AJ Styles is back—at least for one unforgettable night.
More than a decade after stepping away from the company that made him a household name, “The Phenomenal One” shocked fans by walking through the curtain at TNA’s Slammiversary 2025. The moment didn’t just break the internet—it blew the roof off Long Island’s UBS Arena. For the 7,623 in attendance, it wasn’t just a return. It was a resurrection.
This wasn’t a nostalgic cameo. Styles spoke directly from the heart, giving flowers to TNA’s present while standing as its past. His words echoed across an industry that, for years, had whispered about whether this moment would ever happen. On Sunday night, the answer was shouted loud and clear.
A.J. Styles Steps Back into the Ring Where His Legend Was Born
The crowd lost its mind the second they heard “Get ready to fly.”
That opening line from Styles’ old entrance music signaled something the wrestling world hadn’t seen since 2013—AJ Styles in a TNA ring. He took his time, soaking in the cheers, and delivered a message that was part celebration, part gratitude, and part challenge.
“It’s been a long road,” Styles said, voice steady but emotional. “There was a time where they said you may not be able to come back. But here I am.”
And then, he turned the spotlight on someone else—Leon Slater, the youngest X-Division Champion in history, who had just dethroned Moose. Styles didn’t just acknowledge him—he elevated him.
“The lights are a little bit brighter here, the crowd is a little bit louder here,” Styles said. “And Leon, the talent is better than it’s ever been.”
In a business built on ego, Styles took a moment meant for him and made it about the future.
NXT Champions Crash the Party—and Leave With the Gold
Slammiversary wasn’t just about past icons—it was also about new power plays.
WWE NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne arrived with all the attitude and none of the hesitation. She faced TNA Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich in a high-stakes, winner-takes-all match. And by the end? Jayne had both belts over her shoulders.
It wasn’t just a win—it was a statement.
She closed out the match by connecting with the Rolling Encore, a move that’s quickly becoming her trademark. The three-count followed, and just like that, Jayne made history. She now walks into Tuesday night’s NXT not just as a champ—but the champ.
Her performance raised eyebrows. For fans. For talent. And probably, for executives on both sides.
Nostalgia Hits Hard as The Hardys Reclaim Gold in Chaos-Fueled Ladder Match
It’s 2025, and The Hardys are Tag Team Champions again.
Jeff and Matt stepped into a brutal four-way ladder match that included The Nemeths (defending champs), A.J. Francis and KC Navarro, and Myron Reed with Zachary Wentz. What followed was 20+ minutes of jaw-dropping chaos and flying bodies.
Jeff Hardy proved the high-flyer in him is alive and kicking. He hit two Swanton Bombs on Reed and Wentz—back-to-back. Then, he launched a ladder like it was a steel javelin.
The Hardys survived a final flurry from the Nemeths and climbed to the top—literally and figuratively. Titles in hand, they stood tall… until Bully Ray showed up.
And here came the challenge.
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Bully Ray, TNA Hall of Famer and one half of Team 3D, entered the ring.
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He extended a challenge to The Hardys for one last match at Bound for Glory in October.
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They shook hands—no gimmicks, no tricks. Just three legends setting the stage for one final war.
Trick Williams Pulls Off Last-Second Heroics to Retain TNA World Title
The main event had everything: drama, near-falls, mystery, and a Harlem Gospel Ensemble.
Trick Williams defended his TNA World Championship in a triple threat match against Mike Santana and Joe Hendry. And for a while, it looked like he wouldn’t even finish the match.
Williams disappeared from action late, with medical staff checking him near the barricade. Santana took over, hitting Hendry with Spin the Block, and looked poised for victory. But wrestling thrives on surprises.
Out of nowhere, Williams reappeared. He tossed Santana out of the ring like a bag of laundry, pinned Hendry, and retained the title in stunning fashion.
A gospel choir. A fake-out injury. And a last-second pin? That’s pro wrestling magic.
A Night of Records, Surprises, and Cross-Promotional Chaos
Slammiversary 2025 wasn’t just an event. It was a statement—loud, proud, and unpredictable.
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AJ Styles made his first TNA appearance in over a decade.
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WWE NXT stars left with TNA titles in hand.
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The Hardys captured tag gold in a match that could’ve headlined WrestleMania.
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Bully Ray returned to set up a potential retirement match.
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Trick Williams held onto his world title with style and drama.
And let’s not forget the number that matters most—7,623 fans packed into the UBS Arena, making it the most-attended U.S. TNA event ever.
Wrestling fans crave moments. And Sunday night delivered a truckload of them.
