AJ Styles initially planned to retire from professional wrestling this year, but there are circulating reports that he might push his retirement until after the upcoming Royal Rumble pay-per-view event. On a recent episode of “Busted Open Radio,” Bully Ray expressed that Styles still has unfinished business with TNA, and it would be a great loss if he didn’t return there before hanging up his boots. Bully Ray highlighted that if there was a balanced working relationship between TNA and WWE, it would allow for compelling storylines leading to a meaningful farewell in TNA. For example, Styles could lose to Gunther at the Royal Rumble but announce he needs one more match to close the chapter of his career in TNA.
While this scenario may be unlikely, Bully Ray suggested that Styles would enjoy a one-off bout against wrestlers like Frankie Kazarian or current TNA Champion Mike Santana. Bully also envisioned a memorable moment where fans would enthusiastically chant “TNA,” with Styles possibly falling to a rising heel or a returning Bully Ray himself. Taking the conversation seriously, Bully and co-host Dave LaGreca agreed that a final match against X Division Champion Leon Slater would make perfect sense, tying back to Styles’ roots. As Bully pointed out, AJ made the X Division famous when he first began his career with TNA, making such a match fitting for a proper sendoff.
If using a quote from this article, please credit “Busted Open Radio” and Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
Fan Take: AJ Styles completing his career with a final run in TNA would be a powerful homage to his legacy and provide fans with a nostalgic yet meaningful farewell. For WWE followers, it highlights how cross-promotion opportunities could enrich wrestling storylines and honor talents’ histories, potentially sparking fresh interest in the sport’s past and future.
