TNA Wrestling presented its biggest pay-per-view of the year, Bound For Glory, from Detroit Saturday night.

Nic Nemeth defended the TNA World Championship against Joe Hendry and Jordynne Grace defended the TNA Knockouts Championship against longtime foe Masha Slamovich in the night's two main events, but they were hardly the only high-stakes matches on tap for the extravaganza.

What else went down, who emerged victoriously, and how did the night's events alter the future of TNA Wrestling?

Find out with this recap of the October 26 spectacular, including grades and analysis for each of the show's match-ups.

Match Card

The card for Saturday's pay-per-view included:

• TNA World Championship Match: Nick Nemeth (c) vs. Joe Hendry (Frankie Kazarian as guest referee)
• TNA Knockouts Championship Match: Jordynne Grace (c) vs. Masha Slamovich
• Full Metal Mayhem for the TNA World Tag Team Championship: ABC (Ace Austin and Chris Bey) vs. The System (Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers) (c) vs. The Hardys
• Mike Santana vs. Moose
• Josh Alexander vs. Steve Maclin
• X-Division Championship Match: "Speedball" Mike Bailey (c) vs. El Hijo del Vikingo
• Monsters Ball for the TNA Digital and International Wrestling Championships: PCO vs. Matt Cardona
• TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship Match: Spitfire (Jodi Threat and Dani Luna) vs. Rosemary and Wendy Choo
• Call Your Shot Gauntlet Match for an opportunity to challenge for any title, any time, anywhere
• Countdown to Bound For Glory: Ash and Heather By Elegance vs. Xia Brookside and Brinley Reece

Xia Brookside and Brinley Reece vs. Ash and Heather By Elegance

NXT's Brinley Reece teamed with Xia Brookside to battle Ash and Heather By Elegance in the opening match of the Countdown to Bound For Glory preshow.

A red-hot crowd was solidly behind Reece and Brookside, who rolled late in the match and appeared to be en route to a high-profile victory. Instead, late chicanery allowed the entitled heels to wipe out Brookside, leaving the NXT rookie alone.

Heather delivered a top-rope Spanish Fly and Ash added a swanton bomb for the tainted victory.

It was a basic tag match but was worked well and highlighted the skills of all four women. Despite her inexperience, Reece never looked out of place and did a great job as the babyface in peril.

Brookside was the star, but the heels winning allows the storyline to propel forward whereas a clean babyface victory would have been its conclusion.

Result

Ash and Heather Elegance defeated Reece and Brookside

Grade

C+

Top Moments and Takeaways

• Using TNA as a proving ground for Reece and other NXT stars is a great idea. It provides television time and an opportunity to work outside of the WWE system to develop their skill sets. It also takes them out of the comfort zone of NXT, which is a learning experience in its own right.
• The crowd was really into Brookside, whose father Robbie is a trainer with the NXT brand.
• There was a great near-fall late, where Reece delivered a TKO to Heather and appeared to have the win in hand until the heel's concierge put his charge's foot on the bottom rope to break the pin. 

TNA Wrestling Hall of Fame

Bob Ryder, one of the founding fathers of TNA Wrestling behind the scenes, and Rhino took their rightful places in the company's Hall of Fame.

Eric Young, one of the stars most synonymous with the company over two decades, inducted Ryder and told the story of his passion for the industry. Ryder was a revolutionary, someone who was active in websites and understood the internet's significance in the future of the business.

A beloved member of the TNA Wrestling family until his untimely passing in 2020, he was a journalist, innovator, travel agent, and friend. Saturday night, TNA made sure his legacy lived forever.

Tommy Dreamer inducted his fellow ECW alumnus Rhino in front of his hometown fans, family, and friends in Detroit.

He celebrated his friend's long list of accomplishments across professional wrestling, his work ethic, and his love of professional wrestling.

The Man-Beast delivered an electric speech, thanked everyone from Dreamer and Paul Heyman to Triple H, Jim Ross, and Pat Patterson, and told a story about Heath Slater comforting his dying brother through phone calls toward the end of his life.

He expressed his love for the fans, lastly, and wrapped up by calling the Hall of Fame "ours."

Call Your Shot Gauntlet Match

Participants: "King of TNA" Frankie Kazarian, Zachary Wentz, Jake Something, Trey Miguel, Hammerstone, Rohit Raju, Laredo Kid, Sami Callihan, John Skyler, Bhupinder Gujjar, Trent Seven, KC Navarro, Rhino, Tasha Steelz, Lei Ying Lee, Jason Hotch, Leon Slater, Jonathan Gresham, JDC, and AJ Francis

The Call Your Shot Gauntlet is a staple of Bound For Glory weekend, beginning as a standard over-the-top-rope battle royal before becoming a basic singles match when the field narrowed to two.

