00:00Right now we want to turn our attention to the X Division as Leon Slater faces perhaps his literal biggest challenge yet as he defends the title against A.J. Francis.
00:13As we get set for this X Division Championship matchup, let's take a look at the X Factors.
00:18To your point, Leon Slater is familiar with dealing with super heavyweights when it comes to the X Division Championship.
00:25Won the title for Moose back at Slammiversary.
00:27Now Leon Slater defended the title successfully against Rich Swann a few weeks ago at Turning Point.
00:34Swann also a first class.
00:36Francis, while he did defeat BDE at Turning Point, he has never competed for the X Division Championship.
00:43How will A.J. Francis fare with this style?
00:46It's Slater and Francis for the X Division title.
00:57The following contest is scheduled for one fall and is for the TNA Exhibition Championship.
01:09Introducing first the challenger, accompanied to the ring by Rich Swann, representing first class, A.J. Francis.
01:21I'll take you back to last night on the first class penthouse.
01:27A.J. Francis had proposed a toast with Leon Slater.
01:31Slater saw right through it and took the fight to A.J. Francis.
01:35However, Francis was thinking about a choke slam, a down payment through the table.
01:40Leon Slater got cracked there with the table, and then Francis tried to convince Swann to use the X Division title belt to attack Slater.
01:49Swann refused to do Francis' dirty work.
01:53You gotta do it yourself.
01:56And Swann, as you can see there now, ultimately, it is Slater who paid that down payment.
02:03Even amongst the rest within the house of first class.
02:11A.J. Francis to capture the X Division title.
02:15And here's a poem from Bradford, England, weighing in at 198 pounds.
02:42He is the TNA X Division champion, Leon Slater.
02:54It was mentioned earlier on tonight on the TNA injury report, Leon Slater is not at 100% after the attack by first class last night on Impact.
03:04Add to that his hectic travel schedule from his home in the United Kingdom to here in the United States, whether it's with NXT or TNA.
03:13And speaking of which, tomorrow night, he'll be in San Antonio, Texas, competing in the Iron Survivor Challenge at NXT Deadline Live on Peacock, trying to earn a future NXT title shot.
03:28So tonight, Slater looks to defend his X Division title here in El Paso and then head to San Antonio tomorrow morning.
03:36That kid does, just does not stop.
03:42That goes for both in the ring and out.
03:45But will that, to your point, catch up to the champion here tonight?
03:49It is the signature championship of TNA Wrestling.
03:59The X Division title, it's not about weight limits, it's about no limits.
04:04And that motto is going to be put to the test here tonight at final resolution.
04:10Said it before, A.J. Francis might be literally the biggest opponent that Leon Slater's had the opportunity to face here.
04:19And you know Francis is going to use every bit of that to his advantage.
04:25Francis, former NFL defensive lineman, rocking gear tonight, inspired by one of his former teams, the Miami Dolphins.
04:34Now Slater, from the second row, trying to push the pace early here against A.J. Francis.
04:40There's going to be the game plan of Francis, that power, that strength, but look out, Slater's got an answer.
04:50Francis over the top, Slater, picking up speed and a dropkick, but Francis is still standing.
05:02And just like that, Slater always enters these matchups very confidently.
05:07Oh, look at that, again, just like he did last night, the agility.
05:12Oh, Superman forearm there by Slater.
05:17He is nothing if not confident in his ability.
05:22Title can only change hands via pinfall or submission inside the ring, not via countout or disqualification.
05:27Now the referee, oh, trying to get this matchup back inside.
05:31Slater, though, Francis in his sights.
05:39Oh, the cross body, down goes Francis.
05:43An auspicious beginning for the champion in this matchup.
05:48It's like he doesn't even care about the size disadvantage.
05:53Slater just keeps moving forward.
05:56We talked about it at Bound for Glory, his matchup against Javon Evans.
06:01He won, quote, unquote, the big one at Slammiversary, dethroning Moose.
06:06That's right.
06:06The near 300-pounder to become the youngest X Division champion of all time.
06:12Just backflipping out of that down payment.
06:15Ooh, by the dreads.
06:19Francis taking every bit he can.
06:23Oh, for the handspring, back elbow, and he's cut out of the air by Francis.
06:28And that's the thing.
06:30If A.J. Francis can spot moments like that, openings like that,
06:34and use his power to just swat Slater out of the sky,
06:39we could have a new X Division champion.
06:42Well, Leon Slater driven throat first into the middle rope.
06:50A referee all over Francis.
06:53Francis in the face of the referee, Alice Lane.
06:57I'd be careful.
06:57He can't win a match.
06:59Can't win a title without a referee.
07:00One, two, three.
07:04Fans here at El Paso giving A.J. Francis an earful.
07:08Well, it's betting on how things go.
07:12You don't got to do a whole lot of wrist locks and takeovers to win a match, folks.
