Bound For Glory is often held in high regard by TNA Wrestling and it’s fans; The company’s equivalent to WrestleMania (only it take place in October and not April) has seen many great title matches over the years with many of standing the test of time.
However we wouldn’t be talking about those matches here, instead will be focusing on those bouts that stood out for their insane spots, incredible action and unexpected surprises with not only them being fought a championship…Here are the Top 10 Non-Title Matches at Bound For Glory.
#10. The Call Your Shot Gauntlet: Bound For Glory 2022
The fourth annual Call Your Shot Gauntlet match at Bound For Glory 2022 was good way of combining the company’s stars from the past and present.
With names Tasha Steelz, Gisele Shaw, Bobby Fish, Steve Maclin, Johnny Swinger, Rich Swann, Sami Callihan, Rhino and a returning Bully Ray the action was enjoyable with several storylines being started or advanced in this match.
In addition to Bully making his return in this match, names like Taylor Wilde and Joe Hendry as surprise entrant received some genuine reactions from the commentators and the crowd.
While the fans hated the idea of seeing Bully Ray, a star from yesteryear winning a title shot over a rising talent like Steve Maclin, the end results led to a great match between Bully and Josh Alexander for the IMPACT World Championship in the opening match at Hard To Kill 2023.
9. The Monster’s Ball Match: Bound For Glory 2005
On show which sees Jushin ‘Thunder’ Liger taking Samoa Joe, and a 30 minute iron man match for the X Division Championship, one of the best matches to take place at the inaugural Bound For Glory the Monster’s Ball between Abyss, Sabu, Rhino and Jeff Hardy.
What follows is just an endless amount of destruction with everything not nailed down being used a weapon while Sabu manages to not botch any high flying spots… Speaking of high flying spots, Jeff Hardy’s legendary Swanton Bomb from the top of a structure is truly one of the Charismatic Enigma’s greatest.
Rhino would be the one to pick up the victory in this match, before going on to became the new NWA World Champion by the end of the night.
8. The Eight Mile Street Fight: Bound For Glory 2006
Almost two decades decade before he continuing his heelish ways in All Elite Wrestling, ‘Captain Charisma’ was having a career renaissance in TNA as one of the biggest free agents (not named Kurt Angle) to cross the line into the IMPACT Zone where he would become a megastar and battled some of the toughest wrestlers of that generation.
One such wrestler was Rhino who soon began feud with Christian leading a street fight at the 2006 Bound For Glory and because the show took place in Michigan the company decide to make it an ‘8 Mile Street Fight’ despite the fact the Eminem starring movie of the same name came out fours years earlier.
In terms of street fights at Bound For Glory, this one is pretty good as Rhino wasted no time beating up his former friend and even managed drag Cage’s body into the arena whilst riding a freaking zamboni; chair shots, uses of a fake lightpole, an 8 Mile Road Sign, table spots and Rhino getting locked in a straightjacket at one point are just some of the highlights of this match which saw Christian Cage emerge victorious.
7. Hulk Hogan vs. Sting: Bound For Glory 2011
Despite this era being a low point in the promotion’s history, it definitely had it’s moments and one of them occurred in thr semi-main event between Hulk Hogan and longtime rival Sting battling for control of TNA.
Considering Hogan’s physical limitations around this time and his history of back problems, you might expect this match to be a giant flop that everyone hopes you forget about…However, that’s quite the opposite here.
Sure the match sees the Hulkster’s using nefarious means to get ahead of Sting, but the action is pretty good and my actually be Hogan and Sting’s best match together in their careers which is really saying something.
While the match itself was good for what it was, it’s the moment afterwards that’s iconic with the Hulkster turning babyface to help Sting beat up Immortal and finally Eric Bischoff at essentially TNA’s version of WrestleMania is something that still stands as one of the best Bound For Glory moments of all time.
6. Jerry Lynn vs. Rob Van Dam: Bound For Glory 2011
Take two of the best wrestlers from Extreme Championship Wrestling, have them face off at one of your biggest shows of the year which just so happens to take place in a location that become synonymous with hardcore wrestling as it is with Philly Cheese steak and Rocky Balboa…If those wrestlers are RVD and Jerry Lynn, if the show is Bound For Glory 2011 and the state is Philadelphia Pennyslvania then you have a receipe for a tremendous match.
