the 2013 bound for glory series tournament began on tna's flagship television program, "impact wrestling", on june 6, 2013. all 12 competitors were tasked with the objective to accumulate the most points by gaining victories on "impact wrestling", live shows and tv specials in order to challenge for the tna world heavyweight championship at bound for glory. it culminated with 4 remaining finalists on "impact wrestling: no surrender" on september 12, 2013, where aj styles advanced over magnus, austin aries and bobby roode to earn a shot at the world title in a match with the champion, bully ray. over the next course of weeks, aj styles (admitting to not be contracted to the company but obligated to compete for the world title after winning the bfg series) ranted on and swore revenge against tna president, dixie carter. as a result, dixie turned heel and became hellbent on taking him down by putting up a $50,000 bounty, which went unsuccessful. carter later announced over social media that styles' title bout against ray would be no disqualifications.