Tag: Josh Barnett

Josh Barnett explains how he booked WWE’s Shayna Baszler for Bloodsport

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Last week, a surprising announcement was made with it being revealed that Shayna Baszler will be competing at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport X.

This is the first time that a WWE wrestler has been allowed to work a WrestleMania week indie show. Dave Meltzer reports that Paul “Triple H” Levesque has a different mindset on these things than Vince McMahon did, and Levesque made the decision to let Baszler work Bloodsport.

While appearing on the Under the Ring podcast, Josh Barnett said he was able to book Baszler for Bloodsport because of the relationships he’s cultivated over the years:

I guess the easiest way to describe it is just through my relationships with people there [WWE]. That’s really what it comes down to. And with anybody, when speaking of a promotion, you’re always going to want, If you’re going to do anything outside of it, you want a certain level of trust and consideration given to you. And it’s hard to lend your toys out when there’s so much money put into them and the product itself.

In general, of course, we see cross-promotion happening out there in the world of wrestling, but it’s really a big deal when you think about all the different things involved with it and the value of some of the athletes that are going back and forth. But fortunately, through relationships I’ve cultivated over the years, something like having Shayna Baszler at GCW Bloodsport is – it’s a reality now. And I’m just super happy and honored to be able to do it. And I know that Shayna’s going to do fantastic. I should know, I’ve been training her [for] her entire career.

Baszler is facing Masha Slamovich at Bloodsport. It’s a WWE wrestler vs. a TNA wrestler on a show that’s being presented by Barnett and indie promotion Game Changer Wrestling.

Bloodsport will air live on TrillerTV+ starting at 4 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday, April 4. The show is being held at Penns Landing Caterers in Philadelphia.

Nic Nemeth vs. Mike Bailey, Josh Barnett vs. Johnny Bloodsport (John Hennigan), and Minoru Suzuki vs. Royce Isaacs are among the other matches that will be taking place at Bloodsport. The show features MMA-inspired pro wrestling matches that can only end by knockout or submission.

Shayna Baszler’s Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport X opponent revealed

Posted on by Ethan Renner

WWE wrestler Shayna Baszler’s opponent for Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport X has been revealed. 

In a rare indie appearance for a contracted WWE talent, Baszler will be in action at Bloodsport X at GCW’s The Collective on Thursday, April 4 against Masha Slamovich. 

Barnett revealed Baszler’s opponent in a video posted to social media on Monday where Slamovich commented on taking on Baszler. The video is embedded below. 

Barnett posted: 

In a place like Josh Barnett’s: Bloodsport, when a name like Shayna Baszler is announced it’s like blood in the water of an ocean of nothing but sharks. One voice stood out loudest and proudest of all. A voice with a tenor of authority from her accomplishments and tone of pure violence. In the end, I could not deny her request…

Slamovich is a two-time former TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champion. 

Baszler is a protege of Barnett’s, as well as a former NXT Women’s Champion and former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion. 

A report from Fightful stated that “multiple” WWE talents are planned for the Bloodsport X event, which will stream live on Triller TV+. 

Bloodsport presents pro wrestling matches with a worked MMA style where matches can only be won by knockout or submission. Baszler is a former professional MMA fighter. 

Nic Nemeth vs. Mike Bailey, Josh Barnett vs. Johnny Bloodsport (John Hennigan), and Minoru Suzuki vs. Royce Isaacs are among other bouts confirmed for Bloodsport X.

WWE wrestler Shayna Baszler to compete at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport X

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE talent is coming to one of WrestleMania week’s biggest indie shows.

It was announced today that WWE’s Shayna Baszler, a former MMA fighter, will be in action at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport X in Philadelphia on Thursday, April 4. The show is being put on by Josh Barnett and Game Changer Wrestling. Baszler’s appearance is promoted as her GCW debut.

Bloodsport is a pro wrestling show where matches can only be won by submission or knockout. Baszler’s opponent has not been announced yet. The show will air live on TrillerTV+.

Baszler is friends with Barnett and is a long-time student of his. Barnett wrote about her competing at Bloodsport:

What does it mean when a Queen takes up the sword and marches to war?

Blood. Victory. Glory.

From battlefields all over the world – MMA & the @ufc, @WWENXT, @WWE, @wwr_stardom, and more – to now step into a ring she was made for from the beginning.

The Warmaster’s disciple, ‘The Queen of Spades’ Shayna Baszler, comes to Josh Barnett’s: Bloodsport X.

