By James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

A.J. Styles, who holds the TNA World Title in current storylines, says he is officially a free agent as of Monday (December 16).

"Today for the first time in 11 years, A.J. Styles awakes to find himself without a professional wrestling contract," Styles wrote on his Facebook page.

Styles said that he went through "several months" of contract re-negotiations with TNA, but the two sides were unable to come to an agreement.

Regarding his feelings towards TNA, Styles said he moves forward "not bitter" toward the company, but "better for the blessings and memories that I have been a part of since TNA's inception."

Styles quoted several Bible passages that he and his family leaned on during a period of uncertainty regarding his future in pro wrestling.

"My family and I are both grateful for the platform that TNA has allowed me to experience. TNA has been a blessing to our family for many years. We have made many friendships and many more memories. While you may not be seeing A.J. Styles in TNA, you can be sure that he will be traveling the world and delivering many more Phenomenal matches," Styles wrote.

- Simultaneously, Styles's representative, Bill Behrens, announced that Styles will begin taking independent bookings on the "Phenomenal One Tour." Included is a February 1 date for Dreamwave Wrestling in Chicago that will also feature the American Wolves (Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards).

Styles's initial booking schedule includes:

- Dec. 28: Anarchy Wrestling in Cornelia, Ga.
- Jan. 19: Premier Wrestling Xperience in Winston-Salem, N.C.
- Jan. 26: Smash Wrestling in Toronto, Ont., Canada
- Feb. 1: Dreamwave in Chicago
- Feb. 7: Deep Southern Championship Wrestling in Blue Ridge, Ga.

- Behrens also announced that Styles's U.K. tour, "Evening with A.J. Styles," has been postponed "to avoid conflict with a similar event featuring DDP." The speaking tour was originally scheduled for March 6-10.

[Torch art credit Cory Gould (c) PWTorch.com]

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