What Is 2013 Bound for Glory Series

Overview

The 2013 Bound for Glory Series was a professional wrestling tournament organized by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) to determine the top contender for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. It replaced the previous year's format with a round-robin points system, where competitors earned points based on match outcomes across televised and live events.

Running from July to October 2013, the series featured 12 wrestlers vying for a title shot at the annual Bound for Glory pay-per-view. The tournament emphasized in-ring performance and consistency, with points awarded for wins, draws, and submissions, ultimately shaping the main event scene for the fall season.

• Twelve competitors participated, including AJ Styles, Magnus, and Jeff Hardy, each bringing established rivalries and drawing fan interest throughout the summer.
• Matches were held across 13 episodes of TNA Impact! and several live events, ensuring broad exposure and ongoing story development.
• Each win earned a wrestler 2 points, a draw or time-limit draw earned 1 point, and a loss earned 0, creating tight standings.
• The series began on July 18, 2013, with the opening matches airing on Impact! and continued weekly through September.
• The final standings were determined by cumulative points, with the top two advancing to a championship match at Bound for Glory.

How It Works

The Bound for Glory Series used a structured points system to rank wrestlers based on performance, ensuring that consistency was rewarded over single-match upsets. This format encouraged strategic storytelling and long-term booking, distinguishing it from single-elimination tournaments.

• Round-Robin Format: Each wrestler did not face every other, but the booking ensured multiple matches with varied opponents to build narratives. This allowed for dynamic point shifts across weeks.
• Points System: A win awarded 2 points, a draw or no-contest earned 1, and a loss earned 0. This incentivized wrestlers to secure decisive victories.
• Championship Opportunity: The top two point-earners at the end of the series faced off at Bound for Glory 2013 for a future title shot.
• Time Frame: The competition spanned three months, from July 18 to October 20, integrating with ongoing TNA storylines and pay-per-view build-up.
• Match Types: Standard singles matches dominated, though some featured stipulations like no-disqualification to resolve feuds and boost drama.
• Final Determination: In the event of a tie, TNA officials could use head-to-head results or discretionary judgment, though ties were rare due to frequent match scheduling.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2013 Bound for Glory Series with previous TNA tournaments and similar events in other promotions:

The 2013 Bound for Glory Series mirrored the structure of NJPW’s G1 Climax but on a smaller scale, with fewer participants and less emphasis on block divisions. Unlike WWE’s King of the Ring, which focused on prestige, TNA’s version directly influenced title contention, making it a central storyline.

Why It Matters

The 2013 Bound for Glory Series was a pivotal moment in TNA’s 2013 season, helping to reestablish AJ Styles as a top star after a brief departure and setting the stage for future main event scenes. Its format influenced how TNA structured future tournaments and long-term booking.

• AJ Styles emerged victorious with 12 points, defeating Magnus in the final to earn a shot at the TNA World Heavyweight Champion.
• The series boosted viewership during the summer months, with key matches drawing above-average ratings on Impact!.
• It provided exposure for mid-card talent like Robbie E and Samoa Joe, giving them meaningful roles in the main event picture.
• The points system encouraged sustained storytelling, reducing reliance on last-minute finishes and enhancing long-term narrative cohesion.
• It marked one of the last major pushes for the original TNA roster before significant creative and ownership changes in 2014.
• The format was discontinued after 2013, making this iteration a unique chapter in TNA’s history.

Ultimately, the 2013 Bound for Glory Series served as both a competitive showcase and a narrative engine, blending sports and drama in a way that defined TNA’s approach during a transitional era.