Having attended Slammiversary back in July and witnessing firsthand the magic that was inside the UBS arena on the night of TNA's new (up until now) North American attendance record, I very much found myself overly excited for BFG. For me (for me! My feelings! - I know pro wrestling fans are ready to pounce on this) - it carried an excitement similar to that of WWE's major PLEs (e.g., Wrestlemania or Royal Rumble).
I was very much in front of the TV at 6:00pm - I wanted the entire experience.
What we got was TNA putting on yet another great show! At times, it felt overdone creatively, and I think TNA often has to be perfect in all aspects in regards to criticisms; however, overall, Bound For Glory 2025 will be an event that stands out for the company, which helps the BFG brand.
Opening Thoughts:
- I thought much of the night had a credible build-up and intriguing stories, which added to the overall anticipation for the event. From top to bottom, the card and its features all had reasons for happening in varying degrees of cause.
- The anticipation for Bound For Glory had me thinking about the history of the event and some of the more memorable events at BFG. I would like to see them lean into that history more next year after re-establishing the event.
- What a year for TNA, huh?
- Seriously, whatever happens to this company over the next twenty years, it will have made a significant impact (pun intended) on the history of pro wrestling.
Countdown to Bound For Glory
- Having the Hall of Fame on the pre-show is a great approach for TNA. There is no need to make this a separate event. It's a nice tradition to have going forward.
- I absolutely love the smaller set design and the "in the round" set-up. Also, I'm a sucker for a good turn in the aisle for a wrestling show. I don't know why, they just always seemed cool and made the show feel larger - small things, I guess.
- Speaking of small details, next year, having a simple step and repeat/banner backdrop behind the Hall of Fame podium will make the presentation that much nicer - especially on tight shots and photographs.
- Angelina Love's speech, I thought, was the best speech of the night.
- Love was right, the Beautiful People's theme song is amazing.
- It's really cool to start seeing TNA talent and acts, like the Beautiful People, go into the Hall of Fame for their body of work in TNA.
- Lisa Marie Varon (aka Victoria or Tara) should have stuck to her speech. I appreciate the emotion, but she was all over the place.
- Mickie Jame is so deserving. So deserving.
- The all-women's class's impact was silently felt as I began clock-watching because, yes, I wanted to make sure we got a Knockouts Tag Title match in on the pre-show.
- I'm a huge fan of the Elegance Brand. I'm all for keeping them together. Give them one more person, and have them redirected without Ash's presence. Meaner streak?
- The IInspiration has been much better than I thought. That's not a shot at them because I thought they would be a good addition, but they've been much better.
TNA International Championship: Frankie Kazarian (c) vs Steve Maclin
- I like Maclin, but I'm starting to wonder if the dude is just better as a heel.
- However, I say that, and I admittedly popped big time when he flipped the bird with his mom after the match.
- Kazarian's title reign always felt like a stopgap until he was back in the World Title picture.
- My prediction: Kazarian somehow wins the World Title from Santana in a scumbagg-ish way (because it's Kaz, right?) in 2026, and gives Santana his next chase opportunity.
- This was a good opener.
Tessa Blanchard w/ Victoria Crawford vs Gia Miller w/ Jody Threat
- I'm really warming up to the duo of Blanchard and Crawford.
- Gia Miller looked fantastic!
- Honestly, this one didn't get out of first gear for me. I thought there was more story left on the table (and maybe there is?). I expected the usual moment of the underdog taking it to the bully, but I just never got that feeling in this one. And yet, Tessa needed to cheat to win. Odd.
- I guess we'll see where this goes next.
Call Your Shot Gauntlet Match
- This has become a fun tradition with a great way to get everyone on the biggest show, and in some years, provide some surprise elements.
- This might have been my favorite Call Your Shot Gauntlet match yet.
- That pop for Matt Cardona!
- Hometown Man is over! I know some purists despise the entire HTM gimmick. I find it hilarious and entertaining. It's the most interested I've been in Cody Deaner, ever.
- AJ Francis is always entertaining.
- Jake Something needs direction.
- Mance Warner's entrance was really cool.
- I have no idea who BDE is - admittedly. Yeah, I'm old. I just watched the Beautiful People get inducted into the HOF - I remember watching them debut.
- I'm the President of the Dani Luna fan club.
- I liked the double-win finish as it's a means to some really creative possibilities going forward. Every company has its version of Money in the Bank; we've never seen two people share the concept. Plus, Nemeth and Kazarian can really dial it up and make this entertaining. Two people chasing Santana should give him a quick story as well.
- The finish to get there could have been better, considering what was planned for the rest of the night.
TNA Knockouts Championship: NXT’s Kelani Jordan (c) vs Indi Hartwell
- I'm understanding that we had to pivot, but I would have liked to see more of the story revolving around Hartwell helping Jordan win, and wanting to save the TNA Knockouts championship while also having her dream come true. I'm talking Bobby Roode losing to Kurt Angle kind of set up and disappointment. On the level of some entitled main-character syndrome stuff.
