TNA releases statement claiming that AJ Styles, Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson backed out of contracts after agreeing

[Big Red Machine]

Source: WrestleChat

By C.J. Quinn
– Posted on January 22, 2016Posted in: News, TNA

We noted before that TNA really tried to sign former World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles for their Impact Wrestling premiere on POP TV earlier this month. That obviously didn’t happen and AJ is believed to be WWE bound. TNA issued this statement on their talks with Styles about Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson coming into the company with him:

AJ Sty

les has always been synonymous with TNA and TNA synonymous with AJ Styles. AJ helped build the foundation of IMPACT WRESTLING, and his phenomenal body of work lives in our rich history – something we are very proud of.
In the last few weeks, rumors have swirled about AJ Styles, his future and TNA Wrestling. Fans have asked for the status and wrestling media have made numerous inquiries.

For the past several months, AJ and TNA were involved in serious discussions to bring him back home to TNA. Creative discussions escalated and two additional wrestlers, Drew Hankinson and Chad Allegra, were enthusiastically added.

These discussions culminated on December 14th in Nashville, Tenn., where all attended a meeting at Dixie Carter’s home. A handshake and written deal between AJ, Drew, Chad and TNA was agreed upon and signed by all. Start dates were determined, creative decided, merchandise designed and plane tickets purchased.

Over the Christmas holiday, and after the lawyers finalized the long form agreement, all communication with TNA stopped.

AJ’s lawyer contacted TNA and stated the wrestlers had changed their mind and would not be honoring their commitment to TNA.

[XIV]

the wrestlers had changed their mind and would not be honoring their commitment to TNA.

If there was a signed commitment Styles would either be getting sued or forced to play out his contract. Neither thing is happening SO THERE WAS NO COMMITMENT.

TNA are actually really getting on my nerves at this point. You nearly had Styles, Gallows and Anderson but you don't. Let it go.

It's almost like they're trying to make them sound unprofessional for "backing out" and "not honouring commitments" when in fact it's just TNA management who sound unprofessional at this point.

[Big Red Machine]

Also, I could be wrong, but wouldn't what TNA has claimed they have done technically have been tampering with Anderson's NJPW contract? I know that everyone always does it, but no one ever officially admits to having done it, which is what TNA seems to have done here.

[XIV]

Also, I could be wrong, but wouldn't what TNA has claimed they have done technically have been tampering with Anderson's NJPW contract? I know that everyone always does it, but no one ever officially admits to having done it, which is what TNA seems to have done here.

They are admitting fully to what we call in Britain "tapping someone up". Which as you say, all sports clubs and athlete agents do it. But you don't admit it.

[Big Red Machine]

Well... that takes a lot of nerve.

TNA also commented via Twitter, writing, "Congrats to TNA Original @AJStylesOrg on his debut tonight. Wish him all the best."