In the past few years, Game Changer Wrestling’s Bloodsport has become one of the non-WWE highlights of WrestleMania weekend. Originally conceived and named by Matt Riddle, the show focuses on striking and mat wrestling. The ring for this event features no ropes or turnbuckles. Wins are decided by submission or knockout only. These stipulations give the matches more of an MMA feel. Combine that with the interesting matchups like WALTER vs Tom Lawlor or Matt Riddle vs Minoru Suzuki and you’ve got a recipe for a barn burner. This is GCW Presents Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 3. Technically the fourth Barnett’s leadership. And it promises to deliver a series of what Jim Ross could only refer to as “slobber-knockers” Katy, Bar The Door!
Erik Hammer vs Kal Jak
Opening this year’s Bloodsport is a match between two big men who excel in technical wrestling. Erik Hammer is a 12-year veteran, spending 7 of those years displaying his striking and catch wrestling skills for the Inoki Genome Federation. His most recent match is last year’s Bloodsport 2, where he defeated fellow J.R. Kratos by submission. Hammer’s opponent this time around is “Grizzly” Kal Jack. Kal Jack has spent the past 7 years establishing himself on the California indie scene, working for All Pro Wrestling, Gold Rush Wrestling, and Hoodslam. This is Jack’s first appearance at Bloodsport, and he’s looking to use his technical wrestling skills and an arsenal of suplexes to bring Hammer his first loss at the event.
GCW Presents Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 3
Simon Grimm vs Matt Makowski
Since his departure from WWE in 2017, Simon Grimm (formerly Simon Gotch) has been making quite the name for himself on the independent circuit. These days he wrestles primarily for Major League Wrestling, but that hasn’t prevented him from working with Black Label Pro, BEYOND Wrestling, and even GCW. He’s making his third appearance at Bloodsport, with a record of 0-2 at the event. At Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport, Grimm got knocked out by J.R. Kratos and tapped out to Anthony Carelli (the former Santino) at Bloodsport 2. This year he faces Matt Makowski, who is making his second appearance at Bloodsport. Makowski only made his professional debut last year, but it was one of the strongest rookie years in recent memory. Snapmare Matt wrestled for Beyond Wrestling, AIW. At Bloodsport 2, Makowski defeated Rory Gulak by knockout, and he’s looking to do the same this time around. Will Makowski’s martial arts style reign supreme or can Simon Grimm’s mat wrestling skill finally net him a win?
Homicide vs Tom Lawlor
“Filthy” Tom Lawlor returns to Bloodsport, making his 3rd appearance to face indie legend Homicide. These two squared off briefly during the 40-man Battle Riot for Major League Wrestling in 2018. Otherwise, Lawlor and Homicide have never met 1-on-1. While Lawlor has the edge with his UFC background, his record at Bloodsport is 0-2, losing to WALTER by submission and Davey Boy Smith Jr by knockout. Homicide, despite his 30 years in the business, and multiple appearances for GCW is a newcomer to Bloodsport. However, Homicide is well versed in deathmatch wrestling, and his Cop Killa finisher should be enough to put anybody down for the count. Don’t count out his mat wrestling technique either, as a well-applied STF could easily score him a submission victory.
GCW Presents Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 3
Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs Josh Alexander
In his third appearance at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport, Davey Boy Smith, Jr will take on fellow Canadian Josh Alexander. Smith is undefeated at Bloodsport and the only competitor with a 2-0 record at the event. In his first appearance at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport, he defeated Killer Cross by submission and followed up with a knockout victory over “Filthy” Tom Lawlor at Bloodsport 2 later that year. In the other corner, we have “The Walking Weapon” Josh Alexander, making his Bloodsport debut. Over the course of his 15-year career, he has held 26 championships across 19 promotions including the IMPACT Wrestling and PWG Tag Team Championships. With vicious strikes and precision submissions, Josh Alexander was the first man to complete the triple crown in his home promotion, Alpha-1 Wrestling. Despite these accomplishments, his newcomer status means he has nothing to lose and everything to gain in this very Canadian clash.
Alexander James vs Calvin Tankman
Next up, two debuts at Bloodsport. Alexander James is a 10-year industry veteran, having worked for CZW, NYWC, and wXw. James has considerable grappling and striking skills, putting away opponents with brutal suplexes, savage clotheslines, and a vicious triangle choke. By comparison, Calvin Tankman has only been in the industry for 4 years. However, Tankman has made the most of those 4 years, working for IWA Mid-South, AIW, Black Label Pro, and GCW. At 229 lbs, Alexander James will have his work cut out for him taking down the 381 lb Tankman. Don’t let Tankman’s physique fool you, however, as the big man can move like a cruiserweight when he wants to.
GCW Presents Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 3
Allysin Kay vs Killer Kelly
In the first match of the Women’s Tournament Semi-Finals, former NWA Women’s Champion Allysin Kay meets NXT UK and wXw standout Killer Kelly. Allysin is making her second appearance at Bloodsport, having defeated Nicole Savoy by knockout at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 2. Both women wrestle similar styles, focusing on strikes and throws, so it’s interesting that they’ve never wrestled before. With the competitors so evenly skilled, this match will likely come down to experience. Allysin Kay has 11 years of ring experience, while Killer Kelly only debuted 3 years ago.
GCW Presents Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 3
Lindsay Snow vs Leyla Hirsch
In the other Women’s Tournament semi-final match, Lindsay Snow makes her second Bloodsport appearance to face newcomer Leyla Hirsch. Snow has been wrestling for 4 years, working for Florida indie promotions like Full Throttle Pro Wrestling and Rise along with SHINE Wrestling and GCW. Snow is looking to prove herself after her submission loss to Sumie Sakai at Bloodsport 2. Leyla Hirsch is a product of the CZW academy and it shows in her technical skill. Lindsay Snow’s physique makes her appear to be an imposing opponent, but Leyla Hirsch is no stranger to wrestling with larger opponents. Indeed, Hirsch got a win over Snow at last year’s Ladie’s Night 8 event for the Title Match Wrestling Network. Can Lindsay Snow reclaim her honor or will this be a repeat win for Leyla Hirsch?
GCW Presents Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 3
Jon Moxley vs Chris Dickinson
In the main event, Chris Dickinson and Jon Moxley meet 1-on-1 for the first time. The last time Moxley and Dickinson shared a ring was 10 years ago in AIW’s Jack of All Trios tournament. In the intervening years, Jon Moxley achieved fame and fortune working with the WWE. Meanwhile, Dickinson has remained fiercely independent, working for Jersey All Pro Wrestling, CZW, GCW, Black Label Pro, and many others. Consequently, Dickinson is a veteran of Bloodsport, having wrestled at all 3 shows and standing at a record of 1-2. Moxley, on the other hand, is a newcomer to Bloodsport. He was supposed to face Josh Barnett in the main event of Bloodsport 2 last September, but an MRSA infection put him out of action. This year, however, nothing is holding Jon Moxley back as he brawls with Chris Dickinson at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 3
