Jericho's contract with AEW ends and his future becomes unclear.

The latest on the former world champion headlines this collection of insider rumors and reports, which also includes an update on Chelsea Green's contract with WWE and AEW's Private Party.

Chris Jericho Abandons Trademark

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Randall Ortman of Cageside Seats noted that "Someone noticed that Chris Jericho's April application to trademark "The Jericho Vortex" is now listed as "dead and abandoned."

He added, "There's speculation it could be the latest sign that Jericho is done at AEW."

Jericho's contract with AEW is nearing its conclusion and the former world champion has not been seen on the company's television since April. Company owner Tony Khan told Busted Open:

"Yeah, I love Chris Jericho. He's a huge part of AEW. He's been here since the beginning. And you know, I think we'll see what happens here in the coming months. But Chris is always a welcome, big part of AEW. We'd always want to have him here. So I absolutely am so grateful to Chris Jericho for everything he's done."

Jericho was an immensely important addition to the AEW roster early on, lending the company credibility as it created hype and excitement for its arrival in 2019. He was the organization's first world champion and a staple of its television for the entirety of his six-years there.

If he does leave to return to WWE, one would assume it is for a retirement tour of sorts, one last run with the company for whom he experienced his greatest success and rose to prominence as a legitimate main event attraction.

If he stays, it will be interesting to see what role he takes on and whether he returns to the main event.

Latest on Chelsea Green's Contract Extension

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Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select recently reported on a contract extension for Chelsea Green, which would keep the inaugural Women's United States Champion in WWE through the decade.

He added in a new report, "WWE approached Green well before the contract expired, and the two sides worked out a new deal in January. WWE sources confirmed that the new contract is for five years, extending her deal all the way up to 2030."

Green has been one of the best, most entertaining performers on WWE television, someone who has accepted every creative idea brought to her and made the most of it. In some instances, she has excelled despite what is written on the page, throwing herself into her character and winning the fans over as a result.

The self-proclaimed Hot Mess is the type of invaluable performer who can be a champion or challenger, serious competitor or comedy act, main roster star or NXT megastar.

Keeping her around and letting her continue to shine as part of the biggest promotion in the industry is the right call.

Update on Private Party and AEW

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Private Party's Marq Quen and Isiah Kassidy have not been seen on AEW television since dropping the company's tag team titles to The Hurt Syndicate in January and Sapp reported an update on their status.

He wrote of the team's enlarged physiques:

"One of the teams that MVP made no secret he and Syndicate wanted to work with again was Private Party, and sources had indicated Syndicate advised Private Party to spend more time in the gym to improve in their careers. Those familiar with the situation claimed that Hurt Syndicate have been very helpful to them."

Regarding their contractual status with the promotion:

"Fightful Select is told they're both still under contract, but that things could get foggy after that. It was implied that the two wrestlers have deals that don't expire around the same time, or there's at least the possibility they wouldn't because of injury time. We haven't heard their preferences about staying with or leaving AEW."

The duo have been signed with AEW since the company's inception but have seen their pushes start and stop, appearing, then disappearing from television over the last few years amid a lack of clear direction for them.

Their tag team title run appeared to be the start of a renewed push but, ultimately, was to set up the loss to Shelton Benjamin and Bobby Lashley instead.

Their future with remains uncertain but the team does appear to have supporters backstage and, based on their recent run as titleholders, appear to have plenty to offer a tag team division that feels like it is gearing back up to stake its claim to the best of the major promotions.