Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 9 Review

This past weekend, GCW and Josh Barnett teamed up to deliver Bloodsport 9 as part of the Collective weekend in Los Angeles, California. Bloodsport is a world separate from the other action and shows taking place during the Collective. It’s a world that exists as only a ring with four posts. No ropes, no turnbuckles. In it, the wrestlers must muster up all they have to secure a victory. Wins only come at submission or knockout. Bloodsport 9 featured a multitude of top stars and was once again proved why it’s in the Collective weekend. The show progressed as follows:

Jeff Cobb vs. Calder McColl

Winner: Jeff Cobb (via referee stoppage).

To kick off the night, Jeff Cobb took on Calver McColl in a match so brutal it was one of only two contests of the night to be decided due to referee stoppage. The match had some great back and forth action, and even some spots outside of the ring.

Erik Hammer vs. Calvin Tankman

Winner: Erik Hammer (via submission)

Calvin Tankman took it to Erika Hammer immediately. Tankman dominated the matchup until Hammer finally got some offense, and surprisingly emerged victorious after Tankman tapped out to a double wristlock.

Marina Shafir vs. Killer Kelly

Winner: Marina Shafir (via submission)

Marina Shafir is made for Bloodsport. This environment is where she thrives the most. She got the upper hand early, taking down Kelly and trying out various submission holds. Kelly managed to gain the edge after pushing Shafir to the floor. Ultimately, Shafir prevailed and won the match.

Kota Ibushi vs. Mike Bailey

Winner: Kota Ibushi (via knockout)

In his first match since 2021, Kota Ibushi took on “Speedball” Mike Bailey in one of, if not the, most anticipated matchups on the Bloodsport 9 card. After starting with a handshake of respect from both competitors, the match progressed in a back and forth manner. Ibushi won his first match in almost two years with a suplex and a knee to the face of Bailey.

Yuya Uemura vs. Bad Dude Tito

Winner: Bad Dude Tito (via submission)

Uemura failed to gain the upper hand, and Tito pushed him out of the ring in an early showing of dominance. The two battled it out, suplex’s and and submission attempts a plenty, but it was Bad Dude Tito who emerged victorious at the end of the bout.

Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. JR Kratos

Winner: Davey Boy Smith Jr. (via submission)

Everything Kratos tried to do, Smith Jr. had an answer for. There was no moment of someone having a clear-cut advantage or edge in the match. There were lots of heavy exchanges, and the two truly gave it their all. In the end, Kratos tapped out to Smith Jr.‘s crossface.

Johnny Bloodsport vs. Royce Isaacs

Winner: Johnny Bloodsport (via submission)

Neither competitor could take control in the early stages of the match. Then, Isaacs delivered a superkick to Bloodsport and they were off to the races. The match felt very natural, the two danced effortlessly and could have very well wrestled forever. Bloodsport won after forcing Isaacs to submit.

Jon Moxley vs. Alex Coughlin

Winner: Jon Moxley (via referee stoppage)

Mox and Coughlin were fired up before the bell even rang. The first few moments of the match were fast passed and exciting, leading into a brutal but wonderful bout. Coughlin was able to shine, despite coming up short of the victory, and Mox, as always, delivered. It was a really good showing of Coughlin, he looked strong the entire fight.

Main Event: Josh Barnett vs. Timothy Thatcher

Winner: Timothy Thatcher (via submission)

This has to have been one of the best matches on the card, one of the most anticipated too. The pair traded holds and tried to take each other down in the match’s first few moments and continued to decimate each other throughout the entire matchup. The technical wrestling style dominated the match and was heavily centered around submission holds. Thatcher gaining the victory surprised most of those watching, but it was an earned win and a match for the ages.

Overall, Bloodpsort 9 delivered a solid show just as it does every year. Matches of the night were Marina Shafir vs. Killer Kelly, Kota Ibushi vs. Mike Bailey, and Timothy Thatcher vs. Josh Barnett. Taking place at the very beginning of the Collective week, it’s easy to forget about Thursday’s events when the weekend is all said and done, but Bloodsport remains a show not to be forgotten about.