A current champion has recalled his “incredible” first interaction with AJ Styles during the soon-to-be WWE Hall of Famer’s visit to TNA Wrestling in 2025.
After wrapping up his storied in-ring career at WWE Royal Rumble 2026, AJ Styles will be inducted into this year’s Hall of Fame class alongside names such as Stephanie McMahon, Demolition and Dennis Rodman.
While Styles’ career in WWE is in itself Hall of Fame-worthy, his time in TNA is perhaps where he did his very best in-ring work and “The Phenomenal One” has been rightfully celebrated when he’s made his return to his former home.
Before Styles opened the show at Impact’s debut episode on AMC on January 15, he made his first TNA appearance in over a decade at TNA Slammiversary on July 20, 2025.
Surprising Leon Slater after he captured the TNA X-Division Championship from Moose, Styles made his entrance with his signature ‘I Am’ theme, something that got a massive pop out of both Slater and the TNA audience in New York City.
Slater and Styles shared a nice moment inside the ring in front of the fans at the UBS Arena, with Styles passing the torch of TNA’s X-Division to “The Youngest in Charge.”
Detailing their in-ring interaction in a new interview with The Sun, Slater said:
“So the first major interaction I had with him was at Slammiversary where he returned to TNA and came out and sung my praises in the middle of the ring, which I will never forget. That’s the moment I’ll always remember.
Slater then revealed that “The Phenomenal One” pulled him aside for a chat backstage as well, with Styles imparting both wrestling and life related wisdom on him:
“He also pulled me aside for a chat after we came back from the ring, and he spoke to me on everything like match feedback, how to handle yourself in wrestling, how to handle yourself as a man, be a family man, how to operate and how it’s made him successful.
“He just gave me pure wisdom. So, getting to share that moment with him in my home at TNA was incredible.”
Leon Slater: Future WWE Superstar?
Leon Slater’s momentum since winning the TNA X-Division has been remarkable to witness, with the English star being called upon on several occasions to showcase his talents in WWE.
While the bulk of his appearances have been in NXT, Slater has also made a splash on the main roster – competing at John Cena’s final WWE show on December 13 and challenging Carmelo Hayes for the United States Championship at the January 16 episode of SmackDown in London, England.
Slater appears set to remain a key part of the TNA roster in 2026, but a WWE move feels inevitable given how often the company have utilized him throughout their partnership with TNA.
With Slater’s tag team partner Je’Von Evans now on WWE Raw, there’s also the possibility that he could leapfrog NXT and advance straight to the main roster.
Given that fans are often left frustrated by how long certain WWE talent remain in NXT, rather than being called up to Raw and SmackDown, bringing Slater into the fold on the main roster right off the jump would give fans more confidence in the company’s commitment to the future and building more new stars.
To make sure you stay up to date with all the biggest wrestling and WrestleTalk news, follow us on Threads by clicking this link!
Comments.
Loading comments…