6. TNA Claims AJ Styles Turned His Back On Them In December 2015
TNA noted on their website that they were negotiating a contract with AJ Styles, Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson back in December 2015. TNA claims all of them agreed on a contract but later AJ Styles’ lawyer told them the wrestlers aren’t interested in the deal anymore. Below is what TNA posted on their website:
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.
AJ Styles’ management team issued the following statement:
“No contract was ever finalized nor signed by the parties”.
If what TNA claims is indeed true, then they could land in trouble as technically they are saying they took part in contract tampering, as the mentioned wrestlers were under contract to New Japan Pro Wrestling at that time.
This means NJPW can sue TNA for contract tampering if they want to.
