Latest news with #JoshBarnett
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hidden gems: The 6 best non-WrestleMania matches from WrestleMania 41 week
WrestleMania weekend isn't just about the big show. For the past decade or so, it has also served as a wrestling fans convention, with dozens of smaller indie shows putting their best foot forward to capture the 'Mania-consuming masses. The WWE has a specific vision of professional wrestling — it is a popular vision, but not the only vision. Fortunately, the menagerie of various WrestleMania week shows do a great job of showing all of the different colors in the pro-wrestling pallet. Here are the six best matches you may have missed over the WrestleMania 41 week festivities in Las Vegas. Shinya Aoki vs. Charlie Dempsey: Josh Barnett's Bloodsport (April 17) Josh Barnett's Bloodsport events are no-ropes shows that follow in the tradition of Japanese shoot-style wrestling promotions like UWF, UWFI and RINGS. In recent years they have booked wrestlers from multiple promotions, including rare indie dates for WWE stars — in addition to Charlie Dempsey, this past week's show had Nattie Neidhart, Karmen Pertrovic, Karrion Kross, Pete Dunne, Tavion Heights and Shayna Bayzler. Advertisement Dempsey is the son of WWE legend William Regal, a current NXT star, and one of the best grapplers in U.S. pro-wrestling, adapting the British catch-wrestling style of his father and Billy Robinson. Aoki is an MMA legend, one of the great submission grapplers of all time. He has dipped his toe in professional wrestling over the past couple of years, mainly for the DDT promotion, while still being an active fighter. This past week was his debut as a professional wrestler in America. This match had some of the coolest grappling you are going to see in modern pro-wrestling. Aoki is a leglock master, winning innumerable fights over the years that way, and it was cool to see him apply that technique with Dempsey somehow plausibly countering it with old-fashioned pro-wrestling, like a figure-four attempt or Indian death lock. There is a ground fight near the end of the match which starts with a Dempsey Bridging Indian Death lock and just flows into a calf slicer, then into a banana split, then into a toe hold — just breathtaking stuff. Advertisement It really feels like an early MMA fight between masters of very different disciplines — jiu-jitsu versus British Blackpool carnival grappling. With all of the politics of professional wrestling, this kind of NXT vs. One Championship MMA fever-dream match could really only happen at WrestleMania weekend. Team Gravity (Aero Panther/Fight Panther/El Vengador/Gravity/Spider Fly) vs. Team Mala Fama (Arez/Canis Lupus/El Bendito/Latigo/Toxin): WrestleCon Mark Hitchcock Memorial Supershow (April 17) The WrestleCon 'Mania weekend shows have been at the forefront of introducing independent luchadores to the U.S. audience. Many of the luchadores who have gone on to work big shows for GCW, AEW and TNA got their stateside break at one of these shows. Advertisement This wild 10-man match continued this tradition, with wrestlers like the Panther Brothers, El Vengador and Spider Fly getting their first big match outside of Mexico. This was a wild showcase — everything wasn't hit cleanly, but the difficulty level was dialed up to 11. The big highlight was eight of the wrestlers attempting a big group suplex, which created a platform for Arez to suplex Fight Panther, collapsing the entire pile. Altogether, it looked like a horrible cheerleading accident. Fun popcorn match here, with wild flipping technicos and great rudo bases. It was a great chance to scout the guys who are going to be on your Instagram feed with crazy gifs for the next year. Aja Kong vs. Seneka Akatsuki: Marvelous (April 17) Seneka is in just the first six months of her career and already had the opportunity to match up in the U.S. against an all-time legend in Aja Kong. Advertisement This was a real testament to the greatness of simple professional wrestling. The match was built around Aja having no respect for the kid, and Seneka slowly forcing her to come to play, building to a huge pop when she finally hits a bodyslam. Aja was so great big-timing her, chewing gum and smacking the sweat off of Seneka while smirking. It made even the smallest victory seem like a huge moment. Aja did a similar thing 25 years ago christening stardom on a young Meiko Satomura; now Meiko is in the final year of a Hall of Fame career and Aja is still out here doing the same thing to another generation. The highlight of the match (and maybe the whole weekend) was Aja hitting a suplex, going for the pin, and Seneka absolutely refusing to have her shoulders put down — she just squirms and turns and bridges, fighting like hell, not even allowing Aja even get the one-count. That simple act led to a standing ovation from the crowd and felt like a star-making moment, even if she quickly lost moments later. Sometimes the oldest tricks still work the best. MAO vs. Konosuke Takeshita: DDT Goes to Vegas (April 18) Most of the matches on the list are interesting curiosities, cool unique matches which something like 'Mania weekend can allow. This is much more of a traditional big-bomb workrate match, the kind of thing Dave Meltzer would break the bank on. Advertisement MAO and Takeshita were former stablemates in DDT and have wrestled other singles matches before, although with Takeshita always winning. This was a power vs. speed match — MAO has really great fluidity in his movements, hits some cool dives and does a nice job of avoiding the heavy fire coming at him from Takeshita, who might have the nastiest offense in wrestling. They build to a big crescendo with super physical power moves, and MAO trying for high risk dives. This is maximalist stuff — big near-falls, dramatic kickouts, 2025 big match pro-wrestling done well. Sabu vs. Joey Janela: Joey Janela's Spring Break 9 (April 18) This was a no-rope barbed wire match and the retirement match for the 60-year-old extreme legend Sabu, who hadn't wrestled a match since 2021. Advertisement This is the 9th Joey Janela Spring Break — Janela has become famous for wrestling icons of the '90s (Great Sasuke, Sean Waltman, Jushin Thunder Liger, etc.) — and was the perfect choice to get something great out of Sabu, who, again, is 60 years old. As awkward as parts of this match were, there was undoubted greatness — Sabu comes in resplendent in a white suit, and takes two of the single most insane bumps of his career in the opening moments of this match, missing an Air Sabu and going through the wire landing headfirst into spiderweb box of barbed wire. Then, moments later, he goes flying through a barbed wire board backward to the floor, cracking his skull on the concrete (you could see the blood pooling at the back of his head). It literally felt like he might die in the ring, which is unnerving to watch, but an emotion that has been a big part of the Sabu experience for 35 years. He always seemed to be wrestling on the precipice of disaster, and was even known to botch moves on purpose to add to the danger of the situation. After the second bump there's a Cogar brothers run-in to attack Janela and a super long, iconic Sandman entrance to make a save. All of this happens while people at ringside are checking to see if Sabu was still on the right side of the grass. Somehow, Sabu gets back in the ring and the finishes the match, with Janela taking some big bumps of his own into sharp things. Uncomfortable to watch, maybe, and parts of the match were quite poor, but simultaneously this was one of the most compelling wrestling experiences in years. Wrestlers are rarely able to go out on their own terms, but Sabu was Sabu until the very end. Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Kidd Bandit: Effy's Big Gay Brunch 10 (April 19) Effy's Big Gay Brunch is a celebration of queer representation in professional wrestling, and Sabre, who is one of the biggest international stars in the world, strolled by to accept the challenge of Kidd Bandit. Bandit is a trans wrestler who has established a cult following, both with her social media presence and elaborate offense. She is still young in her career, and can be a bit uneven in the ring — but this was the most high-profile match of her career, and she stepped all the way up. Advertisement Sabre is a technician and much of this match was Bandit trying unique attacks and Sabre finding ways to counter out and vice versa. Sabre starts the match by rubbing Bandit on the head in a really condescending way, but he gets more and more frustrated — and more vicious — once he can't easily put her away. Really nasty grappling here, with Sabre really stretching Bandit's limbs and Bandit finding ways to spin out. The match levels up again near the end with its final stanza, with Sabre locking in a rear-naked choke and Bandit trying multiple escapes, Sabre countering those escapes, and finally Bandit getting to the ropes at the final second. Bandit then goes on an offensive run herself, nearly getting a tap with a stranglehold leg choke and almost getting a knockout with a hard head kick. You can see Sabre start to panic, and he quickly grabs a cradle and gets the pin to get out of town with the win. Just a great underdog performance here by Bandit — and overdog performance by Sabre. It feels like it could really be the start of something for the cult up-and-comer.
