The Youngest in Charge is counting down the days to be in charge of the TNA World Championship. After Leon Slater regained the X-Division Championship at TNA Lockdown (Aug. 23, 2026), he cashed in Option C to close the show (full results).
Slater battled Cedric Alexander inside a steel cage in Last Man Standing for the X-Division Championship. This match was deeply personal for Slater. He was on the verge of breaking the record of longest reign when Alexander took the title from him. Slater was left
tied with Austin Aries at 298 days. Alexander wasn’t content to leave it there. He wanted to erase Slater from the record books. The extra stipulation would have done just that had Slater been defeated.
Slater don’t play that. In a grueling battle, he surged for three consecutive Lumbar Checks, which is Alexander’s own finisher. Slater sealed the deal with the Swanton 450. Alexander did not rise at the referee’s count of ten.
Slater and the fans basked in the satisfaction of conquering that foe. This title reign will be much shorter. After the Nemeths beat the Hardys to win the TNA World Tag Team Championship in the main event, Slater interrupted the champagne celebration with big news.
Slater’s legacy in the X-Division is now forever cemented. Slater has his eye on making history again by becoming the youngest world champion in TNA history. Slater used Option C to cash in for a title shot at Bound For Glory on October 11. He handed over the X-Division Championship to TNA president Carlos Silva to make the decision official. Current world champion Nic Nemeth went for a cheap shot. Slater saw it coming, and he stood tall on that exchange.
The timing of Slater’s world title shot is particularly intriguing, because rumors were running that his TNA contract could be up soon. Most expect Slater to jump to WWE or AEW. Winning the world title might reveal different plans sticking with TNA. Losing the match at Bound For Glory could end up being a main event reward for all his hard work before hitting free agency. This intrigue has layers.
Share your reaction to Leon Slater winning the X-Division Championship from Cedric Alexander then cashing in Option C. What’s your excitement level for Slater challenging for the TNA world title at Bound For Glory? Get full results for TNA Lockdown here.
