Leon Slater is the epitome of what as we speak’s skilled wrestler may be.
Slater was born in England, educated in jujitsu and watched promotions from world wide, all with an eye fixed towards taking on American rings, arenas and TV screens.
And this week is likely to be his greatest but. On Tuesday, he competed in an eight-man principal occasion for NXT. Saturday, he’ll combat impartial legend Superb Crimson at a present in Queens, N.Y.
And Sunday comes maybe the largest stage of all, when he defends his X-Division championship in opposition to Je’Von Evans at TNA’s Sure for Glory pay-per-view in Lowell, Mass.
Slater has the hustle to make it massive and the high-flying expertise to again it up. And at age 21, he’s simply getting began.
“It’s been an ideal couple of weeks,” Slater advised the Sentinel on Wednesday. “Actually, 2025 has been a whirlwind, man. In case you had requested me in 2024 whether or not I’d have the ability to wrestle in NXT, TNA and in opposition to Superb Crimson in every week, I might have advised you it’s not attainable in any world, proper? However in 2025 we’re in an entire new universe.”
Solely three years into his lively profession, Slater has gained championships and accolades on two continents. However he’s additionally obtained public endorsements from such legends as WWE/TNA stalwart AJ Types and frequent tag companions Matt and Jeff Hardy, and he mentioned these type phrases have meant probably the most to him on his journey.
“One thing that proved to me that I used to be on the precise path was once I began getting paired with Matt and Jeff, as a result of that’s not only a spot for anybody,” Slater mentioned. “Perhaps as a one-time factor, however not constantly. And the AJ Types second was additionally large. Having the respect of my friends and having these legends sing my praises and wish to work with me is a large, large praise in my e-book.”
Slater mentioned he didn’t have entry to weekly wrestling on TV rising up however discovered to find it irresistible by means of DVDs and motion figures. He was no stranger to hand-to-hand fight, having educated in jujitsu since age 8, in order quickly as he received the possibility, he watched all of the wrestling he may.
“Territory wrestling from the ’80s, or outdated World of Sport stuff from England within the ’60s, or whether or not that’s All Japan, New Japan, lucha libre or some super-obscure French wrestling from the Nineteen Seventies with trampolines and stuff, I strive my greatest to be a scholar of the sport.”
That versatility reveals in his work, and it made him probably the most buzzed-about males in wrestling even earlier than he made it to American tv.
“I see how different folks have performed it prior to now,” Slater mentioned, “and I attempt to not solely observe that, however attempt to evolve it right into a bit extra of a contemporary area the place we have now social media and the web.”
Whereas Slater was studying the commerce in England, Je’Von Evans was doing a lot the identical in North Carolina. Solely 5 months aside in age, each have a deep aerial arsenal. Evans joined NXT almost two years in the past, and because of its enhanced alliance with TNA, a kind of hardcore followers’ dream match will happen Sunday at Sure for Glory.
“We’re virtually alternate universe variations of one another, the place I’m the English Je’Von Evans, and he’s the American Leon Slater,” Slater mentioned. “It’s virtually like wrestling a mirror. In order that’s an attention-grabbing idea and I’m excited to ship on everybody’s expectations.”
Slater remains to be primarily based within the UK, however he’s been staying in Orlando for the final a number of weeks throughout his NXT run. He mentioned he’s loved the nice and cozy climate and the sights. He’ll be round for a minimum of a short time longer, as TNA will run three reveals at Full Sail College from Nov. 13-15.
“I’ve been tremendous fortunate to have a rental automotive, so I’ve been exploring town with my mates driving round,” Slater mentioned. “I haven’t made it to the theme parks, although I’ve been to Common (CityWalk) and Disney Springs. However earlier than I go away, I’m positively getting on a curler coaster or two.”
However first he has to get by means of this week, filled with milestones and moments.
“One of many greatest issues I’ve discovered is to actually soak it in,” Slater mentioned. “It sounds a bit morbid, however I may stroll outdoors as we speak and get hit by a bus and by no means get the possibility to do that once more. So particularly on massive, monumental stuff like that …. I attempt to take within the atmosphere and I gained’t watch the match again for a couple of days, perhaps longer, simply so I can have that first-person reminiscence and see it by means of my very own eyes.”
jreddick@orlandosentinel.com
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