Latest news with #X-Division
Pink Villa
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Who is AJ Styles? All About WWE Star and His Return to TNA at Slammiversary 2025 Being Big Deal
AJ Styles made a surprise return to TNA Wrestling at Slammiversary 2025, marking his first appearance with the company in over a decade. The moment took place at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, where nearly 7,000 fans erupted as his old theme song, Get Ready to Fly, played through the arena. Styles appeared shortly after 20-year-old Leon Slater defeated Moose to win the X-Division Championship. Slater became the youngest X-Division Champion in TNA history. Styles congratulated him, saying, 'TNA, did you miss me?' as fans responded with loud cheers and chants of 'Welcome home!' AJ Styles praises Leon Slater and reflects on his past In the ring, AJ Styles praised Slater and the current state of the X-Division. He said, 'The division has a bright future with him.' Fans then chanted for 'one more match,' hoping for a return to action from the 48-year-old wrestler. Styles did not confirm any future matches, saying only, 'We'll get to that.' His return follows the multi-year partnership between WWE and TNA announced in January. This agreement has led to talent exchanges between WWE's NXT and TNA. Notably, Joe Hendry, a former TNA World Champion, appeared at both the WWE Royal Rumble and WrestleMania this year. Who is AJ Styles and why is his return celebrated? AJ Styles is one of the most respected professional wrestlers in the industry. He wrestled for TNA from 2002 to 2014, where he became the first X-Division Champion and later the company's first Triple Crown and Grand Slam Champion. He held the TNA World Heavyweight Title five times and was known for his high-flying, athletic style. His match against Samoa Joe and Christopher Daniels at Unbreakable 2005 is still regarded as one of the greatest matches in professional wrestling history. Styles helped shape TNA's identity during its most important years and played a key role in the popularity of the X-Division. Before appearing at Slammiversary, Styles posted a message to fans titled 'Two Eras. One Legacy. AJ Returns.' In it, he reflected on his journey and growth as a wrestler. "If I had the ability to go back in time, I'd tell myself, 'You have no idea how far this ride's about to take you,'" Styles wrote. He added, "All the ups, the downs, the doubts, they're gonna shape you into one of the best in the world." "Don't lose that chip on your shoulder, but learn when to let go of your pride," he continued. "Stay humble, stay hungry, and trust God's timing, it's perfect, even when it doesn't feel like it. You're not just phenomenal. You're built for this." Is AJ Styles returning to TNA full-time? It is not confirmed whether Styles will continue appearing in TNA Wrestling. He is still an active WWE superstar and has not officially announced a return run. His Slammiversary appearance could be a one-time event or part of future cross-brand moments. Fans remain hopeful that AJ Styles will wrestle at least one more match in TNA. His influence on the company and the wrestling world is significant, and his presence at Slammiversary 2025 reminded fans why he is considered one of the greatest of all time.
Metro
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
TNA Wrestling star 'tipped to face AJ Styles' before WWE icon's retirement
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A rising TNA Wrestling star is certain he will get a 'dream match' with AJ Styles before his retirement. The Phenomenal One was a pioneer of the X-Division in TNA before joining WWE in 2016, and now 20-year-old British wrestler Leon Slater, 20, has set his sights on the bout. Bradford-born Slater, who can make history by becoming the youngest ever X-Division Champion at Slammiversary this month, exclusively told Metro how a clash with Styles would be 'huge'. The pair met late last year when the former world champion was visiting TNA backstage in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. 'The fact that he took time out of his day to watch my match and be gracious enough to give me some feedback afterwards was huge for me,' Slater said. 'So I'm gonna say when, not if, when it happens. I'm gonna be ready for it, man, and it's gonna be fun. It's gonna be legendary.' Styles has been open about winding down his career, and yesterday Fightful reported he has signed a one-year extension with WWE, which is expected to be his final contract. While Slater was 'a bit too caught up in the moment' to float the idea of a match directly back in December, fellow Brit Trent Seven stepped up. 'I had Trent Seven by the side of me at the time. He was cheeky enough to mention it,' he laughed, before revealing Styles' reaction in the moment. He coyly teased: 'I don't really think he heard him. He was like, 'Yeah, that would be cool. That would be cool.' But I don't think he's too familiar with me – but he will be.' If Slater – who is billed from The 0121, Birmingham's area code – beats current X-Division Champion Moose on July 20, he will become the youngest person to ever hold the title. He acknowledged a 'huge dream match' with Styles is top of his list after the summer, given his history with the championship. 'To be a part of that lineage, and to be to have my name holding a conversation with people like AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, Samoa Joe, Austin Aries – Frankie Kazarian is another one – is something very, very special,' he said. 'I'm trying to live forever in wrestling, I want to be remembered. And I think a match against AJ Styles, especially at the point that I'm in right now, would be another step towards that.' Despite Slater being so young, he's already a veteran of sorts, having started training aged nine, and growing up obsessed with wrestling. 'Everybody would either be like, 'Oh yeah, I'll go into bricklaying, I'll be a plumber, I'll go into electricity'. Or like, 'maybe I want to be a footballer,'' he recalled. 'But I was always like, 'he wants to be around to be a wrestler'. Everybody knows this, from like preschool to secondary school, 'he wants to be a wrestler.'' It wasn't easy, and Slater can still remember a moment in training during his very early teens when he was struggling with a 'running drill' complete with 'drop downs and leapfrogs and clotheslines and flow overs and all the rest of it'. One day, he just 'burst into tears' – immediately comforted by his pals – and it's amazing to see where he is seven years later, working with WWE 'idols' the Hardy Boyz and emulating their daredevil stunts. In April, Slater made waves on social media when he leaped off a giant 15-foot structure in an Ultimate X match, crashing to the floor at ringside when his opponents failed to catch him. 'I knew that's what I wanted to do. And then when we got there on the day, I realised it was a lot higher than I thought it would be,' he laughed. Despite online fury in the aftermath of the fall, which could have ended in disaster after his fellow wrestlers didn't soften the landing, Slater immediately showed Jeff Hardy the footage. 'I was like a kid in a candy shop, man. I get to run up to one of my idols and show him the clip of me trying to, like, emulate what he was doing 20 years ago,' he beamed. 'He was the first person I ran up to, and he was doing his paint at the time. 'What do you think?' He went, 'That's badass, man'. 'For me, that's for me, that means more than all of the online storm that was around it, whether people caught me or not, that moment right there was, was it made it for me.' Slater also leaned on viral wrestling star Joe Hendry for advice on how to navigate the social media maelstrom, describing the TNA – and occasional WWE – star as a 'big brother figure'. Thankfully, amidst his rise to the top, the young star a 'great team' supporting him from fellow wrestlers to family including his mum, sister and girlfriend. 'It's pretty daunting,' he admitted. '[But] everyone is keeping my head straight… I'm sure there's going to be ups and downs, but I'm taking the punches as they come.' View More » Watch TNA Wrestling via TNA+. UK and Ireland fans can get a free month using the special LEONYIC code. Slammiversary airs on July 20, 2025. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Huge WWE SmackDown spoilers for tonight's episode as 'best ever star' returns MORE: The Last of Us fans fear show is 'ruined' after creator quits before season 3 MORE: South Park faces major blow after 2-year wait for new season
