Kemo
07-05-2023, 08:12 PM
Josh Barnett, the man who popularized the concept of a wrestling ring without ropes or turnbuckles, is not a fan of WWE once again presenting 'Underground' match.
Back in 2020, it was Shane McMahon who had introduced Raw Underground, with a similar set of rules. The ring had no ropes and was covered with a black apron.
The "shoot-style" fights featured one referee in the ring while two competitors went at it in MMA or street-style fights, but they were worked just like WWE matches always are. Shane did play-by-play commentary for some of the fights, while male and female people surrounded the ring, beating on the mat. However, the wrestling-MMA hybrid concept lasted only a couple of months before getting nixed.
Last night, Eddy Thorpe and Damon Kemp went to war in the first-ever NXT Underground match. Barnett took note of it and it seems that he is not a fan of that. He called out WWE for presenting their version of Bloodsport.
"Oh look, fake Bloodsport is back," Barnett wrote on Twitter. "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."
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Though, Barnett heavily criticized the idea, fans on social media seemed to enjoy the inaugural NXT Underground match between Thorpe and Kemp, and have urged WWE to bring back the gimmick match, especially to settle heated rivalries.
We will have to wait and see if the match stipulation makes its return down the line.
Back in 2020, it was Shane McMahon who had introduced Raw Underground, with a similar set of rules. The ring had no ropes and was covered with a black apron.
The "shoot-style" fights featured one referee in the ring while two competitors went at it in MMA or street-style fights, but they were worked just like WWE matches always are. Shane did play-by-play commentary for some of the fights, while male and female people surrounded the ring, beating on the mat. However, the wrestling-MMA hybrid concept lasted only a couple of months before getting nixed.
Last night, Eddy Thorpe and Damon Kemp went to war in the first-ever NXT Underground match. Barnett took note of it and it seems that he is not a fan of that. He called out WWE for presenting their version of Bloodsport.
"Oh look, fake Bloodsport is back," Barnett wrote on Twitter. "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."
1676422567413051392
Though, Barnett heavily criticized the idea, fans on social media seemed to enjoy the inaugural NXT Underground match between Thorpe and Kemp, and have urged WWE to bring back the gimmick match, especially to settle heated rivalries.
We will have to wait and see if the match stipulation makes its return down the line.