TNA Bound for Glory PPV Results
October 20, 2013
San Diego, Calif.
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

PPV Hour 3

Backstage: JB brought in Magnus to discuss his big singles match against Main Event Mafia leader and mentor, Sting. Magnus said he has everything to lose and he feels even more dangerous because of that. He closed by noting he has a date with destiny and she's starting to get impatient.

Following a video package on the issues between Sting and Magnus leading to the PPV, Magnus was introduced to the ring first. Sting was out next sporting a t-shirt with his logo painted in the U.K. red, white, and blue colors, either promoting TNA's U.K. Tour or trying to get in U.K. wrestler Magnus's head. Or, he just ran out of t-shirts to wrestle in.

6 -- STING vs. MAGNUS -- Main Event Mafia battle

Feeling-out process early on as the two wrestlers played nice. Meanwhile, on commentary, Taz wondered why this match is happening - "why do you need a match to make you? You make yourself." Magnus then stopped playing nice by catching Sting on the way back into the ring. Four minutes in, Taz drew attention to Sting's t-shirt selection, prompting a debate over Sting's intentions with the shirt.

Magnus tried to get in Sting's head by doing Sting's signature howl pose before hitting a Scorpion Splash. But, Sting came back with a trademark no-sell, a howl, and the Scorpion Deathlock. Magnus escaped, then blocked a corner Stinger Splash with an elbow. Magnus then nailed a Scorpion Deathdrop before climbing to the top rope. Magnus delivered a flying elbow drop, but Sting escaped a nearfall. Magnus wanted a second elbow drop, but apparently missed, but both men sold the effects.

Sting tried to make the comeback, but Magnus popped him with elbows to the mouth. Sting did a Flair Flop to sell, drawing a few Whoos from the crowd. Sting recovered in the corner, then challenged Magnus to bring the fight. Magnus did and dropped Sting to the mat before slapping on a Texas Cloverleaf. Sting fought the hold as the crowd made light noise. Sting eventually had enough, tapping out to Magnus, stunning the crowd.

Post-match: Magnus got his hand raised and stared off into space with a determined, somewhat crazy look in his eyes. Magnus celebrated in the corners as Sting recovered to his feet. Magnus ignored Sting, continuing to celebrate. Sting then hobbled over to Magnus, who continued celebrating and ignoring Sting. Sting went for a handshake, Magnus disrespectfully slapped his hand, clutched it, and walked out of the ring. Taz said Magnus doesn't do humble well. Sting eventually limped out of the ring as Taz noted Magnus just beat a legend and blew him off afterward.

WINNER: Magnus via submission at 11:05. They didn't get much juice from the the Flair-Sting 1980s squeeze they were going for. The crowd was mostly quiet, Sting is out of his prime, and a victory for Magnus didn't mean as much as it would have earlier in Sting's TNA run. Magnus teasing a heel turn feels like old hat for TNA, where faces go back and forth because they eventually all have bad attitudes, leading to crowd disinterest. (**)

A.J. Styles Video: Styles won the 2013 BFG Series to earn a TNA Title shot tonight.

Backstage: JB was standing by with Bully Ray and Brooke. Bully repeated his vow to send Styles home an unemployed disappointment. "Welcome to my jungle," Bully closed.

In-ring: A.J. Styles was introduced first for the PPV main event. Tenay said it's time for Styles to step up and "make Dixie Carter pay." Aces & Eights's music then brought out Bully Ray along with Brooke. B&B took their sweet time entering the ring, making Styles think and wait. "Ref Bump" Earl Hebner was assigned the match, of note.

JB handled formal ring introductions, drawing boos for Hebner, a smattering of cheers for Styles, and boos for Bully, who got in Styles's face trying to intimidate him before the bell sounded at 10:30 EST.

7 -- TNA World Hvt. champion BULLY RAY (w/Brooke) vs. A.J. STYLES -- TNA World Title match -- No DQ match

Bully dominated with over-powering offense early on, dictating the pace of the action. Bully paused to tell Styles that tonight is not his night and he is afraid of him. Bully added that he'll take care of Styles's wife and kids for him, which drew a right hand and a snap dropkick from Styles. Bully recovered in the corner as Taz said Bully shouldn't have gone there. Styles then rolled into a Calfkiller on Calfzilla, but Garett Bischoff hit the ringside area at 4:15 to provide the first distraction of the evening.

