Sportskeeda's Choice: 2025 Male TNA Wrestler of the Year

TNA Wrestling had an interesting 2025, to say the least. The ongoing partnership with WWE, specifically the NXT brand, has opened both promotions up to unique opportunities. Trading titles made way for multiple TNA vs WWE matches, giving several members of the roster their opportunity to rise up for glory.

TNA Wrestling has often found its peak through the beloved X-Division. A set of competitors known, not for weight limits, but no limits. And this year, X-Division Champions, past and present, played vital roles in the brand's success.

In what felt like a moment decades in the making, Frankie Kazarian finally won the TNA World Championship. The 48-year-old veteran's title win was a controversial decision, but one well-earned by one of the unsung heroes of the promotion's early days. Moose held the X-Division Championship for nearly nine months, even defending gold on the NXT brand, something that fellow roster members like Joe Hendry, Steve Maclin, and more struggled with this year.

Still, it was the man who defeated Moose at Slammiversary, Leon Slater, who broke through the pack.

Why Leon Slater was TNA's Best Male Wrestler of 2025

At 21-years-old, you'd think that The Youngest In Charge would be our rising star. Someone to keep your eyes on in the coming year. But Leon Slater is not just the future. Leon Slater is the now.

With his gravity-defying style and that Swanton 450, he seemed tailor-made for the X-Division, and made it his goal to become the youngest X-Division Champion of all time. When he defeated Moose at Slammiversary, Slater not only earned that accolade and the X-Division Championship but also became the youngest male champion in the promotion's history.

After an exciting climb to the top that took Slater through Frankie Kazarian, the entirety of The System, Nic Nemeth, and more, Slater pulled himself through the best the promotion could offer. He's also been one of the company's most vital soldiers, competing on their behalf in the Survivor Series-style match months back, and defending his title against multiple WWE stars.

While Slater continues to uphold his position as X-Division Champion, he's also a constant thorn in the side of WWE names, and most recently earned a shot at NXT Champion Oba Femi at New Year's Evil next month. His exciting tag team with fellow 21-year-old sensation Je'Von Evans has been a breath of fresh air, leading him to opportunities at tag gold, and even a match against the greatest TNA name of all time, AJ Styles, at Saturday Night's Main Event.

It was a near-constant upward trajectory for Leon Slater this year. Main eventing PPV events, competing against the best in the company's past and present, and cementing his legacy in the record books. Slater isn't a rising star. He's not the next one up. Slater is the here and now for TNA, and should be the future for a long time coming.

Congratulations on a fantastic year, champ.

Read all the hottest WWE news from Sportskeeda by choosing us as your preferred source. Click HERE.

Edited by Greg Bush