TNA Champion Leon Slater Embraces Role As Young Wrestling Leader

Reigning TNA World Champion Leon Slater aims to establish himself as the new foundation for the promotion that many view as built by AJ Styles. In an interview with Wrestling Life, Slater reflected on his memorable match against Styles at the 2025 Slammiversary event.

Slater voiced his goal of becoming TNA's next AJ Styles while discussing the impact of the veteran performer. Slater said of Styles, "He is the TNA guy," and added that he is trying to overtake him in that role. He noted that Styles had not been with the company he built for over a decade yet chose to spend time with him at Slammiversary and sing his praises rather than simply wave to the crowd.

Slater described the experience as unbelievable when viewed in the context of Styles' legendary status with TNA. Styles helped bring TNA to new heights in his near 12-year run by helping establish the X-Division focused on fast-paced wrestling. Styles then declared the brand-new titleholder Slater as the future of the X-Division.

Over a year after that encounter, Slater became the youngest TNA World Champion ever by defeating veteran Nic Nemeth at TNA Bound For Glory.