Leon Slater and Ryan Nemeth are set to collide on the September 17 edition of Thursday Night iMPACT, adding another significant chapter to the build toward TNA Wrestling’s Bound For Glory pay-per-view on October 11.

The match arrives after a turbulent night involving the Nemeth brothers, Slater, and Matt Hardy. Ryan Nemeth had threatened to insert himself into the TNA World Championship main event, and Slater, identified as Hardy’s ally, was later attacked. The circumstances behind that attack have not been confirmed, but the situation has led directly to Slater receiving a one-on-one match with Ryan on the next episode of iMPACT.

“.@ryrynemnem threatened to involve himself in the World Title main event on #TNAiMPACT, and then later in the show @MATTHARDYBRAND’s ally @LEONSLATER_ was attacked. Was Nemeth responsible? Nemeth and Slater face off THURSDAY at 9/8c on @AMC_TV, @AMCPlus and TNA+, and 8pm ET on @Sportsnet 360. #TNAiMPACT”

Slater’s meeting with Ryan carries obvious importance because he is already on course for a far bigger match at Bound For Glory. Slater is scheduled to challenge Ryan’s brother, Nic Nemeth, for the TNA World Championship at the October 11 event. That makes the September 17 contest more than a standalone singles bout. It gives Slater an opportunity to establish momentum against a member of the Nemeth family while also dealing with a potential obstacle standing between him and the TNA World Title.

For more background on this topic, read Masha Slamovich Debuts in MLW, Wins MLW Women’s Championship at Fightland Taping.

Ryan Nemeth enters the match as one-half of the TNA World Tag Team Champions. While Slater’s immediate focus will be on his own performance and the looming title match against Nic, Ryan’s championship status underscores the level of opposition he will bring to the ring. A victory over a reigning champion would be a meaningful result for Slater as Bound For Glory approaches.

At the same time, the match could provide further clarity regarding Ryan’s role in the attack on Slater. The question posed after the incident remains unanswered. Was Ryan responsible, or was the assault connected to another issue entirely? The September 17 matchup gives Slater a direct chance to confront the man whose actions and earlier threat have placed him under scrutiny.

Slater’s Bound For Glory Preparation Takes Center Stage

Bound For Glory is one of the most important destinations on the TNA calendar, and the TNA World Championship match between Nic Nemeth and Leon Slater is already a central part of the road to the event. For Slater, every appearance before October 11 has added importance. He is preparing not only for a title opportunity, but for a championship match against a competitor connected to his next iMPACT opponent by family ties.

Ryan Nemeth’s stated intention to involve himself in the World Title main event has created an additional layer around Slater’s championship pursuit. Whether his involvement ultimately changes the title picture remains to be seen. What is already certain is that Slater cannot view the September 17 match in isolation. Ryan is Nic’s brother, a TNA World Tag Team Champion, and a man who has become directly involved in the story surrounding Slater’s path to Bound For Glory.

Slater will have a chance to send a message to the champion by defeating Ryan, but he will also need to stay focused on the immediate task. A match with Ryan offers no guarantee of a straightforward night, particularly given the unresolved attack and the broader tensions involving Matt Hardy’s ally. Slater’s ability to handle that pressure will be worth watching as the championship showdown gets closer.

For Ryan, a win would provide an opportunity to disrupt Slater’s momentum before Bound For Glory. It would also reinforce the notion that the Nemeth brothers have a presence across TNA’s title landscape, with Nic holding the company’s top prize and Ryan carrying the World Tag Team Championship alongside his partner. Even without confirmation regarding the attack, Ryan has become a major factor in the build to Nic’s defense against Slater.

Moose Faces a Career-Altering Stipulation

Slater versus Ryan Nemeth is one of several consequential matches scheduled for the September 17 episode. The card is also set to feature Frankie Kazarian against Moose in a bout with an especially severe condition attached: if Moose loses, he will have to leave TNA.

That stipulation immediately raises the stakes for both men. Moose will enter the contest with his place in the promotion on the line, while Kazarian has the chance to score a victory that would carry ramifications far beyond a conventional singles match. With no margin for error available to Moose, the bout stands as one of the most high-pressure matches announced for the show.

The episode will also include a TNA Knockouts Television Championship defense, as M by Elegance is scheduled to put the title on the line against Kiera Hogan. Championship matches always bring a different level of urgency, and Hogan will have an opportunity to leave September 17 with the Knockouts Television Title in her possession. M by Elegance, meanwhile, will be aiming to protect her reign and turn back another challenger.

X Division Qualification and Tag Team Action Announced

The road to Bound For Glory will additionally feature an X Division Title Match Qualifier between Rich Swann and L.J. Cleary. The winner will move a step closer to an X Division Championship opportunity at Bound For Glory, making the contest an important chance for both wrestlers to advance their respective goals before the pay-per-view.

Swann brings established experience to a match with a clear destination, while Cleary has the opportunity to earn a major breakthrough by winning a qualifier on iMPACT. The announcement does not identify the eventual X Division Title match field or specify further qualification details, but the immediate objective is simple: Swann and Cleary will compete for a place in the Bound For Glory title picture.

Tag team competition is also set for the program, with The System’s Eddie Edwards and Cedric Alexander scheduled to face Ricky Sosa and Elijah. The match places two members of The System opposite the pairing of Sosa and Elijah, providing another notable team contest on a card already featuring major singles stakes, championship action, and a qualifier with Bound For Glory implications.

Elsewhere, Zoey Serrano will face Harley Hudson. The bout adds another singles contest to a crowded lineup and gives both competitors a chance to make an impact during a pivotal stretch of TNA programming.

Updated September 17 TNA iMPACT Lineup

  • Frankie Kazarian vs. Moose — If Moose loses, he must leave TNA.
  • TNA Knockouts Television Championship: M by Elegance (c) vs. Kiera Hogan.
  • The System: Eddie Edwards and Cedric Alexander vs. Ricky Sosa and Elijah.
  • Zoey Serrano vs. Harley Hudson.
  • Bound For Glory X Division Title Match Qualifier: Rich Swann vs. L.J. Cleary.
  • Leon Slater vs. Ryan Nemeth.

The September 17 edition of Thursday Night iMPACT will air at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT on AMC, AMC+, and TNA+, with a scheduled 8 p.m. ET airing on Sportsnet 360. With Slater facing the brother of his Bound For Glory opponent, Moose fighting to remain in TNA, and multiple championship paths taking shape, the show is positioned as a crucial stop on the way to October 11.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.