Both Lynn and RVD beat the heck out of each other with chairs and ladders with numerous spots that look and felt so dangerous you hope neither man comes out of this seriously hurt; The closing spot and biggest highlight of the match sees ‘The Whole F’n Show’ hitting a Van Terminatior complete with a chair onto a ladder in the corner with Lynn trapped in between.
RVD came out on top in this match with both men were able to put their issues aside and end their renewed rivarly in the City of Brotherly Love.
5. The Steel Asylum Match: Bound For Glory 2008
Like many things TNA has done over the years, you either hate or like the Steel Asylum match which the company did on andn off from mid 2008- until early 2010; Of course like all cage related matches, it would be hard for fans in attendance to see the action inside leading to cameramen having to employ tactics to get the footage they need.
Regardless of which side of the spectrum you are on with this match, the one that took place at Bound For Glory 2008 was pretty awesome…again when you can actually see the action inside the asylum.
The match allows most of TNA’s then X Division roster to go wild inside the structure and they certainly make the most of it with combo moves, finishers, and moves from the top rop making up most of the action and it truly gets your attention from beginning to end.
Overall, it was solid match and nice way to kick off a Bound For Glory PPV.
4. Matt Sydal & Ethan Page vs. Rich Swann & Willie Mack: Bound For Glory 2018
Speaking of BFG opening matches that grab the viewers attention, let’s talk about this underrated tag team classic fro Bound For Glory 2018.
Rich Swann teamed up with a debuting Willie Mack to take on the unlikely duo Ethan Page and Matt Sydal and as you might expect from the talent involve, this bout more than delivers.
The action is great, the chemistry is surprisingly good considering Sydal and Page’s alleged dislike of each other at the time and crowd eats up everything leading to the good guys emerging victorious.
3. Jeff Jarrett vs. Kurt Angle: Bound For Glory 2008
The Feud between Jarrett and Angle over the years have seen some of the best bouts of either man’s career including their very first encounter at Bound For Glory 2008
No surprise the action was great, but it’s the storytelling throughout this match that is spectular with commentary mentioning if Jeff was mentally ready to get back in the ring to Kurt outmaneuvering the majority of Jarrett’s offense to Angle coming off as an intense but calculating monster picking apart the TNA Founder in the first half of the match.
By the time match gets into second and third gear, it become more competitive with Jarrett being able to build to momentum without it being almost immediately snuffed out by the Olympic Gold Medalist and then the finish where Angle snaps at the realization he can’t put Jarrett away so he grabs a steel chair only for Mick Foley (the Special Guest Enforcer) to stop him before he and Jarrett got walloped with the chair leading to the ‘Hardcore Legend’ getting involve and helping Double J win the first battle many battles he would have with Angle.
2. Will Ospreay vs. Mike Bailey: Bound For Glory 2023
A Five Star Rated classic according to Dave Meltzer when it came to the first ever meeting between “Speedball” Mike Bailey and Will Ospreay at Bound For Glory 2023…And it’s safe to say Dave was right about that.
From kicks to knife edge chops to a Phenomenal Forearm and a freakin Styles Clash; The crowd were white hot for eveything that happened in this match with the match becoming a battle ofendurance as various moves like the Hidden Blade, Ultimo Weapon and a Storm Driver 97 all being used with Ospreay ending up as the winner.
This match is a classic no doubt about that, but for me personally, there is only one match that can surpassed this one.
1. Bobby Roode vs. James Storm: Bound For Glory 2012
I mention during the Cage/Rhino that in terms of street fights at BFG their match was pretty good, but if that match was good than there’s only one that can truly be considered the king at that would be Storm vs. Roode at Bound For Glory 2012.
Outside of needlessly adding Bellator Fighter King Mo as the special guest enforcer, this match is excellent from beginning to end from the opening fist fight to Storm’s face becoming a crimson mask to Roode’s selling of the offense after being hit by various weapons and that’s all before you realize this is in the first 10 minutes of the match.
Roode landing back first into a pile of thumbtacks is a wonderful moment in this match…well certainly not if your Bobby.
The match ending with Roode low blowing Storm and grabing a beer bottle only for Storm to answer back with a low blow of his own before cracking the bottle over Roode’s head and hitting the last call superkick is still a great match over a decade later.
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