WrestleCon promoter Michael Bochicchio detailed the backstage issues that led to TNA pulling Leon Slater from his scheduled dream match against Ricochet at the Mark Hitchcock Memorial Supershow during WrestleMania weekend. TNA cited 'partner conflicts' for the last-minute change. Bochicchio shared his perspective in an interview with POST Wrestling.
Leon Slater was originally set to face Ricochet in a highly anticipated dream match at the WrestleCon Mark Hitchcock Memorial Supershow. However, TNA withdrew Slater last week, pointing to 'partner conflicts' as the reason, disappointing fans ahead of WrestleMania weekend festivities. The cancellation caught promoter Michael Bochicchio off guard; he learned of it online before receiving confirmation from the wrestlers' agent. Bochicchio told John Pollock and Wai Ting of POST Wrestling that his team had cleared the match finish directly with both wrestlers' bosses, emphasizing protection for the competitors. 'Leon wasn’t losing,' he clarified, dismissing speculation that the pull stemmed from concerns over a potential loss. He stressed that the booking had been approved in advance. Bochicchio received a text from TNA's Mr. Silva just two hours before TNA's Saturday pay-per-view, after the match had already been replaced, but no call followed despite his invitation to discuss. He downplayed WWE involvement, suggesting instead that TNA executive Carlos Silva might have reacted to AEW's Thursday event impacting ratings. 'Carlos can say to WWE, ‘Guys, I gave my word on this match. I would like to be able to follow through with my word,'' Bochicchio opined. WrestleCon quickly pivoted, announcing The Demand versus Mike Bailey, Kevin Knight, and Michael Oku as the new main event.
