Jeff Jarrett Says AJ Styles Was "Essentially Forced Out" Of IMPACT Wrestling

While discussing AJ Styles on the latest edition of the My World podcast, Jeff Jarrett has claimed that the Phenomenal One was all-but forced out of the company at the end of 2013.

A TNA original, Styles had been with the promotion since the very first show in June of 2002, but felt as though he needed to leave when his contract came up for renewal and he was offered a lot less money for working the same amount of dates.

Opening up on AJ's departure, Double J said:

"AJ's money was getting cut. They wanted to cut AJ's money but not dates. He said, 'If you cut my money, I'm cutting my dates'. It was not just AJ's contract. It was everybody's. He was a complete, utter mess".

Jarrett said that Styles was committed to the TNA product and willing to re-sign, but that he ultimately had no choice in the matter.

"I found this out later. They said some awful things and had devalued AJ. They basically forced AJ against his will to leave. That's how committed AJ Styles was to the brand. He was TNA through and through. He had to be essentially forced out".

Styles subsequently worked for New Japan and Ring Of Honor alongside independent bookings before signing with WWE in January of 2016.

According to Jarrett, Brian 'Road Dogg' James was instrumental in bringing AJ to WWE, as the TNA Grand Slam winner was considering returning to IMPACT Wrestling with The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson) before signing with Vince McMahon's company.

H/T WrestlingNews.co