Former WWE star Matt Riddle and former MMA fighter Josh Barnett shared their theories on the origins of the Bloodsport event.
Bloodsport, which began in 2018 and is promoted by GCW, debuted under the Ridley name before hosting under the Barnett name for 17 issues, which concluded earlier this year. Barnett denied the story of the event’s origin in X, claiming that there were no similarities between his and Riddle’s shows.
“And as I have said many times before, again and again. Matt Ridley. Bloodsport is a unique, separate event, and at best tangentially related. If I were to create a box, I wouldn’t include it, especially because; “Then when I was approached, I agreed to work together, but only if I called the shots and produced/ordered/agented/needed everything about the show because it had my name in the title and it was going to represent my vision.”
Eh, that’s not even close to the whole story lol.
And as I have said many times before, again and again. Matt Riddle. Bloodsport is a unique, separate event, and at best tangentially related. If I were to make a box, I wouldn’t include it, especially since Josh… https://t.co/5aTyjsVaJW
— Josh LBarnett November 10, 2026
Riddle then gave his version it was revealed that GCW would continue the eventpossibly under a new name, following Barnett’s announcement earlier this year that this year’s edition will be the last. Riddle countered Barnett’s claims, saying that Barnett did not create Bloodsport, while he claimed to have come up with the event’s rules and name. Riddle also gave his blessing to the new Bloodsport.
“One thing I can say with 100% certainty is that Josh Barnett did not create or even help with the original blood sports and then try to take it over for himself, even when I saw him at wrestlemania last year he said there would be no more blood sports and I replied.
I’m very happy and proud of where the blood sport has gone since being signed to WWE, but the rules, concept and even the name are all mine. It was my show and my vision and WWN and GCW made it possible along with all the talented wrestlers that were involved. I can say one thing… pic.twitter.com/lK2DKdzfsi
— Matthew Riddle (@SuperKingofBros) November 11, 2026
But it appears that neither of their accounts are true, as wrestler and promoter Danny Demanto, who played a key role in the creation of Bloodsport, said that neither Riddle nor Barnett were correct in their claims, adding that neither played a role in the event’s creative process.
I can confirm that both Matt Riddle and Josh Barnett were not involved in the original creative process of Bloodsport.
if this gives @Lauderdale11 A fresh start to bring Bloodsport back to its original vision, I’m here for it. https://t.co/5Td1axPlKA
— dannydemanto (@dannydemanto) November 11, 2026