AJ Styles Returns to TNA for Thursday Night Impact AMC Premiere
AJ Styles will return to TNA Wrestling next week for the historic Thursday Night Impact premiere on AMC.
TNA announced on Friday that "The Phenomenal One" will appear at the January 15 debut episode, which airs live from the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas at 9 p.m. ET. The company released a promotional video featuring clips from Styles' legendary run with the promotion alongside footage from his recent return.
This marks Styles' second TNA appearance since his surprise return at Slammiversary last July, where he endorsed newly-crowned X Division Champion Leon Slater. The two later crossed paths at WWE Saturday Night's Main Event on December 13, teaming together against Dragon Lee and Je'Von Evans.
TNA has not confirmed whether Styles will wrestle on the premiere episode. The former WWE Champion stated in November that he didn't think WWE would allow him to compete in a TNA ring, noting that if he opened that door, other main roster talent would want the same opportunity.
Styles spent 12 years building TNA from 2002 to 2014, capturing the TNA World Heavyweight Championship twice and the X Division Championship six times. He is widely regarded as one of the promotion's greatest legends and founding figures.
The AMC premiere also features Joe Hendry, continuing the WWE-TNA partnership that has seen crossover appearances throughout the past year. The loaded card includes Frankie Kazarian defending the TNA World Championship against Mike Santana, Leon Slater defending the X Division Championship against Myron Reed, and The IInspiration defending the Knockouts World Tag Team Championship against The Elegance Brand. The Hardys will also team with Elijah to face Order 4 (Mustafa Ali, Jason Hotch, and John Skyler).
Thursday Night Impact's move to AMC ends the promotion's six-year run on AXS TV, representing a significant upgrade in visibility as TNA aims to expand its audience reach on a major cable network. The show will also stream on AMC+ and TNA+.
Styles has been open about 2026 being his final year in the ring, stating he wants to retire on his own terms. His appearance adds significant star power to what TNA is positioning as a milestone moment in the company's history.
