SmokeSlam and Memphis Barbecue Network (MBN) Crown "Rescue Smokers" Grand Champion at Second Annual SmokeSlam BBQ Festival; Team Wins $72,500 In Total Prize Money
MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — SmokeSlam, 'The World's Ultimate BBQ Showdown', is proud to announce Rescue Smokers from Sycamore, GA is this year's Grand Champion of the second annual three-day festival judged by Memphis Barbecue Network (MBN). There were two rounds of judging – a preliminary round and a final on-site round. The preliminary round at SmokeSlam includes both a blind sample entry and on-site presentations. SmokeSlam had 76 teams compete, seeing a 35% increase in team entries from last year.
'After being in finals last year and forgetting to do something that we were required to do and getting third place in Hog, to get here again and have this opportunity, wow.
There is nothing like SmokeSlam 2025, baby!' exclaimed Pitmaster Robby Royal after the team's win.
Whole Hog, Ribs, and Pulled Pork category prizes were awarded across ten places per category, totaling $150,000 in prize money. Each 1st Place winner also received a Golden Ticket to the World Food Championships. Rescue Smokers walked away with $65,000 just for the Grand Prize and Pulled Pork wins. In each category, the winners received:
5th Place winner – $5,000
4th Place winner – $7,500
3rd Place winner – $10,000
2nd Place winner – $12,500
1st Place Winner – $15,000
This year's top three MBN Winners:
Whole Hog
Fireman John's BBQ
Grind City Smokers
Swineantology
Ribs
Fireside Smokers
Rebel Roaster Review
Ole Booger Bear's BBQ
Pulled Pork
Rescue Smokers
Poker Porkers
Swine Life BBQ
In addition to prize money, teams placing first through fifth received beautiful trophies forged down the road at The Metal Museum. Sixth through tenth place winners received a SmokeSlam medal also crafted at The Metal Museum.
The 2025 WFC Ancillary Champions announced Friday included Duck, Bacon, Beef, Wings, Poultry, Seafood, and Dessert. Category prizes were awarded across ten places per category, totaling $40,000 in prize money. Sanctioned by the World Food Championships each category winner also received a Golden Ticket to the World Food Championships.
2025 WFC Ancillary Champions:
Duck: Smokin' On The River
Dry Rub: Sweet Cheeks BBQ
Seafood: I Only Smoke When I Drink
Bacon: Hotty Totty BBQ Dream Team
Wings: BBQ Team
Poultry: Sicilian Smokers
Beef: Smoked N Spiced
Dessert: Hotty Totty BBQ Dream Team
Melissa Cookston's World Junior BBQ League returned with 42 kids who competed in four categories for a total purse of $25,000. Totally Bodacious BBQ was named Grand Champion and took home $12,500.
SmokeSlam and Mempho Presents also generously donated $5,000 to WJBL again this year to further promote leadership, teamwork, and healthy competition through BBQ with youth. SmokeSlam also remains a committed partner to Project Green Fork which collects and distributes surplus food at SmokeSlam to those who are food insecure in the community.
Photos and video are available for download here. For more information visit www.smokeslam.com. You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook.
About SmokeSlam
Smokeslam is the World's Ultimate BBQ Showdown, attracting teams from all over the country competing for the largest purse in barbecue history. Smokeslam is more than a barbecue competition; it is a complete experience, bringing live music and barbecue together at Tom Lee Park on the banks of the great Mississippi River in Memphis, TN in May. Produced by Mempho Presents, Smokeslam takes the experience of BBQ to a whole new level. For more information, visit www.SmokeSlam.com.
