AJ Styles and Bubba Ray were long time members of the TNA roster, so it is unsurprising that the two crossed paths on a number of occasions. Bubba Ray, most notably known as Bully Ray in the company, ended having a surprisingly effective singles run towards the end of his time with the company and was the TNA Heavyweight Champion going into Bound for Glory 2013. Styles had spent the year as something of a lone wolf, not aligning with either TNA or the rebellious Aces & Eights stable. Styles would win the Bound for Glory Series, making him the number one contender for Bully's title at the biggest TNA show of the year. Despite interference from various members of Aces & Eights and Dixie Carter herself, AJ picked up the victory in a match the featured all sorts of plunder along the way.