Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

AJ Styles Returns to TNA Wrestling for the Thursday Night iMPACT on AMC Premiere

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Steph Franchomme | Last updated Jan 9, 2026 3:39 PM ET

TNA Wrestling just announced that AJ Styles will return to TNA on January 15 for the AMC premiere episode of Thursday Night iMPACT. There are no further details on Styles’ role for the show, and it remains to be seen whether Styles will compete for TNA one last time before his retirement later this year.

“The premiere of Thursday Night iMPACT on AMC will be PHENOMENAL,” TNA announced. “For the first time since Slammiversary, AJ Styles makes his jaw-dropping return to TNA Wrestling as a new era begins LIVE January 15 from the Curtis Culwell Center in Dallas, Texas. What will ‘The Phenomenal One’ have in store as TNA Wrestling makes history once again?”

As the first TNA X-Division Champion, AJ Styles appeared at TNA Slammiversary 2025, giving an endorsement to the now-youngest X-Division Champion in the history of the company, Leon Slater. It was his first appearance in TNA in 11 years. Styles is considered by most to be the greatest homegrown star in TNA history.

The January 15 premiere episode of #TNAiMPACT on @AMC_TV will be simply PHENOMENAL – @AJStylesOrg returns to TNA at the Curtis Culwell Center in Dallas, Texas! @AMCPlus

Get tickets HERE: https://t.co/ExkKtFAL5O pic.twitter.com/31QwqmroEj

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 9, 2026

Will Styles have one last TNA match?

He’s expressed doubt over whether another TNA match will happen for him, though TNA World Champion Frankie Kazarian would love for a match between them to take place. There is no set date for when Styles, 48, will be retiring from the ring yet; however, his final match will happen at some point in 2026.

Thursday Night iMPACT’s AMC premiere will air live at 9 PM EST on January 15. Taking place in Garland, Texas. Three title matches will happen. Mike Santana will face Frankie Kazarian for the TNA World Championship. The IInspiration will defend the TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Championship against The Elegance Brand. Also, Leon Slater will face Myron Reed in a TNA X-Division title match.

The premiere of Thursday Night #TNAiMPACT! on @AMC_TV features TWO massive Championship showdowns LIVE Thursday at 9PM ET on @AMC_TV & TNA+!

– @FrankieKazarian vs. @Santana_Proud for the TNA World Championship.

– @LEONSLATER_ vs. @TheBadReed for the X Division Championship. pic.twitter.com/QIUSOag5Pi

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 3, 2026