WWE star AJ Styles is set to return to TNA Wrestling for the Slammiversary Pay-Per-View this Sunday. Styles is one of the most iconic figures in TNA history, having built his legacy in the promotion by winning five world championships, six X-Division titles, two television championships, and six tag team championships.
Recently, rumors have suggested Styles could make a comeback to TNA, which prompted TNA President Carlos Silva to hint that Slammiversary might become a "stolen" show for the promotion. During tonight’s TNA Impact—the final episode before Slammiversary—a video confirmed Styles’ involvement, showcasing highlights of his TNA career before revealing the Slammiversary logo alongside a wooden chest displaying his ring entrance jacket.
Though the specifics of Styles’ role at Slammiversary remain unknown, he is currently positioned on WWE TV to compete for the Intercontinental Championship against Dominik Mysterio at SummerSlam. Styles has also mentioned turning down past offers to join the TNA Wrestling Hall of Fame due to his active status with WWE.
Lance Storm recently emphasized Styles’ importance to TNA during Wrestling Observer Live, stating: “You could say TNA might not exist without AJ Styles. He was the backbone of the company for years, making both his and TNA’s name.” Storm added he had the opportunity to wrestle Styles in the UK and enjoyed the experience greatly.
Slammiversary itself features a strong WWE influence, including several NXT stars. Trick Williams will defend the TNA World Championship in a three-way match against Joe Hendry and Mike Santana. NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne will face TNA Knockout Champion Masha Slamovich in a title-versus-title match, and NXT’s Dark State faction will take on Matt Cardona, Brian Myers, Eddie Edwards, and JDC in an eight-man tag match.
Fan Take: AJ Styles’ return to TNA for Slammiversary is thrilling news for WWE fans, showcasing how wrestling careers can intertwine between promotions and eras. This crossover could spark fresh storylines and elevate the sport by bringing together talent from both WWE and TNA, exciting fans with unique matchups and renewed rivalry dynamics.
