Rumor Killer on AJ Styles – Leon Slater Trade – Leon Slater made an unexpected appearance on the January 16 episode of WWE SmackDown when he answered Carmelo Hayes’ open challenge for the United States Championship. The moment quickly grabbed attention across the wrestling industry, as Slater is an active TNA Wrestling talent and had not previously been announced for the show.
Slater was not originally scheduled to be part of WWE’s England tour. Instead, the 21-year-old was slated to appear for TNA Wrestling on the January 15 debut episode of iMPACT on AMC, as well as the TNA Genesis pay-per-view on January 17. Those plans changed after travel complications emerged.
The report states that visa issues prevented Slater from traveling outside the United Kingdom to the United States in time for the scheduled TNA events. With their champion unable to fly, TNA officials adjusted plans and reportedly granted WWE permission to use Slater for the SmackDown taping in London. This allowed Slater to remain active on a major stage despite the logistical setback and gave WWE fans an unexpected showcase of his abilities.
Slater’s appearance immediately sparked speculation about a possible working arrangement or talent exchange between WWE and TNA. Some fans questioned whether the match could be tied to a larger deal, especially with AJ Styles’ recent involvement in TNA being widely discussed. However, Fightful Select reports that no formal talent trade was involved, and the situation was not part of a broader agreement between the companies.
Although Slater did not win the United States Championship, his performance reportedly received positive feedback backstage. TNA officials are said to be hopeful that the visa issues will be resolved soon, allowing him to resume regular appearances for the company. Slater remains under contract with TNA through most of 2026, making his SmackDown appearance a rare crossover moment rather than a sign of an imminent move to WWE.
Rumor Killer on AJ Styles – Leon Slater Trade
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