TNA Allegedly Ruined AJ Styles’ Return With Massive Mistake

AJ Styles recently made his return to TNA.

The Phenomenal One appeared on the TNA iMPACT! on AMC Premiere episode on January 15, 2026, which took place at the Curtis Culwell Center in Dallas, TX.  He opened the show with an in-ring promo, welcoming fans to the house that he built..

He later confronted then-TNA World Champion Frankie Kazarian backstage and had a heated face-to-face. He also met with Mike Santana backstage, encouraging him to defeat Frankie for the title, which he did later that night.

Eric Bischoff Unhappy With AJ Styles’ TNA Appearance

AJ Styles’ TNA appearance was a massive hit and received positive reactions from the fans. But veteran Eric Bischoff believes it could’ve been better.

Speaking on his 83 Weeks podcast, Bischoff stated that although Styles was pre-announced for the TNA AMC debut show, they could’ve built some mystery around his appearance.

“No. I mean, look, big, big real surprises always get the reaction you want them to get. And I think it would have definitely happened with AJ in a massive way.”

“Even if they would have announced him… if you go back and look at his entrance, his graphic was up on the screen a minute before he came out.”

“So it was like… if he would have crashed into the scene—even though he had been advertised—the energy would have been so much different, as opposed to, ‘There’s his graphic. Well, we know what’s coming up next. AJ’s coming out next. Yay.’”

“You can’t tell that guy over there AJ Styles is coming and then he comes out. You just don’t get the same reaction the way that entrance was laid out.” [H/T Ringside News]

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