Nobody expected this matchup.
Not even TJ Thomas.
But just like that, the veteran is back, and now he is set to face Austin Turpin in the heavyweight division at Power Slap 19 during WrestleMania weekend in Las Vegas.
It has been a long layoff. A lot has changed in the sport. New names have come in. Old names have waited on the sidelines. And now Thomas is stepping back into the mix with the same energy that made him a fan favorite in the first place—except this time, he sounds even looser, louder, and more ready to stir things up.
TJ Thomas Did Not Expect the Call — But He Took It
Thomas admitted he only found out about the fight recently.
“About yesterday.”
That kind of turnaround would throw off a lot of fighters, especially after being away from competition for so long. But Thomas did not sound rattled in the slightest.
“When they call me, I’ll take it.”
That attitude tells you everything you need to know about how he is approaching this return. No overthinking. No hesitation. Just show up and fight.
Heavyweight… Sort Of
This fight comes at heavyweight, though Thomas made it clear that is not exactly by choice.
“I’m a heavyweight because of somebody that can’t make weight.”
Even so, he sounds comfortable with the situation.
“I’ll be a heavyweight, but on the lower spectrum.”
That is classic TJ Thomas—direct, dry, and just self-aware enough to make the whole thing funny without losing the edge.
TJ Thomas vs. Austin Turpin Has Been Brewing
One of the more interesting details from the interview is that Thomas and Turpin have history. They started in the sport at the same time, and apparently there has already been some trash talk in the DMs.
That makes this more than just a random late-notice fight.
“We talked sh*t back and forth in DMs a long time ago.”
Thomas sounds genuinely excited that the name attached to the contract is Turpin.
“I’m really excited… it’s gonna be some fireworks up there.”
That matters, because it gives the fight some real tension even before they get to the table.
The Layoff Was Long, But TJ Thomas Never Fully Left
The last time fans saw Thomas was back in December 2024 against Luke Simonds, so this has been a serious gap between fights.
He admitted it has been difficult to stay perfectly consistent without knowing when the next opportunity would come, but he also made it clear that he never fully switched off.
“I’ve been training here and there… it’s like riding a bike.”
There is a looseness in that answer that fits his personality, but it also suggests confidence. He does not sound like someone worried about ring rust. He sounds like someone who has been waiting for the right excuse to start trouble again.
What He Thinks of Power Slap Right Now
Thomas had a pretty honest take on the current state of the sport.
He sees the shift toward entertainment. He understands why the company leans into some of the newer crossover names, especially during WrestleMania weekend. But he also made it clear that plenty of fighters have been sitting around waiting.
“It’d be nice to see some of the other guys get matches besides just the wrestlers.”
That is probably the most revealing part of the interview. He is not bitter, exactly, but he is clearly aware of how long some veterans have had to wait.
Still, he did not stay there emotionally. He shrugged it off and came right back to the real point: he got the call, and now he plans to make it count.
The New TJ Thomas Seems Freed Up
One of the more interesting parts of the interview was Thomas describing this stage of his career as his “I don’t give a f*** era.”
That feels important.
Sometimes fighters overprepare mentally. They overanalyze tape. They build the fight up too much in their heads. Thomas seems to have moved in the opposite direction.
“You can overthink the sh*t… I really don’t mind doing this on two weeks.”
That mindset may actually help him here. He knows Turpin. He has seen the fights. He understands the assignment. And beyond that, he sounds happy to let instinct take over.
Power Slap Math Does Not Make Sense — and TJ Knows It
When asked why the promotion matched him with Austin Turpin for Turpin’s heavyweight debut, Thomas gave the perfect answer:
“That’s Power Slap math.”
Exactly.
It is a matchup that would confuse people if they tried to map it out cleanly. But Thomas does not seem interested in pretending any of it follows a strict logic.
His read on it?
“Maybe they’re trying to get him a comeback fight, I guess. But the joke’s on this motherf***er.”
That line alone captures the whole energy around this fight. Thomas knows people may view him as a convenient return opponent. He clearly does not agree with that framing.
What Kind of Fight Does TJ Expect?
When Thomas actually broke down the fight itself, he was more measured than you might expect.
He acknowledged that Turpin at heavyweight should have a thicker neck and may handle shots better than some people expect.
“When he’s got a little thicker neck, he takes the shot a little better.”
But even with that, Thomas still sees this becoming the kind of fight where both men have to answer real questions.
“I think we’re gonna go back and forth a few rounds.”
And, naturally, he sees himself coming out on top.
Previous Injury? Not a Concern
Thomas also addressed the old injury concerns from his past Power Slap appearances. He clarified that the issue goes back to the Garrett Blakeslee fight, where he says a wrist-to-face strike contributed to the damage.
But as far as carrying any fear or hesitation now?
None.
“I’m not worried about it at all.”
That is either bravado or clarity. With TJ Thomas, it is usually some mix of both.
The First Shot Fired at Austin Turpin
Then came the promo.
And yes, Thomas delivered.
His message to Austin Turpin was exactly the kind of energy you would expect from somebody who has spent too long on the sidelines waiting for a reason to come back angry.
“Hey, fat f***, there’s no excuse this time.”
That was only the start.
He challenged Turpin to bring the same energy in person that he has brought online and made it crystal clear that this is not going to be some polite comeback appearance.
“Don’t be a little py when you come face to face with me, because I’m gonna fing bring it.”
Now that is how you start fight week energy.
TJ Thomas Feels Like a Missing Piece Returning
The strongest takeaway from the interview is this:
TJ Thomas sounds like somebody who knows he still belongs.
He may not have been active. He may not have gotten the same attention as some of the newer names. But he also has not forgotten who he is—or what kind of chaos he can bring when he is locked in.
And on a card loaded with WrestleMania-week crossover attention, his return adds something different.
Something grittier.
Something meaner.
Something a little less polished and a lot more dangerous.
Power Slap 19 Just Got More Interesting
With Austin Turpin moving to heavyweight and TJ Thomas coming back in full “I don’t give a f***” mode, this fight suddenly feels like one of the sneakiest must-watch matchups on the card.
It is messy. It is personal enough. And it feels like the kind of fight where one guy is about to seriously ruin the other guy’s plans.
If Thomas is right, that guy will be him.