With AJ Styles’ 2026 retirement officially on the horizon, the wrestling world is buzzing about one potential dream bout that could cap off the career of The Phenomenal One. In an exciting development, current TNA World Champion Mike Santana publicly called out Styles for what would be their first-ever one-on-one match in a TNA ring, with the world championship on the line.
A Unique Challenge from a New TNA Star
In a recent interview with The Stunner podcast, Mike Santana expressed his desire to face AJ Styles in the company where Styles initially rose to fame. Santana highlighted the significance of such a match:
“A lot of guys I grew up watching and idolizing, but the one guy that’s left is AJ Styles. Oh, yes. And 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. That would be awesome.”
Santana framed this potential match as more than just a fight for the title—it would be a historic moment linking the past and present stars of TNA, with Styles recognized as a key figure in the promotion’s legacy:
“AJ is a TNA original, so that would be really cool.”
AJ Styles and His Historic TNA Legacy
AJ Styles’ roots run deep in TNA, where he built his reputation as the Face of Total Nonstop Action before expanding his legendary status across WWE, NJPW, and ROH. His return to TNA in 2025 at Slammiversary was his first appearance in over a decade, sparking speculation about whether he might wrestle there once more before retiring.
Styles is widely respected as one of the most decorated wrestlers globally, boasting multiple championships including:
- WWE Championship
- TNA World Heavyweight Championship
- X Division Championship
- Numerous accolades as a Triple Crown and Grand Slam champion
Given his storied career, a farewell match in TNA rings true as a fitting tribute to his origins and career arc.
The Possibility of a Cross-Promotional Dream Match
What makes Santana’s challenge especially intriguing is the cross-promotional nature of the potential bout. WWE owns AJ Styles’ contract, and arranging a match in TNA would require cooperation or at least permission from WWE.
According to sources close to WWE, the company is actively planning a full retirement tour for AJ Styles throughout 2026, aiming to give fans a proper farewell to one of wrestling’s all-time greats. This retirement orchestrated by WWE may, however, leave some creative room for an inter-promotional special if all parties agree.
A WWE insider shared:
“As of now, nothing is finalized, but there’s genuine excitement backstage about the possibility of allowing Styles one last match in the place he helped elevate. It’s a story worth telling.”
Whether this opportunity comes to fruition may hinge on inter-company negotiations, but the fan interest in such a unique encounter is undeniable.
Fan Reactions and Retirement Tour Expectations
The wrestling community is already speculating on the kind of matches AJ Styles should have during his final year in the ring. Many fans express eagerness to see Styles either revisit nostalgic venues or confront younger stars who idolize him, much like Santana.
A recent poll indicated overwhelming support for a TNA World Title match or a high-profile WWE farewell match against legends or rising stars.
The idea of a retirement tour that includes stops outside WWE is gaining traction, with fans excited about the prospect of AJ Styles closing his career with bouts symbolizing his broader wrestling journey.
What’s Next for AJ Styles?
Styles has publicly acknowledged that 2026 will mark the end of his active wrestling career. In interviews, he mentioned concerns about longevity and the desire to spend more time with family, a sentiment shared by many veteran performers.
He stated:
“I’m getting older… The fear of embarrassing myself is getting closer. There comes a time when a man has to take care of business and his family.”
Despite this, Styles remains committed to giving fans “a lot more” in his final year, hinting at a robust slate of matches and storylines to cap his career.
Conclusion: A Phenomenal Farewell in the Making?
Mike Santana’s bold call-out has ignited hopes for an unforgettable TNA vs. WWE cross-promotional moment featuring AJ Styles’ farewell. With Styles’ legacy firmly cemented and 2026 looming as his final year, this potential match would serve as a poignant bridge between different eras of wrestling history.
As negotiations potentially unfold, fans and insiders alike watch eagerly to see if the match will become the definitive send-off AJ Styles deserves—one in the ring where his legend began.
Would you like to see AJ Styles wrestle Mike Santana for the TNA World Championship before retiring? Feel free to share your thoughts below.