Josh Barnett says there is only one true Bloodsport.
On the July 4 episode of WWE NXT, Damon Kemp faced Eddy Thorpe in an NXT Underground Match. Per the stipulation, the match was contested in a ring without ropes, and the only way to win was via submission, TKO, or knockout. Thorpe ultimately scored the TKO victory. Many fans have compared the Underground stipulation to GCW's Bloodsport, as the rules are largely the same, and Josh Barnett commented on the situation.
In a tweet, Josh Barnett shared his thoughts on the return of the Underground stipulation. He noted that "fake Bloodsport" was back and thanked NXT for showing the world that the style has legs. Barnett then stated that even with much more money and production, there is only one Josh Barnett's Bloodsport.
Oh look, fake Bloodsport is back.
— ------ ------------------ (@JoshLBarnett) July 5, 2023
Thank you for showing the world that this kind of thing has legs (we knew that already) and that even with 10x the money and production there is still only one Josh Barnett's: Bloodsport.#NXTUnderground #Bloodsport #NXT https://t.co/Ny0Tbcm2KM
Barnett, a former UFC Heavyweight Champion, promotes GCW's Bloodsports events and often competes at them. Most recently, at Josh Barnett's Bloodsport 9, he faced Timothy Thatcher. Bloodsport has become a staple of the GCW calendar, dating back to the first show in 2018.
Catch up on our coverage of the July 4 episode of WWE NXT here. For a full review, check out the post-show podcast on our YouTube channel.
