(Image: TNA Wrestling)
A wrestler has spoken about what it feels like to become the youngest world champion in history.
Growing up in Bradford, Leon Slater was a huge fan of professional wrestling, playing with action figures of his favourite superstars like two-time WWE champion Dolph Ziggler.
Now, at 22, Slater is a world champion himself – the youngest in any of the big federations to hold a top prize.
And, in a full circle moment, it was Nick Nemeth – the former Dolph Ziggler – that he defeated to claim the TNA (Total Nonstop Action) World Heavyweight title and fulfil his childhood dream.
Slater, who was brought up and still lives in Bradford, joined US based wresting company TNA in 2023.
Leon Slater after his title win at TNA Bound For Glory earlier this month (Image: TNA Wrestling)
How he won the world title
Before this summer he had already held the X Division title, the company’s secondary belt.
He agreed to “cash in” that title in exchange for a world heavyweight title opportunity, which was scheduled for Bound For Glory in October, one of TNA’s biggest annual events.
In the show stopping main event, Slater pinned Nemeth after a Swanton 450 to claim the title.
Leon Slater faces Nick Nemeth at TNA Bound for Glory (Image: TNA Wrestling)
Bradford roots
This week, the TNA champion spoke to the T&A (Telegraph & Argus) about growing up in Bradford and breaking the record for being the youngest person to claim a world title.
He said: “I believe I’m the youngest world champion in professional wrestling history, out of any company in the past 100 years. It’s super, super cool.”
Asked about his Bradford roots, he said: “I’m born, bred and still live in Bradford.
"I was born in the BRI, I live in Wilsden right now, and lived in Frizinghall for a bit, so Bradford will always be my home.
"To get to represent the city on this type of platform is unbelievable.
Leon Slater faces Nick Nemeth at TNA Bound for Glory (Image: TNA Wrestling)
Joined the likes of Zayn and Dynamo
“We had Zayn Malik, we had Dynamo, and for a while that was it. It is great that I’ve joined that list.
“It is crazy, but I was super lucky to be raised in a family environment that pushed a supreme self belief in me.
"I always envisaged this is what my life would be, I’ve always manifested that this is the position I’d be in.
“It is difficult being from Bradford some times because people give us a bad name, but those people don’t know what they are talking about. They say: ‘Bradford is Bradford,’ but I say ‘Bradford is BRADFORD!’
“We have a lot of hard workers, a lot of grafters and I feel like that’s been instilled in me since day one. I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for that.”
How did he get into the industry?
Asked how he got into the business, he said: “I’ve always been a fan, even before I can remember.
“When I turned nine and figured out how to use Google I looked for West Yorkshire wrestling schools.
"I found a school in Wakefield called UK Wrestling and started when I was nine years old.
"They moved to Batley and I followed them round while I tried to learn my craft as much as I could.”
Covid disrupted his career slightly, but when restrictions were lifted he worked with Sheffield based Pursuit Pro Wrestling and other groups in Yorkshire, before his eventual move to the US and TNA.
Leon Slater faces Nick Nemeth at TNA Bound for Glory (Image: TNA Wrestling)
Inspiring the next generation
Slater said he was proud to represent the new younger generation of wrestlers taking the industry by storm.
He said: “Younger wrestlers are getting on TV a lot more, but it is not often they are handed the ball – the opportunity to be the world champion, the figurehead of the company.
“The fact I’ve been given that trust at 22 years old is a testament not only to myself but to my generation as a whole, and I think we’re all going to change the game.”
What next?
Asked if he has any dream matches now he is champion, he said he hoped to face Matt and Jeff Hardy.
The Hardy Boyz have been one of the top tag teams in wrestling for nearly three decades and currently wrestle for TNA.
Slater said: “The one match that sticks out for me as far as a one on one match is Jeff or Matt Hardy.
"They really helped me a lot coming up, they are absolute legends and they were my favourite wrestlers growing up – no doubt.
“To get the chance to wrestle either one of them, preferably both, would be a dream come true.
“They’ve just had their 35-year anniversary of being in the business – that is 13 years more than I’ve been alive.”
When asked if he is recognised when out and about in Bradford, he said: “I get a couple of people coming up to me, especially in the gym – a couple of guys ask for pics.
"Thankfully it’s not too crazy,
"I’m not getting swarmed walking through Centenary Square or anything like that – not yet.”