TNA Bound for Glory and NXT Halloween Havoc previews + thoughts on the wrestling news

This weekend is a big one for wrestling fans, as both NXT and TNA have special events. I’ll preview both events in this column, but before I do, I want to touch on a few news items I read this week.

Let’s start with the Lucha Bros/AEW situation: As reported today, it seems that when Penta’s contract is up, he will be free to do what he wants, while Fenix will be stuck in AEW. Tony has no plans to use him at all for the whole year. If that’s true, I think it’s awful for Fenix. He’s stuck in a place he doesn’t want to be, while his partner can go anywhere. This really shows how much Tony Khan is becoming like Vince McMahon in terms of being a businessman, and how hypocritical it is since AEW was supposed to be a wrestler-friendly place where performers wouldn’t be held against their will, unlike WWE.

Samantha Irvin quits WWE: To be honest, I saw this coming. As soon as Ricochet left WWE for AEW, I thought her days were numbered in WWE. Not because I thought she would join him, but because she had outside projects she wanted to explore but couldn’t fit into her WWE schedule. Once Ricochet left, she had no reason to stay, so she left to pursue those projects. I’m happy for her and wish her success because she’s way too talented to be limited to just being a ring announcer.

NJPW and AEW want to restrict talent from joining WWE after they wrestle at Forbidden Door: I’m taking this news with a grain of salt because I don’t believe anyone would be petty enough to forbid free agents from signing with WWE after wrestling at Forbidden Door. If it’s true and both companies go ahead with it, it will make them look bad—not just to fans and reporters but also to wrestlers, especially international talent who aren’t under contract with either company and see Forbidden Door as just another date they get paid for.

Rhino and Bob Ryder are being inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame: While the TNA Hall of Fame isn’t as prestigious as WWE’s or other wrestling halls of fame, I still think it’s a great honor for those who get in because it shows how much they contributed to the company. Frankly, no one deserves it more than Bob Ryder. Without him, there might not have been a TNA, as he was instrumental in starting the promotion with Jeremy Borash and the Jarretts. As for Rhino, he was always a solid performer who made everyone he worked with look better, so congrats to both of them.

Now, let’s preview Bound for Glory.

Call Your Shot Gauntlet: No participants have been announced yet, so it’s hard to predict a winner. However, it’s always a fun match to watch, especially since TNA likes to mix women and men in these matches. Last year, Jordynne Grace won and went on to win the Knockouts title. Hopefully, this year’s winner will find similar success.

Nick Nemeth vs. Joe Hendry for the TNA Title with Kazarian as special referee: This match should focus on Hendry overcoming adversity to win the title. Adding Kazarian as the referee brings another layer of unpredictability. The JBL storyline might also influence the outcome, but in the end, Hendry needs to win, and I think he will.

PCO vs. Matt Cardona for the Digital Title in a Monster’s Ball match: This will be a wild match since both PCO and Cardona excel in hardcore settings. I feel like Stephanie will show up and cost Cardona the match, allowing PCO to retain his title.

Mike Santana vs. Moose: Santana has been beaten down by Moose for months, and it’s time for him to get his revenge. I can’t see any outcome other than Santana winning this match.

The System vs. ABC vs. The Hardys in a Full Metal Mayhem match for the TNA Tag Titles: While the Hardys aren’t as good as they once were, they can still go in this type of match. The other two teams will put on a show, especially ABC, who are like a younger version of the Hardys. I think we could see the Hardys win the titles for one last nostalgic reign.

Jordynne Grace vs. Masha Slamovich for the Knockouts Title: These two always deliver, and with Jordynne’s contract ending soon and rumors of her moving to WWE, I think she will drop the title to Masha. It’s the right move, as Masha is more than capable of taking her place.

Spitfire vs. Rosemary and Wendy Choo for the Women’s Tag Titles: This will likely be a pre-show match. Spitfire just won the belts back, so I don’t see them losing so soon, especially not to an NXT talent.

Mike Bailey vs. Vinkingo for the X Division Championship: This will likely be the match of the night for fans of high-flying wrestling. Both are among the best cruiserweights in the world. That said, I don’t think Bailey will drop the title.

Josh Alexander vs. Steve Maclin: This will be a fight. Josh just started a new heel persona, and he needs a big win to solidify it. Maclin needs it too, so it’s a toss-up. My pick is Alexander.

Now, here’s a preview of NXT Halloween Havoc PLE.

Trick Williams vs. Ethan Page in a Devil’s Playground match for the NXT Championship: If their previous matches are any indication, this will be a barnburner. Trick wants to retain the title, and Ethan wants it back. Both will do anything to win, but I think it will be Trick’s night, and he’ll retain.

Tony D’Angelo vs. Oba Femi in a TLC match for the NXT North American Title: Both times they’ve wrestled, they delivered great matches, and I expect the same here. I think Oba is ready to move up the ladder and be Trick’s next big opponent, but Tony will retain the title.

Stephanie Vaquer and Giulia vs. Roxanne Perez and Cora Jade: Honestly, I don’t get the hype around Giulia, and Cora is probably the weakest wrestler in this match. The faces need to win if they want to be seen as a legitimate threat to Roxanne’s title, so I see the faces winning.

Andre Chase vs. Ridge Holland: This won’t be a match of the year, but it’ll be a good fight. Chase U needs to get their revenge on Ridge.

Zaria’s debut: I’m not sure if she’ll have a match or just cut a promo, but I’m interested to see what she does.

Kelani Jordan vs. a member of Fatal Attraction for the NXT North American Women’s Championship: This is interesting because we don’t know Kelani’s opponent. It’ll likely be Fallon Henley or Jacy Jayne. Kelani has proven she can go, and all three Fatal Attraction members are strong wrestlers. I think Kelani will retain.

Now, unless another match gets added, that’s my preview for both shows this weekend. I’ll review them next week, as I’ll be watching both. For those watching, I hope you enjoy the shows!