| Bound for Glory | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| Promotion | Impact Wrestling | ||
| Date | October 21, 2023 | ||
| City | Cicero, Illinois | ||
| Venue | Cicero Stadium | ||
| Attendance | 1,000 | ||
| Pay-per-view chronology | |||
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| Bound for Glory chronology | |||
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The 2023Bound for Glory was aprofessional wrestlingpay-per-view (PPV)event produced byImpact Wrestling. It took place on October 21, 2023, atCicero Stadium inCicero, Illinois. It was the 19th event under theBound for Glory chronology, and the second to be held in theChicago area, following the2019 event.[1] The event also featured various wrestlers from partner promotionNew Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW).
Eight matches were contested at the event, including one taped for an episode ofImpact Main Event Mondays. In the main event,Alex Shelley defeatedJosh Alexander to retain theImpact World Championship. In other prominent matches,Trinity defeatedMickie James to retain theImpact Knockouts World Championship,Will Ospreay defeatedMike Bailey, and in the opening contest,Chris Sabin defeatedKenta to retain theImpact X Division Championship.
The event was notable for the Impact Wrestling debut ofSonny Kiss, and the returns ofJuventud Guerrera andMatt Cardona. The event was also the final pay-per-view under the Impact Wrestling banner, as the promotion reverted to the revived moniker of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling atHard To Kill.[2]
Bound for Glory is aprofessional wrestlingpay-per-view (PPV)event produced byImpact Wrestling. The event was created in 2005 to serve as the company's flagship PPV event, similar toWWE'sWrestleMania, in whichwrestlers competed in variousprofessional wrestling match types in what was the culmination of many feuds and storylines that occurred during the calendar year.[3] On January 25, 2023, it was announced by Impact Wrestling that Bound for Glory would take place on October 21, 2023, at Cicero Stadium inCicero, Illinois, a suburb just outsideChicago.[1][4]
The event featured severalprofessional wrestling matches, which involve different wrestlers from pre-existingscriptedfeuds,plots, andstorylines. Wrestlers portrayedheroes,villains, orless distinguishable characters in scripted events that build tension and culminate in a wrestling match or series of matches. Storylines are produced on Impact'sweekly television program.[5]
AtEmergence, Impact announced thatNJPW'sIWGP United States Heavyweight ChampionWill Ospreay will return to the company at Bound for Glory.[6] His opponent was later revealed asMike Bailey on Week 2 ofImpact! 1000, a match that was originally scheduled forMultiverse United in March before Ospreay sustained an injury.[7]
On the April 6 episode ofImpact!, due to a torn triceps,Josh Alexander was forced to vacate theImpact World Championship.[8][9] In his absence,Steve Maclin and laterAlex Shelley would hold the title, with Alexander returning to confront Shelley at the end ofSlammiversary.[10][11] In the following weeks, Shelley took exception to Alexander calling the Impact World Championship "his" title, since he was never beaten for it. The two would continue to be reluctant allies, however, Shelley would at points abandon Alexander whenever the latter was in trouble, such as atEmergence.[12][13] On Week 2 ofImpact! 1000, Impact announced that Alexander will challenge Shelley for the Impact World Championship at Bound for Glory.[14]
On the September 28Impact!, afterChris Sabin retained theImpact X Division Championship againstAlan Angels, a video package played announcing the Impact return ofKenta at Bound for Glory.[15][16] Later in the night, Impact announced that Sabin will defend the X Division title against Kenta at the event.[17]
On the April 13Impact!,Mickie James was forced to vacate theImpact Knockouts World Championship due to a broken rib.[18][19]Deonna Purrazzo andTrinity would become champion in James' absence. On Week 1 ofImpact! 1000, James made her return from the injury, teaming with current champion Trinity to win a10-Knockout tag team match on Week 2. Although during the post-match celebration, James was noticeably eyeing Trinity's title belt.[20][21] On the following week's episode, Trinity defeatedGisele Shaw in a non-title main event, before being ambushed by Shaw and the SHAWntourage (Savannah Evans and Jai Vidal). However, James would emerge to help the champion fend off Shaw's associates. James later spoke to Trinity about how she earned her title but reminded her that she never lost it herself.[15][16] James would challenge Trinity to a Knockouts World Championship match at Bound for Glory, which Impact made official on their website.[22]