See - Sada Elbalad
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Videos: 2025 WrestleMania Week Highlights from Indie Shows to Main Promotions
Rana Atef For the love of the game! There is no doubt that WrestleMania is one of the top and highly anticipated sports entertainment events of the year. Most wrestling fans mark their calendars yearly for what is commonly known as WrestleMania Week. The majority of indie promotions and major pro wrestling brands organize several wrestling shows in the same city as WrestleMania to make sure to draw the biggest crowds and to exhibit their talents. This year, WrestleMania is taking place in Las Vegas, the Sin City, with all WWE final SmackDown before the grand event, Hall of Fame, NXT Stand and Deliver, and the nights of the main event. Therefore, many promotions headed to Las Vegas to showcase entertaining, strong, and tough contests, as well as unforgettable moments. AEW Springbreak Thru The strife between AEW and WWE sparked once again, especially during WWE WrestleMania build-up period. Several WWE officials, including Triple H and the promotion's President Nick Khan, criticized AEW. In return, AEW organized its special "Springbreak Thru" during WrestleMania Week, but organized it in Boston. Many AEW superstars used to show up in this week's indie shows, with AEW-sister promotion ROH used to organize its Supercard of Honor in the same city as WrestleMania. However, this year, AEW used another concept and strategy by creating its own All In Week. During AEW Springbreak Thru, several matches and contests stole the audience and trended on social media, sparking harsh criticism of WWE and its WrestleMania 41 build and PR strategy. Many moments can highlight AEW Springbreak Thru, which AEW organized to celebrate surpassing the historic WCW Nitro. These moments are: the anticipated contest between TBS Champion Mercedes Mone and ROH Women's World Champion Athena, the unforgettable match between Will Ospreay and Konosuke Takeshita, a classic face-off between Adam Cole and Claudio Castagnoli, crowning new trios champions, crowning new ROH World TV Champion, Christian return to the TV, the debut of Josh Alexander, and a women's tag team match as Collision's main event. Heavy WWE & NJPW Presence at Josh Barnett's Bloodsport 13 The 13th edition of Josh Barnett's Bloodsport event took place as part of WrestleMania week in Las Vegas. The show witnessed a heavy presence from WWE superstars who participated in the event for the second year in a row. Among the WWE main roster superstars who participated in the event were Natalya, whose special entrance and fighter gimmick trended on the show, Pete Dunn, Karrion Kross, and Shayna Baszler. Many NXT superstars, such as Karmen Petrovic, Tavion Heights, and Charlie Dempsey. Natalya also revealed huge praise due to the fighting and wrestling talents she showcased throughout the night. A face from Natalya, which is truly missed, a glimpse to remember the iconic Hart Family. NJPW Road to Wrestling Dontaku Another WrestleMania Week event but also outside WrestleMania city. Road to Wrestling Dontaku witnessed several unforgettable moments in NJPW. It included the final match of Jeff Cobb before his exit from the promotion. It was reported that he signed with WWE in a shocking move. Another shocking move included the final presence of Los Ingobernables de Japon stable (LIJ) after the unexpected exit of Tetsuya Naito, who spent 20 years in the promotion, and Bushi. GCW: Joey Janella Spring Break 9, DDT Las Vegas GCW is one of the promotions whose ring hosts dozens of shows throughout the year, and it is well known for its WrestleMania Week series of brutal events. This year's Joey Janella Spring Break witnessed the retirement match of the iconic Sabu and the retirement tease of Fuego Del Sol ,who lost a Career vs. Mask match. Moreover, GCW ring hosted collaborative shows for Japanese DDT and TJPW. TNA Unbreakable The iconic TNA also organized a special PPV in Vegas during the WrestleMania Week. The night witnessed the crowning