Josh Barnett Gives His Side Of Using ‘Bloodsport’ After Matt Riddle
In 2018, GCW and Matt Riddle staged the first “Bloodsport” event as part of GCW The Collective. Riddle was signed by WWE shortly after, and the “Bloodsport” name was passed to Josh Barnett, who ran 15 events under the name.
Earlier this week, GCW announced Bloodsport Reborn since they first used the concept. Barnett said he wasn’t consulted on the show.
Riddle chimed in on social media, saying, “I’m very happy and proud of where blood sport went after I got signed to WWE but the rules, the idea and even the name all came from me. It was my show and my vision and WWN and GCW made it possible along with all the talented wrestlers that participated. One thing I can say with 100% certainty is Josh Barnett did not create or even help with the original bloodsport and then tried to take it for himself, even when I saw him at wrestlemania this past year he said there wouldn’t be anymore blood sports then I replied “that’s not your choice, you don’t own blood sport”. And that was said with a smile and no malice but at the end of the day blood sport will continue and I can’t wait to see what happens next”
Barnett responded, “”Let’s go with conversations that never happened for $500 Alex”
This is hilarious. Last we saw each other was backstage at natural Born Killers and none of that was said.
What you did say here that was correct is that I had nothing to do with your initial show, which is why it looked second rate at best compared to what I’ve created.
You call creation using the font and name from a movie, using the theme song from a movie, it’s practically like you just ripped off most everything from the movie Bloodsport and then tried to run with it. When I came on board I immediately told Brett that not only did this thing need so much help, but that there’s no way we’re going to sit here and use all this IP from some company that we don’t own because that’s absolutely stupid.
What you put together in 2018 was a loose, amateurish execution of an idea. The logo, themes, music, those “rules” that you speak of were merely the bare minimum and much of it was stolen from a property that already existed.
What I’ve created is a complete and total event and concept. When gcw reached out to me, I said that the entire thing that you had created was unsuitable and needed to be completely overhauled – which I did. Go ask any of the wrestlers that competed on your show that have also competed in mine, and you will get the same answer.
There is only one Josh Barnett’s: Bloodsport because there is only one Josh Barnett – the person behind its heart and soul.
PS. It’s “Bloodsport” not “Blood Sport”, even in the logo you were ripping off it’s one word.
"Let's go with conversations that never happened for $500 Alex"
This is hilarious. Last we saw each other was backstage at natural Born Killers and none of that was said.
What you did say here that was correct is that I had nothing to do with your initial show, which is why it… https://t.co/d8wlUFHS39
— 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖂𝖆𝖗𝖒𝖆𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗 (@JoshLBarnett) November 12, 2026
Barnett ran the last Bloodsport show in April, but said earlier this week that he was shopping the event around. GCW branding has been on all Bloodsport events and GCW promoter Brett Lauderdale said in July that it would be foolish to not continue the event, saying that there was a Bloodsport before Barnett and there would probably be a Bloodsport after Barnett.
