Tag: Pete Dunne

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.

Backstage Update on Pete Dunne: What’s the Bruiserweight Been Up To?

It’s been a quiet few months for Pete Dunne on WWE TV, and fans have been wondering what’s next for the Bruiserweight—especially after his New Catch Republic partner, Tyler Bate, made a brief return earlier this year. While the duo had a glimmer of main roster exposure with a short-lived feud and an appearance in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, they’ve since faded from the spotlight, primarily popping up on “WWE Main Event.”

But behind the scenes, Dunne has been far from idle.

According to Wrestling Observer Radio’s Dave Meltzer, Dunne has been putting in work backstage with WWE’s involvement in AAA (Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide), though the specifics of his role are still under wraps. Meltzer noted that Dunne hasn’t wrestled for AAA, but has been a consistent backstage presence at shows, potentially in a producer or agent-like capacity.

“Pete Dunne’s now working on… kind of the AAA side anyway right now,” Meltzer said. “They’re using him as… I don’t know if it’s like an agent or whatever.”

The revelation came during a conversation about this week’s Raw, where Finn Bálor and JD McDonagh defended the World Tag Team Titles against Legado Del Fantasma members Cruz del Toro and Joaquin Wilde. The match featured interference from a mysterious third El Grande Americano—an increasingly recurring masked gimmick on WWE TV that has previously involved Ludwig Kaiser and Chad Gable. While Meltzer didn’t confirm Dunne was under the mask this time, he acknowledged it’s “possible,” even if he remained skeptical.

So what does all this mean for Dunne’s future?

WWE might be testing the waters with him in a backstage role or simply keeping him engaged while creative determines the next on-screen step. With Triple H’s increasing influence behind the curtain and a track record of reinvigorating overlooked talent, a repackaged or re-energized Dunne might not be out of the question—especially with Bate back in circulation.

For now, Dunne fans will have to stay tuned. Whether he’s working in gorilla, donning a mask as El Grande Americano, or plotting his in-ring return, it’s clear WWE still sees value in the Bruiserweight—even if it’s just not on our screens… yet.