AJ Styles, a two-time TNA World Heavyweight Champion, has received a direct challenge from Trick Williams, who claims to be the greatest TNA Champion ever. This challenge comes as Williams, the current TNA World Champion, seeks to prove himself against Styles, a wrestler who made his name in TNA before moving on to WWE.
Trick Williams captured the TNA World Championship at the NXT Battleground event in May and has since expressed a strong desire to face Styles. His challenge arose during a contract signing at NXT’s Great American Bash Premium Live Event, where the crowd chanted Styles’s name despite Williams declaring himself the top TNA champion.
Trick Williams Sets Sights on AJ Styles in Heated Challenge
Williams openly criticized the fans for their reaction, viewing it as disrespectful to his claim. Addressing Styles, he said,
“I want AJ Styles. I told Atlanta that I’m the greatest TNA Champion of all time, and the audacity of that crowd to turn and say ‘AJ Styles’? Completely disrespectful. There’s only one way to get to the bottom of this. Gimme AJ Styles. Let me prove myself. Let me show everybody how legit Trick Williams is. That’s the one I want. Trick Williams versus AJ Styles,”
he said [H/T PWInsider]
Williams earned the title by defeating Joe Hendry at NXT Battleground and is preparing to defend it in a Triple Threat match against Hendry and Mike Santana at TNA’s Slammiversary event on July 20.
AJ Styles last won the TNA World Heavyweight Title at Bound For Glory in 2013, besting Bully Ray. After leaving TNA that same year, he competed in Ring of Honor and NJPW before signing with WWE in 2016.
AJ Styles Currently Focused on WWE Intercontinental Championship Pursuit
Although a clash with Trick Williams would excite many fans, Styles is presently concentrating on securing WWE’s Intercontinental Championship. He was slated to face the reigning champion, Dominik Mysterio, at Night of Champions, but the match was canceled due to Mysterio’s injury.
Styles has been awaiting Mysterio’s recovery, with WWE General Manager Adam Pearce recently stating that Mysterio’s medical condition will be reassessed next week. If cleared, Styles and Mysterio will officially battle for the Intercontinental Title at SummerSlam.
The anticipated match remains unconfirmed as fans watch for updates during Monday Night RAW, where the official announcement is expected.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is AJ Styles religious?
A. A.J. Styles, outside of wrestling, is a devoted Christian who believes his faith helps him stay balanced. Unlike some wrestlers mentioned here, Styles discovered his faith early in his career. He has relied on it as a source of guidance rather than turning to it only during tough times.