Media Contact:Lindsay StevensLindsay.stevens@ubuntu-one.com2132009638
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malaysian Reserve
12 hours ago
- Malaysian Reserve
POLARIS RZR PRO R FACTORY REIGNS SUPREME AT 2025 VEGAS TO RENO
Polaris-Supported Racer Mitch Guthrie Jr. and his RZR Pro R Factory Win UTV Overall MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In a stunning display of skill, stamina, and precision, Polaris-supported racer, Mitch Guthrie Jr. raced his way to victory in the RZR Pro R Factory at the legendary 2025 Las Vegas to Reno, taking home the overall UTV win and finishing second overall among all four-wheeled vehicles. Temperatures soared above 100°F as racers pushed speeds well over 110 mph across hundreds of miles of graded gravel roads, dry lake beds, and rugged mountain terrain. His total time of 8:19:14 edged out Can-Am®'s Cody Bradbury by a 9-second margin, capping off one of the closest and most dramatic finishes in recent history. 'The Vegas to Reno course is one of the toughest in the world where our drivers are battling extreme heat, high speeds, brutal terrain, but the RZR Pro R Factory handled it all with incredible confidence and durability,' said Alex Scheuerell, Director of Off-Road Motorsports, Polaris. 'Mitch's impressive ability to navigate such a demanding course was key to the win and a huge validation of the performance and resilience we've built into this machine. The grit our entire team and Polaris-supported racers consistently demonstrate never ceases to impress. It's a clear reflection of the Polaris spirit.' By mile 100, Guthrie was locked in a three-vehicle dogfight while Cayden MacCachren played a longer strategy, hanging back outside the top 10. By race mile 300, MacCachren's game of cat and mouse started to take shape. Heading into the mountains, he started flexing the power and nimbleness of the RZR Pro R Factory. By mile 450, only 18 seconds separated Bradbury, Guthrie, and MacCachren on corrected time. MacCachren would then physically pass the field and build a 14-second corrected lead with just 25 miles to go. Two miles from the finish, MacCachren overcame a challenge with rapid repairs, crossing the line and exemplifying the true grit of the Polaris team. Guthrie pushed his RZR Pro R Factory to the limit over the final miles with the vehicle ultimately proving its superiority, overtaking the Can-Am® and defeating Bradbury to take the overall UTV win by just nine seconds. The win marks a significant moment for Polaris as the RZR Pro R Factory machine once again proved its elite performance and durability, tackling the unforgiving terrain of the 2025 Vegas to Reno race with unmatched composure and capability. From deep silt beds to jagged rock gardens and long stretches of high-speed desert, the machine absorbed punishing impacts while maintaining precise control. The RZR Pro R Factory gave Mitch Guthrie Jr. the confidence to charge through technical sections that forced many competitors to back off. 'We took the win in the RZR Factory Pro R, and it was a great race with tight battles up front dicing it up, with just seconds separating us at times,' said Mitch Guthrie Jr. 'The RZR Pro R Factory performed flawlessly with zero issues, which gave me the confidence to keep pushing from start to finish.' Next, the Polaris RZR Factory Racing team will trade the rugged terrain of the Sierra Nevadas going back to the deserts of Baja as they will set their eyes on the trophy for the Baja 400, strategically placing for a spot in the prestigious Baja 1000. To learn more, please visit or join the conversation and follow on Facebook sm, Instagram sm, YouTube sm and Xsm. About PolarisAs the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. Polaris' high-quality product line-up includes the RANGER, RZR and Polaris XPEDITION and GENERAL side-by-side off-road vehicles; Sportsman all-terrain off-road vehicles; military and commercial off-road vehicles; snowmobiles; Indian Motorcycle mid-size and heavyweight motorcycles; Slingshot moto-roadsters; Aixam quadricycles; Goupil electric vehicles; and pontoon and deck boats, including industry-leading Bennington pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a robust portfolio of parts, garments, and accessories. Headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves nearly 100 countries across the globe. Can-Am® is a registered trademark of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
Malaysian Reserve
5 days ago
- Malaysian Reserve
NIX PATTERSON RESPONDS TO NCAA REPORT REGARDING CONNOR STALIONS
AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Today, the NCAA released its infractions committee report regarding the University of Michigan football team, Jim Harbaugh, Sherrone Moore and Connor Stalions. Connor Stalions is represented by Brad Beckworth and Nathan Hall of Nix Patterson, LLP. Brad Beckworth offered the following comments regarding the NCAA's findings: 'We are not surprised by the NCAA's ruling because the NCAA did, as it has always done, the wrong thing. Based on the penalties laid down today, it is obvious that this whole ordeal was just another, last-ditch effort by the NCAA in its perpetual, petty witch hunt of Coach Harbaugh. Connor was just the vehicle through which the NCAA could give itself the last word in this vendetta.' 'Connor will be fine. He is a wonderful person. He's smart. He's loyal, dedicated, and determined—traits he carries with him onto the football field from his days serving his country to protect all of us. He loves helping young people learn about life and football. And, regardless of what the NCAA says today, he plans to continue learning about and contributing to the game of football at is highest levels.' 'Connor already won. We knew he was going to be railroaded the moment the NCAA first leaked this story in violation of its own rules. The NCAA decided it would target and punish him in 2023. So, rather than let them ruin his career in silence, he decided to expose the NCAA for the fraud it is in documentary Sign Stealer. Rather than let the NCAA continue to hide in secret, we decided to let the public see the truth for itself. And what the public saw revealed what we already knew to be true: this was a rigged investigation; enveloped in impropriety (namely, a 'confidential source' that the NCAA still won't reveal); and all premised on an antiquated rule that the member institutions themselves have tried to eliminate as something that 'no longer serve[s] the needs of the membership and the 21st century student-athlete.' 