10 Ways TNA Totally Screwed Themselves Over

6. Lowballing AJ Styles

Dixie Carter Hulk Hogan
Impactwrestling.com

AJ Styles is the most important wrestler in TNA history, and the face of the company. He is inarguably the biggest star that TNA have ever built from the ground up, and his current success as WWE World Champion owes much to his tremendous TNA run. It was there that he sharpened his skills to become the performer he is today, and his popularity and development were hugely important to TNA’s continued survival.

You’d think, then, that TNA would do absolutely everything in their power to retain Styles, but no. He left the company after contract negotiations broke down in late 2013, and why? Because the best deal TNA would offer him would cut his annual salary almost in half, and thus, after more than 10 years with the company, AJ walked away to pastures new.

Styles’ departure all but confirmed TNA’s fall from grace. When you lose your signature star, you know you’re in big trouble, and TNA have never filled the void created by their inability to retain AJ Styles. The embarrassment was compounded further in early 2016, when Styles turned another TNA contract down in favour of signing for WWE, where he has become one of the biggest wrestlers on the planet.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.