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When TNA Thursday Night Impact premieres on AMC, it will not simply mark a new television home for the company. It will represent a reckoning—proof that a promotion once written off has clawed its way back to the national stage. And at the center of that moment stands Leon Slater, the youngest X Division Champion in TNA history, entrusted with helping introduce the brand to a new generation of viewers. PWInsider.com sat down with Slater this past Friday to discuss the moment and much more.
Mike Johnson:, So, just a couple of minutes before we hit record, TNA announced AJ Styles is coming back.
Leon Slater:
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.
Mike: You obviously had a great moment with AJ at Slammiversary earlier this year, but I want to talk about the moment you’re going to have this Thursday. Obviously, TNA is putting you and Myron Reed in the ring with the idea that these are two of our best pure athletes. They can put on the most futuristic, crazy match possible, entertain the audience, and hopefully make new fans out of those who are watching on AMC for the first time. You’re no stranger to pressure, even as someone so young. But do you feel pressure knowing TNA is putting you and Myron up front and essentially saying you’re going to set the stage for the pace, excitement, and level of what they want fans to expect from Thursday Night Impact?
Leon Slater: I don’t think it’s pressure. No, I don’t. I’m in a very blessed position where I don’t really get nervous for this type of stuff. I always get more excited than nervous, you know what I’m saying? It’s super cool, and I’m very honored and very proud that TNA, Carlos, and everyone on the team have trusted myself and Myron to be that first introduction to TNA for a whole new audience. And not only that, I feel like among the work I’ve been doing as the X Division Champion, my match with Myron at Victory Road is one of my favorites. I know I have it in my bag from previous experience, and I know Myron has it in his bag as well. So I don’t really think it’s a thing of pressure. I just think we’ve got to go out there and do what we do on Thursday night.
Mike Johnson: I wrote on the site this week that I think the Thursday Night Impact broadcast is the most important TNA broadcast since they left Spike TV in 2014. Can you walk us through the vibe in the locker room—whether it’s you or the people you’re close with—about how momentous this night is? This company literally fought from the brink of oblivion, tooth and nail, to get back to a major network position here in the United States. You only get one chance to make a first impression. What’s the vibe like?
Leon Slater: 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.
Mike Johnson: You had an incredible 2025. As we begin 2026—year-end awards, appearances in NXT, New Year’s Evil, the moment with AJ Styles at Slammiversary—fans have really celebrated your work. Which moment stands out as your “Hey Mom, look what I did” moment?
Leon Slater: 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.
Mike Johnson: So you got to have that big moment with AJ Styles afterward. That was tremendous. What do you hope AJ Styles brings to TNA when he shows up next Thursday? Are you hoping it’s maybe a challenge to you?
Leon Slater: 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.
Mike Johnson: I think it would be a great full-circle moment for AJ and certainly an incredible one for you, but the life of a pro wrestler never stops. Genesis is coming up Friday the 17th in Dallas. The week after that, TNA will be in Albuquerque, New Mexico for another live episode of Thursday Night Impact on AMC. Thoughts on the TNA schedule and why fans should make sure they’re coming out live and not just watching passively on television?
Leon Slater: I think for TNA—and pro wrestling in general—it’s such a live experience. There’s one thing about watching it on TV in 2D, but seeing it in person is completely different. Hearing the bumps, feeling the crowd, being in that energy—it’s something special. And especially with TNA right now, the momentum we have is something I’ve never really seen in professional wrestling before. We’ve gone from near obscurity to being on one of the biggest networks in America. You’d be a fool to miss out on that live experience. It’s one of the best live experiences in wrestling. Whether it’s Albuquerque, Dallas, the AMC premiere—anytime we come near you in 2026, you’ve got to get yourself to a TNA event.
Mike Johnson: You mentioned earlier that you’re a TNA kid from that first generation of viewers. When you say that, it’s crazy to think how long this company has been around. What does that mean to you—to be part of the first generation that fell in love with the X Division, the pay-per-views, the Nashville days—and now stand in the ring as one of the flag bearers of the promotion?
Leon Slater: It’s super cool, man. And it’s a weird one, because you always hear those stories in movies or documentaries—“I grew up loving this, and now I’m part of it.” It never really feels real until you’re living it. Sometimes it still feels like a dream, and I have to look back at old pictures and remind myself of the journey, but regardless of whether it feels like a dream or reality, it’s something I hold extremely close to my heart. Not just being on the roster, but being a key player heading into 2026. I remember telling my friends when I first signed with Impact that I was going to be this generation’s AJ Styles. And the interactions I’ve had with AJ—whether at Slammiversary, John Cena’s last match, or hopefully coming up on AMC—it feels like everything is lining up perfectly. Whether it’s 2026 or 2027, I’m very proud to be part of TNA going into the future.
Mike Johnson: I was going to bring up the Cena retirement match. You were the only TNA representative on that show. What did that mean to you—not just getting in the ring with AJ in that tag match, but being the one TNA talent they hand-picked to spotlight on such a massive show?
Leon Slater: 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.
Mike Johnson: Are there any names from the past—from when you were growing up as a TNA kid—who are still active that you’d love to defend the X Division Championship against? I’ve got two names in my head. I’m curious about yours.
Leon Slater: My go-to is always Amazing Red. I was lucky enough to wrestle him just before Bound for Glory at House of Glory in New York in 2025, and that was a massive dream match for me. The other one is more personal—Rockstar Spud. When I first started staying in the States, Spud really went out of his way to make me feel at home. I stayed with him for a few weeks, even though we’d barely known each other. I learned so much from him. To have that full-circle moment and defend the X Division Title against someone I see as a mentor would mean everything. What were yours?
Mike Johnson: I’ll tell you right now—Low Ki.
Leon Slater: Ooh!
Mike Johnson: I think you and Low Ki would match up incredibly well. And even though he says he’s retired, I’d still love to see Abyss come back, even if it’s just once.
Leon Slater:
That would be huge, and that’s what the X Division is about—it’s not about weight limits, it’s about no limits. I’m open to any and all challenges.
Mike Johnson: Before we wrap up, I have to ask about working with and learning from Matt and Jeff Hardy. What has that meant to you over the last year?
Leon Slater: It’s been huge—instrumental to my success in 2025. At first, people probably thought, “Oh, it’s a cool opportunity for the kid.” I think I’ve done a good job of coming into my own. Everything I’ve learned from Matt and Jeff—getting that “Hardy rub”—has helped me massively. The coolest part isn’t just teaming with them on screen. It’s having them as mentors in real life. It’s not often a 21-year-old gets to have his heroes’ phone numbers and can call or text them for advice anytime It’s a position I’m very blessed to be in.
Mike Johnson: Hopefully we get a longer-form conversation down the line. Any final words?
Leon Slater: Just thank you—to you, to everyone listening. I wouldn’t be here without the fans. I appreciate every single one of you.
Mike Johnson:
The X Division has always been built on work ethic, and you certainly have that in spades. We look forward to seeing where you go in 2026 and beyond.
Leon Slater: Thank you, Mike. I appreciate the time.
TNA Thursday Night Impact premieres on AMC this Thursday 1/15 at 9 PM Eastern.
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