Ben Bishop's entrance at TNA Wrestling's Bound For Glory pay-per-view was a surprise to viewers, but not to everyone inside the company. Fightful Select reported that TNA had been interested in the independent wrestler since last year, and that his name came up often under earlier regimes.
Ringside News put the date of the appearance at October 11, 2026. Bishop came out as the 19th entrant in the Call Your Shot Gauntlet Battle Royal, eliminated Jada Stone and took her place in the match. He then said he was finished waiting for someone else to give him a chance.
A split over social media
According to Fightful Select, sources in TNA said former creative team member Tommy Dreamer was not a fan of Bishop's social media clips. A number of other people in the company reportedly saw the same clips as a significant reason to bring him in.
Ringside News added that Bishop was a recurring name in talk about unsigned independent talent and had taken part in several WWE tryouts before reaching TNA television. It described the delay as a mix of concerns about his presentation and doubts over whether he was ready for a larger role.
Dreamer's response
Ringside News relayed Dreamer's comments on the matter. He said he had been working with Bishop and liked him, but acknowledged an earlier tryout "didn't go well." He also said Bishop had improved considerably in the ring.
On the online content, Dreamer was direct. As quoted by Ringside News, he said: "I told him I don’t think his social media is helping him get hired other places."
What comes next
It has not been confirmed whether Bishop is signed to TNA. That leaves open whether the Bound For Glory appearance was the start of a longer run or a one-night moment.
The reporting suggests a wrestler whose online profile drew attention but also divided opinion, and who now has a major stage to point to. Whether TNA follows up will determine if the interest that built up over the past year turns into a deal.
Reporting sources: Fightful | WWE News, AEW News, Pro Wrestling Backstage News – Wrestling, “TNA Have Had Their Eye On Ben Bishop Since 2025, Sources Within TNA Claimed That Tommy Dreamer Was Not A Fan Of Bishop's Social Media Clips” · Ringside News, “Why TNA Waited So Long to Bring in Ben Bishop”.