TNA News: AJ Styles Reportedly Rejects TNA Hall Of Fame Induction, Responds To Rumor
Considered one of the hottest properties in the professional wrestling industry, AJ Styles reportedly rejected an offer from his former employer, TNA, to be inducted into the company’s Hall of Fame and wrestle one final match, according to PWInsider (via LordsofPain).
Styles, 37, is currently dominating the wrestling scene in two parts of the world, headlining events in both the United States and Japan. In the states, Styles is currently a regular at Ring of Honor, as well as the current Family Wrestling Entertainment Heavyweight champion. In Japan, he is the reigning IWGP Heavyweight champion for New Japan Pro Wrestling.
As the report states, Styles is currently prioritizing both ROH and NJPW and is not looking to leave either organization. Yet, considering Styles exit from TNA, which included tumultuous contractual negotiations that ultimately led to his departure, many fans and sources are speculating that the former TNA mainstay has hard feelings towards the organization and will never return.
However, Styles took to Twitter to discuss both the allegations of TNA’s offer to him and his personal feelings towards the company.
What are we talking about? https://t.co/uTto6Ijl1J
— AJStyles.Org (@AJStylesOrg) June 3, 2015
It’s like this….@njpw1972 and ROH are my homes now. Some folks may hate TNA, I’m not one of them. https://t.co/JRVTOToh0H
— AJStyles.Org (@AJStylesOrg) June 3, 2015
It’s clear from Styles’ words that his reasoning for rejecting any offer from TNA had nothing to do with him having issues with the company, but rather having his priorities set on other things. Styles did spend almost a decade and a half with the federation, so his legacy within the company is forever embedded in the annals of the organization.
Also, the company allegedly made Styles a generous offer from a financial standpoint. The deal would have included an induction, one match, likely at Slammiversary and come with a big payday. By refusing that, Styles solidifies his stance on his current goals.
In addition to this current report, Styles name has been a popular one in the recent weeks. As reported by the Inquisitr last week, Styles is reportedly on WWE’s radar at the moment. The company initially had little-to-no interest in him when he left TNA last year but with their NXT brand’s success, he would be the latest independent star to make the jump.
However, as stated in that report from Inquisitr, Styles is currently under contract with NJPW, meaning he can’t just leave and go elsewhere. Before any discussion of Styles going to WWE or returning becomes serious, he will first have to finish his remaining dates in Japan.
[Image via ImpactWrestling.com]