The Phenomenal One is heading back to where it all began. On TNA Wrestling’s highly anticipated debut episode on the AMC Network, AJ Styles shocked fans with a surprise appearance—his first in TNA since 2014. And if new reports are anything to go by, this won’t be the last time he steps into a TNA ring before he hangs up his boots for good.
At 48, AJ Styles is approaching the end of an iconic in-ring career. With retirement looming later this year, the two-time TNA World Champion looks poised to close the loop on his journey by revisiting the company he once called home.
AJ Styles Returns to TNA: “The House He Built”
Styles opened the AMC premiere of Impact and declared TNA “the house he built,” a nod to his legendary run with the company in the 2000s and early 2010s. While that segment alone was enough to stir fan excitement, he later appeared in a backstage exchange with Frankie Kazarian, teasing a potential title pursuit.
This was more than just a nostalgia pop—Styles hinted at going after the TNA World Championship, currently held by Mike Santana, who defeated Kazarian in the main event of the same episode.
AJ Styles vs. Santana, Kazarian… or Leon Slater?
With WWE and TNA’s partnership continuing to open new doors, it’s increasingly likely that Styles will have at least one more match in TNA before retiring. But the big question is: Who should be his final opponent in TNA?
Here are the top contenders:
1. Mike Santana (TNA World Champion)
- The most direct path for Styles would be to challenge for the title he helped elevate.
- A win could make for a storybook ending—or a selfless loss could help cement Santana’s rise.
- No storyline has been officially confirmed, but the seeds were planted during Styles’ promo.
2. Frankie Kazarian
- Styles and Kazarian have decades of history in TNA and a friendship built on years of battling side by side and against each other.
- A match between the two veterans would be emotionally charged and fitting for Styles’ final TNA appearance.
- Kazarian also recently lost a title match, keeping him open for a non-title bout.
3. Leon Slater (TNA X-Division Champion)
- Perhaps the most exciting option is AJ Styles vs. Leon Slater, a high-flying dream match between generations.
- Slater is just 21 years old and already one of the most talked-about young stars in wrestling today.
- Styles and Slater shared a ring at Saturday Night’s Main Event last December, where Slater teamed with Je’Von Evans against Styles and Dragon Lee.
- Slater lost, but his performance impressed many in WWE—and Styles himself has praised Slater in past interviews.
This match would not only deliver fireworks but also serve as a torch-passing moment, with Styles potentially using his farewell to elevate the next face of the X-Division.
WWE-TNA Partnership Makes It Possible
WWE’s ongoing collaboration with TNA has opened the door for crossover appearances. We’ve seen TNA stars like Jordynne Grace and Leon Slater featured in WWE environments—and now, a WWE legend like AJ Styles returning to TNA makes perfect sense under this new era of cooperation.
According to Bodyslam.net, many within WWE believe Styles will wrestle again in TNA, and given his deep history with the brand, it’s a full-circle moment waiting to happen.
No Official Retirement Date—But Time Is Running Out
AJ Styles has not confirmed the exact date of his retirement, but it’s widely expected to happen sometime in 2026. That gives WWE and TNA just a few months to craft the right send-off—and the return to TNA seems to be a key part of it.
Whether it’s one final world title match or a symbolic passing of the torch to a young star, Styles’ last TNA bout could be one of the most emotional and meaningful matches of the year.