There were several teases of upcoming programs, including Lee vs. Steelz and the Rascalz vs. Something and Hammerstone, as well as a few surprises, not the least of which was newly inducted Hall of Famer Rhino.

The Man-Beast overcame a numbers disadvantage, outlasting JDC and Francis, becoming one of the match's final two competitors. Unfortunately, an undetected low blow from the self-proclaimed "King of TNA" Kazarian allowed the hated heel to score the win and earn a championship opportunity whenever he pleases.

Including the main event, which he will oversee as the guest referee.

That booking was great in that it created a cliffhanger between the preshow and main broadcast and set the stage for the heel to steal his way to his first world title.

Elsewhere, the introduction of other feuds elevated this beyond your basic battle royal as it helped plant the seeds for weeks of television post-Bound For Glory.

Result

Kazarian won

Grade

B

Top Moments and Takeaways

• The emergence of Rhino was a nice surprise. He tied Chris Sabin with his 13th Bound For Glory match, most of all time. 
• Steelz became the first woman to enter the match and immediately delivered a cutter to Navarro that popped the crowd. She tried to do the same to Rhino. It did not work as well.
• Kazarian delivered a vicious clothesline to Lee and eliminated her, drawing big heat in the process, despite the match being advertised as intergender.
• The hatred for Francis from the TNA faithful is impressive. The pop Rhino received for eliminating him was special.
• Wentz eliminated Something, only for the latter to pull him to the floor as the teases of a Rascalz vs. Something and Hammerstone rivalry continued.

X Division Championship Match: "Speedball" Mike Bailey vs. El Hijo del Vikingo

"Speedball" Mike Bailey continued his underrated run as one of the best wrestlers in the industry, successfully defending the X Division Championship over El Hijo del Vikingo to kick off Bound For Glory.

The battle saw two of the most creative performers and aerial assassins wowed the fans in Detroit and watching at home with moves, sequences, reversals, and counters unmatched by lesser athletes.

Late, Bailey delivered Ultima Weapon but Vikingo kicked out. Moments later, Vikingo had the champion reeling but the top competitor in the X Division weathered the storm, caught his opponent on the top rope, and delivered an awe-inspiring Meteor Rain for the win.

An extraordinary match, there is very little on this card that could eclipse it. This is a candidate for the best match of the TNA year in 2024 and, hopefully, not the last time we will see them compete.

Result

Bailey defeated Vikingo to retain

Grade

A

Top Moments and Takeaways

• Tom Hannifan noted that Bailey has not lost a match in five months while Matthew Rehwoldt chimed in,  reminding the viewers that Speedball's record vs. Vikingo is not in his favor. 
• Hannifan added that Bailey has never won at Bound For Glory and thus, he did not want to see "nice guy Bailey."
• Bailey uncorked a picture-perfect twisting moonsault to the floor but continued to nurse ribs that appeared to have been banged up during a dive from the challenger earlier in the match.
• Vikingo kicked out of Ultima Weapon in a great near fall. He delivered a Canadian Destroyer on the apron moments later.
• The finish was extraordinary. 

TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship Match: Spitfire vs. Wendy Choo and Rosemary

NXT's Wendy Choo and Rosemary challenged Spitfire's Dani Luna and Jody Threat for the TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Championship.

The champions retained after a double-tough challenge from Choo and Rosemary, who controlled most of the match. The heels had victory in hand late, too, as they isolated a beaten-down Luna.

A desperate recovery and hot tag to Threat sparked a comeback and allowed the champions to retain by pinning Choo.

After the match, Rosemary delivered a spear to her partner and kissed her forehead, signifying the end of their partnership and, perhaps, the start of a rivalry.

A good match wrestled by three veterans and a promising young star-in-the-making in Luna, this was a great way to continue the show after that electric opening and by its end, fans were bought into it.

Result

Spitfire defeated Choo and Rosemary to retain

Grade

C+

Top Moments and Takeaways

• Choo entered the match with the potential to make history as the first NXT Superstar to win a TNA title.
• The heels delivered a DDT to Luna on the arena floor, jeopardizing the champions' reign. Luna recovered moments later, powering both opponents out of the corner and making the hot tag.
• The double German suplex from Threat to Choo and Rosemary may have seemed like a good idea in theory but it came across as Choo suplexing her own partner. Given what happened after the bell, perhaps that was the intent and will be explained as the emphasis for the split.

Steve Maclin vs. Josh Alexander

An increasingly personal rivalry between Steve Maclin and Josh Alexander wrote its latest chapter in Detroit as they squared off in one-on-one action.

Before the match, it was noted that Alexander's Northern Armory teammates Judas Icarus and Travis Williams could not attend the show, ensuring Maclin would get his hands on the heel Walking Weapon without interference.

