Tag: speedball mike bailey

The ninth edition of Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport promises to be a newsworthy one as it will feature the return to action of former NJPW star Kota Ibushi.

Ibushi will face “Speedball” Mike Bailey in his first match since he injured his shoulder in the 2021 NJPW G1 tournament finals. He became a free agent earlier this year and this weekend will mark his return to in-ring action.

Former AEW World Champion Jon Moxley will return to Bloodsport action against Alex Coughlin while Barnett himself will take on Timothy Thatcher.

Johnny Bloodsport (John Morrison) will face Royce Isaacs while Davey Boy Smith Jr. battles JR Kratos.

Other action includes Marina Shafir against Killer Kelly and Erik Hammer vs. Calvin Tankman.

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The show opened with a full in-ring introduction to each of today’s participants. Each wrestler walked to the ring as the announcer called their name. By the end, Josh Barnett & Timothy Thatcher stood at the front of the formation ahead of their main event later tonight.

Barnett grabbed the mic before it was over and said some words: “There is no equal to Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport. Thank you all. Let the battle commence.”

Jeff Cobb defeated Calder McColl via TKO 

McColl was aggressive in trying to take Cobb down early on, but Cobb was immovable, more or less. McColl switched to a seated open guard and tried baiting Cobb in with a modern jiu-jitsu approach. Still, no dice. Cobb, the pedigreed freestyle wrestler, offered McColl a chance to play Cobb’s open guard. Gutsy move, Mr. Cobb.

It was moments later when Cobb yeeted McColl over with a head and arm suplex. McColl would later get back on top and throw in some hard shotei palm strikes.

When McColl went for a flying triangle choke, Cobb caught him mid-air, power bombed him and then laid in a shot to a downed McColl before the referee called for the match, giving Cobb a TKO win ala Rampage Jackson. This was a nice and strong opener and the crowd exploded for the finish.

Erik Hammer defeated Calvin Tankman via submission

Both competed the last Bloodsport event at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Los Angeles. 

The groundwork was chippy between the two at first. The larger Tankman took an advantage on top, but Hammer escaped to the floor for a quick breather. This was Hammer’s first match in 18 months.

Tankman launched Hammer with a urange throw. Hammer recovered and later threw a flurry of short elbow shots to a grounded Tankman. Nice escapes from Hammer during the back-and-forth between these two.

Hammer would eventually submit Tankman when Hammer switched into a strong North/South position to set up a double wrist lock. He would lock Tankman’s arm and shoulder in place, pulling up and cranking on it for the tap. This was submission wrestling 101 from Hammer. This was a quick bout, but a good one.

Marina Shafir defeated Killer Kelly via submission

Shafir toyed with Kelly early on, bullying her. Shafir tossed her with a throw before smacking Kelly so many times that she fell out of the ring. Shafir followed her to the floor for some more bullying, but Kelly was able to pick up some momentum and change the pace. She put Shafir in a twister before launching Shaffir with two German suplexes. The crowd chanted for her from here.

Shafir muscled her way back into the match and at one point used a hard front kick to knock Kelly down. Shafir locked in a one-armed sleeper while Kelly tried to stand up. Shafir answered by collapsing Kelly back onto the mat, finishing things with an inverted triangle choke for the dominant win. 

Kota Ibushi defeated “Speedball” Mike Bailey via TKO

Ibushi’s shoulder seemed just fine tonight.

The Beastie Boys’ “Brass Monkey” sounded and Bailey came out to a big response. The announcers put over Bailey as having “the best WrestleMania weekend ever in independent wrestling history” last year.

Ibushi made his return to a pro wrestling ring after more than a year and received a hero’s welcome. He walked to the ropeless ring with new music and clearly lots of mixed feelings running through his head. He looked emotional as he slapped hands with fans at ringside.

“Speedball” rolled over to Ibushi’s corner during his introduction and bowed to him, deeply.  Ibushi would do the same thing during his intro. The crowd was HOT for his return and broke out into a loud I-BU-SHI! chant early.

The two traded strikes and kicks while the crowd continued chanting. 

Bailey went for a triangle choke on the ground and Ibushi tried countering it into a clover hold until Bailey released it. Bailey controlled on top in side mount from here, until he’d eventually slide into full mount. Ibushi would escape and end up in Bailey’s closed guard. 

When Bailey tried lifting Ibushi off him with his legs, he inadvertently launched Ibushi onto the floor. The crowd started chanting for Ibushi after that, for some reason.

Back in the ring, the match heated up in terms of action. Lots more strikes unloaded. Bailey did his signature kicking flurry before destroying Ibushi’s face with a standing vertical moonsault double knee drop. This looked *brutal.”

Bailey moved into an armbar, but Ibushi would counter and roll into Bailey. Bailey decided to roll to the floor for a break, but Ibushi wouldn’t break his grip from Bailey’s waist. He’d then deadlift Bailey from the floor back into the ring. 

