The Lone Wolf (2013)
Beginning in February 2013, TNA began airing videos at Styles' home interviewing his wife, a friend, and even attempting to interview Styles himself before he angrily forced them to leave. Styles, now sporting a beard, unkempt hair and all-black attire, returned to TNA on the March 14 episode of Impact Wrestling, where he saved James Storm from a post-match assault from Christopher Daniels and Kazarian before attacking Storm himself. The following week, Styles was to explain his actions in an interview with Mike Tenay, and despite being asked by both Storm and Tenay, Styles remained mute and ultimately left the arena. Styles continued his silence on the next episode of Impact Wrestling, refusing to answer Storm's ultimatum to either talk or fight and leaving Storm to be attacked by the Aces & Eights. Styles wrestled his return match on the April 18 episode of Impact Wrestling, defeating Storm via submission with his new Calf Killer submission hold. Afterwards, Styles attacked Christopher Daniels and Kazarian, who were in his corner before leaving both them and Storm to be attacked by the Aces & Eights. Styles then began feuding with Kurt Angle, after refusing to answer to tell Angle whether he is with TNA or the Aces & Eights, which led to a brawl between the two on the May 9 episode of Impact Wrestling. The following week, Aces & Eights member Mr. Anderson announced that Styles would be patched in as member of their stable.On the May 23 episode of Impact Wrestling, Styles seemingly joined the Aces & Eights by accepting their signature kutte, drinking his first beer, and aiding the stable in attacking Angle. As they were celebrating, Styles attacked DOC, Knux, and Garett Bischoff before removing the kutte and fleeing the arena, signalling his status as a "lone wolf". On June 2 at Slammiversary XI, Styles was defeated by Angle in a singles match.On the June 13 episode of Impact Wrestling, Styles defeated Angle in a rematch to earn the final spot in the 2013 Bound for Glory Series.The following week, Styles' first BFG series match with Samoa Joe ended in a time limit draw and as a result, both competitors received two points.On the July 4 episode of Impact Wrestling, Styles defeated old rival Kazarian via submission to earn an additional ten points in the tournament.
On August 22 at Impact Wrestling: Hardcore Justice, Styles filled in for Kurt Angle (who entered rehab two weeks prior) and teamed with The Main Event Mafia in a five-on-five tag team match against Aces & Eights, securing the victory for his team by pinning Devon, which resulted in Devon being forced to leave TNA.[190] On the August 29 episode of Impact Wrestling, Styles clarified that despite helping the Mafia and respecting their intentions, he was not their newest member and reiterated that he was allied with no one.[191] That same night, Styles defeated Bobby Roode via pinfall in a Bound For Glory series match to earn seven points, although he needed ten points via submission victory in order to place in the top four.[191] The following week, Styles won a Last Chance Gauntlet Battle Royal match by last eliminating Christopher Daniels to gain twenty points and secure the top spot in the Bound For Glory series.[192] On September 12 at Impact Wrestling: No Surrender, Styles defeated Austin Aries in the semi-finals and later defeated Magnus in the finals to win the 2013 Bound for Glory Series and become the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship at Bound For Glory.[193] After his match with Magnus, Styles sent out a message to TNA President Dixie Carter.[193] The following week, Styles claimed he was no longer under contract with TNA, insulted Carter's work ethic, and vowed to make her pay. Carter responded to his remarks by saying that Styles was not a great wrestler and that she was the one who created his Phenomenal One persona to get marketing for the company.[194] On the September 26 episode of Impact Wrestling, General Manager Hulk Hogan presented Styles with a new contract, but Carter tore up the contract before he could sign. On October 20 at Bound for Glory, Styles defeated Bully Ray in No Disqualifications match, despite interference from Aces & Eights and Carter, to win his second TNA World Heavyweight Championship, his fifth world title in the company overall.[196] Styles made his first televised title defense on the following episode of Impact Wrestling, defeating Ray in a rematch after an interference from Mr. Anderson. After the match, Styles refused Carter's new contract offer and made her pay by taking the title and walking out of TNA On October 29, TNA vacated the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.
On the December 2 taping of Impact Wrestling which aired on tape delay on January 2, Styles returned to TNA with his championship to confront Magnus, who had won a tournament to crown the new TNA World Heavyweight Champion.[On December 5 taping of Impact Wrestling which aired on tape delay on January 9, Styles faced Magnus in a no disqualification title unification match. Magnus won the match to unify both titles after interference from eight other wrestlers on Magnus' behalf and Sting interfering on Styles' behalf, in what would be Styles' final match with TNA. On December 8, it was reported that contract negotiations between Styles and TNA had broken down and that Styles would be leaving the promotion, becoming a free agent effective December 17 ending his near twelve year run with the company. Styles confirmed his status as a free agent on December 16, announcing his return to the independent circuit.
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