Leon Slater, current TNA X-Division Champion, shared his excitement about top WWE star AJ Styles appearing during TNA iMPACT’s debut on AMC in an interview with PWInsider.com’s Mike Johnson. Slater emphasized the significance of starting a new year on a new network, especially with one of TNA’s greatest wrestlers joining the event.
“Yeah, it’s huge, man. As I was scrolling [on my phone] between interviews here, I’ve just seen that. So that is super exciting—not only to be starting a new year with TNA on a new network in front of millions and millions of people, you know what I’m saying—but now we have probably the greatest TNA wrestler to ever exist with us to celebrate as well. So it’s gonna be a good night on AMC, man,”
Slater said.
Backstage Atmosphere Ahead of the AMC Premiere
Slater described the backstage mood for the AMC launch of TNA iMPACT as highly energized, highlighting the growth of new talent and the company’s resilience during challenging times. He believes TNA’s recent progress and strong roster have earned the promotion this prominent exposure.
“Everyone is very excited, man. I feel like TNA has almost been this hidden gem over the past few years of pro wrestling. The talent has been killing it for the past three, four—maybe even five—years, especially since COVID, with that new wave of talent: Speedball, Josh Alexander, Jordynne Grace, that whole crop of Impact talent really coming into their own. The transition back to TNA over the past two years has been huge for us, and I feel like we’ve done a great job growing that and keeping the momentum going. I don’t feel like it’s something we ‘deserve’—I feel like it’s something we’ve earned. That’s not just the in-ring talent. That goes for management, creative, the office—everyone. We’ve earned an opportunity like this. It almost feels like a science project you’ve been working on in the basement every day, getting better and better, and now you finally get to show it to the world. We’re excited to show people what we’ve been working on.”
Highlight of Slater’s 2025: Winning the X Division Title
Reflecting on his proudest moment from 2025, Slater described winning the X Division Championship as personally meaningful, recalling the moment vividly when he triumphed in front of thousands at UBS Arena in New York City with his family watching close by.
“It’s definitely winning the X Division Title. That belt holds so much gravity for me. I grew up a TNA kid watching the X Division, and to be not only champion, but the youngest of all time, means everything. My mom, my sister, and my girlfriend were front row at Slammiversary. It was the biggest TNA attendance at the time. They’d never seen me wrestle in an arena show—only small indies back home. To be in New York City, a kid from Bradford, in front of nearly 8,000 people at UBS Arena, hear the three-count, be handed the belt by Carlos, and run straight to my family—that’s the moment I’m most proud of in 2025.”
Anticipation for a Future Match Against AJ Styles
Slater expressed his hope that AJ Styles’ return to TNA will lead to a high-profile challenge to him for the X Division Championship. He believes such a match is not only important for the division but fitting as a passing-of-the-torch moment between two of the division’s most notable champions.
“I am most definitely hoping it’s a challenge to me. You know what I’m saying? I feel like that’s a match that is definitely going to happen at some point. Of course, I’m not on the inner workings of everything, but I feel like I have quite a gift for manifesting. Everything I see in my dreams and picture in my head seems to come to reality. That’s the match I’ve been picturing for years and years, especially with the position I’m in right now—youngest X Division Champion of all time—and he’s the first X Division Champion of all time. AJ has said he’s wrapping it up in 2026, so I feel like that singles match is something that needs to happen, and I think it needs to happen for the X Division Title in a TNA ring.”
Representing TNA on WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event
Slater recounted the validation he gained by representing TNA on WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event during John Cena’s final match, noting the significance of the exposure and the opportunity to introduce a wider audience to TNA through his participation.
“It was very validating. I’ve been putting in work since I was nine years old, trying to make this not just a career, but a career people remember forever. I always carry myself with confidence and belief that I’m the best—because if you don’t, you get lost in the shuffle. So for me, being a 21-year-old kid from Bradford, England, working for TNA, and being on John Cena’s last match as the only TNA-contracted talent—it proved that the work I’ve been putting in has been the right work. It showed that WWE viewed me highly enough to put me in that position, and TNA trusted me to represent the company on such a huge stage. Millions of people saw that match across YouTube and social media. A lot of younger fans might not even know what TNA is. If I’m their introduction and I can bring them to Genesis, the AMC premiere, or Albuquerque, that’s only a positive thing.”
The Growing Momentum of TNA and Its Future Prospects
Leon Slater’s reflections reveal a resurgence within TNA, fueled by rising stars like Josh Alexander and Jordynne Grace, alongside veterans such as AJ Styles. With its debut on AMC garnering millions of viewers, the company is poised to showcase fresh storylines and high-caliber matches. Slater’s anticipated showdown with Styles could mark a defining moment for the X Division and reinforce the promotion’s relevance in the evolving wrestling landscape.
