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 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 not just right with the pro wrestling business today, but he is truly a mantle for an evolution that is the antithesis of what it has been.
Let me explain some of these ponderings I'm wrestling with...
Slater is Generational
Too often, we've thrown that moniker around or have given it to wrestlers very liberally and oftentimes, prematurely. In this case, I have yet to see anyone dispute or argue against the idea that Slater is indeed somewhat of a special talent.
He's far ahead of where he should be as a wrestler. You know, the things he doesn't even know that he doesn't know, he knows!
This is Nemeth speaking about Slater (not in character as Adrian Hernandez), leading into their match at this year's Bound For Glory main event:
I feel like we haven't seen this kind of "he's got all of it" factor since, well, mayyyyyyyybe Randy Orton? But even Orton had the WWE machine behind him. They were able to take their time with Orton while other mega stars carried the brand.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? And plenty of that is very much tied to what was discussed above with a sense of TNA's positioning in the pro wrestling marketplace. Like any small market sports team in your favorite league, we all expect Slater 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????!!!!!!
Part of that is also just being a fan of TNA. See the wrestlers who have (re)built their brand and have walked out the door for greener (literally - $$$) pastures.
BUT!!!!
If you unpack that fear. Part of that constant fear comes from another place of knowing that Slater is a TNA original. As original as some of the greats we now name from a decade ago.
The equity isn't there yet despite the quick accolades (X-Division reign and Youngest TNA World Champion), but Slater's presence has all of the aura of those greats.
He's a TNA discovery. He'll likely set the TNA world on fire while he's here, syncing his beginning of the business with TNA, and then he's off to bigger things in pro wrestling.
We've seen it. cough*AJStyles*cough
And weirdly, I think we - as TNA fans - want that same blueprint. We just want that period to be much longer than the pro marketplace dictates and can offer, and 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 trajectory. That evidence is littered. Slater moving to AEW or WWE doesn't necessarily mean a fulfillment of what is currently being discussed.
No one expects a decade-long career in TNA. 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 other question to unpack...
Is he ready?
We've also seen pro wrestling fans want to elevate their favorite young talents so enormously quickly based on the talent's current potential or our own projection.
However, little is often given to the reality of pro wrestling and "getting over" - it takes years. And often, talent aren't as "over" as fans sometimes try to convey.
A true test for Slater's attraction power was indeed the ticket sales for Bound For Glory. While the attendance was much discussed and 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 potential? Can he turn that into tangible business marker movers - ratings, ticket sales, merchandising, advertising, internet discussion, etc...
At this point, I don't know if, as champion, he is a big part of that attraction for TNA. Leon Slater vs. Trey Miguel at Destination X is going to feed the rapid wrestling fans' satisfaction
But the true test of the greats is how that equates to those business metrics. How much of the top guy is he? Or is he just another will be interesting to see if he can truly become that business driver.
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 bad guy. The chase for the babyface is the easy part. How much will we care that the babyface remains champion (see: Mike Santana's TN World Title run)?
Can TNA continue to 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, but that they are reaping the benefits of their 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.
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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). We are, too.
I'm not sure we've seen a talent and situation like this in pro wrestling in a very long time.
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Photos courtesy of TNAWrestling.com