Tag: GCW Bloodsport

Former WWE Tag Champs The War Raiders Set For Bloodsport XIV, Natalya vs. TNA’s Masha Slamovich, Plus a Few Other WWE Stars

While WWE gears up for its two-night SummerSlam extravaganza at MetLife Stadium this weekend, the underground fight scene in pro wrestling is heating up just a short drive away. Game Changer Wrestling’s Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIV is set to kick off Saturday afternoon in New Jersey, and a pair of former WWE World Tag Team Champions are officially stepping into the no-ropes ring for the very first time.

Josh Barnett took to social media to break the news himself, declaring: “WAR is coming to Bloodsport.” That’s right—Erik and Ivar, collectively known as The War Raiders, are making their long-awaited debut at the gritty hybrid shoot-style event.

Last seen on the July 10 episode of WWE Main Event, where they steamrolled LWO’s Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro, Erik and Ivar will now test their mettle in one of wrestling’s most unforgiving formats. True to Bloodsport tradition, their match will be contested in a ring stripped of ropes and turnbuckles, with a hard-hitting MMA-meets-pro-wrestling ruleset. Their opponents for the event have yet to be revealed.

They won’t be the only WWE talents on the card, either. Raw veteran Natalya is set to face off against TNA Wrestling’s dangerous and unpredictable Masha Slamovich, while SmackDown‘s Pete Dunne brings his brutal British strong style to a clash with Jonathan Gresham. Also announced: NXT’s Charlie Dempsey returns to Bloodsport following his loss to Tavion Heights earlier this month. His opponent remains under wraps for now.

WWE’s growing crossover with Bloodsport isn’t exactly new. Last year’s Bloodsport X featured Shayna Baszler and Charlie Dempsey, both of whom picked up big wins—Baszler over Slamovich (with Zoey Stark in her corner) and Dempsey over Matt Makowski. The appearances signaled a surprising but intriguing collaboration between WWE and GCW, one that seems to be gaining more momentum with each event.

Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIV kicks off Saturday at 1 PM ET, offering a violent, visceral counterpoint to the polished spectacle of SummerSlam. Whether it’s WWE talent, indie legends, or international heavy-hitters, expect no frills—just fights.

GCW Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIII Results

GCW held their event Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIII Thursday night at the Pearl Theater at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. Here are results:

  • Leyla Hirsch def. Jordan Blade via TKO
  • Maika def. Karmen Petrovic via submission
  • Charlie Dempsey def. Shinya Aoki via TKO
  • Karrion Kross def. JR Kratos via submission
  • Pete Dunne def. Timothy Thatcher via submission
  • Natalya def. Miyu Yamashita via submission
  • Tavion Heights def. Royce Isaacs via TKO
  • Shayna Baszler def. Komani via TKO
  • Zack Sabre Jr. def. Jonathan Gresham via KO. The match went to a time limit draw, resulting in a five-minute overtime.
  • Gabe Kidd def. Josh Barnett via TKO

GCW Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIII 4/17/2025 (Card)

GCW Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIII – Thursday, April 17, 2025 –
Pearl Theater At Palms Casino Resort – Las Vegas

CARD

  • Royce Isaacs vs. Tavion Heights
  • Shayna Baszler vs. Konami
  • Josh Barnett vs. Gabe Kidd
  • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Jonathan Gresham
  • JR Kratos vs. Karrion Kross
  • Maika vs. Karmen Petrovic
  • Charlie Dempsey vs. Shinya Aoki
  • Nattie Neidhart vs. Miyu Yamashita
  • Leyla Hirsch vs. Jordan Blade
  • Timothy Thatcher vs. Pete Dunne

Natalya Set to Make Debut in Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport During WrestleMania 41 Weekend

WWE veteran Natalya is stepping into unfamiliar territory this April as she makes her debut at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIII, a hard-hitting, no-ropes event promoted by Game Changer Wrestling (GCW). The event will take place on April 17, 2025, just two days before WrestleMania 41, at the Pearl Concert Theater in Nevada.

