AJ Styles' Negotiations with TNA

[New Hot Fed]

There has been reports about TNA wanting AJ to take a pay cut of his annual 350,000$$$ or other reports said it's rather that he wants a raise. So there are worries he won't sign back.

Now something is strange in the whole thing:

They sent him away in the storyline not knowing he would come back. I mean could TNA be that stupid? I mean he's the ulimate babyface and the person most TNA fans root for. If he doesn't return, TNA may as well flush their company down the toilet. Picture the Monday Night Wars and Austin leaving in the middle of the Vince-Stone Cold feud.

Also, why don't they show his matchs on television? I know they want to sell the storyline and that Dixie control "the waves" but you want to draw interest in this guy, you want to maximizes the money he'll get for you and sell his awesomeness as champ and babyface, why not show him defend his title and beating guys all over the World? It would put the storyline and the TNA brand to another level.

When I was a kid and on WCW TV they showed matchs that Sting was having with Muta in Japan or the Steiners against two Japanese guys in Japan or The Steiners vs Williams/Gordy in Japan it looked and felt more epic than any regular WCW matchs. It felt like the company was Worldwide.

 

[Slash-LN]

They sent him away in the storyline not knowing he would come back. I mean could TNA be that stupid? I mean he's the ulimate babyface and the person most TNA fans root for. If he doesn't return, TNA may as well flush their company down the toilet. Picture the Monday Night Wars and Austin leaving in the middle of the Vince-Stone Cold feud.

Are you serious?

Even without AJ they have Jeff Hardy and Kurt Angle.
Those two probably make more money for the company than AJ.

If AJ never comes back it may hurt ratings a tiny bit but I honestly doubt it.

Have ratings taken a dramatic enough dive in the past couple of weeks that AJ hasn't been on the show? Nope.

Wrestlers come and go and AJ is replaceable. Put the title on Jeff Hardy and the majority of the crowd won't be bothered.

AJ possible leaving right now in no way equates to what would have happened if Austin quit in the middle of the feud with McMahon.

I like the guy well enough but if he doesn't come back then TNA will be just fine.

If he does come back then good for TNA. The ratings aren't going to change too much either way.

 

[Rayne]

They sent him away in the storyline not knowing he would come back. I mean could TNA be that stupid? I mean he's the ulimate babyface and the person most TNA fans root for. If he doesn't return, TNA may as well flush their company down the toilet. Picture the Monday Night Wars and Austin leaving in the middle of the Vince-Stone Cold feud.

The more appropriate analogy would probably be Chris Benoit leaving with the WCW title.

Relax. Unless TNA's management is spectacularly incompetent or deliberately self-destructive, AJ Styles is currently under contract to TNA Wrestling, and they are using the company's well-publicized financial troubles as a storyline. Why did they send him to wrestle where no one will really watch, well, that's regular incompetence.

Yes, I know three of you have looked up the El Mesias match, and recognize your existence.

 

[Fabulous Freebirds]

There has been reports about TNA wanting AJ to take a pay cut of his annual 350,000$$$ or other reports said it's rather that he wants a raise. So there are worries he won't sign back.

Now something is strange in the whole thing:

They sent him away in the storyline not knowing he would come back. I mean could TNA be that stupid? I mean he's the ulimate babyface and the person most TNA fans root for. If he doesn't return, TNA may as well flush their company down the toilet. Picture the Monday Night Wars and Austin leaving in the middle of the Vince-Stone Cold feud.

Also, why don't they show his matchs on television? I know they want to sell the storyline and that Dixie control "the waves" but you want to draw interest in this guy, you want to maximizes the money he'll get for you and sell his awesomeness as champ and babyface, why not show him defend his title and beating guys all over the World? It would put the storyline and the TNA brand to another level.

When I was a kid and on WCW TV they showed matchs that Sting was having with Muta in Japan or the Steiners against two Japanese guys in Japan or The Steiners vs Williams/Gordy in Japan it looked and felt more epic than any regular WCW matchs. It felt like the company was Worldwide.

I disagree. AJ is not the most important person in TNA. If he does leave, TNA will continue to survive. Everyone is replaceable. To me, Dixie is the most important part of TNA; she is the one that decides whether TNA sticks around.

Also, the storyline is that AJ is a renegade champion and his title defenses are not to be acknowledged. Why would you show footage of him defending the unsanctioned world title when Dixie has said that he is not their champion in storyline?

 

[MrMojoRisin]

I disagree. AJ is not the most important person in TNA. If he does leave, TNA will continue to survive. Everyone is replaceable. To me, Dixie is the most important part of TNA; she is the one that decides whether TNA sticks around.

