AJ Styles Wanted Back In TNA For ‘Dream Match’ Before WWE Star Retires

Styles made a surprise return to TNA at Slammiversary in July, making his first appearance in the promotion in 11 years. He praised TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater in a segment he said felt like a homecoming.

The 48-year-old is a TNA legend who spent 12 years with the company, becoming a two-time TNA World Heavyweight Champion among many other honors. His final match with the promotion came in January 2014 when he lost the title to Magnus (SmackDown GM Nick Aldis) on an episode of IMPACT.

Styles' impending retirement means if fans want to see him compete one more time in TNA, it will have to happen in the next few months. It could come against Mike Santana, the current world champion, who has made clear he'd love to face the Phenomenal One.

Santana told The Stunner Network:

"I have one dream match left. I’ve been thankful and blessed enough in my career to have worked with some amazing people. A lot of guys that I grew up watching and idolising, but the one guy that’s left is AJ Styles... I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again. I want to wrestle AJ Styles one-on-one in a TNA ring for the world title."

Santana won the World Heavyweight Championship at Bound for Glory earlier this month when he defeated NXT star Trick Williams. WWE and TNA's partnership means stars from both promotions have crossed over and competed.

That could lead to Styles getting ready to fly in TNA one more time before he ends his career. But Santana isn't the only one eager to face him should he return for one last hurrah.

Leon Slater Also Wants AJ Styles

Slater also put himself in contention to be the final opponent of Styles' TNA career and likewise called it a dream match. The 21-year-old is one of the most exciting talents in pro wrestling, and he tore the house down with NXT star Je'Von Evans at BFG.

The Englishman spoke ahead of that match about possibly meeting Styles in the ring. He told WhatCulture Wrestling:

"I’ve been saying recently, I think the two dream matches that people were excited for me to have were Je’von, which is happening on Sunday, and AJ Styles, which is happening I don’t know when. I will say, although AJ has been putting out a lot of cryptic messages about hanging up the gloves soon, I like to think I still have a pretty good chance of making that match happen, especially with my luck this year. Hopefully my luck carries on into next year, and I have trust and I’m manifesting that is a match that will happen; Leon Slater vs. AJ Styles."

Slater has shown similarities to Styles regarding his in-ring work, a high flyer who can leave fans aghast with his moveset. He has a long way to go reaching the level of the former TNA World Heavyweight Champion and a match between the pair could do him wonders.