Baszler tweeted:

You people merely adopted Bloodsport. I was born in it, molded by it. From Billy Robinson the the gene seed of the Warmaster himself…..BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD!! #LimbByLimb

A former NXT Women’s Champion and WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion, the 43-year-old Baszler is currently part of a tag team with Zoey Stark in WWE. 

Fightful reports that “multiple” WWE wrestlers are scheduled to compete at Bloodsport X. The show has a 4 p.m. Eastern start time on April 4. Nic Nemeth vs. Mike Bailey, Josh Barnett vs. Johnny Bloodsport (John Hennigan), and Minoru Suzuki vs. Royce Isaacs are among the matches that have been confirmed.

Josh Barnett, Minoru Suzuki announce Bloodsport Bushido event for Tokyo

Posted on by Ian Carey

Josh Barnett and Minoru Suzuki are bringing Bloodsport to Japan. 

At a press conference held on Wednesday, the two Pancrase veterans announced Bloodsport Bushido will take place June 22, 2024, at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. 

Similar to Bloodsport events held in the United States, Bloodsport Bushido will have shoot-style rules, with no ring ropes and matches only ending via knockout or submission. 

Barnett would later say they are looking for professional wrestlers and combat athletes from other sports to take part. Only Barnett and Suzuki have been confirmed for the show thus far. 

Barnett said at today’s press conference:

At Bloodsport, we want to express the purest part of wrestling. There are various shows in professional wrestling, and flashy performances are held all over the world, but there are so many different things out there. , athletes sometimes get lost. I want to express what I’ve learned from so many legends like Antonio Inoki, Karl Gotch, and Matt Hume. I do both combat sports and professional wrestling, but when I’m wrestling…I once thought, ‘There’s something missing.” I want to bring that spirit and heart back to professional wrestling, and I want to create a place like that.’

A translation of Suzuki’s comments from today’s press conference reads:

Actually, I’ve been participating in Bloodsport since the first tournament.Well, all I can say is that it’s just a normal match.It doesn’t matter if there are special rules or where it is. “Whether it’s on a moving train, in a field, in a ring with barbed wire, or anywhere else, it’s just one match for me,” he says nonchalantly. I don’t know if I’ll bring it with me? (lol) I use everything that’s there. That’s my style.

Barnett and Suzuki went to a 25-minute time-limit draw at Bloodsport in 2019. 

GCW Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport X is scheduled for April 4, 2024, in Philadelphia over WrestleMania weekend. Takuya Nomura vs. Fuminori Abe is the only match announced thus far. 

Josh Barnett to make AEW debut at WrestleDream Zero Hour

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Josh Barnett is set to make his AEW debut at Sunday’s WrestleDream Zero Hour event.

In a video package, Claudio Castagnoli talked about recently losing the ROH World Championship then issued an open challenge. Barnett, being billed as Antonio Inoki’s prized pupil, accepted the challenge saying tomorrow Claudio would see what a challenge could really become.

Barnett, a former UFC heavyweight champion, has hosted a yearly event under the GCW banner called Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport in recent years. On this year’s show, he lost to Timothy Thatcher. He most recently competed in Pro Wrestling NOAH, where he defeated Masakatsu Funaki in a martial arts rules match.

A new eight-person mixed tag match has also been added to Zero Hour. Shane Taylor, Lee Moriarty, Mercedes Martinez, and Diamante will take on Satoshi Kojima, Keith Lee, Athena, and Billie Starkz.

Zero Hour will begin at 6:30 pm ET Sunday, featuring RJ City, Renee Paquette, and Stokely Hathaway. Matches will follow 7 pm ET.

The updated lineup for WrestleDream and WrestleDream Zero Hour:

AEW WrestleDream, 8 p.m. Eastern time on pay-per-view —

  • Bryan Danielson vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
  • Hangman Page vs. Swerve Strickland
  • AEW Tag Team Championship: FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood) defend against Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis)
  • ROH Tag Team Championship: MJF defends against The Righteous (Vincent & Dutch) in a handicap match
  • NJPW Strong Openweight & ROH World Championship: Eddie Kingston defends both titles against Katsuyori Shibata
  • Two-out-of-three falls match for the TNT Championship: Christian Cage defends against Darby Allin
  • TBS Championship: Kris Statlander defends against Julia Hart
  • Will Ospreay, Konosuke Takeshita & Sammy Guevara vs. Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi & Chris Jericho
  • Lucha Brothers (Rey Fenix & Penta El Zero Miedo) vs. Hook & Orange Cassidy vs. The Gunns (Austin and Colten) vs. The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson) for a future AEW Tag Team title shot
  • Wheeler Yuta vs. Ricky Starks