On the September 28 episode ofImpact!, theCall Your Shot Gauntlet was announced for Bound for Glory, with the winner as always earning a trophy they can use to invoke a championship opportunity of their choice at any time and place. Aten-person tag team match would be announced for the following week, withChampagne Singh,Dirty Dango,Eric Young,Jake Something, andJordynne Grace defeatingBully Ray,Brian Myers,Shera,Jody Threat, andKiLynn King.[23][24] The following week, the five of them would go on to face each other, where Dango – with help fromOleg Prudius (formerly Vladimir Kozlov inWWE) – pinned Something to earn the last entry spot in the gauntlet match, and Something was forced into the first entry spot.[25][26]
At Slammiversary,ABC (Ace Austin andChris Bey) defended theirImpact World Tag Team Championship againstBrian Myers andMoose,Rich Swann andSami Callihan, andSubculture (Mark Andrews andFlash Morgan Webster). At the closing moments of the match,The Rascalz (Trey Miguel andZachary Wentz) appeared and neutralized ABC from the match, allowing Andrews to pin Myers and Subculture to win the titles.[10][11] On the subsequent episode ofImpact!, ABC invoked their rematch clause to challenge Subculture for the titles, but lost once again due to interference from the Rascalz.[27][28] At Emergence, The Rascalz would defeat Subculture to win the tag team titles, when outside interference fromDani Luna, ABC and The Good Hands (John Skyler and Jason Hotch) allowed Miguel to blind Webster with spray paint before pinning him.[12][13] On the first week ofImpact! 1000, Bey competed in theFeast or Fired match, securing Briefcase 3,[29][30] which contained a tag team title opportunity.[20][21] On October 5, Impact announced that Bey and Austin would invoke this opportunity at Bound for Glory for the Impact World Tag Team Championship.[31] On the October 12Impact!, The Rascalz successfully defended the titles against Rich Swann and Sami Callihan, now going on to face ABC at Bound for Glory.[25][26]
| Role: | Name: |
|---|---|
| Commentators | Tom Hannifan |
| Matthew Rehwoldt | |
| Ring announcer | David Penzer |
| Referees | Daniel Spencer |
| Allison Leigh | |
| Frank Gastineau | |
| Interviewer | Gia Miller |
In the opening contest, Chris Sabin defended theImpact X Division Championship against Kenta. In the opening stages, Sabin delivered a diving crossbody for a two-count. Sabin then delivered a missile dropkick and a tornado DDT for a two-count. Kenta then delivered a draping DDT and a corner dropkick. Kenta then delivered a diving double foot stomp to Sabin for a two-count. As Kenta wanted to attempt the GTS, Sabin escaped and delivered a superkick and a step-up enzeguiri. Sabin then delivered the Clothesline from Hell, Michigan and the Cradle Shock for the three-count.
The next match was aMonster's Ball match contested betweenPCO,Moose,Rhino andSteve Maclin. In the opening stages, Maclin hit PCO with a trashcan and delivered a bodyslam to him onto a ladder. PCO then delivered a tope atomico and a diving leg drop to Maclin for a two-count. Moose then delivered a chokeslam to PCO onto thumbtacks on cinder blocks. Rhino then delivered a clothesline to Maclin and the Gore for a nearfall. As Maclin wanted to attempt a diving attack on Rhino,Bully Ray then came out and pushed Maclin through a barbed wire table. Moose then hit PCO with a chair, allowing Rhino to deliver the Gore to Moose. PCO then delivered the PCOsault on Moose and pinned him for the win.
In the next match,The Rascalz (Zachary Wentz andTrey Miguel) defended theImpact World Tag Team Championship againstABC (Chris Bey andAce Austin). In the closing stages, Trey delivered an apron neckbreaker to Austin for a two-count. Bey then delivered a brainbuster to Wentz for a two-count. Miguel and Wentz then delivered a meteora/diving double stomp for a two-count. As Wentz was arguing with the referee, he unintentionally used a spray can and sprayed Miguel in the eyes. Bey then delivered a superkick to Miguel, allowing Bey and Austin to deliver the 1-2-Sweet (Art of Finesse/The Fold combination) on Wentz to win the tag team championship.
In the next match, Will Ospreay faced Mike Bailey. In the opening stages, Bailey delivered a moonsault onto the outside to Ospreay. Ospreay then delivered a big boot and a diving crossbody for a two-count. Ospreay then delivered a forearm smash and a superkick for a two-count. As Ospreay wanted to attempt a bucklebomb, Bailey countered it into a backslide pin for a two-count. Bailey then delivered a poisonrana and the Ultima Weapon to Ospreay for a nearfall. Ospreay then delivered the Styles Clash and the Oscutter for a nearfall. As Bailey wanted to attempt the Flamingo Driver, Ospreay escaped and delivered a Storm Driver '93 for another nearfall. Ospreay then delivered the Hidden Blade and the Storm Breaker for the three-count.
