WWE Star AJ Styles Return’s to TNA at Slammiversary after 12 years. Here the full report.
On July 20, 2025, WWE’s own AJ Styles made a surprise and emotional return to TNA Wrestling at Slammiversary 2025. This marked his first TNA appearance in 12 years, a milestone that rocked the wrestling world. In this article, we’ll cover what happened at the event, why it matters, and what it means for WWE, TNA, Wrestling, and Slammiversary 2025.
WWE Star AJ Styles Background – A Phenomenal Homecoming
AJ Styles first rose to fame in TNA, where he became a legend. He held the X Division Championship six times and was a multiple-time TNA World Champion. Since 2016, he’s been with WWE, performing on Raw, SmackDown, and Royal Rumble, until this dramatic return.
Slammiversary 2025 – A Night to Remember
Slammiversary 2025 took place live on July 20 at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, celebrating 23 years of TNA Wrestling. The event drew a record 7,682 fans, the largest crowd for a TNA show in North America.
AJ Styles’ Return – The Moment
After Leon Slater won the X-Division Championship, becoming the youngest titleholder ever, AJ Styles’ classic TNA entrance music “Get Ready to Fly” hit the arena. The crowd went wild as The Phenomenal One made his iconic entrance.
In the ring, Styles cut a heartfelt promo:
“TNA, did you miss me?… You know, there was a time… But here I am.”
He praised Slater, saying, “Leon, you earned it… you made me realize why I love this business.”
The moment was emotional, meaningful, and showed mutual respect between past and future generations of TNA Wrestling.
Record-Setting Attendance at Slammiversary 2025
TNA revealed the attendance numbers after the show: 7,682 fans, the highest in the promotion’s history for North America. That’s a big jump from last‑year’s 4,100 in Montreal, highlighting how Slammiversary 2025 and AJ Styles’ appearance boosted fan interest.
The WWE–TNA Partnership – Why It Matters
Since January 16, 2025, TNA Wrestling and WWE have maintained a multi-year partnership. This deal allows WWE and NXT talent to appear at TNA events—and vice versa.
TNA President Carlos Silva confirmed that upcoming TV deals and cross-promotions, like AJ Styles’ return, are part of a larger strategy to grow the brand. Slammiversary was a spotlight moment in this journey.
WWE Star AJ Styles Endorses the Future – Leon Slater
Instead of wrestling, AJ Styles came back with a mission. He endorsed Leon Slater, calling him “the future of this business” and the reason AJ still loves wrestling. That kind of validation from a legend gives Slater’s career a powerful boost.
What’s Next – For WWE Star AJ Styles and TNA?
AJ Styles himself didn’t commit to a full-time return, but hinted that “we’ll get to that”. This leaves fans excited about a possible match or even a full comeback.
For TNA Wrestling, the momentum is clear: stronger crowd numbers, new TV deals, and a renewed link with WWE. These moves are key as TNA continues to expand.
The Bigger Picture in WWE, TNA, and Wrestling
- Cross-Promotional Growth
The WWE–TNA partnership is changing the wrestling landscape, bringing fresh matchups and generating buzz. - Fantasy Booking for Fans
Fans can dream of dream matches: AJ Styles vs. TNA stars like Trick Williams, Moose, or The Hardys—and maybe even a TNA vs. WWE or NXT storyline. - New Talent Spotlight
Leon Slater’s rise, plus NXT stars like Jacy Jayne winning TNA titles, shows that TNA is pushing new talent alongside big.
Final Thoughts
AJ Styles’ return to TNA at Slammiversary 2025 after 12 years was more than nostalgia—it was a strategic masterstroke. It blended respect for the past with energy for the future. Whether he returns to WWE full-time, wrestles again in TNA, or simply stays a legend who can show up anytime, the impact of “The Phenomenal One” at Slammiversary will resonate for years.
Fans of WWE, TNA, and all of Wrestling are watching closely: will this be an isolated moment—or the start of a new era?
Keywords Recap
- WWE: Mentioned throughout as the major promotion connected to AJ Styles
- AJ Styles: Central figure returning to TNA after 12 years
- Wrestling: Overall theme; industry context
- Slammiversary 2025: The event where the return happened
- TNA and TNA Wrestling: Promotion where the return took place
- TNA Slammiversary AJ Styles: Combined keyword used in headers and body
Stay tuned for more updates on WWE Star AJ Styles ReturnS to TNA at Slammiversary after 12 years, and how this story unfolds in the world of Wrestling.