The main event has been made official!
This year’s show is scheduled for Las Vegas the week of WrestleMania. Talents from numerous promotions such as WWE, AEW, MLW, TNA/Impact Wrestling, and New Japan Pro-Wrestling are scheduled for this annual event. Tom Lawlor, Timothy Thatcher, Simon Gotch, Royce Isaacs, David Modzmanashvili, Natalya Heidhart, Gabe Kidd, Pete Dunne, and Charlie Dempsey are some of the names confirmed for the upcoming show.
Gabe Kidd vs. Josh Barnett has been confirmed for Bloodsport.
A former UFC Heavyweight Champion, Barrett has been in the wrestling business for over a decade. Barnett managed to successfully bring his MMA and Wrestling style into the squared circle and has seen success in places such as TNA Wrestling and New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Josh has competed at nine Bloodsport shows and he’s only lost one bout. He’s beaten top level names such as Jon Moxley, JONAH (WWE’s Bronson Reed), MVP, and Johnny Bloodsport (AEW’s Johnny TV). His single loss comes from Timothy Thatcher at Bloodsport 9.
Gabe Kidd has been one of the biggest standouts for New Japan Pro-Wrestling over the past year. However, his match against Kenny Omega really opened some eyes as that bout and the entire feud elevated Kidd as a wrestler. The 27-year-old has been the NJPW STRONG Openweight Champion for 334 days. This is Kidd’s first Bloodsport show.
Kidd vs. Barnett headlines a show anchored with matches such as Shayna Baszler vs. Konami, Tavion Heights vs. Royce Isaacs, Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Jonathan Gresham, JR Kratos vs. Karrion Kross, Karmen Petrovic vs. Maika, Shinya Aoki vs. Charlie Dempsey, and Leyla Hirsch vs. Jordan Blade on April 17, 2024.
For those who don’t follow the unique format, Bloodsport started in 2018 under Matt Riddle’s name. Once Riddle signed to WWE, the event was turned over to former UFC fighter Josh Barnett. The rules are quite simple: every match will end either by knockout or submission. Instead of the traditional pro wrestling ring, the canvas has no ropes or turnbuckles.
We’re just a little over a month away from the annual Bloodsport and matches are finally starting to form. Which match will be announced next for Bloodsport?
Below are the confirmed names for Bloodsport XIII:
Josh Barnett's Bloodsport XIII (4/17)
- Miyu Yamashita vs. Natalya Neidhart
- Pete Dunne vs. Timothy Thatcher
- Leyla Hirsch vs. Jordan Blade
- Charlie Dempsey vs. Shinya Aoki
- Karrion Kross vs. JR Kratos
- Karmen Petrovic vs. Maika
- Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Jonathan Gresham
- Royce Issacs vs. Tavion Heights
- Shayna Baszler vs. Konami
- Gabe Kidd vs. Josh Barnett
- Tom Lawlor in action
- Simon Gotch in action
- Jonathan Gresham in action
- Royce Isaacs in action
- Maika in action