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AJ Styles’ Surprise Return Energizes TNA at Record-Breaking Slammiversary

Enabled by the new WWE-TNA talent exchange, Styles’ comeback spotlighted the promotion’s next generation with no commitment to future appearances.

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AJ Styles aka the Phenomenal One returned to TNA Wrestling during Slammiversary 2025.
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Overview

  • AJ Styles made a surprise return to TNA at Slammiversary 2025 in Elmont, marking his first appearance with the promotion since 2013.
  • The UBS Arena show drew 7,623 fans, setting a new record for TNA’s largest U.S. attendance.
  • Twenty-year-old Leon Slater defeated Moose to become the youngest X-Division Champion in TNA history moments before Styles’ entrance.
  • In an in-ring promo, Styles praised Slater as “the future” of the division and prompted chants of “Welcome home!” from the crowd.
  • The multi-year WWE-TNA talent-sharing deal that made Styles’ appearance possible has also fueled cross-brand title exchanges, though no additional TNA dates have been scheduled for him.