UPDATED STORY (10:30pm eastern): Things could get ugly with this story. Was TNA lying and are they opening themselves to a contract tampering lawsuit? Click here for more details.
ORIGINAL STORY (5:30pm eastern): As we reported earlier on the site, in late 2015, TNA reached out to AJ Styles about coming back on TNA’s debut on Pop TV in early January, but the two sides could not reach a deal. TNA also reached out to the Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson about joining the promotion, but they as well could not reach a deal.
TNA issued a statement on Friday claiming that they agreed and signed deals with all three talents listed above, but then the three stars decided not go through with the deal in December. TNA lists Gallows and Anderson by their real names in the statement.
TNA issued the following:
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.
