Source: AJStyles.org
AJ Styles issued an official statement via his website regarding his contract with TNA Wrestling:
Today for the first time in 11 years, AJ Styles awakes to find himself without a professional wrestling contract. I can’t help but think how did I get here, what must I have done wrong, did I not deliver in the ring, etc. All of those are pertinent questions that any man or woman who finds himself or herself unemployed would ask. I have always prided myself in being the wrestler that stays away from the things in this business that could easily destroy myself, my family, my marriage, and even my career. A wrestler who goes above and beyond to give the fans what they paid to see. I move forward not bitter, but better for the blessings and memories that I have been a part of since TNA’s inception.
When this contract renegotiation journey started several months ago, my wife and I began praying for God to close doors that needed to be closed and to open the doors that He wanted us to walk through. We asked him to prepare us for this journey and to help us to have the faith to be obedient to what He would have us to do. I am assured by the name Immanuel in Matthews 1:23 that I will never be alone. Hebrews 13.5, says He will never leave us or forsake us. There is a lot in this world that I am unsure of, especially in this moment, but there is one thing that I am certain. Contracts may expire, but the promise of Immanuel will never expire.
As my family and I move forward with my wrestling career, we will turn to Jabez’s prayer found in 1 Chronicles 4:10.
Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil.
My family and I are both grateful for the platform that TNA has allowed me to experience. TNA has been a blessing to our family for many years. We have made many friendships and many more memories. While you may not be seeing AJ Styles in TNA, you can be sure that he will be traveling the world and delivering many more Phenomenal matches. Visit AJStyles.org for a complete list of bookings.
Sincerely,
AJ Styles P1
I’m always a little leery when anyone famous references God in helping them make their decision. I’m a Catholic Christian, I go to church each week and on all holy days, I get the whole praying for advice thing. But when it comes down to making a business decision, God doesn’t make or break a contract for you. That’s all on you and your judgment, period.
Other than that quick comment, I wish AJ the best.
I think the Biblical stuff is a bit odd myself … Is God giving out financial advice to one person, and making others poor? It doesn’t make sense to me, philosophically speaking. But to each their own.
A. J. Styles was my favorite, it really sucks to see him go. The guy was, in my opinion, the best in-ring wrestler and performer they had.
I feel like Styles, Matt Morgan, Tara and Mickie James were the four biggest losses to TNA in recent times in terms of active wrestlers who brought a lot to the table and had a lot of potential to bring a lot more.
I don’t know why, but I get the feeling that both Morgan and Styles will be back in 2014. The truth is that they don’t have a viable alternative. WWE really doesn’t want them and the ROH/Japan/Indy circuit can’t afford them over the long haul. Mickie and Tara can both go to WWE for a final run, but it would be considered a final run in WWE’s eyes.
Overall, though, I agree. I miss these four the most (particularly Tara).