'The enforcement staff and the NCAA made it very clear that their feelings were hurt when they were exposed on Sign Stealer. But, through that process, the entire country saw the NCAA's investigation for what it was—a sham. The only way to deal with a bully and hypocrite is to expose them to the public and make sure everyone knows exactly what they are trying to do behind closed doors. We did that. We will continue to fight the NCAA anywhere and everywhere we can.' 'This investigation would have been thrown out of any court by any judge in the country. There was no due process and the entire investigation stems from improper conduct by the NCAA itself. The NCAA is the investigator, judge and jury, which is why the outcome is always—always—the same when the enforcement staff decides to target a coach or player.' 'Indeed, as for the rule itself, we hope you get a chance to read the transcript of the hearing on this matter, because it shows just how out of step the NCAA is with any concept of justice known in this country. You will see that the committee itself could not and did not understand the rule they were trying to enforce. But the found Connor to have violated it dozens of times nonetheless. Such a result would not stand in any court in America.' 'The NCAA claims to be about protecting amateurism in college sports. It does not. The halls of the NCAA headquarters are lined with millions-of-dollars' worth of art paid for on the backs of superstars like Johnny Manziel, Reggie Bush, and the thousands of student athletes who worked for free while the NCAA and its member institutions profited billions. Let's not forget that while the NCAA went after Reggie Bush after he left USC, and took his Heisman away, it let USC continue to proudly display O.J. Simpson's Heisman in Heritage Hall.' 'During the hearing in this case, while inside the blacked-out star chamber where the NCAA talked about defending amateur athletics, on the outside, universities throughout the Big 10 were discussing how to spend some $20 million annually to pay 'amateurs' to be professional athletes (as they should be). That result—the House settlement—came about because the NCAA couldn't come to grips with the fact that its very existence is an affront to American free-market principles. The NCAA was too slow and too arrogant to do the right thing until a group of lawyers made them. The NCAA still has not learned its lesson; House was only the beginning of the end for this truly un-American institution.' 'Connor is glad that this process is now behind him. All he wants to do is be a part of the sport he loves, football and those who, like him, are passionate about pursuing the game to its highest level. He hopes that resolution of this process will provide him with that chance, even if the NCAA will not.' Contact information Name: Christina Yarnell Email: cyarnell@ Cell: 512-751-6585
Malaysian Reserve
6 days ago
- Malaysian Reserve
5WPR Launches Integrated Sports & Gaming PR Suite to Amplify Immersive Experiences and Audience Reach
NEW YORK, Aug. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — 5WPR, one of the largest independently owned PR firms in the U.S., today announced the launch of its Integrated Sports & Gaming PR Suite, a comprehensive offering designed to help brands thrive in the rapidly evolving sports, gaming, and esports sectors. The new suite leverages 5WPR's expertise in out-of-home (OOH) advertising, programmatic media buying, and paid social campaigns to create powerful, measurable audience engagement in a space where innovation meets regulation. The sports and gaming industries present unique opportunities for brand visibility, from stadium sponsorships and tournament broadcasts to immersive in-game activations. However, they also operate in a heavily regulated environment that requires specialized understanding, careful navigation, and creative execution. 5WPR's team brings proven experience in delivering campaigns that not only capture attention but also remain compliant with industry guidelines and legal requirements. The Integrated Sports & Gaming PR Suite combines strategic media planning with 5WPR's award-winning digital PR capabilities, including influencer engagement, search-optimized content, social listening, and high-impact media placements, to ensure brands connect with fans both online and offline. By integrating traditional PR with digital-first thinking, clients can amplify reach, drive action, and build enduring fan relationships. 'Sports and gaming brands today aren't just selling tickets or downloads, they're selling experiences, communities, and culture,' said Ronn Torossian, Founder & Chairman of 5WPR. 'Our team understands how to tap into that passion while navigating the regulatory landscape. This suite is built to help clients break through noise, create meaningful fan moments, and see real business results.' With deep category expertise and a track record of executing multi-channel, high-compliance campaigns, 5WPR partners with sports leagues, esports organizations, gaming publishers, athlete brands, and sponsorship-driven businesses to achieve lasting market impact. For more information on 5WPR's Integrated Sports & Gaming PR Suite, visit About 5WPR 5WPR is a full-service PR agency known for cutting-edge programs that engage with businesses, issues, and ideas. Founded in 2003, 5W has been named a top US and NYC PR Agency by leading industry publication O'Dwyer's, as well as awarded Agency of the Year in the 2024 American Business Awards®, and continuously brings leading businesses a resourceful, bold, and results-driven approach to communication. The agency has more than 250 professionals serving clients in B2C (Beauty & Fashion, Consumer Brands, Entertainment, Food & Beverage, Health & Wellness, Travel & Hospitality, Technology, Nonprofit), B2B (Corporate Communications and Reputation Management), Public Affairs, Crisis Communications and Digital Marketing (Social Media, Influencer, Paid Media, SEO). In addition to its business accolades, 5W was named to the 2024 Digiday WorkLife Employer of the Year list. For more information and to join our team, visit 5W Careers. Media ContactChris Bergincbergin@