Also, the storyline is that AJ is a renegade champion and his title defenses are not to be acknowledged. Why would you show footage of him defending the unsanctioned world title when Dixie has said that he is not their champion in storyline?

To further the angle.

Simple storyline explanation...

an unknown entity buys ad space on Impact, and uses it to show hand cam footage of AJ Styles defending his TNA belt around the world. Dixie is upset by this footage appearing on her show of course, but it turns out the ad space contract signed is iron clad and legally she can't stop it.

They do this for a while until it's time to bring AJ back, at which time it's either revealed that AJ Styles was the unknown entity who bought the ad space, or that it's another player they want to insert into the angle.

 

[Mustang Sally]

There has been reports about TNA wanting AJ to take a pay cut of his annual 350,000$$$ or other reports said it's rather that he wants a raise.

Wasn't this the way negotiations went with Ken Anderson? All reports said he was finished with TNA, yet I figured the company was still wanting to sign him.....as long as he took a pay cut.

In the end, he left, but came back shortly after, presumably at lower compensation, no? The problem he apparently faced was the absence of another major suitor for his good services, since WWE wasn't interested in him. He could either shuffle off to Japan or start booking himself into small promotions that run their shows in junior high school gyms. Some choices, huh?

Is AJ Styles in the same set of circumstances? Even if he outright quits, might he wind up back where he started.....but at a much lower salary?

I doubt TNA wants to lose him, yet they're facing the economic realities they chose to disregard during their Hogan/Bischoff days .....which aren't always pleasant.

 

[harrythem]

TNA is right to refuse to give AJ what he was earning before. If the amount being mooted around is correct then that's crazy, that's WCW/WWF monday night war higher mid-carder money and, let's be honest, AJ wouldn't have stood a chance of being anywhere that high in either company in that period.

Yeah he's been in TNA since the beginning but, has he really made a difference to the company? He's had a whole load of great matches, no arguements, but hasn't exactly taken the company to that next level, despite being given a fair few chances to do so....actually when you think about it he's played just about every type of character you can in TNA (with the only real success being as the bland guy who can wrestle really well) so, what's left for them to get value out of a huge contract for him?

Sorry AJ, them be the breaks...now let's give TNA some credit for carrying on their (finally sane) financial plan that seems to show the company actually can have a future.

 

[T2KFreeker]

Yeah he's been in TNA since the beginning but, has he really made a difference to the company? He's had a whole load of great matches, no arguements, but hasn't exactly taken the company to that next level, despite being given a fair few chances to do so....actually when you think about it he's played just about every type of character you can in TNA (with the only real success being as the bland guy who can wrestle really well) so, what's left for them to get value out of a huge contract for him?

A huge contract? Mid card talent? Not trying to be rude here, but yes, AJ Styles has done something for the company. There are many fans who watch the show because they enjoy him as a wrestler. AJ Styles get's the loudest POP of all the wrestlers when he comes to the ring, and like it or not, AJ is the face of TNA. Say what you will about this and that, but saying he would never make it here or there back in the day, you never know. They said the same thing about Shawn Micheals, Bret Hart, Eddie Guerrero, and Chris Benoit. They all made it and from their in ring ability. AJ could still have made it to the top for a bit. Dude really is that damn good in the ring.

As for the stuff coming up, I hope he decides to resign with the company. Even if they were able to restructure his contract so he get's more out of merchandise or even allow the wrestlers to work other promotions to supplement his income could be a great way for him to stay. Just saying.

 

[Slash-LN]

To further the angle.

Simple storyline explanation...

an unknown entity buys ad space on Impact, and uses it to show hand cam footage of AJ Styles defending his TNA belt around the world. Dixie is upset by this footage appearing on her show of course, but it turns out the ad space contract signed is iron clad and legally she can't stop it.

They do this for a while until it's time to bring AJ back, at which time it's either revealed that AJ Styles was the unknown entity who bought the ad space, or that it's another player they want to insert into the angle.

Isn't this exactly what they're already doing?
You know the whole "paid for by friends of AJ" things they've been airing on Impact every week since he left?

Has anyone found a credible source on the topic at hand yet?

 

[rbv13]

I will give TNA credit; they are pulling one hell of a work with the Styles situation. His current contract comes to and ends of December 16, 2013 but there is no way a new deal is not in place. He will be back full force or work a pay per appearance until the current story line has played out.

If TNA is not in his future the guy is going to do just fine. He is reported at making $350,000 a year. He could easily make 25% more in Japan or continue with his Indy bookings of $3,500 a pop twice a week for a year and make $364,000. He could also do whatever it takes and get a deal with the E in the hopes he could make the money of Dolph Ziggler plus merchandise.

