Christopher Daniels pays tribute to AJ Styles: ‘Always elite’
Following his recent retirement, AJ Styles was showered with tributes, including one from his iconic TNA rivals, Christopher Daniels.
On January 31st, 2026, Gunther defeated and retired Styles from in-ring competition. Shortly after, Daniels penned an emotional note on social media, sharing his heartfelt thoughts for Styles.
“I’ve been quiet following [AJ Styles] last match because I don’t think I can condense 25 years of emotions & experiences into 1 or 2 tweets. Nothing I type can fully express my love, respect, and appreciation for him. Regardless of what happens, AJ was and is always elite!”
Daniels and Styles have been involved in a total of 180 matches (as per Cagematch), including both singles and multi-man matches. Apart from their bouts against each other, Styles and Daniels have also teamed up numerous times.
The duo faced each other for the first time in 2001, where Styles emerged victorious. Their latest bout dates back to 2015 at EPW Total Honor, where Styles again won.
Shounak Chakrabarti is an experienced sports journalist with a lifelong passion for athletics and storytelling. He holds a Master’s Degree in International Journalism from the University of Leeds and joined F4WOnline in 2025.
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