07:19Not when you're built like A.J. Francis is.
07:21But Francis does have to be careful.
07:23If he breaks a referee's count of five, he will be disqualified,
07:26and he won't win the X Division title.
07:28It's very true.
07:29A.J. Stop!
07:30You know he'll use every trick in the book.
07:33He wants to join the likes of the Hall of Famer Abyss, Samoa Joe, Bobby Lashley, Moose,
07:41super heavyweights who have held the X Division championship
07:45and propelled it to new levels.
07:47No doubt about it.
07:53Let's not forget, there has been, as I said, clearly some tension in the house of first class,
07:59but Rich Swann's still out here in the corner of Francis.
08:02He could play a role in this thing, too.
08:04Why do you think Swann continues to support Francis?
08:08I mean, I think when Francis showed up, started first class,
08:11invited that rich homie Swann into the fray.
08:14I think he gave Swann a new lease on his career at a time
08:18when he was kind of trying to figure things out,
08:20was trying to floundering a little bit, quite frankly.
08:22And so that's not an easy thing to give up.
08:30And also, the mark.
08:32Oh, and a little Tennessee whiskey.
08:34Come on, boy!
08:37That's right, man!
08:38Oh, and Leon Slater down inside.
08:43Rich Swann trying to have some fun alongside AJ Francis.
08:48Hashtag TNA Final Resolution is now trending.
08:53There's plenty of discussion on social media right now
08:56surrounding the Hardys and the Righteous.
09:03Look at this.
09:04Francis now trying to rip the arms out of the sockets
09:09of young Leon Slater here.
09:16You know, Francis continuing to seemingly try to keep Swann
09:21in his place.
09:23Leo!
09:24Leo!
09:24Leo!
09:25Leo!
09:26Leo!
09:26Leo!
09:27Leo!
09:28Leo!
09:29Leo!
09:30Oh, what a jawbreaker there by Slater.
09:32To your point, Swann came up short against Slater for the X Division Championship
09:36at Turning Point the same night that Francis disrespected, yet defeated BVE.
09:42BVE showed a lot of respect for Leon Slater earlier on tonight.
09:46Oh, big boom there!
09:48Let's not forget it was that X Division title match at Turning Point.
09:51Cover.
09:52Hold on to win the title!
09:53Slater kicks out!
09:54After which Slater extended a lot of respect to Rich Swann.
09:57They had a hell of a match.
09:59And he told Rich Swann as much, and so I think he takes offense when he sees someone like
10:04AJ Francis bullying BDE, bullying Rich Swann.
10:09And Francis took exception to Swann, showing any sort of respect for Leon Slater.
10:15I mean, this is Francis' way of trying to get Swann to fall in line, but I would hope
10:20Rich Swann has understood the error of his own ways when it came to the ejection of Casey
10:26Navarro from first class that was executed predominantly by AJ Francis.
10:31Swann had a part in that yes, but we've talked about how much Rich Swann has changed his
10:36life in the past year.
10:38I don't make it any surprise as Slater trying to lift the big man.
10:43Oh, my God!
10:45Slater was maybe going for a belly to back suplex.
10:47That one elbow dropped Slater.
10:50Oh, God!
10:52You heard that one!
10:54Heavy knee strike by Francis.
10:59Going for the Senton!
11:03The 330-pound Senton misses!
11:06Trying to rub it in El Paso's face.
11:09He ended up paying the price for it.
11:11Can Slater use this window of opportunity to get back in the fight?
11:20Big, heavy blows here.
11:32But Slater, to his credit, is answering everyone from Francis.
11:36Look at this. Look at the defiance.
11:42Look at the tenacity of Slater here.
11:52The resilience of the champion, Slater keeps moving forward.
12:00This kid has fought all his life to be at the top of this industry.
12:07Handspring back elbow connects.
12:09Oh, my God!
12:12Slater got the super heavyweight up, but no, Francis is still in it.
12:18That was earth-shattering.
12:23Take another look with the momentum off the ropes.
12:27Big!
12:28That's a different form of big play, Slater, right there.
12:31Holy cow!
12:32A standing blue thunderbomb to a 330-pound opponent.
12:43Now could it be closing time here in El Paso?
12:49From the top rope, is it time for the SWAT time?
12:52450.
12:53Francis rolled out of the way.
12:55Slater nearly went into the referee.
12:56Whoa!
12:57Francis nearly crushed down this lane.
12:59And here we go.
13:01Dangerous.
13:02Oh!
13:03And a low blow!
13:04The referee couldn't see it because of Francis.
13:08Look out, look out, look out!
13:12TFL!
13:13Francis nearly cut Slater in half!
13:16Could it be?
13:17Do we have a new X Division champion?
13:19No!
13:20What was that by Francis?
13:28Yeah.
13:29Oh, now Francis.
13:30Oh, now Francis.
13:31Signal to Swan.
