Sometimes keeping it real can go wrong. We all know that from the Chappelle show skits. But those aren't just comedy skits. They're an example of real life. Sometimes in real life keeping it real can go really wrong in just a short amount of time. This is what happens when keeping it real goes wrong.
AJ Styles was the face of TNA/Impact Wrestling. He had started with the company and quickly became a fan favorite. While AJ was never much on the microphone he was phenomenal in the ring. Earning him the epithet. The "Phenomenal" AJ Styles was in a small company, but none the less his in ring exploits were able to bring him world wide fame and recognition.
As TNA grew so did AJ's star. AJ managed to hold ever championship in the companies long history at least once and even managed to gain the attention of the giant in the wrestling industry, WWE. AJ had turned down a WWE deal before signing with TNA back in 2002. Then he turned down another offer in 2009. AJ Styles was at the top of TNA.
Then things changed. TNA brought in Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan. TNA hit a slide, fans were turned away tired of seeing WCW lived vicariously through TNA. But despite being used sparingly AJ Styles survived and remained the top draw in TNA despite not being on TV for weeks at a time. Once TNA was free from the same forces that drove WCW into the ground AJ Styles returned to the spotlight much to everyone's delight.
Contract negotiations came up. To butter AJ up he was given the TNA Championship. In a storyline similar to CM Punk leaving WWE with the championship and no contract AJ Left as champion. However TNA took it step further with AJ defending the title all over the world. Everything looked good for AJ Styles and TNA. That's when AJ Styles decided to keep it real.
AJ Styles and everyone else knew TNA was strapped financially. The WCW powers killed the TNA budget and many roster members were taking pay cuts to help the company get by. AJ Styles had made 350,000 in guaranteed money for the year of 2013, a hefty sum and one of the highest paid in TNA and significantly higher than some superstars in WWE who worked more dates both live and taping.
AJ Styles was offered 250,000 plus a percentage of merchandise sales. Now that's 100,000 less than last year in guaranteed money. I won't even take merchandise into account. Lets put that into perspective. Kofi Kingston makes 250,000 a year. Kofi while being a midcard star is just as popular as AJ Styles.
WWE requires all superstars to work 200 shows minimum each year, yes even JTG. Kofi however makes appearances at Raw, Smackdown and Main Event tapings as well as house shows and promotional events. TNA did most of 2013 live. That's 52 episodes and a house show each week. That's 104 dates. However due to being cash strapped TNA has returned to the Impact Zone and will tape two episodes at a time in 2014. That's 26 tapings AJ. TNA also does one house show each week. That's being generous because they sometimes can go a month without one. That's 78 total dates AJ. While you're the face of your company, no matter how much I like it, it's equivalent to being a mid card WWE star. In fact you may be a "World" champion but you work significantly less than Kofi Kingston. TNA knows that.
250,000 is completely justified. TNA knows that, the fans know that and deep down AJ Styles probably knows that. But AJ Styles wanted to keep it real and this is what happens when keeping it real goes wrong.
AJ wanted more money than what he made last year. Yes, despite the fact the company is pinching pennies to make it by AJ wants a raise because AJ is the champion. He's obviously been watching Randy Orton in WWE and decided to implement the character traits into his real life.
Of course TNA tried to keep him. The initial offer was 200,000. They found that extra 50,000 for AJ but it wasn't enough. AJ Styles kept it real, but TNA kept it realer. TNA told AJ Styles "We're going to need that championship belt back." All of AJ's merchandise is on sale now.
Knowing the writing was on the wall AJ released a statement.
AJ Styles kept it, but Dixie Carter kept it realer. You won't be seeing AJ Styles on TV anymore. WWE sees him as tainted goods and ROH hasn't looked at him. In fact AJ Styles is so real his next show is in CZW. Yeah, CZW. Nothing good has ever come from CZW except Dean Ambrose and he apparently left his tongue there.
AJ Styles was the face of TNA/Impact Wrestling. He had started with the company and quickly became a fan favorite. While AJ was never much on the microphone he was phenomenal in the ring. Earning him the epithet. The "Phenomenal" AJ Styles was in a small company, but none the less his in ring exploits were able to bring him world wide fame and recognition.As TNA grew so did AJ's star. AJ managed to hold ever championship in the companies long history at least once and even managed to gain the attention of the giant in the wrestling industry, WWE. AJ had turned down a WWE deal before signing with TNA back in 2002. Then he turned down another offer in 2009. AJ Styles was at the top of TNA.
Then things changed. TNA brought in Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan. TNA hit a slide, fans were turned away tired of seeing WCW lived vicariously through TNA. But despite being used sparingly AJ Styles survived and remained the top draw in TNA despite not being on TV for weeks at a time. Once TNA was free from the same forces that drove WCW into the ground AJ Styles returned to the spotlight much to everyone's delight.