Styles backed down Garett as Bully suddenly had possession of a hammer. Styles re-entered the ring and kicked the hammer away from Bully before slowly picking it up. Styles tried a hammer shot, but Bully blocked and chopped Styles across the ring. Bully sold a calf injury before continuing his offensive attack. Bully then mocked Hulk Hogan's pose, upsetting one fan dressed up like Hogan on the front row facing the hard camera.

Bully drove Styles into the corner with a slap, but Styles walked out, telling Bully to bring it harder. Bully did, then again. Bully acted stunned that Styles was fighting back, then Styles landed slaps, only to take a big knock-down clothesline from Bully. Styles stood up, took another chop, wiped his chest, and begged for more.

Styles fought back, then went to the top rope, which drew out Knux. Knux stood in the ring, so Styles tried to splash him, but Knux blocked and landed a chokeslam. Ray covered for a nearfall. Ray yelled at Knux for not getting the job done, so Ray yelled at Hebner, who did the deal where he shoved Ray across the ring. Ray then accidentally took out Knux after being rattled by Hebner. Styles tried to roll up Ray from behind, but Ray kicked out just before three. Ray then big-booted Styles clear out of the ring to the floor. An eventful first 10 minutes.

On the outside, Styles popped Ray with a kick to the head that put Ray on the announce table. Styles then picked up the hammer, decided not to use it, and climbed into the ring to measure Ray for a high-flying move. Styles went for a big springboard flip dive, but Ray moved and Styles crashed hard through the announce table, drawing an actual visceral reaction from Taz celebrating as if Bully made a fourth-down stop at the goalline.

As Hebner checked on Styles, Ray received cutters from Taz to begin tearing up the ring. Bully removed the ring mat and padding to expose the boards below the ring. Ray stood proudly in the middle of the ring as Taz said Dixie Carter has to be loving this right now. Bully then called to the back to help. No movement.

The camera stayed on Bully, then Dixie Carter walked out to boos. Dixie asked for a chair and handed it to Bully. Over the course of the events, Styles recovered, then springboard smashed the chair into Bully's face when Bully turned around. Styles then snapped off a Springboard 450 splash, but Dixie told ref Hebner not to count. Hebner paused in-between counts to argue with Dixie, then Bully kicked out.

Reset before Styles dragged Ray to his feet. Styles wanted the Clash on the exposed boards, but Ray back-dropped Styles onto the boards. As Dixie remained on the entrance ramp, Ray came off the top with a flying butt bomb that caught a portion of Styles for a two count. Bully followed with a chair shot to the back, then a second. He wanted a powerbomb onto the boards, but Styles avoided and Pele Kicked Ray down to the mat.

At 20:00, Styles climbed to the top rope and nailed the Spiral Tap. Styles connected on the boards, covered Bully, and scored a three count for the win. Dixie shouted, "No!" on the entrance ramp before going into panic mode, having to now pay Styles since he won the title. As Brooke consoled Bully in the ring, Styles celebrated and Dixie sold inner conflict on the entrance ramp.

Post-match, TNA replayed the outcome as Taz wondered aloud how Bully lost this match. Tenay said there was no give-up in Styles. TNA replayed the high points of the match before showing Styles winning the match and the title. Back live, Styles was shown celebrating, Dixie throwing a fit, and Bully coming to life. Taz said Dixie needs to fix this. Styles then left the ring to celebrate as the camera kept cutting to Dixie still trying to sell anger over this outcome. Styles eventually left into the crowd to try to give the PPV a "feel-good moment" closing the show with Styles celebrating with the title belt in the crowd. The PPV signed off at 10:55 with Styles continuing the celebration and Tenay saying Dixie now has to pay the champ.

WINNER: Styles at 20:27 to capture the TNA World Title. It was good, but flawed by the overarching storyline involving Dixie Carter and Ray's henchmen from Aces & Eights. TNA is just stuck in a rut right now and this wasn't enough to push the PPV into Thumbs Up territory. Styles took some hard bumps in this match, but was it worth it? (**3/4)

*** LIVECAST ALERT ***

Join Caldwell & PWTorch columnist Greg Parks for the post-game show taking your phone calls on Bound for Glory at PWTorchLivecast.com starting at 11:30 p.m. EST.

*** REAX ALERT ***

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