A New Challenge for the Queen of Harts

Josh Barnett took to social media to announce Natalya’s participation, emphasizing her roots in the legendary Hart Dungeon, where she trained in the art of submission wrestling.

“The Queen of Harts. A member of the legacy-filled Hart family. She spent time in the Hart Dungeon learning how to crank, rip, and tear wrestlers apart. You could say she was BORN for this. Will she torture her opponent to the point of submission, or will it be her hung from the rack? What will Bloodsport bring out of this veteran wrestler?”

Natalya’s inclusion in the event is a historic one, as it marks her first match outside of WWE since 2007. Known for her technical prowess, submission skills, and resilience, she is set to bring a new dynamic to Bloodsport’s unique, no-pins, knockout-or-submission-only format.

WWE Stars Making Their Mark in Bloodsport

GCW’s Bloodsport has increasingly become a stage for WWE talent to showcase their skills in a different environment. In October 2024, Charlie Dempsey and Karmen Petrovic competed at Bloodsport XII, proving that WWE stars can thrive in the no-holds-barred setting.

Joining Natalya at Bloodsport XIII will be other notable names, including former WWE stars Timothy Thatcher and Simon Gotch, as well as NJPW’s Tom Lawlor.

With WrestleMania 41 weekend bringing the entire wrestling world to Las Vegas, Bloodsport XIII is shaping up to be a must-see event. How will Natalya adapt to the brutal, unforgiving nature of Bloodsport? Fans won’t have to wait long to find out.

WWE Star Shayna Baszler’s Opponent For Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XI Announced

WWE Superstar Shayna Baszler may have found herself a couple of good friends in the form of Zoey Stark and Sonya Deville on “WWE Raw,” but she has been confirmed to be facing a well-respected international performer at an upcoming independent event. Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Josh Barnett took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to officially announce that Baszler would be facing TJPW star Miyu Yamashita at his upcoming “Bloodsport XI” event on July 28 in Brooklyn, New York. 

“Two fierce warriors of the ring,” Barnett wrote. “Two battle hardened women through martial arts and pro wrestling training. Two meeting for the first time in the hardest hitting event in all of Professional Wrestling. The kicks of Miyu Yamashita taking on the submission holds of ‘The Queen of Spades’ Shayna Baszler at Josh Barnett’s: Bloodsport XI.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Backstage Update On WWE Allowing Shayna Baszler To Work Bloodsport X Event For GCW

Details have emerged regarding the recent announcement that WWE star Shayna Baszler will appear at GCW’s Bloodsport X event on April 4. In an update posted to F4WOnline, Dave Meltzer said he was told the decision came from WWE CCO Paul “Triple H” Levesque, and that he has a different view on WWE talent appearing with other promotions than did Vince McMahon. 

Baszler’s appearance at Bloodsport won’t be the first time WWE sends talent elsewhere this year either, having previously sent Charlie Dempsey to All Japan Pro Wrestling in January. The event has historically been hosted by Josh Barnett — except Matt Riddle’s Bloodsport in 2018 — and is promoted under the GCW umbrella. Barnett was Shayna Baszler’s coach early in her transition from MMA to professional wrestling. Bloodsport competition differs from traditional wrestling as it takes place in a ring without ropes or turnbuckles, and matches can only be won via submission or knockout. 

This event will be the tenth iteration, ahead of Bloodsport Bushido in Tokyo slated for June 22, and is also slated to feature Nic Nemeth — formerly Dolph Ziggler in WWE — as he faces “Speedball” Mike Bailey, due to be Bailey’s third Bloodsport outing. A whole slew of names are involved elsewhere, with Josh Barnett facing Johnny “Bloodsport” Hennigan, Minoru Suzuki vs. Royce Isaacs, and former “WWE NXT” stars Timothy Thatcher and Axel Tischer set to collide. 

Source: Wrestling Inc.