Sports · Other Sports · 14 hrs ago
Josh Barnett and Matt Riddle Dispute Who Created Bloodsport
Matt Riddle says he created the original Bloodsport event with GCW in 2018.
After Riddle joined WWE, Josh Barnett became associated with the series and ran later events under his name.
Riddle says Barnett tried to take the concept and disputes Barnett’s account of a conversation between them.
Barnett denies that conversation took place and says Riddle’s original event was an amateurish version that he overhauled.
The two disagree over who shaped the event and what the Bloodsport name represents.
GCW has announced Bloodsport Reborn, but it has not shared further details.
Barnett has said he is shopping the event around to investors, and it is unclear what will happen next.
Matt Riddle and Josh Barnett are disputing who created the Bloodsport wrestling event concept.
Riddle says he created the original rules, idea and name, while Barnett says he overhauled the 2018 event into a complete concept.
GCW announced Bloodsport Reborn after previously promoting Bloodsport events with Barnett.
Barnett said he was not consulted about GCW’s plans and has been shopping the concept to investors.
The first Bloodsport event took place in 2018 under the name Matt Riddle’s Bloodsport.
- Who
- Matt Riddle and Josh Barnett are the central figures in the dispute.
- What
- They disagree over who created Bloodsport and who has a claim to the event concept.
- When
- The dispute continued on Thursday, November 12, 2026, after Riddle posted his allegations on Wednesday.
- Where
- The first event was held as part of GCW The Collective; the sources do not state its location.
- Why
- Riddle says he created the original idea, rules and name; Barnett says he substantially overhauled the event.
Matt Riddle
Josh Barnett
Credit for creation
Matt Riddle
Riddle says the original rules, idea and name came from him.
Josh Barnett
Barnett says he had nothing to do with Riddle’s initial show but created a complete event and concept after overhauling it.
Ownership and control
Matt Riddle
Riddle said Bloodsport was not Barnett’s and alleged Barnett tried to take it for himself.
Josh Barnett
Barnett said the show he created was Josh Barnett’s: Bloodsport and disputed Riddle’s account of their conversation.
The first Bloodsport event took place under the name Matt Riddle’s Bloodsport.
Barnett became associated with the series, and subsequent events were promoted under his name.
Riddle posted that he created the original concept and alleged Barnett tried to take Bloodsport for himself.
Barnett responded to Riddle’s claims, and GCW’s announced Bloodsport Reborn was part of the ongoing dispute.
- First event
- April 5, 2018
- Original event name
- Matt Riddle’s Bloodsport
- Series association
- Barnett became associated with Bloodsport the following year
- GCW announcement
- Bloodsport Reborn
- Barnett’s event count
- 15 events under the Bloodsport name
3 sources
What people are 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.
What you put together in 2018 was a “loose, amateurish” execution of an idea.
What I’ve created is a complete and total event and concept.
Posts on X
"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
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