Josh Alexander is going for the Impact Wrestling World Title, which he never lost.
Alexander vs. Impact World Champion Alex Shelley has been confirmed for the upcoming Bound For Glory pay-per-view. This will be their second singles match since then-World Champion Alexander defeated Shelley at Impact Emergence in August 2022.
Alexander became the Impact World Champion with the longest reign this past January, but was forced to relinquish the title in March due to a torn triceps, ending his historic 335-day reign. Steve Maclin defeated Kushida to win the vacant title at Impact Rebellion in April, but Shelley won the title on June 9 at Against All Odds. Alexander made a surprise appearance at the end of Slammiversary in July, after Shelley won over Nick Aldis. Alexander made it clear that he was returning to reclaim his title, which he had never lost, but Shelley took offense, and tensions between the two have risen in recent weeks.
Shelley defended the belt five times during his first reign, defeating Brian Myers, Maclin, Aldis, Myers again, and NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi. The most recent victory was over Tanahashi on August 20 at Impact x NJPW Multiverse United II. Alexander has appeared in five matches since his return to the ring in August, but only two of them have been singles matches: a victory over Maclin at Victory Road on September 8, and a victory over Impact World Tag Team Champion Trey Miguel on last night’s Impact episode.
The 2023 Impact Bound For Glory pay-per-view will take place from Cicero Stadium in Cicero, IL on Saturday, October 21.
The updated card is as follows:
Impact World Title Match
Josh Alexander vs. Alex Shelley (c)
IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay vs. Mike Bailey