of a new champion, and the return of Chris Bay. In addition, the night witnessed the presence of many NXT talents. Stardom Famous Japanese women's promotion Stardom was among the promotions that headed to Las Vegas. AEW's Megan Bayne will reunite with her former Stardom mates for one more time. DIVINE KINGDOM IS BACK FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY! #STARDOM — Peps🪭 (@Peps_Wrestling) April 18, 2025 Maika already makes it known on what she's going to do after reuniting with Megan Bayne in Las Vegas 🍻 #STARDOM #舞華 — Himanshu Doi (@Himanshu_Doi) April 19, 2025 WWE Hall of Fame Class 2025 WWE introduced the 2025 Hall of Fame. The event took place late after WWE SmackDown This year's class was main-evented by Triple H as well as the first-ever match being honored by the WWE Hall of Fame. The lineup of the 2025 class included Triple H, inducted by Shawn Michaels, Lex Luger inducted by Diamond Dallas Page, Michelle McCool, inducted by The Undertaker, and the Natural Disasters: Earthquake & Typhoon. Regarding WWE Immortal Moment, Bret 'The Hitman' Hart vs. 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin was inducted by CM Punk. Linda McMahon | Stephanie McMahon and (Triple H & Stephanie) 3 Daughters Aurora Rose, Murphy Claire and Vaughn Evelyn at WWE Hall Of Fame 2025 #WWEHOF #WWEHallOfFame2025 — Black Town (@townblack71) April 19, 2025 They stormed the ring together — and now the legacy lives forever. Typhoon takes his place in the WWE Hall of Fame, while Earthquake watches proudly from the heavens. #naturaldisasters #Undertaker #WWERaw #SmackDown #WWEhalloffame2025 #HallOfFame #WWEHallOfFame #wrestlemania41 — SportsInfo Wrestling (@Sportsinfo77288) April 19, 2025 👑 MICHELLE MCCOOL – QUEEN INDUCTED 👑 A pioneer of the Divas Era. A trailblazer for generations. And now, a Hall of Famer. Michelle McCool is eternal. "From flawless to forever." #WWEHOF #MichelleMcCool #WWEHallOfFame2025 #Wwe — All Sport Sphere (@AllSportSphere) April 19, 2025 #TripleH it's a special gift right before he gets inducted into the #WWEHOF tonight #WWEHOF2025 #WWEHallOfFame2025 #WrestleMania — Gerry Competiello (@GerryCompetie) April 19, 2025 They fought like hell. They told a story without a word. Now, Bret Hart vs. Stone Cold at WrestleMania 13 is finally in the Hall of Fame where it belongs. #BretHart #CMPunk #stonecold #SteveAustin #WWERaw #SmackDown #WWEhalloffame2025 #HallOfFame #WWEHallOfFame #wrestlemania41 — SportsInfo Wrestling (@Sportsinfo77288) April 19, 2025 CONGRATULATIONS TO BERT HART & STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN FOR WWE IMMORTAL MOMENT AWARD WELL DESERVED!!👀💯 #WWEHallofFame2025 — ULTRA ENT. (@UltraGamersLife) April 19, 2025 Layla Is Here 😍 Michelle McCool at Hall Of Fame Yeah Vintage Laycool Is There ✨ #WWEHOF #WWEHallOfFame2025 — Black Town (@townblack71) April 19, 2025 Triple H pays tribute to Dusty Rhodes! Triple H noted that Dusty taught him "booking ain't easy, kid", then turned to Cody Rhodes to tell him that his dad meant the world to him. — WrestleTalk (@WrestleTalk_TV) April 19, 2025 العظمه في ابهى صورها ❤️❤️❤️ — J.P.Z 🇫🇷 (@NawafJPZ) April 19, 2025 Michelle McCool is inducted by her husband, The Undertaker, at #WWEHOF . She shares her journey of resilience, battling a liver/kidney disease for 25 years, and hints at a Lay-Cool reunion. She recalls Divas being told not to throw punches and a No-DQ Match with Mae Young. — Pro Wrestling & MMA News (@PWMMANews) April 19, 2025 DDP congratulates Lex Luger for officially getting inducted into the 2025 Hall of Fame. #WWEHOF — Sportskeeda Wrestling (@SKWrestling_) April 19, 2025 Stacy Funk and family are attending Dory Funk Sr.'s #WWEHOF ceremony. - — Pro Wrestling & MMA News (@PWMMANews) April 19, 2025 Kamala's wife, Jean Harris, is in the crowd for the #WWEHOF with her family. — Pro Wrestling & MMA News (@PWMMANews) April 19, 2025 WWE Hall of Famer, Lex Luger, proudly stands at the podium to tell a story about wrestling fans giving him a new outlook on life. 