AJ Kinds is residence. Kinds made his long-awaited return to TNA Wrestling at Sunday’s Slammiversary, his first look with the corporate since 2014.
Roughly 7,000 followers in attendance got here unglued as “Get Able to Fly,” Kinds’ outdated TNA theme music, blared by means of the audio system at UBS Area in Elmont, New York. Kinds hit the stage shortly after Leon Slater, 20, defeated Moose to turn into the youngest X-Division champion in historical past.
“TNA, did you miss me?” Kinds stated as the group cheered, “Welcome residence!”
Kinds, the inaugural X-Division champion, congratulated Slater on the milestone, saying the division has a vivid future with him. The recent crowd known as for “another match.” Kinds, 48, didn’t formally commit to a different TNA run however stated, “We’ll get to that.”
It is not clear if Kinds’ look was a one-off or if he’ll proceed making TNA appearances. WWE and TNA introduced a multi-year partnership in January. The partnership has primarily resulted in a expertise alternate between TNA and NXT, although former TNA world champion Joe Hendry notably appeared on the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania this 12 months.
Earlier on Sunday, Kinds mirrored on his journey from TNA to a number of WWE championship reigns.
“If I had the power to return in time, I might inform myself, ‘You don’t have any thought how far this trip’s about to take you. All of the ups, the downs, the doubts — they’re gonna form you into the most effective on the earth. Do not lose that chip in your shoulder, however study when to let go of your pleasure. You are gonna stroll into locations you by no means thought you’d belong… Manner higher than you could possibly think about. Keep humble, keep hungry, and belief God’s timing—it is excellent, even when it would not really feel prefer it. You are not simply phenomenal. You are constructed for this,'” Kinds wrote.
Kinds, nonetheless an lively WWE celebrity, competed primarily for TNA between 2002 and 2014. “The Phenomenal” one was a cornerstone of the promotion’s progressive X-Division. He is TNA’s first triple crown and grand slam champion, an achievement that features 5 world heavyweight title reigns.
Kinds contributed to many traditional matches. His three-way dance with Samoa Joe and Christoper Daniels on the 2005 Unbreakable pay-per-view is touted as the most effective skilled wrestling matches ever.
