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Leon Slater not only saved his TNA Wrestling legacy at TNA Lockdown, but he also defeated Cedric Alexander in a Last Man Standing Steel Cage match to become a 2-time TNA X-Division Champion. He also wanted to cement his legacy as he decided to cash in Option C. After the Nemeth Brothers became TNA World Tag Team Champions, Slater interrupted the Nemeths’ celebration and invoked Option C. He will face Nic Nemeth for the TNA World Championship at TNA Bound for Glory on October 11 and try to become the youngest TNA World Champion ever. The TNA X-Division title is now vacant. No news on what will happen to this title. OPTION C! @LEONSLATER_ is invoking his right to trade in the X-Division Title to challenge @NicTNemeth for the TNA World Title at #TNABoundForGlory! #TNALockdown pic.twitter.com/iIsp1O2mWl — TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) August 24, 2026 Option C is a concept in which the current X-Division Champion may voluntarily vacate the championship in exchange for a World Heavyweight Championship match. It began in June 2012 when then-champion Austin Aries said that he was not satisfied with being just the X-Division Champion. This led to then-General Manager Hulk Hogan offering him a match for the World Heavyweight Championship, but only if he first vacated the X Division Championship. Aries agreed to Hogan’s terms, on the condition that future X Division Champions be given the same opportunity. Option C cash-ins have occurred seven times in the Championship’s history, with three matches resulting in wins. Will Slater make the eighth turn into a fourth? Leon Slater vs. Cedric Alexander The only way to win is to incapacitate the other for a referee’s ten-count. The bell rang, and they immediately started trading blows. Slater landed a Dropkick, and rained down blows for a nine-count. Alexander answered by driving Slater into the canvas and trying to send Slater into the steel. Slater prevented it, and rebounded off the ropes to flatten Alexander. He connected with a boot to Alexander’s face, climbed the cage, and drove a Back Elbow into Alexander. Alexander chopped Slater, hoisted Slater onto his shoulders, and sent him face-first into the steel cage. Alexander landed multiple blows on Slater and dropkicked him in the back of the neck. Slater rallied at the five-count, and Alexander dropped him to the canvas again. Alexander drove multiple boots into Slater’s face, and Slater answered, slamming him down with a Standing Blue Thunderbomb. Slater climbed the ropes, and Alexander met him at the top turnbuckle. Alexander caught Slater and drove him down from the top turnbuckle with a Michinoku Driver. Michinoku Driver off the ropes! #TNALockdown @CedricAlexander pic.twitter.com/1eXdyWAMIt — TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) August 24, 2026 The referee started the ten-count, and Slater got up at the eight-count. Slater crushed Alexander with a Destroyer, and slammed him multiple times into the steel cage. Alexander went down, the referee started the ten-count, and Alexander started to stir. Slater slammed a boot into the side of Alexander’s head, hoisted him up onto his shoulders, and dropped him with a Eutopia. He set up for a Swanton 450; Slater avoided it, and they both met at the top turnbuckle. Slater drove down Alexander with a Twisting Superplex, and they both went down in the center of the ring. They both rallied at the nine-count; Slater dropped Alexander and connected with a boot to the back of his neck. Slater drove down Alexander with three back-to-back Lumbar Checks; he climbed to the top turnbuckle and crushed him with a Swanton 450. Cedric began to rally at the nine-count, but he didn’t get back up. Leon Slater remained the Last Man Standing and became the new TNA X-Division Champion. At 21, Slater is not done making history in TNA Wrestling. His next challenge now is the TNA World Championship at TNA Bound for Glory 2026, on October 11. .@LEONSLATER_ is fighting for his legacy in TNA! #TNALockdown pic.twitter.com/Bz7ZzuH05r — TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) August 24, 2026