The finish saw Ibushi lay Bailey out with a Regal Plex followed by a kamigoye knee to the face.

The crowd erupted. Ibushi looked emotional upon winning. He motioned to Bailey that those two should meet again in the future.

Erik Paulson Lifetime Achievement Award Ceremony w/ Chavo Guerrero Jr.

Next, an awesome quick tribute package video aired for submission wrestling and MMA pioneer, Erik Paulson. Not only has Paulson trained some of the best fighters and wrestlers of today, but he was also one of the first foreigners to compete in mixed-rules bouts in companies like SHOOTO (Satoru Sayama’s company) in Japan.

Paulson received a Lifetime Achievement award from the promotion, and it was presented to him by former Bloodsport competitor and legend in his own right, Mr. Chavo Guerrero Jr. 

Guerrero explained that Paulson was the first American to win the World Light Heavyweight Championship for SHOOTO in Japan, and that he trained under the Machados, the Gracies and “Judo” Gene LeBell among others. He also trained the likes of Josh Barnett and Brock Lesnar. 

The mic kept cutting in and out for both Guerrero and Paulson’s speeches, which was annoying.

Paulson spoke briefly on the importance and background of catch wrestling before thanking everyone for the award. Guerrero gave him a customized plaque and a bouquet of flowers before he left the ring. This was really, really cool, and I’m glad they did it. Erik Paulson is a legend and deserves his proverbial (and literal) flowers.

Bad Dude Tito defeated Yuya Uemura via submission

The ring announcer’s mic kept cutting in and out during the introductions and Uemura’s name was cut off during his announcement. Can they switch out the mics or XLR cables? It’s killing me.

Uemura sported a fresh new man-bun. He and Tito squared off and Tito shoved him in the chest and caused Uemura to fall to the floor. Uemura was back in and took him down with a double leg. The two went back and forth on the mat, furious mat wrestling. Uemura seemed to have a slight advantage but honestly they kept things very 50/50. 

Tito worked to lock in an armbar of his own for a while. He’d later switch to a kneebar. Uemura broke free and chopped Tito’s back really hard.

The match heated up with Uemura unloading a flurry of offense that saw Uemura dive onto Tito on the floor. 

Uemura would go for another suplex, but Tito countered and locked in an ankle lock to tap Uemura out. The TMDK member picks up the win. 

Tito went to shake Uemura’s hand afterwards, then pie-faced him instead. What disrespect! Uemura went after him but the referee kept Uemura at bay while the cocky Tito left ringside.

Harry “Bulldog” Smith defeated JR Kratos via submission

It’s great to see HBS back in Bloodsport. Kratos busted out his black gi pants like he often does for his Bloodsport appearances.

Slow and steady start to this one. Both are gigundous dudes. Neither seemed to grab the upper hand, maybe until Kratos was able to stay on top of HBS in side-mount working the double wrist lock. HBS would get on top for a bit, too, but Kratos used a head scissors to peel DBS off of him before peppering him with some hard elbow shots. DBS responded with elbows of his own before throwing a few grounded knees. 

When they got to their feet, the two started throwing hands—open hands. HBS threw a hard knee and a few elbows. 

Kratos tried going for a Boston Crab but couldn’t lock it in. HBS would lie atop Kratos and blast him with more elbows. 

DBS tried it earlier, but he would finally be able to hoist the large Kratos up in the air with a power bomb, but Kratos survived it. He’d actually return fire with a huge jumping knee strike and a back enzuigiri kick. Both were knocked to the mat for some moments. 

They got into a collar-and-elbow tie-up as they tried standing up. They did it on their knees actually. They’d then trade elbows and strikes. Kratos shouted “Come on, motherf***er!” and the two broke into a flurry for strikes. 

The finish saw Kratos go for a vertical suplex, but HBS countered it and shoved Kratos down into a crossface LeBell Lock submission for the tap. Really good stuff.

Johnny Bloodsport defeated Royce Isaacs via submission

Johnny Bloodsport (John Morrison) got a nice chant from the crowd when he came out. Royce Isaacs came out to “California Love” and rocked a wild Streets of Rage 1 custom jacket.

The ring announcer’s mic kept cutting out during introductions, again.

Johnny is so smooth on the ground, which is something we hardly ever get to see from him unless he’s at something like Bloodsport. He’s a big dude, too, but he moves like he’s a foot shorter. It’s easy to forget this is Johnny Mundo.

The bulkier Isaacs was able to shut down Johnny down on the ground, for the most part. Johnny was able to escape and lock in a side headlock, which Isaacs quickly reversed, taking Johnny’s back and then going for an armbar before Johnny spun out and escaped himself. Fluid mat wrestling between the two; it’s literally “hold for hold,” as they say. 

Some idiot in the crowd thought it’d be funny to shout “WRESTLING!” during some of the quiet parts of the match because some folks just can’t ever seem to keep it in their pants. 