"Bulletproof" did just that and even mustered an effective attack with both hands bound behind his back. Maclin was a man on a mission, punishing Alexander late in the match and leaving the former world champion reeling.

With the babyface not able to utilize his hands, The Walking Weapon capitalized, trapping him in an ankle lock until he passed out from the pain, unable to tap or to reach the rope to force a break.

This was a great bit of storytelling.

Maclin was a total badass, absorbing everything his opponent threw at him and daring him to bring more. He had the crowd right there along with him, ready to watch him do the unthinkable. When Alexander resorted to a cheap low blow and the zip ties, it only fueled the crowd's desire to see him win.

He did not, but he achieved more in defeat than he would have in victory. He earned their respect, which will go a long way in establishing him as the heart of TNA.

Result

Alexander defeated Maclin by referee stoppage

Grade

B+

Top Moments and Takeaways

• The action started hot and heavy, with Maclin launching Alexander into the ring steps and brawling around the squared circle before the bell even began. 
• Maclin answered a barrage of German suplexes from Alexander with nine of his own, bringing the crowd to their feet.
• The babyface delivered a superplex and immediately transitioned into a Death Valley Driver for a near-fall. 
• With the referee down, Alexander delivered a low blow and zip-tied Maclin's hands behind his back. That did not stop Maclin from delivering Crosshairs and the Scud, to the delight of the fans.

Monster's Ball: PCO vs. Matt Cardona

Matt Cardona interrupted PCO and Steph De Lander's wedding, igniting a rivalry with the TNA Digital Media and International Heavyweight champion that culminated in Monster's Ball Saturday night.

The undead champion got a measure of revenge, outlasting the creative violence of Cardona to retain his titles.

Cardona relied on his deathmatch experience from his time with GCW to implement weapons into the match but PCO simply shrugged off everything the challenger threw at him. Despite a lacerated forehead and a body wracked with pain, the undead Frankenstein of TNA persevered, driving Cardona into a pile of thumbtacks and adding a moonsault for the win.

This was fine if you are into the deathmatch style and appreciate weapon use. Otherwise, it was mostly an exchange of weaponry culminating in the TNA-signed talent scoring the win.

Result

PCO defeated Cardona to retain

Grade

C

Top Moments and Takeaways

• "This is the guy who created the Internet Championship," Rehwoldt reminded Hannifan and the viewers of Cardona. You know it. 
• Cardona's Ghostbusters-inspired "Deathmatch Busters" gear was appropriate for the season and reflective of his unabashed nerdiness.
• PCO sent Cardona through a door, an ode to the latter's GCW history. It was not the last appearance of the household item in the match as Cardona drove PCO through one in return.
• Cardona fed PCO thumbtacks and delivered the Reboot to the shock and horror of the commentary team. He drove the champion face-first into the tacks and even shoved them individually into his face.

Mike Santana vs. Moose

Mike Santana entered Bound For Glory and his match with Moose having defeated every other member of The System. Driven to prove himself a legitimate main event star, he wasted little time taking the fight to the man who cost him the TNA world title at Slammiversary.

Santana and Moose delivered a physical battle, a war of attrition that saw each man throw everything they had at each other in the name of winning.

The babyface withstood his opponent's signature stuff, as well as interference from JDC, to remain in the fight. Conversely, Moose took everything Santana had to offer and evaded defeat.

Late in the match, with both men exhausted, Santana avoided what would have been a knockout blow from the former Dirty Dango, eliminated him from the equation, and delivered Spin the Block to Moose for the victory.

This was a better match than it had any right to be, with a star-making performance from the babyface that has him set up to be a world title contender entering 2025. It also served as evidence that Moose, like him or not, is a big-time performer for TNA and someone the company trusts in a position like this.

Result

Santana defeated Moose

Grade

B+

Top Moments and Takeaways

• JDC sent Santana into the ring steps undetected by the official, slowing his early momentum and allowing Moose to take control.
• Given the crowd's F-bomb-infused chants, it is safe to say the TNA faithful do not like The System.
• Santana has a perfect 450 splash.
• JDC tried to use a steel chain but Santana ducked and delivered Spin the Block, only for Moose to execute a spear for a two-count.

TNA Knockouts World Championship Match: Jordynne Grace vs. Masha Slamovich

Two years ago at Bound For Glory, Jordynne Grace ended Masha Slamovich's undefeated streak, retaining the TNA Knockouts World Championship. Now friends, the two entered Saturday's show in similar positions, with Slamovich looking to end Grace's latest run with the title.

The match did not have a similar ending, though.

Slamovich overcame a left knee injury that hampered her all match long to deliver a super Snowplow and a piledriver to secure the victory.

Grace was great here, targeting the knee throughout the match to help build sympathy for her opponent, despite a crowd that mostly favored her.

