Bound for Glory (2026)

World championship matches

Nic Nemeth will defend the TNA World Championship against Leon Slater at Bound for Glory. Slater, who was the TNA X Division Champion, relinquished his title to invoke Option C for this world championship opportunity.

At Lockdown on August 23, 2026, Leon Slater defeated Cedric Alexander in a Last Man Standing Steel Cage match to regain the TNA X Division Championship; Slater also saved the recognition of his initial reign as TNA X Division Champion. Later that night, The Nemeths (TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth and Ryan Nemeth) won the TNA World Tag Team Championship. Slater interrupted their celebration to confront Nic and announce that he is invoking Option C to challenge Nic for the TNA World Championship at Bound for Glory. He then relinquished the TNA X Division Championship to make it official. Nic tried to retaliate, but Slater laid out The Nemeths instead.^[8] On the August 6 episode of Thursday Night Impact!, Slater expressed to Nic his desire to become the youngest TNA World Champion. He also teased going after The Nemeths' TNA World Tag Team Championship with Ricky Sosa, who appeared. Despite Ryan's objection, TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella announced that Slater and Sosa would challenge The Nemeths for the TNA World Tag Team Championship later that night, but they were unsuccessful after Nic pinned Sosa.^[9] On the September 10 episode, Slater was found knocked out on a forklift; Ryan was the suspected perpetrator.^[10] A week later, Slater blamed Ryan for the attack on him the previous week and then later defeated Ryan. Following the match, The Nemeths attacked Slater.^[11] On the September 24 episode, Slater claimed that Nic is nervous because Slater is improving while Nic is declining, but Nic opposed, stating that he is not afraid of Slater. Ryan tried to ambush Slater, but Slater knew Ryan was behind him, and a brawl ensued. Security personnel tried to intervene but Slater and Nic overpowered them to continue the brawl. Marella then appeared to announce that Slater and Nic are forbidden from touching each other until Bound for Glory or else Nic would be stripped of his title and Slater would lose his title shot.^[12] The following week, Slater quickly defeated Joe Alonzo with Nic in commentary. Following the match, Nic tried to enter the ring but he backed away and ran backstage when Slater ran towards him.^[13] Following The Nemeths' successful defense of the TNA World Tag Team Championship on the October 8 episode with Slater on commentary, Nic was taunting Slater to entice Slater to attack him before the lights went off. After the lights came back on, Slater had been seemingly attacked as he lied down hurt on the floor.^[14]

On the Countdown to Lockdown show, Indi Hartwell claimed that she is the next challenger for the TNA Knockouts World Championship, but TNA Director of Operations Daria Rae opposed her claim, stating that title shots are not given but earned.^[8] On the August 27 episode of Impact!, Hartwell said that she is pissed off because of what Rae said. Rae said that Hartwell does not know how the real world works and called Hartwell "underperforming, undeserving, and mediocre". Hartwell argued that Rae was projecting Rae's failed career on her. The debuting Zoey Serrano (formerly Zoey Stark in WWE) then ambushed Hartwell.^[15] The following week, Hartwell and Harley Hudson fought TNA Knockouts World Champion Xia Brookside and Serrano, where Hartwell forced Brookside to submit to win the match. Later that night, Hartwell asked Rae for a title shot, but Rae refused and gave a title shot to Gabby Forza instead.^[16] A week later, Brookside was defending her title against Forza. As Brookside tried to leave mid-match, but Hartwell blocked her path, prompting Rae to confront Hartwell. Brookside would later use the title belt to defeat Forza and retain her title.^[10] On the September 24 episode, Hartwell provoked Rae, which led to Rae slapping Hartwell, who would reveal that it was a ruse that was filmed by TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella to get the board of directors to suspend Rae. Marella would later declare that Brookside would defend the TNA Knockouts World Championship against Hartwell at Bound for Glory. Later that night, Serrano promised Rae that she will ensure that Hartwell would not make it to Bound for Glory.^[12] The following week, Hartwell went one-on-one against Serrano, which ended via disqualification after Serrano hit Hartwell with a steel chair. Following the match, Serrano continued to assault Hartwell until she chose to leave the ring. Brookside then appeared to attack Hartwell with the title belt.^[13]

The Breakup of Order 4

On the July 30 episode of Impact, Mustafa Ali defended the TNA International Championship against his Order 4 stablemate Jason Hotch. Ali attacked Hotch with the title belt, which prompted Order 4 member and Hotch's The Great Hands partner John Skyler to take the belt away from Ali. When Ali illegally used the ropes as leverage to pin Hotch, Order 4 member Tasha Steelz pushed Ali's feet off the ropes. After Order 4 member Mila Moore confronted Steelz, the two women had a fight; Skyler and Order 4 member Special Agent 0 pulled them away from each other and brought them backstage. Afterwards, Hotch attacked and pinned Ali to win the title with his family in attendance.^[17] The following week, after attempting to seduce Hotch's wife, Hotch furiously offered a title match against Ali at Lockdown and left Order 4. Hotch asked Skyler to leave with him, but he declined, claiming that he needed the job.^[18] On the August 20 episode, Ali forced Skyler to challenge Hotch for the title, but it ended in a no contest after Agent 0 attacked Hotch.^[19] At Lockdown, Ali reclaimed the title after defeating Hotch in a Steel Cage match. Following the match, Skyler helped Hotch go backstage.^[8]

