Tossing Salt Presents:
GCW Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport
Thoughts & Predictions
DougMaynard.com
Doug Maynard

Tomorrow night in Las Vegas, as part of WrestleMania week, is a joint promotional card with Game Changer Wrestling (GCW) and Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport. The Bloodsport events are unique in that instead of a traditional wrestling ring, the matches take place on a ring canvas with no ropes or turnbuckles. Plus, all matches must end with a knockout or a submission. As this event features several WWE stars, I decided to make a few predictions. Are you ready for some Game Changing Bloodsports? Let’s do this.

Pete Dunne vs. Timothy Thatcher.

This is somewhat of a dream match for me. Both Pete Dunne, who is part of the WWE RAW roster, and Thatcher, who is currently working with WWE Evolve, remind me so much of each other. Both are tough as nails with a great, shoot style of wrestling. These two men would make an excellent team, and I’d love to see Thatcher as part of the main WWE roster. It’s a tough call here, as these guys are so much alike. It’ll be a wrestling clinic of scientific brawling and submission holds. I think Dunne, the Bruiserweight, should win.

Winner: Pete Dunn.

Josh Barnett vs Gabe Kidd.

The man with the stroke versus international superstar Gabe Kidd. Barnett is the boss, but I don’t think he’ll be the winner, at least not in this match. Kidd is a top talent for New Japan, plus has teased some appearances with AEW. Another excellent match. I think Kidd should take the victory.

Winner: Gabe Kidd.

Natalya vs. Miyu Yamashita.

I am not familiar with Yamashita, but Natalya is someone I know very well. One is not raised in the Hart household without learning the ins and outs of submission wrestling. This match will show a new side of Natalya that I doubt we’ve ever seen before. Natalya wins.

Winner: Natalya.

Charlie Dempsey vs. Shinya Aoki.

Aoki, I don’t know well, but Charlie Dempsey is an NXT regular and the son of William Regal. My gut says that this could be the dark horse match of the evening. Dempsey improves with every match, and soon, I expect he’ll be featured in a prominent place on the WWE main roster. But to get that far, one must pay their dues. And on this night, Dempsey will be doing just that.

Winner: Shinya Aoki.

Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Jonathan Gresham.

One is an international wrestling legend. The other is a former TNA World Champion. This is another match that should be excellent from bell to bell. It’s a tough call here, but my gut is pulling for Sabre Jr.

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr.

JR Kratos vs. Karrion Kross.

The name of JR Kratos rings a bell, but I can’t remember why. It doesn’t matter though. Fresh off a match on WWE RAW a few days ago, Kross needs to get a win here. And he will.

Winner: Karrion Kross.

Maika vs. Karmen Petrovic.

I’m not familiar with either of these two women, so I have no way to judge and pick a winner. So, we’ll flip a coin. Heads for Maika and tails for Karmen Petrovic. And we’ve got tails.

Winner: Karmen Petrovic.

Leyla Hirsch vs. Jordan Blade.

Leyla Hirsch is getting a lot of publicity and interest as of late from both WWE and TNA, so I expect she’ll be putting on a great show. Jordan Blade is talented and it will be a good match, but the outcome is not in doubt in my mind. Leyla can’t afford to lose.

Winner: Leyla Hirsch.

Royce Isaacs vs. Tavion Heights.

Both of these names are ringing a bell, but I can’t remember why or where. Let’s just flip the coin again. Heads for Royce and tails for Tavion. And the coin says heads.

Winner: Royce Isaacs.

Shayna Baszler vs. Konami.

Shayna is so talented, yet so underrated. She’s the woman who beat Ronda Rousey in her last official WWE match. That has to account for something. Baszler wins.

Winner: Shayna Baszler.

Tank Abbott, Don Frye, Dan Severn, Butterbean, and Mark Kerr will be in attendance as special guests.

And there you go with my predictions for Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport event, just a small part of the wrestling festivities taking place this week in Sin City USA. So, what do you think? Any thoughts or predictions to share? Let me know, along with any other thoughts, comments, or questions. And I guess that’s all. Thanks for reading. And I guess I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!