Leon Slater admits it took a while for his historic title win to sink in. Speaking on the I Love Wrestling Podcast, the TNA World Champion said he spent his first weeks as champion feeling like he was “carrying Nic Nemeth’s belt around” — until one very ordinary night at home made it real.
At TNA Bound for Glory, Slater defeated Nemeth to become the youngest TNA World Champion in company history, hitting a goal he once thought was five years away. But the 22-year-old says the reality of it only landed when he spotted the title sitting on his TV table mid-gaming session.
Leon Slater: TNA World Championship Finally Feels Mine
“It feels very surreal, man. It took a while for it to settle in because I kind of felt like I was carrying Nic Nemeth’s belt around for a while just because I’m so used to seeing him with it,” Slater said.
The moment it clicked was as normal as it gets. Still living at home, Slater hopped on GTA with his friends after winning the title, PlayStation on, championship belt on the TV table. “I go, ‘You know what I’m looking at right now?'” he recalled. “‘No, no, bro. I’m looking at the TNA World Championship.’ Like, it’s in my room as I’m playing, and it was just so difficult for me to compute. This is the same room I’ve sat in for the past 10-15 years. It’s the same game I’ve been playing for the past 13 years, and the only difference is I’ve got the actual TNA World Championship on my TV table.”
“So, it’s finally beginning to feel mine,” he added. “I’m excited for it to take me in a new direction. I’m excited to take it in a new direction as well and make some magic as TNA World Champion.”
What’s Next for Leon Slater at TNA Destination X
Slater’s first big test as champion is already set: he is scheduled to defend the TNA World Championship against Trey Miguel at TNA Destination X, after Miguel won a ladder match to earn the shot.
It is a fitting next chapter for a reign that began with Slater’s Option C gamble at Lockdown and his Bound for Glory coronation. The kid who once dreamed about the title from his bedroom is now defending it — and, finally, it feels like his.
Also Read: Leon Slater Says His Option C Promo at TNA Lockdown Was the Moment He Became ‘The Guy’ in TNA | TNA Destination X 2026: Trey Miguel Wins Ladder Match to Challenge Leon Slater for World Title
Source: Fightful — read the full story there.