TNA Claims They Had AJ Styles Agreed To A Deal, Issues Statement On Their Recent Talks (Updated)

We noted before that TNA really tried to sign former World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles for their Impact Wrestling premiere on POP TV earlier this month. That obviously didn't happen and AJ is believed to be WWE bound. TNA issued this statement on their talks with Styles about Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson coming into the company with him:

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.

Update: Live Audio Wrestling says they've spoken with AJ Styles' management, who denies anything was ever signed.

Travis Akers contributed to this article.