Former TNA X Division Champion Leon Slater has named two WWE legends whom he considers to be like wrestling uncles to him.
Slater is a relative newcomer to the professional wrestling business, having debuted just a number of years ago, but is already being touted as one for the longer term. The 21-year-old has received plaudits from many, including the Hardys, explaining how the legendary duo, in a way, are like his wrestling dads or uncles.
“It’s unbelievable [hearing praise from them]. It truly is. It is a dream come true. And it truly is like a pinch-me moment. ‘Cause, sometimes, due to how close we are actually, like Matt said it himself a pair times, he refers to me as his biological, what I mean? So, they’re almost like my wrestling dads or my wrestling uncles,” he said on “Battleground Podcast.”
Slater has admitted that he sometimes finds it hard to process the undeniable fact that he’s now friends and peers with legends like The Hardy Boyz, whom he grew up watching.
“So, after they walk in a room or like I see a clip of them like singing my praises, sometimes it’s almost similar to, ‘Oh, yeah, it’s Matt and Jeff.’ After which I even have to pinch myself, and I am going, ‘Oh my god, that is actually like Matt and Jeff Hardy! So, I feel sometimes how close we’re sort of throws me off ’cause I feel like I’m not presupposed to be that close to some of legends like that,” Slater added. “But having their respect and them two singing my praises means the world to me. And it’s something, , you grow up watching these guys, and now they’re my peers and folks I consider close friends. So, it truly is an incredible experience being with Matt and Jeff.”
The young wrestler has teamed with the Hardys on a number of occasions, which has allowed him to construct a powerful bond with them. The veteran stars think highly of Slater as well, with Matt Hardy claiming that he is much wiser than his age suggests.