TNA Bound For Glory 2025 (tap here for results) featured Leon Slater defending the X-Division Championship against WWE NXT’s Je’Von Evans, a match that ended in controversy and heavy fan backlash.
The bout initially went to a time-limit draw, prompting TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella to restart the match, declaring it would continue “until there’s a winner.” However, just moments later, the NXT stable DarkState stormed the ring and attacked both Slater and Evans, forcing the referee to rule the match a No Contest.
What was on track to be an instant classic quickly became one of the night’s most criticized finishes. Fans and critics alike took to social media to express disappointment over the lack of a clear winner in what was billed as TNA’s marquee crossover match of the year. Many argued that the interruption undermined an otherwise incredible showcase of two young, rising stars.
However, according to a new report from The Takedown on Sports Illustrated, the creative direction for the finish was heavily influenced by WWE.
WWE had a significant say in the booking outcome, given that Je’Von Evans is under an NXT contract and that both promotions now collaborate closely on shared talent appearances.
TNA President Carlos Silva recently confirmed in an interview with The Takedown that creative decisions involving shared wrestlers are jointly developed between the two companies. However, insiders noted that WWE tends to hold “a lot of pull” when it comes to how its contracted wrestlers are portrayed on TNA programming.
That influence extended to the Bound For Glory match, with WWE reportedly preferring to protect Evans from taking a clean loss while still allowing TNA to highlight Slater as one of its premier in-ring performers.
Despite the disappointing finish, all signs point toward a continuation of the feud. Sources indicated that even before Bound For Glory, plans were already in motion for a rematch between Evans and Slater.
One insider specifically mentioned that NXT’s Halloween Havoc has been discussed as a possible venue for the two to meet again – this time potentially with a decisive finish.