WrestleDream Zero Hour, 6:30 p.m. Eastern time on AEW’s YouTube channel & social media platforms —

  • AEW World Trios Championship: Max Caster, Anthony Bowens & Billy Gunn defend against TMDK (Shane Haste, Mikey Nicholls & Bad Dude Tito)
  • Josh Barnett vs. Claudio Castagnoli
  • Shane Taylor, Lee Moriarty, Mercedes Martinez, and Diamante vs. Satoshi Kojima, Keith Lee, Athena, and Billie Starkz
  • Nick Wayne vs. Luchasaurus

Josh Barnett to make Pro Wrestling NOAH debut at N-1 Victory finals

Posted on by Ian Carey

Pro Wrestling NOAH has announced a big match for its September 3 show. 

Josh Barnett will make his debut for the promotion when he faces co-founder of Pancrase and two-time King of Pancrase winner, Masakatsu Funaki in a martial arts match.  

The event is the final night of the promotion’s N-1 Victory tournament and will take place from the Edion Arena in Osaka. Barnett vs. Funaki is the only match announced for the show thus far. 

Barnett recently provided English commentary at NOAH Majestic on May 4. His last match took place on March 30 when he lost to Timothy Thatcher in the main event at Bloodsport 9. 

Barnett wrote on Twitter:

September 3rd in Osaka at the Edion Arena. Masakatsu Funaki (4th & 6th King of Pancrase, AJPW Triple Crown, GHC National Championship) vs Josh Barnett (10th King of Pancrase, UFC Heavyweight Champion, Metamoris Heavyweight Champion) Let’s ride.

Funaki holds wins in MMA over names such as Frank Shamrock, Ken Shamrock, Paul Lazenby, Minoru Suzuki, and Bas Rutten. He is also the first fighter to win the King of Pancrase twice.  

In wrestling, Funaki is a former Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion in AJPW, and a GHC National Champion in NOAH. He also won the AJPW tag titles with Keiji Mutoh in 2010. 

Funaki was voted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 2006. 

Timothy Thatcher vs. Josh Barnett announced for Bloodsport 9

Posted on by Ian Carey

A new match has been announced for GCW Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 9. 

Timothy Thatcher is now scheduled for the show and will face promoter Josh Barnett. 

Barnett is 4-0-1 at Bloodsport events. He went to a time-limit draw with Minoru Suzuki at Bloodsport 1, defeated Chris Dickinson at Bloodsport 2, Jon Moxley at Bloodsport 6, Tiger Ruas at Bloodsport 7, and JONAH at Bloodsport 8. 

Timothy Thatcher is 1-3 at Bloodsport events. His lost to Nick Gage at Matt Riddle’s Bloodsport in 2018, was defeated by Hideki Suzuki on the first Josh Barnett Bloodsport show, he defeated Ikuhisa Minowa at Bloodsport 2 and lost to JR Kratos a Bloodsport 8. 

This will be the second time Barnett and Thatcher have faced each other. Barnett defeated Thatcher on an independent show from Buffalo in 2017. 

GCW Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 9 will take place Thursday, March 30, 2023, from the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Los Angeles, California as part of the GCW Collective on FITE TV. 

The announced lineup is as follows:

  • Kota Ibushi vs. “Speedball” Mike Bailey
  • Jon Moxley vs. Davey Richards
  • Johnny Bloodsport vs. Royce Isaacs
  • Marina Shafir vs. Killer Kelly
  • Erik Hammer vs. Calvin Tankman
  • Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. JR Kratos
  • Alex Coughlin vs. Yuya Uemura
  • Yuji Shimada will serve as head referee

Josh Barnett vs. JONAH set for Bloodsport 8

Posted on by Ethan Renner

A new match has been added to Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 8 on Thursday, March 31. 

The event’s namesake, Barnett will take on JONAH in a bout announced today. 

This will be the fifth time that Barnett has competed at Bloodsport. He drew with Minoru Suzuki at the debut event in April 2019, defeated Chris Dickinson at Bloodsport 2 in September 2019, defeated Jon Moxley at Bloodsport 6 in April 2021, then defeated Tiger Ruas at Bloodsport 7 in October 2021.

The bout with Barnett will be JONAH’s first at a Bloodsport event.