The next match was aCall Your ShotGauntlet match. The first participants wereJake Something andEddie Edwards. The returningJuventud Guerrera then came out and #4 and a double DDT to Edwards andKenny King, who came out at #3. Guerrera then clotheslined King out of the ring for the first elimination. The final four participants wereMatt Cardona,KiLynn King,Bully Ray andJordynne Grace. Bully Ray then clotheslined King out of the ring and Grace threw Cardona out of the ring simultaneously. As Bully Ray wanted to attempt a diving senton, Grace moved out of the way and delivered the Grace Driver to Bully Ray and pinned him to win the trophy. After the match, Grace declared that she will challenge for theImpact Knockouts World Championship atHard to Kill.
In the penultimate match, Trinity defended the Impact Knockouts World Championship against Mickie James. In the opening stages, Trinity attempted the Starstruck submission, but James escaped and delivered a headscissors takedown. Trinity then delivered her own headscissors takedown and split-legged moonsault for a two-count. Trinity then delivered theRear View for a two-count. Trinity then delivered an enzeguiri and another split-legged moonsault for a nearfall. James then delivered the Mick Kick and a tornado DDT for a two-count. As James wanted to attempt the Mick-DT, Trinity countered it into a Full Nelson Slam. Trinity then locked inStarstruck, but James countered it into a pin for a two-count, but Trinity then recovered and locked in Starstruck again, forcing James to tap out.
In the main event, Alex Shelley defended theImpact World Championship against Josh Alexander. In the opening stages, Shelley attempted a big boot, but Alexander blocked it and delivered multiple knife-edge chops. Shelley then delivered a rolling elbow and a twisting neckbreaker. Alexander then delivered a German Suplex to Shelley for a two-count. Shelley then delivered a snap German suplex andSliced Bread for a two-count. Alexander then delivered a bridging German Suplex for a two-count. As Alexander wanted to attempt a diving crossbody to Shelley on the outside, Shelley caught him and delivered Shell Shock to Alexander onto the barricade. Shelley then delivered a frog splash and locked in the Border City Stretch, but Alexander reversed it into an ankle lock, but Shelley escaped. Shelley then delivered Shell Shock and a superkick. Shelley then delivered another Shell Shock to Alexander and pinned him to retain the title. After the match, Shelley and Alexander embraced each other.
A vignette then aired revealing the return ofTNA at Hard to Kill in 2024. Afterwards, Impact Wrestling presidentScott D'Amore then announced that 'TNA Wrestling is back!'.
The event received acclaim for its matches and quality, the Ospreay vs. Bailey match, in particular, with many calling it one of the best matches of the year.[citation needed]
| Draw | Entrant | Eliminated by | Order | Elimination(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jake Something | Matt Cardona and Brian Myers | 15 | 2 |
| 2 | Eddie Edwards | Eric Young | 5 | 1 |
| 3 | Kenny King | Juventud Guerrera | 1 | 0 |
| 4 | Juventud Guerrera | Eddie Edwards | 3 | 1 |
| 5 | Johnny Swinger | Gisele Shaw | 2 | 0 |
| 6 | Gisele Shaw | Sonny Kiss | 4 | 1 |
| 7 | Jody Threat | Jonathan Gresham | 9 | 0 |
| 8 | KiLynn King | Bully Ray | 17 | 0 |
| 9 | Sonny Kiss | Matt Cardona and Brian Myers | 7 | 1 |
| 10 | Bully Ray | Jordynne Grace | 19 | 1 |
| 11 | Matt Cardona | Jordynne Grace | 18 | 5 |
| 12 | Jordynne Grace | Winner | — | 2 |
| 13 | Eric Young | Matt Cardona | 13 | 1 |
| 14 | Joe Hendry | Brian Myers | 6 | 0 |
| 15 | Brian Myers | Matt Cardona | 16 | 6 |
| 16 | Heath | Brian Myers | 8 | 0 |
| 17 | Frankie Kazarian | Matt Cardona and Brian Myers | 11 | 0 |
| 18 | Rich Swann | Brian Myers | 12 | 0 |
| 19 | Jonathan Gresham | Jake Something | 14 | 1 |
| 20 | Dirty Dango | Jake Something | 10 | 0 |