Josh Barnett: Through The Relationships I’ve Cultivated, Having Shayna Baszler At Bloodsport Is A Reality

Josh Barnett talks about securing Shayna Baszler for GCW Bloodsport X.

WWE Superstar Shayna Baszler was booked for GCW Bloodsport X in a move that excited pro wrestling fans everywhere as a WWE Superstar taking an independent booking is a rarity at best.

Speaking with Phil Strum on the Under The Ring Podcast, Josh Barnett credited the relationships he built throughout his time in wrestling with helping make this a reality for wrestling fans. 

“I guess the easiest way to describe it is through my relationships with people there. That’s really what it comes down to. With anybody, when speaking of a promotion, if you’re going to do anything outside of it, you want a certain level of trust and consideration given to you. It’s hard to lend your toys out where there is so much money put into them. We see cross-promotion happening, but it’s really a big deal when you think about all the different things involved and the value of some of the athletes going back and forth. Fortunately, through relationships I’ve cultivated over the years, something like having Shayna Baszler at Bloodsport is a reality now. I’m super happy and honored to be able to do it and I know Shayna is going to do fantastic. I should know, I’ve been training her,” he said. 

Baszler was originally scheduled to wrestle TNA Wrestling’s Masha Slamovich. However, she is now slated to face MLW’s Janai Kai. Learn more about the switch here.