Why Leon Slater Was Pulled From TNA Shows Revealed

It has been a big week for TNA, as the first episode of IMPACT on AMC took place on Thursday, followed up by the Genesis 2026 PPV later today. One major name absent from TNA’s debut on AMC, who has also been replaced at the Genesis show by Joe Hendry, is reigning X-Division Champion Leon Slater. It has been learned as to why.

Some questions were raised when Leon Slater appeared on Friday Night SmackDown yesterday to challenge Carmelo Hayes for the United States Championship, but when you consider that SmackDown took place in the UK, it makes sense as to why he appeared in WWE and not in TNA. Reports this week revealed that several international talents were suffering through visa issues, affecting travel for TNA’s wrestlers. One of those was Leon Slater. 

Fightful Select revealed that Slater was pulled from TNA’s shows this week, but the promotion allowed him to be used by WWE instead during his absence. It is noted that TNA hopes that the issues are fixed soon, along with others. There was an initial belief that WWE’s use of Leon Slater was in exchange for AJ Styles appearing on Impact, but this is not the case. There have been reports of WWE being fans of Slater for a while, explaining their decision for his recent use.