The chemistry between the competitors was obvious and fueled what was one of the better matches on a show that had, to that point, been full of above-average in-ring performances.

The right woman went over as Slamovich is finally the KO champion and earns the credibility that comes with conquering the top competitor in the division.

Result

Slamovich defeated Grace to win the title

Grade

A

Top Moments and Takeaways

• At the 2022 event, Grace wore white and Slamovich wore red. This year, they wore the opposite, a nice nod to their previous encounter.
• Slamovich delivered her trademark Snowplow finisher but could not keep the champion down, her injured left knee slowing her down.
• Grace, in a nod to former TNA X Division champion Jerry Lynn, delivered a tombstone German suplex and a Kryptonite Krunch, but could not keep the challenger down. 
• Slamovich with a Burning Hammer but the knee continued to slow her down from making the cover and winning the gold.

TNA World Championship Match: Nic Nemeth vs. Joe Hendry

"King of TNA" and Call Your Shot Gauntlet winner Frankie Kazarian was the special referee for the match between TNA world champion Nic Nemeth and challenger Joe Hendry.

A back-and-forth match saw Nemeth and Hendry have a counter or answer for everything they threw at each other, neither giving in nor allowing the other to secure a victory.

Late in the match, Kazarian teased cashing in his Call Your Shot Gauntlet title shot but John Layfield (WWE's JBL) emerged from the crowd and delivered a Clothesline from Hell that leveled the special guest referee.

Another clothesline to Hendry, and a third to Nemeth's brother Ryan, set the stage for the champion to secure the win with Danger Zone.

The commentary team put over the idea that Nemeth did not see Layfield's interference and had no idea about its impact on the match. Until that comes out of his mouth directly, there is plenty of reason to believe that Layfield is deliberately interfering on behalf of his former WWE coworker.

Hendry has an out and will almost certainly return to this spot again. Kazarian still has his opportunity to ruin any title match he sees fit, and the questions surrounding Nemeth and Layfield create drama and intrigue at the top of the card.

Result

Nemeth defeated Hendry to retain

Grade

B

Top Momenta and Takeaways

• Hendry with the Eminem-themed entrance was amazing. 
• Detroit despises Ohio and let that state's native son, Nemeth, know about it all match.
• Hendry caught Nemeth with a pop-up powerbomb and added an ankle lock, but the champion would not quit.
• The challenger delivered an Attitude Adjustment, a move Nemeth had been one the receiving end of multiple times throughout his career. 

Full Metal Mayhem for the TNA World Tag Team Championship

In the main event of Saturday's show, The System's Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers defended the TNA World Tag Team Championship against ABC (Ace Austin and Chris Bey and The Hardys.

The match was every bit the chaos and destruction that contests of this type typically are, with incredible shows of athleticism and creativity.

Even more awe-inspiring bumps, too.

The crowd was red-hot for the Hardys, but not so much for either of the other teams, meaning that despite the hard work of ABC and The System, the portion of the match where they were laid out at ringside was cold.

The layout of the match, which saw one of the three teams out of commission for most of it, was not great and there was very little in the way of unique, new, or exciting.

Bey and Austin carried things, and the Hardys' victory by way of sending Edwards crashing through two tables, felt inevitable. Still, the triumphant brothers sent the crowd in Detroit him happy and closed out the show with recognizable faces celebrating, so that part was a positive.

Result

The Hardys defeated ABC and The System to win the titles

Grade

C+

Top Moments and Takeaways

• Jeff Hardy's paintings adorned the canvas and the ringside area ahead of the main event.
• Austin delivered a frog splash from the stands, driving Myers through a table in the crowd. Matt Hardy took out the other half of the tag champs, Edwards, with a double-leg drop off a ladder and through a table.
• ABC used Poetry in Motion against Jeff, a little insult to injury.
• For a large portion of the match. it was essentially Hardys vs. ABC.
• Myers and Edwards drove the Hardys through tables with the Side Effect.
• The Art of Finesse by Bey to Edwards drew the first big reaction of the entire match.
• With Bey dangling from the belt holder, Myers delivered an ode to his mentor, Edge, with a spear from a ladder.
• Jeff delivered a Swanton Bomb from the top of a ladder, driving Myers through one of the two tables set up at ringside. 
• Alisha Edwards, who had feigned a neck injury, ate a Twist of Fate from Matt. 

Overall Grade

TNA Wrestling delivered with its biggest pay-per-view of the year.

While the main event may have been the worst of the three options to go on last, it was star-studded thanks to the Hardys and gave the fans a happy show-closing moment.

The broadcast highlighted the top TNA stars, set up new stories, concluded others, and featured a few title changes to boot.

It felt like a big deal, the fans in Detroit treated it like one, and the result was a quality show.

Where everything goes from here, and how The System bounces back from a catastrophic BFG, remains to be seen.

Overall Grade: B+