Nick Gage has been announced as the first entrant in the ninth annual Heart of the Southern Sixteen Tournament.

“The King” Nick Gage will be entering New South Pro Wrestling’s HOSS Tournament IX on March 27 and 28 in Florence, Alabama. This will be his New South debut.

Gage last wrestled in September 2025 at Focus Pro My Friends Over You. In October, Gage entered a rehab treatment facility.

HOSS ENTRANT #1: MDK NICK GAGE!@thekingnickgage brings raw, unfiltered chaos to the HOSS Tournament — a violent force of nature who turns every match into a fight for survival!

One of the baddest wrestlers ON THE PLANET debuts for New South Pro Wrestling as part of the ninth… pic.twitter.com/vcmLI2Y4W6

— New South Pro Wrestling (@NewSouth_PW) February 3, 2026