It’s not just WWE that sets up shop in the WrestleMania host city in early April each year. Most of the pro wrestling world also descends upon the same location, taking advantage of the fact that so many fans are in one place. And while WWE usually tends to ignore the indie shows that swirl around Mania week, that’s changing in a big way this year thanks to today’s announcement that Shayna Baszler will compete in Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport X.
Fightful Select (subscription required) first reported Friday afternoon that “multiple WWE talent will be competing at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport” β a major break in tradition not just for WrestleMania week, but in WWE policy in general. Superstars are rarely if ever permitted to work elsewhere.
Shortly after that report, Barnett himself confirmed that Baszler would be part of the show on April 4.
What does it mean when a Queen takes up the sword and marches to war?
Blood. Victory. Glory.
From battlefields all over the world – MMA & the @ufc , @WWENXT , @WWE , @wwr_stardom , and more – to now step into a ring she was made for from the beginning.
The Warmaster's⦠pic.twitter.com/DKBbW2VTh8
— πΏππ πππππππππ (@JoshLBarnett) March 15, 2024
Baszler is a natural choice for the event. Not only was she trained by Barnett, but her MMA background is tailor made for Bloodsport, which is positioned as a hybrid between MMA and pro wrestling and features hard-hitting but technical matches.
As well, with the Fightful report suggesting more than just Baszler will be involved, it raises the question of whether WWE will allow more talent to compete in other promotions from time to time.
Bloodsport X is also part of the GCW Collective, a group of shows held throughout WrestleMania weekend in Philadelphia that includes Defy, DDT Pro-Wrestling, Progress, Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling and other promotions. Tickets for Bloodsport X are sold out, but limited General Admission ticket packages good for admission to all Collective shows are still available at the time of this post.