The pro wrestling and MMA crossover influence has never been heavier, and Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport is a nice example of that.
With names like Barnett himself, Frank Mir, Davey Boy Smith Jr., Minoru Suzuki and others, UFC Veteran Phil Baroni joined the card as well. When speaking to Fightful about the event, Baroni made it clear who he wants to take on — Impact Wrestling’s Killer Kross, who has a surprising history with Baroni.
“I’d like to get my hands on Kevin Kross. I don’t like that kid, I got a long history with (him). I knocked his father out in a toughman contest back in the day and we’ve had bad blood ever since. That’s when I was in college. (Kross and I) wrestled in FSW and had some bad blood. We had some shoot wrestling match in Vegas and he’s always in Vegas training. Why do you think he’s always training? He knows what’s going on. We’re going to cross paths sooner than later. I’m calling him out on your show right now. I don’t know that Josh will let that happen, but I see that he’s signed to the show,” Baroni said. “He started out as a fighter too, he trained with Wanderlei Silva. Another reason I don’t like him.”
Another person Baroni had some public issues with Cody Rhodes, who is now Executive VP of the newly formed All Elite Wrestling Promotion. Baroni seemed rather coy about the issues, clearly respecting Rhodes’ family and lineage, while saying if there were still problems between the two of them, it could be handled within the squared circle.
“We can clear it up in the ring. That’s what I’d like to do. Where I’m from, that’s where you clear shit up. I would think that he comes from a long line of people who do that also,” said Baroni.
Baroni’s issues with ECW legend New Jack are from from cleared up, however. The two were booked for a 2016 match against one another that never ended up taking place. Baroni is still left in the dark about why the bout didn’t happen, but he certainly has his suspicions.
“He punked out,” Baroni recalls. “He no-showed. I’d love to wrestle that guy. It’d be a great match. He was afraid, maybe. We got a little heated on Twitter, then he no-showed. I was ready to go. He thought (he was ready), and then he thought long and hard about it and maybe watched some of my Youtube fights and bit off more than he could chew and no-showed. Probably the best thing he ever did in his life.”
You can see Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport on Thursday, April 4 at 4 PM EST at the White Eagle Hall in Jersey City, New Jersey. You can learn more over at Game Changer Wrestling’s Twitter. The event is also streaming live on Fite.TV. Which allows you to watch on any device — Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, mobile, web and more.
