Josh Barnett Has Eyes On Goldberg, WWE & AEW Talent For Bloodsport

Josh Barnett would love to have WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldberg compete at a Bloodsport event, as well as some notable names from current wrestling.

Barnett and Game Changer Wrestling host Bloodsport events, which feature worked-shoot matches in which winners are determined by submission, knockout or referee stoppage. The ring has no ropes or turnbuckles and events have been taking place since April 2018.

Sitting down with Tokyo Sports, Barnett was asked who he'd like to feature at upcoming Bloodsport events. Barnett, who also competes at Bloodsport events, made clear that he has his sights set pretty high.

“First of all, Katsuyori Shibata. Then Bill Goldberg. I would also like to see Shayna Baszler in the Japanese tournament, and I would also like to see New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s Voltin Oleg.”

Shayna Baszler was part of Bloodsport X this past April thanks to a deal that allowed WWE talent to compete at the event. The two-time former NXT Women's Champion bested TNA's Masha Slamovich with the match ending via referee stoppage.

Neither Shibata nor Oleg have competed for Bloodsport yet. While Barnett has said he plans to hold regular Bloodsport tournaments in Japan, there is no word on whether this will happen. Bloodsport hosted its first event in Japan on June 22, 2024, from the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.

The biggest outlier on Barnett's wishlist is Bill Goldberg. The former WWE Universal Champion hasn't competed since 2022 and his contract with the promotion expired that same year. Despite efforts for one final match, Goldberg has yet to have said send-off and is currently not pursuing one last in-ring battle.