Bloodsport 8 will take place at The Collective at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas. Six matches are now official for the Thursday afternoon event. The show will air on FITE TV. The lineup: 

GCW Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 8, Thursday, March 31, 3 p.m. Cental time —

  • Jon Moxley vs. Biff Busick
  • Josh Barnett vs. JONAH
  • Minoru Suzuki vs. Chris Dickinson
  • Marina Shafir vs. Janai Kai
  • Ninja Mack vs. Yoya
  • Alex Coughlin vs. Slade

Josh Barnett vs. Ren Narita set for NJPW Strong

Posted on by Ethan Renner

NJPW has announced the full card for this Saturday’s NJPW Strong. The show will continue The New Beginning USA series of episodes.

Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Josh Barnett will be in action, taking on Ren Narita. Barnett made his return to NJPW after 17 years in 2021, defeating Alex Coughlin in his first match back with the company.

Also announced, Juice Robinson and David Finlay will face JONAH and Bad Dude Tito.

In Saturday’s opener, Bullet Club’s Hikuleo will face Cody Chhun.

The New Beginning USA episodes of Strong were taped on January 15 in Seattle, Washington. Saturday’s show will also be available on demand immediately following airing.

Here is this week’s full lineup:

NJPW Strong The New Beginning USA night two, Saturday, February 12, 8 p.m. Eastern time on NJPW World–

  • Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs JONAH & Bad Dude Tito
  • Josh Barnett vs. Ren Narita
  • Hikuleo vs. Cody Chhun

Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 8 set for The Collective 2022

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport is officially returning for WrestleMania 38 week.

It was announced tonight that Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 8 will take place on Thursday, March 31. The show, which is being held at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas, will be part of Game Changer Wrestling’s “The Collective” group of events.

The Bloodsport show will begin at 3 p.m. Central time.

GCW’s inaugural Bloodsport event was Matt Riddle’s Bloodsport in 2018. Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport then began the next year.

Last year’s WrestleMania week Bloodsport was headlined by Josh Barnett defeating Jon Moxley. Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 7 then took place last October, with Minoru Suzuki defeating Chris Dickinson in the main event.

The Collective 2022 is being held from March 31 through April 2. Joey Janela’s Spring Break 6, For The Culture, Effy’s Big Gay Brunch, and Gringo Loco’s The Wrld on Lucha have also been announced for The Collective, along with shows from Mission Pro Wrestling and Glory Pro Wrestling.

JONAH in-ring debut, Josh Barnett return set for NJPW Strong

Posted on by Ethan Renner

JONAH’s in-ring NJPW debut and former UFC Heavyweight Champion Josh Barnett’s first NJPW match in 17 years will air on this week’s NJPW Strong. 

JONAH will debut against Lucas Riley. JONAH is the former NXT North American Champion Bronson Reed in NXT. Barnett takes on Alex Coughlin in his first NJPW match since 2004.

Two additional matches have also been announced for Strong. In the show’s main event, Bullet Club’s Jay White and Hikuleo will team against Alex Zayne and Yuya Uemura. In an undercard match, AEW’s Lio Rush will tag with Adrian Quest against Bateman and Misterioso. 

The Detonation episodes of Strong were taped on November 15 in Riverside, California. Saturday’s show will also be available on demand immediately following airing. 

Here is the full lineup:

NJPW Strong  Detonation night one, Saturday, December 4, 8 p.m. Eastern time on NJPW World–

  • Jay White & Hikuleo vs. Alex Zayne & Yuya Uemura
  • JONAH vs. Lucas Riley
  • Lio Rush & Adrian Quest vs. Bateman & Misterioso
  • Josh Barnett vs. Alex Coughlin

Josh Barnett returning to NJPW at Strong Detonation taping

Posted on by Ethan Renner

NJPW has revealed the lineup for the Monday, November 15 Strong Detonation tapings in Riverside, California. 

Josh Barnett will return to NJPW action for the first time in over 17 years, facing Alex Coughlin as Coughlin’s challenge series continues. 

The NJPW Strong Openweight Championship will be on the line, as Tom Lawlor defends the title against top contender Fred Rosser. 

Tomohiro Ishii will be in action, taking on Brody King. Ishii faces Jay White for the NEVER Openweight title at Battle in the Valley on November 13. White and Hikuleo will tag against Alex Zayne and Chris Dickinson in Riverside. 

Jonathan Gresham will face Gabriel Kidd in Kidd’s return to action for the first time since May. United Empire’s Will Ospreay, Jeff Cobb and TJP will take on Karl Fredericks, Clark Connors and Ren Narita in a trios match. 