 

[Mr.Maikeru_Sawyer]

Isn't this exactly what they're already doing?
You know the whole "paid for by friends of AJ" things they've been airing on Impact every week since he left?

of course it is. but he is to inept to realize that without some help.
as for A.J. he will be back, and dont see him going anywhere other than TNA.

i see AJ doing some great things in 2014 and a future fued between him and Magnus is money. you could see it begining to come together during the BFG series this year.

 

[New Hot Fed]

I disagree. AJ is not the most important person in TNA. If he does leave, TNA will continue to survive. Everyone is replaceable. To me, Dixie is the most important part of TNA; she is the one that decides whether TNA sticks around.

What i'm saying is, he's the most important wrestler in TNA right now given that he won the belt at BFG, then went into a fight with the OWNER and left with the belt. And everything has been building to AJ vs Dixie and in every shows Dixie talk about AJ and people are chanting his name.

Furthermore AJ has been the heart and soul of the company.

I'm not saying who do you think give the company big ratings or who you think the company should push. I'm saying TNA ITSELF in the last couple of months have centered all their pushes aound him. He's their ultimate face at this point in time. It would look atrocious if they lost him now. Might as well pull the plug.

 

[New Hot Fed]

The more appropriate analogy would probably be Chris Benoit leaving with the WCW title.

AJ means to TNA much more than Benoit meant to WCW though. It's sort of a mix of Benoit and Flair.

Relax. Unless TNA's management is spectacularly incompetent or deliberately self-destructive, AJ Styles is currently under contract to TNA Wrestling, and they are using the company's well-publicized financial troubles as a storyline. Why did they send him to wrestle where no one will really watch, well, that's regular incompetence.

That's my thinking too. They couldn't be that stupid.

Yes, I know three of you have looked up the El Mesias match, and recognize your existence.

It's not about that, it's about giving that storyline scope. And give a glimpse of something different to those that do not know these foreign wrestlers, to show what is happening elsewhere.

 

[MrMojoRisin]

of course it is. but he is to inept to realize that without some help.

Actually, I just read the topic and offered an opinion.

I don't actually watch TNA, so I don't really know what they are or aren't doing. The post I quoted made it sound like they weren't doing that, so I responded.

Thanks for responding like an asshat though.

 

[Rayne]

It's not about that, it's about giving that storyline scope. And give a glimpse of something different to those that do not know these foreign wrestlers, to show what is happening elsewhere.

Look, I recognized that people out there actually existed who were looking up what AJ was doing. Isn't that enough for you? Why on earth would TNA care if, or even want, their fans to be more aware of foreign promotions? Unless they're paying out TNA for the mentions on air, they are just giving out freebies. With money on the line, there's no such thing as a freebie- you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. If you can't or won't scratch my back, I'll find someone who will.

TNA isn't a dirt sheet, or a professional wrestling information kiosk. They're out there to make a buck. Which is why I can't for the life of me figure out this AJ Styles thing; at some point, there's a quid pro quo going on somewhere for his appearances. (Unless, of course, TNA has done the spectacularly incompetent thing.)

 

[rbv13]

In theory the situation involving Styles could turn into a really hot program for TNA. All of the ingredients are there and now it is up TNA to put it together. To this point their execution has been off but if they really focus there is still time to pull it off.

In kayfabe they need to keep Styles far away from active TNA promotions. It is going to magnify his eventual return and it gives credibility to the new champion. I like the Friends of AJ Styles messages but this shit with Spud out searching for Styles is ridiculous. Management should take a hard stand attempting to erase Styles from the history books. Dixie should go as far as verbally, financially and physically punish those that dare speak the name AJ Styles. Tennay mentions him on play by play and EC3 kicks his ass. They can sparingly use the Friends of AJ Styles in cryptic messages and make it look like the airwaves are being hijacked. Go as far as having the messages interrupt web site visits or Dixie’s twitter account. Meanwhile keep Dixie glamorizing her sports entertainment version of TNA while shitting on actual wrestling. In the end Styles comes back and cuts an awesome shoot with the jist being he walked out because of what Dixie and people like her (shot at the E) did to the business. Wouldn't mind seeing Jarrett then reemerge and break a guitar over Dixie’s head.

 

[tripleddd]

funny I was watching this the other day and to be honest I can take or leave TNA - my thoughts are that the whole Dixie (poor woman's stephanie mcmahon)and Aj Styles promos were all a bit lame to be honest.If this is all true and not storyline let AJ go to WWE. would it affect the storylines company .... errr no! it leaves a title vacant and many many contenders. TNA is very lucky there is no bigger star than the company but perhaps then that is the problem..

