IMPACT Wrestling’s “Bound For Glory” on its way to Chicago

(Thumbnail photo above, courtesy IMPACT Wrestling)

By Mike Pankow

August 8, 2019

There are plenty of top-notch pro wrestling shows coming to the Chicago area over the next few months and IMPACT Wrestling just wants its slice of deep dish pizza.

After not running a show in the Chicago area for over five years, IMPACT is bringing “Bound For Glory,” its biggest pay-per-view of the year, to the Odeum in West suburban Villa Park on Sunday night, Oct. 20. Returning to Chicago is a huge step for IMPACT as it continues to build momentum as a brand.

“I don’t think people realize how big of a show this is for IMPACT Wrestling,” said Sami Callihan, during the IMPACT Press Pass Podcast on Thursday. “This is a big building.

“Other giant shows are selling out (around Chicago). It’s becoming one of the go-to places for wrestling in the United States right now.”

Sami Callihan says Chicago has become his “second home” in recent years. He will return to the area for IMPACT Wrestling’s “Bound For Glory” pay-per-view at Odeum in Villa Park on October 20. (Photo courtesy IMPACT Wrestling)

Callihan obviously was referring to All Elite Wrestling’s All Out, which sold out in just minutes for the August 31 show at Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates. WWE and NXT will be at Allstate Arena for four days in late November for Survivor Series while MLW is holding a pay-per-view at Cicero Stadium on Nov. 2.

“I’ve been here for five years now and I’ve never been to Chicago with IMPACT Wrestling,” said IMPACT TV commentator and executive Josh Mathews during the Press Pass Podcast.

In fact, the last show in the Chicago area was a live event at the NIU Convocation Center in DeKalb on Feb. 8, 2014.

“Bound For Glory” is the main event of a three-show swing through the Midwest. First, IMPACT will be running “Prelude To Glory” in South Bend, Ind., on Friday, Oct. 18 at the Palais Royale. The show likelt will stream either on IMPACT Plus or Twitch, according to Mathews.

Then on Saturday night, Oct. 19, IMPACT will hold an “All Glory” fan interaction event at 115 Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park, which will feature the opportunity to get photos with and autographs from IMPACT stars and wrestling action from RISE, Warrior Wrestling and Zelo Pro.

Finally, “Bound for Glory” takes place on Sunday night at the Odeum, which has held wrestling events of all kinds over the years, including Ring of Honor and ECW shows.

Limited Titanium Packages go on sale Friday (August 9) at IMPACTWrestling.com, starting at 11 a.m. Central time. The package includes a front-row ticket to “Bound For Glory,” plus admission to “Prelude To Glory” and “All Glory,” and several other special perks including exclusive photo ops and meet-and-greet opportunities and access to discounted merchandise. Other front-row seats and Golden Circle tickets will also be on sale on Friday (August 9). All other tickets will be available beginning Monday (August 12).

IMPACT’s weekend in the Chicago area will make Callihan feel like home where he’s performed for companies such as AAW, where he has been a three-time champion, and Warrior Wrestling.

“Chicago is one of the hottest territories all of professional wrestling right now,” Callihan said. “There are a lot of amazing companies, a lot of amazing talent and an awesome fan base. It’s become my second home over the last couple of years.”

By the time IMPACT rolls into town in mid-October, Callihan could be breathing down the neck of IMPACT World Champion Brian Cage. That match could end up taking place at “Bound For Glory.”

The IMPACT Wrestling product has been on the rise over the last couple of years, thanks to an influx of fresh, younger talent like Callihan, Cage, Tessa Blanchard, LAX, Taya Valkyrie, Jake and Dave Crist, Rich Swann, The Rascalz and the returning TJ Perkins. The company offers a different slant with its unique storytelling and variety of in-ring work.

“They’re not afraid to ruffle some feathers, that they’re not afraid to try new things, that they’re not trying to make wrestling so PG that it’s only for children,” Callihan said. “They’re trying to make wrestling for everybody. They do hardcore, intergender, great Knockouts wrestling matches, awesome technical matches, awesome strong-style matches, amazing Lucha Libre matches. IMPACT Wrestling is truly one of the most versatile companies on this planet today. At the end of the day, that’s the wrestling that people want.”

More information on “Bound For Glory” weekend and the Titanium Packages: https://impactwrestling.com/what-is-titanium-bound-for-glory-is-live-on-sunday-october-20th/

Callihan’s interview on the IMPACT Wrestling Press Pass podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGTdw4wivwM