Isaacs would attack with a double wrist lock before launching Johnny with some big boy suplexes. Johnny used his hips to swivel and pivot out of harm’s way. It was very interesting seeing how Johnny escaped from some “basic” holds with creative, stretchy counters.

Isaacs was able to get Johnny’s back and lock in a tight sleeper. Isaacs locked in a clover hold but Johnny escaped.

The finishing sequence was pretty wild. Isaacs exploded out of nowhere with a jumping piledriver that he followed up with a dragon sleeper. It looked as though it was lights-out for Johnny, until he cleverly rolled out of the dragon sleeper into North-South before standing up and gator-rolling Isaacs—a pro wrestling version, though, which looked almost more like a swinging neck breaker—then rolling from North-South into a full mount with a front facelock submission. Beautiful. Isaacs rolled into it to escape, but Johnny kept the hold locked on and kept Isaacs in closed guard before getting Isaacs to tap. Very cool match. I think many would enjoy Johnny Bloodsport in more of these scenarios. 

Jon Moxley defeated Alex Coughlin via TKO

The crowd broke out into a big “Moxley” chant during the introductions. He wore his black hoodie that read “Blackpool Wrestling.” Coughlin jaw-jacked before the bell even sounded. This had the energy of a grudge match.

Moxley controlled on top for the early part of this. The announcers mentioned how much Mox’s fight skill has improved over the past few years.

Mox was able to push Coughlin to the floor. When Mox locked in a triangle to a standing Coughlin, Coughlin grabbed Max and power bombed him onto the edge of the ring apron. He launched Mox with a side-salto suplex inside the ring. Coughlin was feisty.

Max locked in a front face lock with guard applied, but Coughlin muscled out of it with a deadlift pop-up power bomb. Coughlin is freakishly strong.

They pummeled for leverage on their feet. They threw flurries of short body shots. Mox threw four hard headbutts before using a butterfly suplex on Coughlin, who was up immediately, but dazed. 

They began trading really hard shots until Moxley locked in a bully choke. It looked like that was it for Coughlin until he deadlifted Mox off of him, but only for a moment, as Mox relaxed his weight onto Coughlin and brought him straight back down to the mat. Mox used some brutal grounded knees before locking in a D’Arce choke. Moments later, Mox rolled into a front facelock from the mount, and Coughlin was unconscious, so the referee decided to stop the match. Moxley wins again at Bloodsport. Great bout.

Timothy Thatcher defeated Josh Barnett via submission

This ruled.

Thatcher received a huge chant during his introduction. Barnett wore his IGF books that read “GENOME” and “JLB” down the sides.

Thatcher was aggressive early on. He managed to stay atop Barnett while he peppered Barnett with body shots as he held control over JB. He went for a bow-and-arrow submission but Barnett rolled out of it and began working a heel hook submission. Thatcher defended well but Barnett was in control from here. 

There was a 70-30 chant that broke out in favor of Thatcher. This is Barnett’s show, though! Thatcher was able to escape, stand up and lock in a Thesz-like standing half-crab. He’d continue the attack with a short-arm scissors, a common hold in catch wrestling, a move one would see Billy Robinson or Antonio Inoki employ regularly.

Barnett would work a double wrist lock for a while, but Thatcher would reply with a Kimura of his own, though this time Thatcher grapevined his leg over Barnett’s neck, increasing the torque. Barnett found an opening and grabbed a hold of Thatcher’s ankle and applied a toe lock/ankle lock, a beautiful counter. From here, Barnett transitioned into a stepover toehold w/ facelock, a signature of one Erik Paulson in addition to others like Lou These, Masahiro Chono, etc.

Barnett would drill Thatcher with a huge backdrop suplex. Thatcher would later respond with one of his own. Thatcher would then fight for the double wrist lock again while the crowd chanted for him. Barnett muscled up and out of the hold with an exploder suplex. 

When Barnett power bombed Thatcher, Thatcher immediately countered it with his signature Fujiwara armbar. Barnett rolled out of it, but Thatcher seemed to have expected that, so he seamlessly moved into a kneebar that had Barnett writhing in pain. Barnett would ultimately tap to Thatcher’s kneebar, making Thatcher the first-ever wrestler to beat Barnett at his own event by his own rules. The student becomes the master. The two bowed to each other and shook hands afterwards. Excellent main event.

Final thoughts:

If you’re already familiar with Bloodsport, then you will absolutely not be disappointed with tonight’s show. These tend to fly by, they’re filled with variety and surprises but also dignity and respect towards the talent and the fans. Other quick hits:

• Thatcher had his moment, and rightfully so. He and Barnett had a true main event level match.
• Mox vs. Coughlin need to have a rematch somewhere, ASAP. They are meant to be rivals.
• Johnny Bloodsport is very much worth your time; Royce Isaacs continues to impress, improve and stay solid in the eyes of fans.
• Smith vs. Kratos simply kicked ass.
• Ibushi’s return was great and he tore it down with “Speedball.”
• Shafir looked 10x cooler tonight than she usually does on AEW.