AJ Styles is hoping for another match in TNA.
At Slammiversary, AJ Styles made his first appearance for TNA in over a decade. Though, while excitement was high when ‘The Phenomenal One’ came out to congratulate Leon Slater on his X-Division Championship win, it only increased anticipation when it comes to a possible in-ring return for AJ in TNA. Yet, following his appearance, reports emerged suggesting that return match for Styles was unlikely. Now, it seems that the former TNA World Heavyweight Champion wants it to happen.
Reflecting on the event as part of the Slammiversary documentary, Styles called it a perfect night, saying he hopes there’s something special coming with regard to another match. However, even AJ himself isn’t able to guarantee that it’ll happen.
“Tonight was the perfect night for me. It was an opportunity for me to come and see the fans face to face, something I haven’t done in a really long time, and WWE said, ‘Yeah, sure. Go do that.’ You don’t see that every day. So the opportunity just to come and visit and share some time with ‘em is pretty amazing. I hope there’s something special as far as a match goes but I can’t promise that. I can’t promise you tomorrow what’s gonna happen to me. I can tell you this: I was very excited. Even I had the butterflies tonight. People were excited to see A.J. Styles, the same guy that they saw how many years ago? I don’t even know but it was over a decade now. To come back and be in that ring, it’s special, dude. It’s always gonna be special. It’s like the first girl you’ve ever loved, right? She’s always gonna be special to you. This was my first love. I would have been here forever, had things not went the way that it did. But, things needed to go the way they should because I’m right where God wanted me tonight. So I’m very blessed, very thankful to be able to come here tonight and Leon (Slater) is a special kid. Enjoy him. He’s different, and he’s incredible. He’s way more talented than most of us could ever be, and I wish him nothing but the best. Just the start of an amazing career for him.”
-AJ Styles
As far as possible opponents go, it was said that Styles was originally set to feature in a segment with Frankie Kazarian before plans changed, so this is something they could revisit if AJ was to return to a TNA ring. Alternatively, Leon Slater has been vocal about his ambition to face ‘The Phenomenal One’ after his endorsement at Slammiversary.
Up next for the former WWE Champion is a match with Dominik Mysterio at SummerSlam, as he looks to reclaim the Intercontinental Title at MetLife Stadium.
As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on AJ Styles’ TNA future as soon as we hear more.
H/T to Fightful for the transcription.
