We're a week into the era of Leon Slater as TNA World Champion, and I find myself fixated on it. Leon Slater, and everything he is and represents, is a fascinating situation for TNA, pro wrestling fans, and the professional wrestling industry.
Forget for a moment the day-to-day talk and discussion of booking, wrestler movement, criticism, and who should be doing what and how; Leon Slater is a bundle of so much that is right with the pro wrestling business today. He is truly a mantle for an evolution that is the antithesis of what it has been in the traditional value of talent - being over, being ready, and allowing years of growth.
Let me explain some of these ponderings I'm wrestling with...
Slater is Generational
Too often, we've thrown the moniker around - generational. We have stamped far too many wrestlers with it, even more so today, liberally and oftentimes, prematurely. Despite the watered-down use, I have yet to see anyone dispute or argue against the idea that Slater is indeed just that - a special talent.
He's far ahead of where he should be as a wrestler. You know, things he doesn't even know that he doesn't know, he knows it!
Nic Nemeth, the former TNA World Champion has lauded Slater for sometime now. This is Nemeth speaking about Slater (not in character on Adrian Hernandez's YouTube show):
I can’t say anything negative about him. And in the next few weeks, I’m going to, because I have to and I’m a bad guy and that’s pro wrestling. But I’m going on two and a half years of singing his praises. He’s smarter than he should be. His ring IQ shouldn’t be as high as it is right now, and it’s already high. Plus the athleticism and the things that he can do that no one else can.
The Next TNA Original Great
Every week, especially in TNA fandom, it feels like we're all waiting for that moment - when is Slater leaving for the WWE? Sure, much of that is very much tied to what was discussed above - the reality of TNA's positioning in the pro wrestling marketplace. Like any small market sports team in your favorite league, we all expect young superstar to leave and join the Yankees, Lakers, etc...
He's definitely dropping the title at Rebellion?!
Does anyone know when his contract is up?!
Someone answer the question - did he resign????!!!!!!
However, a part of that is also just being a fan of TNA. See the wrestlers who have all (re)built their brand in TNA and have walked out the door for greener (at times, literally - $$$) pastures.
BUT!!!!
If you unpack that fear further, part of that constant fear comes from another place of knowing that Slater is a TNA original. With that talent comes great power and responsibility. He is as original as some of the greats we now name from a decade ago.
The equity isn't as large as some of the greats, yet despite the quick accolades (X-Division reign and Youngest TNA World Champion), Slater's presence has all the same aura and feel as they all did.
He's a TNA discovery. He's a TNA guy.
He'll likely set the TNA world on fire while he's here, syncing his career beginnings with that of TNA. And then, yeah, surely, he's off to bigger things in pro wrestling.
We've seen it. *cough*AJStyles*cough*
Weirdly, I think we - as TNA fans - want that same blueprint. We would all sign up for that career path.
We just want that period to be much longer than the pro marketplace has recently dictated, and can currently offer. Just as fast Slater's star has risen, is as fast it would take for WWE or AEW to throw big promises and big funds toward him.
Also, we want that organic rise to continue. There is truth in the fact that a move in today's wrestling space doesn't equate to a consistent upward trajectory. That evidence is littered with far too many examples and what-ifs. Slater moving to AEW or WWE doesn't necessarily mean a fulfillment of what is currently being discussed or presented at this time.
No one expects a decade-long career in TNA for Slater. The Moose's of the world are unique. However, the current business is fleeting, and a generational talent needs a foundation - any sort of consistency - to harness that potential.
The Balance of the Business
There is also the salient - and very silent - question to unpack...
Is he ready?
Pro wrestling fans want to elevate their favorite young talents. It's another part of this rapidly changing industry that is moving away from some of the pro wrestling 101 basics. We can get ahead of ourselves on the current reality of a wrestler's star, mixing their potential with their current status.
There's that huge factor in pro wrestling called "getting over" - it takes years. And often, talent aren't as "over" as fans sometimes try to convey. There might be levels, but when we're talking about the greats of the greats, world champions, and fulfilling generational status, being over at great heights is mandatory.
A true test for Slater's attraction power was indeed the ticket sales for Bound For Glory 2026. While the attendance was much discussed on the internet (it turned out okay), carrying the biggest show of the year is what top guys are responsible for.
Can Slater, at 21 years old and with loads of potential, be more than just the darling we all like because of, again, potential? Can he be the cause and result for tangible business marker movers - ratings, ticket sales, merchandising, advertising, internet discussion, etc...
And the most basic test of them all - is he receiving one of the biggest reactions of the night? Every night?
At this point, I don't know if, as champion, he is at that level. He is merely a part of that attraction for TNA, for now. Leon Slater vs. Trey Miguel at Destination X is surely going to feed the rapid wrestling fans' satisfaction. I've bookmarked the event. But that's for the matchup and the anticipated entertainment value...not just for Leon Slater.
The true test of the greats is how that equates to those business metrics. How much of the top guy is he? Is he just a big piece to fit into formulas for outcomes? Or, can he truly be a business driver like the absolute S-tier talents that have graced pro wrestling?
The World Around Slater
A huge part of this is also everything that surrounds Slater. He's not going to do this all on his own.
He'll need great creative.
He'll need a lot of good, solid heels that will rival his budding babyface star. The chase for the babyface is the easy part. How much we care that the babyface remains champion is the ultimate test. A recent example of that is Mike Santana's TNA World Title run, which didn't live up to the chase. Santana, of course, later left for WWE's NXT.
Slater will need a rival. A staple rivalry that will be etched in his character's story, and can take his character from lovable underdog to budding superhero.
For now, my vote is for Mustafa Ali.
But yes, TNA will have to call the right plays for their new young quarterback.
Also, they're going to have to market and promote their top guy.
However, can they market Slater as their hood ornament without forcing it? We've seen this wayyyyyyy too many times. Pro Wrestling companies force the vision, and ultimately ruin it. TNA is going to have to play a big role in making sure Slater grows, Slater is seen, and that Slater is just that, worth going all in on.
Most importantly, they have to ensure that TNA is benefiting from this investment.
In some ways, TNA has their next AJ Styles. What do they do with it?
And finally, top guys elevate everyone else.
We're asking Slater to do just that at 21 years of age and just five years in the business.
That's kind of crazy, but again, we're talking generational talent, so we expect generational results. Getting eyeballs and tickets at Destination X with Trey Miguel is easy, but what about when you need to elevate Joe Alonzo, BDE, or someone else in March in the main event of an episode of Impact up against week one of the NCAA Tournament?
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Those are some of my thoughts.
As stated, for me, Slater is likely the most fascinating talent in pro wrestling right now. The age, the potential, the ability, the platform on national television, and a rare opportunity to carry a franchise (in TNA).
It'll be interesting to watch. TNA is very much all in (sorry, AEW, no pun intended) on Slater. And they have every right to be. I'm actually excited they are, as this comes directly from the heart of TNA, specifically, the earlier days of the company. Discovering talent. And giving the company another chapter, until yes...it's next.
Regardless, at the very basic of it all - TNA has a 21-year-old World Champion with unlimited potential.
I'm not sure we've seen a situation like this in pro wrestling in a very long time.
Whatever is to come, I'm all in on this, too.
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Photos courtesy of TNAWrestling.com