News Top guy (not Hogan) possibly on his way out

[Stopspot]

Over the last few weeks, there's been a lot of talk circulating around AJ Styles, who's been with TNA since day one and is one of the most celebrated talents over the course of their 11 year run. Initially we did not report the rumor but as more and more people within the company are talking about it, it's become a story we have to address.

The story making the rounds is that Styles' contract is up in September (which is just a few weeks away) and that the two sides have yet to come to a new contract. There's also allegedly been very little attempt by TNA to get a new deal done.

Obviously, this would not be the first time TNA has let a valued talent's deal expire (Samoa Joe, Devon, Bobby Roode both come to mind) before attempting to lock them up again.
However, what is insane about all this is that Styles has been the TNA poster boy since the company launched in June 2002. He was the nucleus of the original X-Division and grew into one of their best, most loyal performers, including taking part in the Styles vs. Joe vs. Chris Daniels bout that is considered the best TNA match of all time. Styles is one of a select few branded as a "TNA guy" similar to how Sting was seen as a "WCW guy" a generation ago.

The idea that TNA hasn't locked him in with about a month to go in his current deal is strange on a lot of levels - Styles' WWE counterparts would have been signed well before they were close to a deal expiring. The idea that they could put themselves into a situation where WWE could come in and swoop him up sounds ridiculous on paper, but all signs are that's the position TNA is putting themselves in.
Even odder is that TNA is in the midst of a big storyline with Styles, which will culminate on tonight's episode of Impact Wrestling.

As soon as we confirm more, we will update, but earlier today the following was posted on Styles' official Facebook page: "Where do fans want AJ Styles to be? TNA? WWE? ROH? Japan? Lots of options. Tough decisions."

Pwinsider

 

[CM Punk]

inb4 someone says he's going to WWE.

Anyways, I wouldn't worry. He'll get re-signed.

 

[Nano]

I won't worry about it. If AJ Styles wants to leave we would have hear about that before. TNA will resign him for sure.

 

[Aids Johnson]

I, for one, am worried. He is one of a few stars that could really make it in WWE. TNA needs to lock him up before he has to worry about choosing. He might be big in WWE (DB might make that a possibility though) but he will certainly get a much, much bigger payday. Plus competing for 4+ mil daily? Why wouldn't he.

 

[CM Punk]

He has problems with Punk. Doubt he'd go.

 

[Aids Johnson]

He has problems with Punk. Doubt he'd go.

doubt that means more than he jobs to punk by month three. He is >>>>>>> RVD, can talk, will get a serious pop, and can be relevant from day 1. Not for the WWE title, but there are plenty more he could take easily.

 

[Stopspot]

This might be a unpopular opinion but I would like to see AJ try it in the WWE. He's 36 so it would be his last shot most likely. He should sign a 1 year WWE deal and see what happens. If he makes it works he'll make great money and be on the biggest stages. If it doesn't work TNA will most likely take him back with open arms. So he doesn't really have anything to lose or anything left to do in TNA right now.

 

[Nano]

I keep thinking AJ won't leave TNA unless his has big problems with the company.

 

[Aids Johnson]

This might be a unpopular opinion but I would like to see AJ try it in the WWE. He's 36 so it would be his last shot most likely. He should sign a 1 year WWE deal and see what happens. If he makes it works he'll make great money and be on the biggest stages. If it doesn't work TNA will most likely take him back with open arms. So he doesn't really have anything to lose or anything left to do in TNA right now.

and when he shifts over, TNA is one step closer to dead. That's my opinion on why i dont want him to leave. He is one of the few "big players" left who can still lose, and at 36 he has time, how old is angle? Sting?

Im not disagreeing, i wouldnt mind seeing him in WWE. I just think he defines what TNA has always been, and would hate to see someone who has spent over a decade in one company upgrade (even though he could up his career/funds) because of something stupid the company did. Dixie should take a paycut if that's what it takes.

 

[Aids Johnson]

I keep thinking AJ won't leave TNA unless his has big problems with the company.

money talks buddy. Especially when you are talking about possibly quadrupling your fan base.

 

[Nano]

money talks buddy. Especially when you are talking about possibly quadrupling your fan base.

That's true, but as Jesse said before, he has problems with Punk. WWE could fuck his character up and that's a real possibility.

 

[Stopspot]

That's true, but as Jesse said before, he has problems with Punk. WWE could fuck his character up and that's a real possibility.

And this latest storyline hasn't been a character trainwreck?

Heat can go away as well and I'd expect both Punk and AJ acting like grown men if they were to meet.

 

[CM Punk]

I'd honestly believe that WWE bury the shit out of Styles.

 

[Nano]

And this latest storyline hasn't been a character trainwreck?

Heat can go away as well and I'd expect both Punk and AJ acting like grown men if they were to meet.

It was, and what will happen today isn't what I wanted to see tbh. And they can both act like grown men in the ring, but that's it. Outside they won't talk each other or they'll argue sometimes.

 

[Stopspot]

I'd honestly believe that WWE bury the shit out of Styles.

I could only see that if he wasn't willing to play ball. If you look back at WWE burying guys from other promotions there is a pattern that guys who have been willing to adapt and play ball end up doing well (Booker T is a prime example, took a few ribs, got the world title and is in the hall of fame, Big Show another one) where as guys who tend to not want to play get ridiculed.

And with WWE's seeming new direction and attitude towards guys from other promotions his chances sure as hell are higher than a couple of years ago.