Rounding out the card, Lio Rush will team with Adrian Quest against Bateman and Misterioso, plus LA Dojo members Kevin Knight and The DKC will face Brogan Finlay and Jordan Clearwater. 

Tickets for the NJPW Strong Detonation tapings are still available.

Here is the announced lineup: 

NJPW Strong Detonation, Monday, November 15, Riverside, California —

  • NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Tom Lawlor (c) vs. Fred Rosser
  • Tomohiro Ishii vs. Brody King
  • Jonathan Gresham vs. Gabriel Kidd
  • Josh Barnett vs. Alex Coughlin
  • Jay White & Hikuleo vs. Alex Zayne & Chris Dickinson
  • Will Ospreay, Jeff Cobb & TJP vs. Karl Fredericks, Clark Connors & Ren Narita
  • Lio Rush & Adrian Quest vs. Bateman & Misterioso
  • Kevin Knight & The DKC vs. Brogan Finlay & Jordan Clearwater

Josh Barnett to face Tiger Ruas at Bloodsport

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Josh Barnett will face off with a former NXT wrestler at this month’s Bloodsport event.

It was announced on Tuesday night that Barnett vs. Tiger Ruas (formerly known as Arturo Ruas in WWE) will take place at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 7. The show is being held at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Los Angeles on Friday, October 22. It will be available live via Fite TV.

“A match up that carries a legacy… Both a wrestler & a fighter, but connected not through just opponents or training partners but through a master – Roberto Leitao Sr. This battle will be fueled in the honor of the legacy & memory of Mestre Leitao The Warmaster vs Tiger Ruas,” Barnett tweeted.

Ruas (real name Adrian Jaoude) was released by WWE this June. In addition to being in NXT, Ruas also appeared on Raw Underground during his time with WWE.

Ruas wrestled on an episode of AEW Dark last month, teaming with Cezar Bononi to defeat Jake St. Patrick & Ryzin.

Barnett last wrestled when he defeated Jon Moxley by TKO at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 6 this April.

Here’s the updated card for Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 7:

  • Josh Barnett vs. Arturo Ruas
  • Tom Lawlor vs. Alex Coughlin
  • Calvin Tankman vs. JR Kratos
  • Davey Richards vs. Yuya Uemura
  • Yoya vs. Starboy Charlie
  • Erik Hammer vs. Bad Dude Tito
  • Marina Shafir vs. Masha Slamovich

Minoru Suzuki is also among the wrestlers who will be in action at Bloodsport.

Lenny Leonard and Rocky Romero will be the commentary team for Bloodsport.

Minoru Suzuki, Marina Shafir, Killer Kelly announced for Bloodsport 7

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Minoru Suzuki, Marina Shafir and Killer Kelly are the first three talent announcements for GCW’s Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport, set for Friday, October 22nd in Los Angeles, California.

Suzuki will also be a part of the card that takes place the next day, War Ready, when he will face Nick Gage in the main event. This will be Suzuki’s third Bloodsport event as he has a win over Matt Riddle (2018) and a draw with Barnett (2019).

Shafir will be making her Bloodsport debut, but her opponent is not yet known. A former pro MMA fighter, Shafir was signed to WWE NXT in 2018 and was cut in June 2021.

Kelly lost via submission to Allysin Kay on the Bloodsport 3 event in October 2020. She was previously signed to WWE and competed both in NXT UK and the 2018 Mae Young Classic.

Both Bloodsport and War Ready will take place at the Ukrainian Cultural Center and will also air on Fite.TV.

GCW announces Bloodsport 7 for October 22

Posted on by Bryan Rose

GCW has announced the next Bloodsport show, which will take place next month.

During tonight’s GCW Highest in the Room event, it was announced that Bloodsport would be running in Los Angeles on October 22nd at the Ukrainian Cultural Center. 

Bloodsport cards carry a different ruleset from other GCW events. Each match must end via knockout or submission, and the wrestling ring is replaced by a ring canvas that has no ropes or turnbuckles. Matches usually have more of a MMA/shoot-style influence. Matt Riddle’s name was used for the first card held in 2018, but after he was signed by WWE, Josh Barnett’s name has been used for the shows ever since.

The last Bloodsport event was held on April 8 during WrestleMania weekend. That show was headlined by Josh Barnett defeating Jon Moxley via knockout after grabbing Moxley by the wrist and pummeling his face with kicks until the referee ended the match.