Leon Slater is still riding high after an intense and nonstop wrestling event called Slami Burly. This milestone occasion saw him capture the X category championship from Moose before the largest crowd in North America. At just 20 years old, Slater made history as the youngest wrestler to ever hold this title.
Reflecting on the event, Slater described it as the best day of his life so far, saying nothing might top it until major life events like marriage. He found the experience thrilling and iconic, not just for himself but for the entire TNA community.
Adding to the excitement was the homecoming of AJ Styles, who made his first TNA appearance in over 11 years after leaving WWE. For Slater, a lifelong fan, this surprise was surreal and deeply impactful. He admitted his reaction was entirely genuine and treasured the moment shared with AJ Styles, who also offered him life and wrestling wisdom.
Upon arriving at TNA, Slater was warmly welcomed by the locker room family and brought his own family ringside. Despite challenges such as traveling in the US, especially as he’s too young to rent a car, Slater has relied on Uber and the support of his locker room peers. He highlighted the visa process as a significant hurdle that TNA helped him overcome.
Performing in iconic venues like UBS Arena and visiting cities like Los Angeles has been exciting for Slater, who relates to the city through playing Grand Theft Auto V’s Los Santos. He credits the Hardy Boys, Matt and Jeff, for guiding him and supporting his rise through the ranks, calling them instrumental in his wrestling dream coming true.
Wrestling veteran Amazing Red, who held the X Division record before Slater, also gave his encouragement, emphasizing the honor Slater brought by surpassing his milestone and hinting at the potential for a matchup between the old school and new school talent.
Slater also praised TNA President Carlos Silva for his leadership and positive influence on locker room morale, noting Silva’s accessibility and fresh approach have energized the team. He expressed willingness to take risks, like a daring jump at the Ultimate X, knowing Silva supports the wrestling business behind the scenes.
Slami Burly was a highlight for TNA, especially as both major championships are currently held by WWE NXT stars—an intriguing dynamic for the promotion. Slater viewed the partnership positively, recognizing the increased exposure and skill development it brings but acknowledged it fuels a hunger in the TNA locker room to reclaim their titles.
Despite mixed results, Slater is set to celebrate on Impact from Rhode Island, looking forward to the road to Bound for Glory. He singled out AJ Styles as a key figure in the X Division’s narrative and praised the talented roster including KC Navarro, Jason Hatch, Myron Reed, Zachary Wentz, and Trey Miguel.
Fan Take: This landmark victory and AJ Styles’ unexpected TNA return have revitalized the X Division, energizing both wrestlers and fans alike. For TNA Wrestling enthusiasts, this signals a thrilling new chapter filled with historic milestones and fierce competition that could redefine the sport’s future.
