TNA: AJ Francis on His Decision to Sign New Deal with TNA, “Speedball” Mike Bailey TNA Contract Officially Expired, Current Card for 1/2 TNA Impact! Show

Jan 2, 2025

AJ Francis on His Decision to Sign New Contract with TNA

As noted before, AJ Francis recently signed a new contract with TNA Wrestling to remain in the company for the foreseeable future.

A recent episode of the Nick Beasley Show podcast featured Francis as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Francis’ thoughts about his decision to sign a new deal with TNA and his interest in working for WWE’s NXT brand as part of the two companies current partnership.

“I like it here. The goal was always to re-sign with TNA, we just had to come to terms. I always wanted to come back. I went from one year, nobody thinking I’ll ever wrestle anymore to one year later, main event, world title contender, matches with The Hardys, main event of a PLE. TNA gave me everything that I could ask for. So, why would I not want to come back? Like yeah, I would like to work at NXT still because they have the connection.
I don’t know nothing about the deal, I just know that if they want to make it happen, they know where I’m at. It’s that easy.
I’m being put in a spot and I’m being utilized and I’m being shown how good that I can be because TNA is giving me that opportunity. It’s tempting to go a lot of places, there’s a lot of places that wrestling, depending on what you’re trying to do — Like, who wouldn’t want to go to WWE right now, they about to be on Netflix. Right now I’m showing at TNA that I am a main eventer. I know if I went back to WWE right now, if I went to Raw or SmackDown right now, I’m not gonna be in the main event.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

“Speedball” Mike Bailey Expired TNA Contract Update

As noted before, “Speedball” Mike Bailey’s contract with TNA Wrestling was expected to expire at the end of 2024 and he is currently expected to join AEW.

Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp reported that Bailey’s contract with TNA has officially expired as of January 1st and he is currently a free agent.

Sapp reported that Bailey is still expected to be heading to AEW soon for the next destination for his wrestling career.

Current Card for Thursday’s TNA Impact! Show

TNA Wrestling recently announced the card for tonight’s Impact! show on AXS TV in the United States and Sportsnet 360 in Canada.

Full card for January 2nd TNA Impact! show:

Jordynne Grace, Masha Slamovich, & Spitfire (Jody Threat & Dani Luna) vs. Heather & ASH By Elegance, Rosemary, & Tasha Steelz
KUSHIDA vs. Ace Austin
Rhino vs. Ryan Nemeth
Jordynne Grace to speak
Nic Nemeth to speak
Mike Santana to speak
Tessa Blanchard to appear
Joe Hendry kicks off 2025