Leon Slater has generated plenty of buzz in the past year. He says one match in particular earned him a lot of buzz in the wrestling industry.
TNA star Leon Slater had been in the spotlight as X Division Champion, tying the record for the longest reign of all time. He also had several high-profile matches, including teaming against WWE Hall of Famer AJ Styles in December. However, he believes his match with WWE RAW Superstar Je’Von Evans at Bound for Glory 2025 really boosted his profile, as well as TNA’s.
“I think it was the Je’Von one. And I think it was going to be that one even before the NXT–TNA partnership had begun,” Slater told WrestleZone Managing Editor Bill Pritchard. “People were clamoring to see me and Je’Von wrestle. We never really got the chance to cross paths on the indies. So it was this kind of dream match of the two hottest young guys in America against each other.
“Once that was announced, I knew. Even before it was announced, I knew that was going to be the most hyped one for sure. Just because it’s the one people were clamoring for,” He continued. “And we definitely delivered on that match when the time came at Bound for Glory last year. If I was going to pick one that got the most attention, the most buzz, the most eyes on me and on TNA, it was definitely the match with Je’Von.”
Leon Slater is a new man compared to what fans saw last year
Slater is one of five opponents who will challenge reigning champion Cedric Alexander in an Ultimate X match for the TNA X Division Championship at Slammiversary. Slater competed in and won the title in the same match last year. However, he believes he’s going to surprise fans and make an even bigger impression this year.
“This version of myself is completely different from the version that was in Ultimate X last year, that was at Slammiversary last year,” Slater said. “I’m coming in a lot more mature. I’m coming in a lot more grown up, and I’m coming in with a whole new lens. So I would expect the unexpected from Leon Slater at Slammiversary.”
TNA Slammiversary takes place on June 28, 2026, at the Agganis Arena in Boston.
Read More: Released WWE Star Turned Down Higher-Paying Role to Keep Wrestling