Because Ali was injured in kayfabe on the August 27 episode of Impact!, Moore said that Skyler was Order 4's de facto leader; Steelz felt disrespected with that remark. Later that night, Hotch and Trey Miguel defeated Skyler and Agent 0 after Miguel pinned Skyler. Following the match, a video played of an injured Ali on a hospital bed, proposing a truce between Hotch and him.^[15] A week later, Moore was on a phone call with Ali when Skyler tried to ask her out, but she ignored him as she walked away. Later that night, Miguel and Hotch fought to become the number one contender for the TNA International Championship, but it ended in a no contest after Agent 0 attacked both men.^[16] The following week, Hotch fought Agent 0 with Moore as the special guest referee. Moore would not her job as the referee as she was distracted by her fingernails. Steelz confronted Moore and ripped Moore's shirt. Embarrassed, Moore ran backstage, and Steelz replaced Moore as the special guest referee. When Hotch attempted a pinfall, Steelz counted fast, giving the win to Hotch.^[10] On the September 17 episode, Skyler tried to ask Moore again, but he overheard her say that she would not go out with someone like him.^[11] The following week, Ali was furious at Moore for making him the defend his title against Hotch and Miguel in a triple threat match, prompting Skyler to yell at Ali, who reminded Skyler about what Moore said the previous week. Moore later thanked Skyler; as she leaned in to kiss Skyler, Ali interrupted by yelling at them. Moore then told Ali that Skyler and her were quitting Order 4. Later that night as Ali had his title defense, Ali ordered Steelz to give him the title belt, but Hotch prevented it while accidentally hitting Steelz. As Hotch checked on Steelz, Ali took advantage by sending Hotch into the ringpost. Ali then hit Miguel with the title belt to retain his title.^[12]

On the October 1 episode of Impact!, Hotch was furious at Skyler for not leaving Order 4 when he asked but left with Moore instead. Skyler said that he is happy with Moore and wondered if his The Great Hands partner would be there in their match later that night. The Great Hands, with Skyler being accompanied by Moore, took on Order 4, accompanied by Steelz, which ended with Ali forcing Skyler to submit. Following the match, Ali ordered Agent 0 to attack Hotch. Agent 0 initially ignored him before going after Hotch; he kept ignoring Ali's commands but listened when Steelz ordered him, which infuriated Ali. Steelz ordered Agent 0 to attack Ali, and Agent 0 followed her command. As Moore was checking on Skyler, Steelz commanded Agent 0 to attack Moore. After Agent 0 attacked Moore, Agent 0, with the TNA International Championship belt in hand, stood next to Steelz. Later that night at backstage, Skyler sought medical assistance on behalf of Moore, and Ali was furious at Steelz. Hotch then appeared, which led to Hotch fighting Agent 0 and Skyler fighting Ali. After security personnel pulled them apart, TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella announced a four-way match for the TNA International Championship involving reigning champion Ali, Hotch, Skyler, and Agent 0 at Bound for Glory.^[13]

The following week, Order 4 had a final meeting, where Ali warned the others that this would be their last chance to follow Ali's orders again. Hotch shared that he regrets hurting Ali more for harassing his wife and frightening his daughter. Skyler said that his family is now Mila Moore and not Order 4. Skyler then called Ali an "obnoxious and overbearing asshole". Steelz said that Agent 0 and her could no longer stand sacrificing themselves for Ali's benefit. Ali responded by calling everyone "ungrateful swine and worthless pigs" before claiming that they owe their lives to him. Ali then declared that he would destroy his creation, Order 4, at Bound for Glory.^[14]

Other matches

Following Leon Slater's decision to vacate the TNA X Division Championship to invoke Option C, TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella announced on August 27 that a series of qualifying matches would be held with the winner of each match advancing to a six-way match for the vacant title at Bound for Glory.^[20] KC Navarro was the first to qualify by beating Joe Alonzo on the September 3 episode of Impact!.^[16] Fabian Aichner defeated Rohit Raju the following week to qualify.^[10] On September 14, TNA announced that former champion Cedric Alexander, whom Slater defeated to win the title at Lockdown, automatically qualified due to his mandatory rematch clause.^[21] On the September 17 episode of Impact!, Rich Swann defeated LJ Cleary in the fourth qualifier.^[11] The following week, Ryan Nemeth became the next wrestler to qualify after defeating KJ Orso.^[12] BDE secured the final spot on the October 1 episode by defeating Mr. Elegance, which was also BDE's first singles victory in TNA.^[13] During the TNA Hall of Fame ceremony right before the start of Bound for Glory, 2026 TNA Hall of Famer Amazing Red announced that he would compete in the match for the vacant TNA X Division Champion, turning it into a seven-way scramble.

