Leon Slater stunned the wrestling world when he walked through the curtain on the January 16, 2026, episode of WWE SmackDown to answer Carmelo Hayes’ United States Championship open challenge.
According to a report from Fightful Select, the 21-year-old high-flyer was not originally part of the plans for the blue brand’s tour of England. Slater was initially scheduled to appear on both the January 15 episode of TNA on AMC and the TNA Genesis pay-per-view, which is set for January 17. Unfortunately, complications arose regarding his travel documentation.
It was reported that visa issues prevented Slater from traveling outside of the United Kingdom to the United States for the TNA events. With their champion grounded in England, TNA officials reportedly made the best of the situation by granting WWE permission to use him for the SmackDown taping in London, allowing their talent to showcase his skills on a global stage despite the administrative hurdles.
The surprise appearance naturally fueled speculation regarding a potential talent trade between the two companies. Rumors quickly circulated that Slater’s cameo might be part of a deal involving a WWE Superstar returning to TNA, with AJ Styles being the most discussed name. However, sources have since confirmed that this was not the case. The arrangement was described not as a formal exchange of talent.
Despite falling short in his quest to capture the United States Championship, Slater’s performance was widely praised. TNA officials reportedly remain optimistic that the visa issues will be resolved shortly, allowing Slater to return to regular programming. He remains under contract with TNA through most of 2026, meaning this appearance stands as a special showcase rather than the beginning of a permanent transition to WWE.
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