Nic Nemeth has spent the last two and a half years consistently praising Leon Slater, but with Bound for Glory approaching on October 11, that is about to change. Nemeth will defend the TNA World Championship against Slater at the event. In a recent interview with Adrian Hernandez, Nemeth revealed his struggle to find any faults in Slater, a 21-year-old talent from Bradford, England, who will turn 22 on September 27.
“I honestly can’t find anything negative to say about him. But in the next few weeks, I’ll have to, because I’m the bad guy, and that’s part of pro wrestling,” Nemeth explained. “For two and a half years, I’ve been praising him. He’s way smarter than he should be, his ring IQ is unusually high for his age, and then add in his unique athleticism and skills that nobody else has.”
Nemeth also pointed out that Slater’s likable personality only makes things harder for him.
“It actually annoys me a bit. It’s like, yeah, we get it—you’re a good guy, you’re charismatic, and you’re going to dominate wrestling for the next 20 years. Blah blah blah. Nobody here cares,” Nemeth said.
The showdown was confirmed at Lockdown on August 23 in Chicago, a night where both competitors had significant wins. Slater kicked off the event by defeating Cedric Alexander in a Last Man Standing steel cage match to reclaim the X Division Championship. The match included a stipulation that his previous reign would be wiped from the record books if he lost, which would have returned the youngest X Division Champion record to Amazing Red. Nemeth concluded the night by capturing the TNA World Tag Team Championships alongside his brother Ryan from The Hardys. Following that, Slater appeared with the X Division title and activated Option C, relinquishing the X Division Championship for a chance to challenge for the world title at Bound for Glory.
Slater, who joined TNA in October 2023 at just 19, signed a long-term deal after a live event in Coventry where then-president Scott D’Amore offered him the contract. He became the youngest X Division Champion in TNA history at age 20. Option C is a rule since 2012, allowing the X Division champion to vacate the title for a shot at the world championship, a path first taken by Austin Aries. The vacant X Division Championship will be contested in a scramble match during the Bound for Glory event.
Nemeth recognizes Slater as a very real threat to take the title from him and could become the youngest-ever TNA World Champion. That possibility fuels Nemeth’s competitive fire.
“That chip on my shoulder only grows bigger because it’s his time now. He’s a young, focused competitor who could be the youngest TNA champion ever,” Nemeth said. “Does he deserve it? Absolutely. Could he win it this year? Yes. Would I accept him as a legitimate, credible world champion? Definitely. But will I let him beat me? Absolutely not.”
Nemeth believes his experience gives him the advantage.
“There’s a drive in me to outshine everyone and adjust to his style. Thanks to my years of experience and superior ring IQ, I have the edge there,” he said. “That’s the key factor this match will come down to.”
Currently in his second reign as TNA World Champion, Nemeth regained the title from Mike Santana in the main event of Slammiversary on June 28 in Boston, earning the opportunity as co-winner of last year’s Call Your Shot Gauntlet at Bound for Glory. His first reign featured a successful defense against Joe Hendry at Bound for Glory 2024. Heading into this year’s event, Nemeth holds both the world and tag team championships.
Fan Take: This upcoming clash at Bound for Glory is a must-watch, signaling a passing-of-the-torch moment that could redefine TNA’s future landscape. For fighting fans, it’s a thrilling convergence of youth versus experience that highlights the evolving dynamics and storytelling power within wrestling.
Source: wrestlingnews.co
