Today in Pro Wrestling (Dec 5): AJ Styles Leaves Impact Wrestling

Today in Pro Wrestling History: On DECEMBER 5, 2013, at a TNA Impact taping at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, a pivotal moment involving AJ Styles unfolded!

Today in Pro Wrestling History (December 5): AJ Styles leaves Impact Wrestling.

Our wrestling history is gold, and so are readers like you!

If the following story adds to your collection of wrestling knowledge, you can:

Join our newsletter! Leave a tip

On that night, Magnus (AKA Nick Aldis) defeated AJ Styles in a unification match to become the undisputed TNA World Heavyweight Champion. This match marked AJ Styles’ final appearance with TNA Impact Wrestling.

AJ Styles, having become a free agent twelve days later, debuted for New Japan Pro Wrestling even before the TNA title match aired on January 9, 2014.

Styles would spend the next two years wrestling for NJPW and Ring of Honor, eventually making his shock arrival to WWE at the Royal Rumble in January 2016.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NinNy5dsJqk

Can’t get enough pro wrestling history in your life? Sign up to unlock ten pro wrestling stories curated uniquely for YOU, plus subscriber-exclusive content. A special gift from us awaits after signing up!

Want More? Choose another story!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, TikTok, and Flipboard!

Our wrestling history is gold, and so are readers like you!

If this story added to your collection of wrestling knowledge, you can say thanks:

Tip jar (PayPal) Browse our merch at our brand-new shop (launched February 2026)!

Pro Wrestling Stories is committed to accurate, unbiased wrestling content rigorously fact-checked and verified by our team of researchers and editors. Any inaccuracies are quickly corrected, with updates timestamped in the article's byline header.

Got a correction, tip, or story idea for Pro Wrestling Stories? Contact us! Learn about our editorial standards here. Ever wanted to learn more about the people behind Pro Wrestling Stories? Meet our authors! Want to write for us? Learn how to join the team.

Quick Tip for Facebook Readers

Many of our readers find us through our Facebook page. Meta's built in browser (which opens by default on mobile) can occasionally freeze mid article, a known issue unrelated to our site. For uninterrupted reading: tap the three dots in the top right corner then select 'Open in external browser'. That usually resolves the glitch. Thanks for your support and we want your wrestling stories to stay as smooth as a top rope hurricanrana!

ProWrestlingStories.com participates in affiliate marketing programs. This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we may earn commissions at no extra cost to our readers. This supports our mission to deliver free content for you to enjoy!

Grindhouse, Arthouse, and Wrestling Flicks by Evan Ginzburg

If you love movies and pro wrestling, don’t sleep on this one.

Grindhouse, Arthouse, and Wrestling Flicks by Pro Wrestling Stories Senior Editor Evan Ginzburg dives into the fascinating world where cinema and wrestling collide. Packed with hundreds of reviews, hidden gems, and fascinating turns from wrestlers on the big screen, it covers everyone from André the Giant and Roddy Piper to CM Punk, DDP, Chris Jericho, Pat Roach, and The Rock. Smart, passionate, and endlessly browsable, it’s the kind of book fans will keep returning to. Grab your copy today!