Leon Slater Reacts To Jeff Hardy Calling Him Wrestling’s Future, Reveals AJ Styles’ Best Advice

Leon Slater was called the future of pro wrestling by Jeff Hardy, something Slater says he felt very motivated by. The Hardys have not been shy about praising Slater, the current TNA X-Division Champion, in recent interviews. The two have worked with Slater and a have often taken time to spotlight him as a cornerstone of TNA now.

Jeff said during his appearance on Reel Appreciation last week that he considers Slater the future of the industry. Slater was asked about that endorsement and more in his interview with The Sportster. You can check out the highlights below:

On the Best Advice He’s Received From AJ Styles:

“One of the biggest things he was preaching to me, outside of the in-ring feedback and stuff about the match, was how important it is to stay true to yourself. I think before AJ came in to do that angle with me, he had heard what I was like from the TNA, from the locker room, you know what I mean? From people he’s close with, whether that’s Frankie Kazarian and Eric Young. I hope it was all good things, you know what I mean? When he was talking to me, he just reminded me how important it is to keep those things that people say about me, all good things as much as I can. You know what I mean? No matter how high I get or no matter how low I get, stay true to who I am, which sounds very cliché, but when it’s coming from AJ Styles, it means a whole lot more.”

On Jeff Hardy Calling Him the Future Of Pro Wrestling:
“I go, ‘Jeff Hardy is saying that about me?!’ [laughs] Which is absolutely insane! It really spurs me on because it’s a thing now for me of not only proving maybe some people that didn’t think I could make it to where I am and don’t think I can make it past where I am, it’s not only proving them wrong, but it’s proving myself and the people that do believe in me right. So it’s proving a Jeff Hardy right, an AJ Styles right, a Matt Hardy right, a Tommy Dreamer right. You know what I mean? So it’s real good motivation for me. And it’s obviously super cool that Jeff thinks of me that highly.”