Leon Slater is proudly representing TNA as the X-Division Champion.
Ever since he came into TNA/Impact Wrestling in 2023, Slater has impressed fans and critics with his athleticism and charisma at such a young age. So when Slater finally achieved his goal of winning the X-Division title at Slammiversary, it was a well earned passing of the torch moment for the 20-year-old.
It was just the fact that he beat former TNA World Heavyweight Champion Moose. It a changing of the guard for the company and it helped that the one-and-only AJ Styles came out to further endorse Mr. Slater.
Styles is a pioneer of TNA Wrestling. He helped put the X-Division on the map and many put him on TNA’s Mount Rushmore, including the current champ himself. During his interview with PWMania, Slater recalled that Slammiversary moment and is still in awe over AJ Styles singing his praises.
“In the early days of TNA, he put it on his back. I feel like if you ask anyone what their TNA Mount Rushmore is, the first name on there is AJ Styles, without a doubt. To have Mr. TNA pretty much come out there and sing my praises and give me the salute and almost have that passing of the torch moment, even though I don’t think we’re quite there with the passing of the torch moment. I feel like there’s only one way to pass a torch in wrestling that hasn’t happened yet between AJ and me. It’s a huge moment for me, and I’m super grateful. It means the world that not only Mr. TNA, but the first X-Division Champion came out to sing my praises at UBS when I became the youngest X-Division Champion of all time.”
Slater wants to properly represent TNA and takes about this brewing war between them and NXT. The X-Division Champion has a couple of ideas that set the ground work for this pending battle between both brands.
“As far as the storyline goes, my ideal storyline would be almost like an ‘Invasion’ storyline. That’s how I picture this culminating. There’s been all of this talk on who has the better wrestlers, better this, better that, but I think there’s only one way to see who’s the better brand. We take a team of four or five TNA all-stars and put them against a team of four or five NXT all-stars, and we see which brand is better. For me, that would be an incredible storyline. If that does happen one day, I’d be super eager to be a part of that TNA squad and represent my company.”
Check out the full interview where he talks about the help he’s received recently from the Hardys, being part of TNA’s resurgence, and more.