Leon Slater Wants AJ Styles to Challenge Him for the X Division Title on TNA iMPACT

With AJ Styles set to appear at TNA’s AMC premiere this Thursday, rising star Leon Slater is making it clear—he wants the Phenomenal One in a TNA ring, and he wants to put his X Division Championship on the line.

While doing media rounds this week, Slater spoke with PWInsider’s Mike Johnson and didn’t hold back about the match he’s been manifesting for years.

“I am most definitely hoping it’s a challenge to me, you know what I’m saying? I feel like that’s a match that is definitely going to happen at some point.”

Slater, now the youngest X Division Champion in TNA history, sees a symbolic moment in facing the very first man to ever hold that same title—AJ Styles.

“That’s the match I’ve been picturing for years and years… especially with the position I’m in right now—youngest X Division Champion of all time—and he’s the first X Division Champion of all time.”

With reports suggesting AJ Styles plans to wrap up his in-ring career in 2026, Slater believes the timing couldn’t be better.

“AJ has said he’s wrapping it up in 2026, so I feel like that singles match is something that needs to happen, and I think it needs to happen for the X Division Title in a TNA ring.”

While speculation continues about Styles possibly facing Frankie Kazarian, Leon Slater’s comments just threw a major wrinkle into those plans. If TNA wants to celebrate its past and future in one match, Slater vs. Styles might be the moment fans never saw coming—but now can’t stop thinking about.

Would you rather see AJ Styles vs. Leon Slater for the X Division Title—or should he face Frankie Kazarian first? Sound off in the comments below.