🥹👏 #WWEHOF — WWE (@WWE) April 19, 2025 Earlier, Carmelo Hayes won the ceremonial Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. Carmelo Hayes eliminates Andrade, and wins the 2025 André The Giant Memorial Battle Royal. 👏 Love this moment for Hayes, I just truly hope this is the start of big things for him on the main roster. #SmackDown — PW Chronicle (@_PWChronicle) April 19, 2025 read more 2 Most Inspirational Green Projects in Egypt AEW Dynamite, WWE NXT to Strive over Viewership Tonight Egypt Marks 70th Anniv. of 2011 Revolution, National Police Day In Depth: WWE NXT Halloween Havoc In Depth: AEW Dynamite, WWE NXT Tuesday Viewership Strive Videos & Features WATCH: Egyptians Break Ramadan Fasts in Matariya Videos & Features GrEEk Campus Hosts Jobzella Fifth Career Fair Videos & Features 3 Iconic Ramadan Songs of All Times Videos & Features Top 4 Destinations to Visit in Upper Egypt News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Videos & Features Bouchra Dahlab Crowned Miss Arab World 2025 .. Reem Ganzoury Wins Miss Arab Africa Title (VIDEO) Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Arts & Culture Arwa Gouda Gets Married (Photos)
See - Sada Elbalad
18-04-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Get to Know Josh Barnett's Bloodsport XIII Results
Rana Atef Early Friday, the 13th edition of Josh Barnett's Bloodsport event took place as part of WrestleMania week in Las Vegas. The show witnessed a heavy presence from WWE superstars who participated in the event for the second year in a row. Among the WWE main roster superstars who participated in the event were Natalya, whose special entrance and fighter gimmick trended on the show, Pete Dunn, Karrion Kross, and Shayna Baszler. Many NXT superstars, such as Karmen Petrovic, Tavion Heights, and Charlie Dempsey. Former WWE Superstar Alicia Fox was among the audience. In the same context, NJPW superstar Zack Sabre Jr. participated in the event. The Las Vegas crowd was hot for all competitors during the introductory ceremony before the fights. Karrion Kross got on the mic and hyped the show, thanked Josh Barnett for bringing it back to Vegas, and then said they had the best in the world on this show. The results of the event are as follows: Leyla Hirsch defeated Jordan Blade Maika defeated Karmen Petrovic Great leg work by #WWENXT 's Karmen Petrovic showing her karate skills against #STARDOM 's Maika who didn't hesitate to punish Petrovic leading to a victory for the Empress at Josh Barnett's BloodSport XIII #JBBSXIII Charlie Dempsey defeated Shinya Aoki Karrion Kross WWE defeated JR Kratos Killer Kross cut a fiery ass promo to kick off Josh Barnett's Bloodsport XIII!🔥🔥 #GCWBloodsport #JBBSXIII #TickTock ⏳ Pete Dunne defeated Timothy Thatcher Pete Dunne defeated Timothy Thatcher at Josh Barnett's Bloodsport XIII. Sick match! #gcw #JBBSXIII @JoshLBarnett @PeteDunneYxB #wwe Nattie Neidhart defeated Miyu Yamashita First time @NatbyNature has stepped outside of a WWE ring in 18 years. Completed departure of her normal presentation. Tavion Heights defeated Royce Isaacs Shayna Baszler defeated Konami Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Jonathan Gresham Gabe Kidd defeated Josh Barnett Woah, Gabe Kidd beat Josh Barnett!! read more Japan Stun Spain 2-1 to Qualify for World Cup Last 16 World Cup 2022: Get to Know Confirmed Line-ups of Japan and Spain Group E Decider Saudi Arabia Bid Farewell to World Cup after 2-1 Loss to Mexico Tunisia Achieve Historic Win over France but Fail to Qualify Tunisia to Clash against France in World Cup Sports Get to Know Squad of Group D Teams in World Cup Sports Al Ahly Gift EGP 70,000 to Players After Claiming Egyptian Super Cup Title Sports Bencharki Hits First 2 Goals with Al Jazira Since Leaving Zamalek Sports Arsenal Possible Line-up for Nottingham Forest News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Videos & Features Bouchra Dahlab Crowned Miss Arab World 2025 .. Reem Ganzoury Wins Miss Arab Africa Title (VIDEO) Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Arts & Culture Arwa Gouda Gets Married (Photos)