13:32I think Swan-
13:33Yeah, Swan has the referee's attention.
13:35Francis looking for something.
13:37Oh, now Francis has got his steel chair in the ring.
13:43He said he would have Slater's back earlier tonight.
13:50Francis' opponent, BDE, the YouTube sensation that he faced a turning point.
13:59What the?
14:00On a down payment!
14:01What the?
14:02What the?
14:03What are you doing?
14:04Get out of here!
14:05Why are you doing?
14:07Why are you feeling?
14:08What are you doing?
14:09What are you doing?
14:10What are you doing?
14:11Francis.
14:12B.D.E. had an answer for him, but Francis shuts him down just like that.
14:18Oh, Slater.
14:19Slater realizes he's got an opening kick right to the face.
14:22There goes Francis over the top.
14:25That's no easy feat.
14:27Sending the big man over the rope like that, but Slater fired up here.
14:31Francis still on his feet.
14:33Slater over the top.
14:34Got caught.
14:36An unbelievable.
14:38Oh, my God.
14:39Nearly chucked Slater out of his boots.
14:44And what's this, what's this, Francis trying to take some footage here.
14:51Francis has got a GoPro.
14:54Trying to be a moment maker of his own at the expense of the X Division champion.
14:59Maybe taking a page out of B.D.E.'s book, making some content for the masses.
15:05Yeah, A.J. Francis trying to go viral tonight at final resolution.
15:09He's got that camera.
15:14We've seen A.J. pull off some impressive moves before.
15:20Oh, Slater went all the way up to get him.
15:23Slater's got the camera.
15:28It's the OG.
15:39It's the original moment maker.
15:42Big plays Slater.
15:45I can't wait to see what that footage looks like.
15:51Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit.
15:54I'll agree.
15:55Francis is down.
15:57Slater going up top, but Francis rolling to the opposite side of the ring.
16:02Smart move by Francis.
16:05Oh, wait a minute, the crossover and the splash.
16:09Two.
16:10Francis hoping to power out at two.
16:14You saw Francis shake a finger, wag a finger at Slater.
16:20Thought he was out of harm's way.
16:22Oh, whoa, shot to the eye there by Francis it looked like.
16:36Referee getting frustrated here.
16:39A down payment by A.J. Francis.
16:43Slater suffered that last night on impact.
16:48Wait, and Francis only put it away there.
16:52Feeling extra confident.
16:55I don't know how wise that is.
16:56Oh, my God, oh, they got him, he got him.
16:59Slater got Francis on the moonsault, cover out, a power out, he's still alive.
17:05The kick during the moonsault, holy cow.
17:18Slater can't believe it.
17:19Wait a minute, Swann's got the chair and the title belt.
17:23Another gambit here in play for first class.
17:28Sliding the chair to Francis, the referee getting the chair out of the ring.
17:32That's the distraction, Francis, he's got the title.
17:35Francis with the exhibition, title, and he drills, Leon Slater gets rid of the evidence.
17:42No way, no way.
17:44Oh, come on, not like this, the cover, Slater's still in it.
17:50Slater's not going down that easy.
17:54Francis is incensed.
17:56The TFL couldn't get it done.
17:58The belt to the face couldn't get it done.
18:02And now he just wants to take Slater out full stop.
18:07And now Francis trying to get Swann into his dirty work again.
18:09Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
18:11Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
18:12Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
18:13Whoo-hoo ...
18:18Let's go.
18:19You're gonna have a lot.
18:21Yes, sir, this guy.
18:22You're gonna have a lot.
18:24Yeah, no, no.
18:26Go, go, go, go, go!
18:27Look, look, look, look, look, look, look.
18:30Oh, is this what you get?
18:46Francis went way over the line, and he paid for it.
18:50What the hell?
18:52Everyone in this match sick of AJ Francis' crap,
18:56and now we get this.
18:59Justice is blind, but don't close your eyes.
19:03The Swanton 450, Slater wins.
19:10Here is your winner, and still the TNA Ex-Division Champion,
19:18It's all about that flash.
19:20Leon Slater.
19:24Leon Slater outclassed AJ Francis.
19:29I don't get to say this often, as I'm still a bright young man,
19:33but in all my years in this business, I don't know if I've seen a referee willingly turn a blind eye like that.
19:41That's the level of disgust everybody in this match had for Francis.
19:45AJ Francis is public enemy number one, and Leon Slater endures once again against the odds and holds on to the Ex-Division Championship.
19:59We've got to take a look back at this.
20:02Swan look to the referee, who willingly turned her head to let this happen, let the payback occur.
20:10And then the beautiful back-and-forth baby, the Swanton 450 picture perfect, as always.
20:18This match was total, non-stop action.
20:29And we will bring this type of energy to our new home.
20:35Don't miss TNA Thursday Night Impact, every Thursday at 9pm, starting January 15th on AMC.
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