 

[THTRobtaylor]

We're into almost the situation that eventually did the damage in WCW but almost by reverse.

The single biggest mistake Bischoff ever made was to offer Nash and Hall a "safe harbour" clause. For those who don't know that means anyone signed after couldn't make more than them. So when Bret came in on more and when Goldberg was peaking they got a raise for no reason at all other than it was contractual. It led to a lot of problems with lower talent who couldn't get to that level and Nash and Hall were being paid so much that they were untouchable. People walked, Jericho, the Radicalz. A lot of talent simply walked cos they couldn't hope to either fight the ego that level of money fuelled or be offered close to the same.

So now you have TNA which has thrown similar deals at guys like Angle, Sting and Jeff Hardy. Big money that is guaranteed (cos they won't sign otherwise) and more than a lot of the originals are making. Yet their most successful homegrown talent wasn't resigned 2-3 years ago because of these deals... Kurt, RVD and the like have all taken money that was in many ways rightfully AJ's. So we're now at the crunch time and things have gone as wrong as they can for TNA. AJ rightfully feels the time has come for him to be recoginsed as on that Angle/Hardy level with appropriate money. TNA simply can't afford it. So Styles is very unlikely to re-sign. If he takes less, it proves he is beneath those other guys and damages him.

It's a bit like Bret leaving WWE, but there is no "big money" offer from WCW- Even in 97 Bret could have gone to Japan and earned slightly less but close enough in Japan to make it work for him... It's why he told Vince just pay me what we agreed and I'm happy but he couldn't take less to stay or forever be seen as second rate. Now if that number for AJ is right and it's pitiful and shameful if it is then If he can make even half a mil touring Japan, Mexico and on the indies working lots of dates, which he probably can just... then he is better taking that than signing up to TNA again for the same or less. If Vince offers him Four Hundred, he's better taking it than resigning to TNA as at least he knows he will take his fanbase with him and make money on merch.

Nash and Hall directly led to the downfall of WCW, and the viable, competitive market in the US. It's taken over ten years but we are now at that point where strong, viable talent have nowhere else to go if TNA goes under or cuts costs. AJ at this point is better accepting a relatively low WWE offer and mid card slot than continuing as he is in TNA and that is a poor reflection on the business. The scary part is TNA can't afford Angle, Sting or Hardy any more either... If they can't do a deal with AJ then why are the others going to sign again? That Kennedy and Bubba took the cut and D-Von didn't is telling. If you're gonna be the big fish for less it's worth it if you'll only be a minnow everywhere else... or you've made enough to call it a career. If like AJ you could still go to New York or Japan and be a big star, you're not gonna take that cut - cos the moment you do you are working for less forever. WWE puts out that they are "not interested" in any TNA talent almost monthly, they are but they're gonna wait until they are desperate to go there. Roode, Storm, Magnus - this is all gonna come back on TNA really badly in the next 2-3 years if they even make it that long.

 

[New Hot Fed]

Look, I recognized that people out there actually existed who were looking up what AJ was doing. Isn't that enough for you? Why on earth would TNA care if, or even want, their fans to be more aware of foreign promotions? Unless they're paying out TNA for the mentions on air, they are just giving out freebies. With money on the line, there's no such thing as a freebie- you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. If you can't or won't scratch my back, I'll find someone who will.

TNA isn't a dirt sheet, or a professional wrestling information kiosk. They're out there to make a buck. Which is why I can't for the life of me figure out this AJ Styles thing; at some point, there's a quid pro quo going on somewhere for his appearances. (Unless, of course, TNA has done the spectacularly incompetent thing.)

Yea but to me it would make the storyline better if you could actually see him fight for the title elsewhere. The mistake they made was that when AJ is not there, you don't see him and really nobody cares. I'll give you an example this year we've had the BFG tournament and it came off pretty bland and uneven while last year they showed the house shows results and actually showed some of the ending of the matchs at these house shows and it made the whole thing more epic cause what was happening elsewhere mattered. I think when things are not on tv, they stop existing in my opinion. Some fans may miss AJ but in the scheme of things they don't care that much, they want to be entertained by the other dozen of things that are happening on Impact. If you show him having these matchs, you realise as a fan dammit this is what this whole thing is all about. The guy fight for his honor while Dixie does here usual crappy things. When he's not there, he's not there. And who cares. So to me it's a bad managing of a storyline.

Plus TNA make zero money of these appearances abroad. At least if he appeared on TV you use him for your own benefit, he's on your tv show.