Rumors have been swirling for weeks about AJ Styles and all signs point to him making his WWE debut in the near future. Amidst all of the rumors, reports and speculation, TNA has issued a statement claiming that they had a handshake and written deal with AJ Styles and that lawyers had finalized an agreement between the two parties.
The issued the following statement on their website:
“AJ Styles has always been synonymous with TNA and TNA synonymous with AJ Styles. AJ helped build the foundation of IMPACT WRESTLING, and his phenomenal body of work lives in our rich history – something we are very proud of.
In the last few weeks, rumors have swirled about AJ Styles, his future and TNA Wrestling. Fans have asked for the status and wrestling media have made numerous inquiries.
For the past several months, AJ and TNA were involved in serious discussions to bring him back home to TNA. Creative discussions escalated and two additional wrestlers, Drew Hankinson and Chad Allegra, were enthusiastically added.
These discussions culminated on December 14th in Nashville, Tenn., where all attended a meeting at Dixie Carter’s home. A handshake and written deal between AJ, Drew, Chad and TNA was agreed upon and signed by all. Start dates were determined, creative decided, merchandise designed and plane tickets purchased.
Over the Christmas holiday, and after the lawyers finalized the long form agreement, all communication with TNA stopped.
AJ’s lawyer contacted TNA and stated the wrestlers had changed their mind and would not be honoring their commitment to TNA.”
In response to this claim AJ Styles’ management has said that no deal was ever signed or finalized between the two parties.
[…] AJ Styles recently spoke to Brian Fritz of Between The Ropes about WrestleMania 32 and more. AJ Styles made his WWE debut at the Royal Rumble back in January and a few days before the event TNA made a shocking claim. They claimed that Styles had signed a deal with them and by going to WWE he wasn’t honoring his commitment. You can read the full statement that TNA put out back in January by clicking here. […]