AJ Styles Returns to TNA and Shares Emotional Letter to His Younger Self

AJ Styles Makes a Phenomenal TNA Comeback at Slammiversary 2025

There aren’t many names in pro wrestling that inspire more respect and excitement than AJ Styles. The buzz around his long-awaited return to Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling hit a fever pitch during Slammiversary 2025, a night that will go down in wrestling history. Styles stepped back into the TNA ring for the first time in over ten years, and the crowd’s energy hit a level that hasn’t been seen in a long while. This appearance wasn’t just another paid cameo—it felt like a homecoming.

Before Styles even set foot inside the arena lights, he took to social media for a different kind of entrance. In a deeply personal move, he posted an open letter to his younger self. He opened up about how he could never have guessed where the business would take him—the wild highs, the crushing lows, second-guessing, surprise achievements, and the value of both pride and humility. He talked about trusting the process and not letting setbacks erase your drive, ending by telling himself, “you’re built for this.” For long-time wrestling fans, it struck a chord because Styles’ journey hasn’t been the smoothest. He carved a path without shortcuts, building a global reputation as 'The Phenomenal One,' then jumping from TNA to New Japan Pro Wrestling, eventually landing in WWE and becoming a major champion there, too.

WWE and TNA Team Up: New Adventures and Fresh Rivalries

What makes this return even more intriguing is the context. Styles isn’t just back on his own. His return is part of TNA’s ongoing partnership with WWE—a setup that fans, for years, thought would never happen. Crossovers between these promotions always lead to unpredictable stories and big moments. Now, there are plenty of questions: Will Styles cut in-ring promos? Face off with some of the new champions? Even step back between the ropes for a match or two?

Styles’ presence could shake things up for a whole new generation of TNA stars. Take Leon Slater, for instance—he just set a record as the youngest X-Division Champion in company history. Having someone like Styles back in the mix creates a dream scenario for young wrestlers looking to learn and make a name. He’s a living example of what’s possible, especially for those navigating doubts and big expectations.

People backstage at TNA are seeing this as a pivotal moment. It’s no secret that TNA’s gone through some tough times and roster shake-ups, but bringing back a legend who feels at home inside the six-sided ring could change the energy for everyone involved. For fans, Styles’ authenticity and ability to connect—both in and out of character—remind everyone why they fell in love with wrestling in the first place.

As the WWE-TNA collaboration continues to roll out, all eyes are on what comes next. Will Styles have a longer run, mentor younger talent, or pull off another show-stopping match? For now, the only certainty is that the landscape of TNA looks a whole lot more exciting with AJ Styles back where it all began.