Contract negotiations came up. To butter AJ up he was given the TNA Championship. In a storyline similar to CM Punk leaving WWE with the championship and no contract AJ Left as champion. However TNA took it step further with AJ defending the title all over the world. Everything looked good for AJ Styles and TNA. That's when AJ Styles decided to keep it real.
AJ Styles and everyone else knew TNA was strapped financially. The WCW powers killed the TNA budget and many roster members were taking pay cuts to help the company get by. AJ Styles had made 350,000 in guaranteed money for the year of 2013, a hefty sum and one of the highest paid in TNA and significantly higher than some superstars in WWE who worked more dates both live and taping.
AJ Styles was offered 250,000 plus a percentage of merchandise sales. Now that's 100,000 less than last year in guaranteed money. I won't even take merchandise into account. Lets put that into perspective. Kofi Kingston makes 250,000 a year. Kofi while being a midcard star is just as popular as AJ Styles.
WWE requires all superstars to work 200 shows minimum each year, yes even JTG. Kofi however makes appearances at Raw, Smackdown and Main Event tapings as well as house shows and promotional events. TNA did most of 2013 live. That's 52 episodes and a house show each week. That's 104 dates. However due to being cash strapped TNA has returned to the Impact Zone and will tape two episodes at a time in 2014. That's 26 tapings AJ. TNA also does one house show each week. That's being generous because they sometimes can go a month without one. That's 78 total dates AJ. While you're the face of your company, no matter how much I like it, it's equivalent to being a mid card WWE star. In fact you may be a "World" champion but you work significantly less than Kofi Kingston. TNA knows that.
250,000 is completely justified. TNA knows that, the fans know that and deep down AJ Styles probably knows that. But AJ Styles wanted to keep it real and this is what happens when keeping it real goes wrong.
AJ wanted more money than what he made last year. Yes, despite the fact the company is pinching pennies to make it by AJ wants a raise because AJ is the champion. He's obviously been watching Randy Orton in WWE and decided to implement the character traits into his real life.
Of course TNA tried to keep him. The initial offer was 200,000. They found that extra 50,000 for AJ but it wasn't enough. AJ Styles kept it real, but TNA kept it realer. TNA told AJ Styles "We're going to need that championship belt back." All of AJ's merchandise is on sale now.
Knowing the writing was on the wall AJ released a statement.
MY STATEMENT ON TNA CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS 12/16/13
Today for the first time in 11 years, AJ Styles awakes to find himself without a professional wrestling contract. I can't help but think how did I get here, what must I have done wrong, did I not deliver in the ring, etc. All of those are pertinent questions that any man or woman who finds himself or herself unemployed would ask.
I have always prided myself in being the wrestler that stays away from the things in this business that could easily destroy myself, my family, my marriage, and even my career. A wrestler who goes above and beyond to give the fans what they paid to see.
I move forward not bitter, but better for the blessings and memories that I have been a part of since TNA's inception.
When this contract renegotiation journey started several months ago, my wife and I began praying for God to close doors that needed to be closed and to open the doors that He wanted us to walk through. We asked him to prepare us for this journey and to help us to have the faith to be obedient to what He would have us to do. I am assured by the name Immanuel in Matthews 1:23 that I will never be alone. Hebrews 13.5, says He will never leave us or forsake us. There is a lot in this world that I am unsure of, especially in this moment, but there is one thing that I am certain. Contracts may expire, but the promise of Immanuel will never expire.
As my family and I move forward with my wrestling career, we will turn to Jabez's prayer found in 1 Chronicles 4:10.
Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil.
My family and I are both grateful for the platform that TNA has allowed me to experience. TNA has been a blessing to our family for many years. We have made many friendships and many more memories. While you may not be seeing AJ Styles in TNA, you can be sure that he will be traveling the world and delivering many more Phenomenal matches. Visit AJStyles.org for a complete list of bookings.
Sincerely,
AJ Styles
AJ Styles kept it, but Dixie Carter kept it realer. You won't be seeing AJ Styles on TV anymore. WWE sees him as tainted goods and ROH hasn't looked at him. In fact AJ Styles is so real his next show is in CZW. Yeah, CZW. Nothing good has ever come from CZW except Dean Ambrose and he apparently left his tongue there.
AJ Styles > Kofi Kingston. Why does Kofi even make that much money?
ReplyDeleteKofi works a lot more dates than AJ and also does a lot of promotion for the company. He may not seem like a top talent because he's midcard but he's been able to stay popular his entire career. If Kofi went to TNA he could probably be AJ Styles.
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