AJ Styles is heading to TNA Slammiversary. The rumors were confirmed to be true, as TNA announced the plan on Friday. The hints were all there, and now it is set in stone that one of the most important performers in the promotion’s history is heading back “home” for the organization’s biggest show to date.
“Yes, the PHENOMENAL news is true: ‘The Phenomenal’ AJ Styles will be at Slammiversary from TNA Wrestling on Sunday, July 20 at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York,” TNA’s official statement proclaimed.
There is no word on what Styles will be doing at the show. He has not been announced for a match or any other in-ring action. The card currently features nine matches, with two big title matches featuring WWE NXT stars. Trick Williams will defend the TNA World Championship against Joe Hendry and Mike Santana. Masha Slamovich and Jacy Jayne are competing in a “Winner Takes All” match with both the TNA Knockouts World Championship and NXT Women’s Championship on the line.
Darkstate from NXT is also scheduled to take part in the show during an eight-man tag team match.
AJ Styles returning to TNA for Slammiversary is the right move
It is about time that AJ Styles is heading back to TNA. Since TNA and WWE started working together, fans openly questioned if this would happen. WWE has avoided sending main roster stars to TNA. This is a huge moment because it recognizes the contributions Styles had when he spent the early part of his career in TNA.
There are varying reports about how much longer Styles has in his career. He’s openly talked about retirement in recent years. In 2024, Fightful Select reported that his contract was set to expire in early 2025, but halfway through the year, there’s no confirmation of whether he’s signed a new deal. Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful has reported that there’s a belief Styles has signed a short-term contract that will keep him with WWE a bit longer. He’s currently involved in an angle with Dominick Mysterio, shooting for the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
AJ Styles is recognized as one of the best performers in the world. That was the case long before he joined WWE, but that pushed his recognition in the industry even further. Seeing him return to TNA Wrestling during one of its biggest moments is a big deal and should make that show stand out even more come Sunday.