Leon Slater pulled from TNA Genesis card, expected to appear on WWE SmackDown
The rumors of TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater being part of WWE’s overseas tour appear to be true as his title defense at Saturday’s Genesis has officially been pulled from the card.
Announced during Thursday’s AMC premiere, Santino Marella revealed the news to Cedric Alexander in a backstage segment as he and Moose were set to challenge for the title in a three-way. Marella said due to visa issues, Slater would be unable to appear but that former TNA World Champion and current WWE roster member Joe Hendry would be taking his place in the three-way instead.
It’s been heavily speculated that Slater, a UK native, will challenge WWE United States Champion Carmelo Hayes in an open challenge on Friday’s SmackDown from London, England. He was originally slated to defend against Myron Reed on the Thursday AMC premiere, but that match was quietly pulled this week. Reed, despite signing with AEW, was reportedly ready to fulfill his commitment.
Slater made his WWE main roster debut at December’s Saturday Night’s Main Event, teaming with Je’Von Evans in a losing effort to AJ Styles and Dragon Lee in a WWE World Tag Team title match.
Since 2011, Josh has been a contributing editor to Wrestling Observer/F4WOnline.com and also hosts the Punch-Out podcast. He has also written for Fight Magazine, Bloody Elbow, Bleacher Report, and other websites. He's a 2000 graduate of the University of Maine, worked in pro sports, and once was an indie ring announcer.