On the July 2 episode of Impact!, Ricky Sosa declined the offer to join The System, which prompted an attack on Sosa. Leon Slater came out to help Sosa but he was unsuccessful.^[22] Over the following weeks, Sosa would come out to help various wrestlers against The System.^{[23][24][18][25]} At Lockdown, The System (Eddie Edwards, Brian Myers, Bronson, and Alisha Edwards) fought Sosa, Fabian Aichner, KC Navarro, and Jada Stone in a Lethal Lockdown match, where The System came out victorious after Eddie pinned Sosa.^[8] On the September 10 episode of Impact!, Eddie stated that Sosa was at the top of the list of people who do not belong in TNA. Sosa appeared and proposed a tag team match between Elijah and him and two members of The System, which Eddie accepted.^[10] The following week, Sosa and Elijah defeated Eddie and Alexander. Following the match, Eddie attacked Sosa with a steel chair while his stablemates attacked Elijah into the ring steps. Eddie then challenged Sosa to a match at Bound for Glory where they can determine if Sosa belongs in TNA.^[11] On the September 24 episode, Sosa helped Elijah get a win over Eddie by taking out Bronson and Myers.^[12] The following week, Sosa was in a match against Alexander. Alisha distracted referee to allow Eddie to hit Sosa's groin. Alexander then proceeded to attack Sosa before pinning him to win the match.^[13]

As is tradition at Bound for Glory, the Call Your Shot Gauntlet will take place, with the winner receiving the eponymous trophy, which they can cash in for a future championship match at any time of their choosing. On the September 24 episode of Impact!, it was announced that Bear Bronson, Frankie Kazarian, and Avery Styles were the first confirmed competitors, with this marking Styles' in-ring debut in TNA.^[26] On the October 2 episode, six more competitors were confirmed: A. J. Francis, Brian Myers, Elijah, Joe Alonzo, The Home Town Man, and Trey Miguel.^[27] Harley Hudson was also confirmed to participate in the Call Your Shot Gauntlet as announced by The Righteous (Vincent and Dutch), whom tried to form an alliance with Hudson, but she declined their offer.^[28] The following week, an eight-man tag team match between the team of Kazarian, Miguel, Bronson, and Elijah and the team of Francis, Myers, Home Town Man, and Alonzo was held, where the wrestlers involved in the match's decision would receive the number one and 20 spots in the Call Your Shot Gauntlet. Alonzo earned the number 20 spot by pinning Miguel, who subsequently received the number one entry.^[14] On October 9, seven more participants were confirmed via social media: Elayna Black, Gabby Forza, The Elegance Brand (Heather by Elegance, M by Elegance, and Mr. Elegance), and The Righteous (Vincent and Dutch).^{[29][30][31][32][33][34]}

For several months, various wrestlers were attacked backstage, including Moose, Cedric Alexander, Elijah, Leon Slater, Ryan Nemeth, and The Hardys (Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy). Matt was the most recent victim, who had been revealed to have been attacked by two unknown assailants. On the September 24 episode of Impact!, The Hardys called out the unknown assailants, who appeared and attacked them. The assailants then revealed themselves as the returning Samuel Shaw and the debuting Joseph Sawyer (formerly Joe Gacy in WWE); their team name would be revealed as "Syx".^[35] The following week, Shaw called TNA a "rotten place" that needed to be cut apart. He said that The Hardys were at the top of the chopping block because they could not be killed. Despite The Hardys surviving their attack, Shaw said that it is fine because they get to attack them again. Sawyer then stated that they will find out how hard The Hardys are to kill. The Hardys then appeared, and Matt proclaimed that they are unkillable. Matt then proposed a match between The Hardys and Syx in a Falls Count Anywhere match at Bound for Glory. The Hardys then tried to attack Syx, but Syx disappeared after the arena lights turned off.^[13] On the October 8 episode, The Hardys got their mandatory rematch against The Nemeths (Nic Nemeth and Ryan Nemeth) for the TNA World Tag Team Championship, but The Hardys were unsuccessful after a distraction caused by Syx allowed Nic to pin Jeff. After The Hardys recovered following the match, the lights turned off; when the lights came back on, Syx was in the ring with The Hardys unconscious.^[14]

On the October 8 episode of Impact!, TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Champions Allie and Kiera Hogan had a brief physical altercation with Zoey Serrano backstage. Allie and Hogan later announced that they would put their title on the line against Serrano and a partner of Serrano's choosing at Bound for Glory. Later that night, Serrano successfully convinced Shayna Baszler to be her tag team partner; this match would be Baszler's TNA debut.^[14]

On the October 8 episode of Impact!, Moose issued an open challenge for a match at Bound for Glory.^[14] The challenge was answered a day later by Max Caster, who would make his TNA debut at the event.^[36]