- This one, like some other storylines, didn't feel like an ending, but more of a beginning.
- Jordan is great in the ring. I need more personality. Who is she? You know, besides an NXT wrestler.
- Give me an obsessed Hartwell - turn her heel. Yes, still using Roode as my blueprint here...
Hardcore War: Order 4 vs The System
- Is there a stat of the most Bound For Glory matches out there? Eddie Edwards HAS to be in the top 3, no?
- And yes, that is future TNA Hall of Famer, Eddie Edwards.
- Jason Hotch still feels like TNA's next breakout wrestler.
- John Skyler's crimson mask was really cool. Definitely added to the match.
- Can anyone doubt Alisha Edwards' dedication to pro wrestling?
- Agent Zero walked away from tonight looking like a total badass.
- JDC might be doing his best work. Although I REALLY miss those videos when he "hated pro wrestling"
- This was an awesome match.
TNA X-Division Championship: Leon Slater (c) vs NXT’s Je’Von Evans
- I loved that this was billed as the future going at it AND a dream match - so rare, yet so crazy.
- Not much to say about this one...because I just can't do it justice, other than it will be talked about for a long time.
- The ending clearly felt like a WWE call (just my opinion). Also, not many want to hear this, but it probably is the right call to not have one of these guys go over on the other. Both mean a lot to their respective brands - a loss could damage that.
- I'm not a fan of Dark State. I only find Saquon Shugars (some name!) to be entertaining.
- With all of that said, Dark State walked out of the Tsongas Center with some SERIOUS heat. They'd better utilize that and build on that
- I can't wait for the next one with both of those guys...that's an instant money maker if it headlined a future PLE. And that's called doing business.
- While it sucked, it was designed to be that way. I get it...
Tables Match for the TNA and NXT Tag Team Championships: The Hardys (c) vs Team 3D
- The entrances were so cool.
- It was really cool to see Spike Dudley, or Brother Runt, in TNA world.
- I genuinely worried about Devon leading into this, and even more so watching him limp to the ring.
- However, the subtle point to the heavens and a "thank you" from Devon was so cool, and very much set the tone for the emotion for the remainder of the night. He got that pop and adrenaline, one last time.
- It's a hot take, but a true take - if you expected an in-ring special or a match that lived up to the ones these guys were known for, you're a fool.
- However, all four played the hits really well and gave us one last feeling of awesomeness.
- One more 3D was cool to see.
- Even with a bum leg, for a second - maybe more! - I thought Devon was jumping off that ladder!
- But of course, it's Jeff....oh Jeff!
- The surrender was a really nice ending.
- I'm glad the Dudleys were able to walk away on their own terms.
- Thank you, Dudley Boyz...Team 3D in TNA world.
- The image of the hug in the end was awesome.
- Was that a...ummmm, Bound For Glory moment? Is that a thing?
TNA World Championship: NXT’s Trick Williams (c) vs Mike Santana
- This is as tough of a back-to-back for emotion in pro wrestling as you're going to get...
- The fans that left the building - I honestly don't blame them. Not once did I believe this would be a four-hour event! Five hours if you watched from the Countdown show. On the East Coast, on a Sunday night, if you have kids (which I'm sure many do), heading out is understandable. Just a tough situation overall.
- Talkin' about emotiional - it was great seeing Chris Bey.
- Konnan being there for Santana's entrance was so cool.
- Trick Williams' entrance at Slammiversary remains one of my favorites all year. I was expecting something similar...but again, it's already late.
- I was genuinely worried about the amount of blood Santana had coming out of his head. Really, I just didn't want anything circumstantial to derail Santana walking out of Boston with the championship (blood, injury, etc.)
- Santana's daughter slapping Trick was awesome!
- Can we say it? This story arc created TNA's newest babyface and gave us probably the most entertaining heel in pro wrestling in Trick Williams. It's been gr...no, no. Let's talk about it!
- While it was cool, and a tease of what is to come, I could have done without the Call Your Shot Teases and the shenanigans after the match. Just go straight into the embrace with his daughter. That moment was so incredibly cool. So much emotion. If they HAD to do it, I thought doing it after the embrace was best.
- The Elijah return was really cool. The head nod gives Elijah a mystique vibe of being a rogue hero. I personally think they should lean into that mystique a bit more.
Final Thoughts
So much emotion.
Bound For Glory felt like an ending in many ways, and others, storylines felt unfinished. Weird.
Nonetheless, as mentioned before, I can't recall a Bound For Glory as memorable as this one. There is no immediate TV lined up afterwards, so it's going to be interesting to see them keep the momentum.
Also, does anyone else find the break to be odd? Are the new tapings part of the much-talked-about TV deal?
We'll see if the break allows the aftermath to settle and anticipation to build - a pseudo off-season. Or if TNA will lose some momentum.
Regardless, two breaking events from their two biggest events. It's been quite a 2025 for TNA. Looking forward to so many things to come.
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Photo credit: TNAWrestling.com