PWI Weekly for April 14, 2025
Brawlers, Maulers, And Two-Sport Superstars
LET IT NEVER be said that professional wrestlers aren’t some of the toughest athletes around. Indeed, many of grappling’s greats have spent time proving their mettle in other forms of combat sports. In this edition of the PWI Weekly, we delve into the world of those who have traded suplexes for striking and crossed the line between pro-wrestling and other disciplines. From Olympians to mixed martial artists, we’re looking at the unique challenges and triumphs of those who dared to stray from their chosen sport. Get ready for a knockout edition!
WRESTLER OF THE WEEK
We were going to go with El Grande Americano here, but we couldn’t quite verify his amateur credentials. Instead, we are giving a tip of the hat to his good friend, the accomplished grappler Chad Gable.
Before his professional career, Gable was an accomplished amateur wrestler. The 2004 Minnesota high school state champion parlayed his success into a standout few years at Northern Michigan University. At the 2012 Olympic trials, Gable secured his place on Team U.S.A., for whom he would compete at the London Olympics that summer in the Greco-Roman competition. After a second-round exit at the Games, the Minnesotan set his sights elsewhere.
A long-time pro-wrestling fan, it was only natural that he would transition into the squared circle eventually. With a natural flair for entertainment, Gable has been able to combine his comedic chops with a serious and realistic ring-style that showcases his amateur credentials. Indeed, the Gable we see today is one of WWE’s most versatile performers. And, while he can give fans a chuckle or two, his mat-wrestling skills are nothing to poke fun at.
A QUICK WORD ABOUT
In a stable of badasses that includes the likes of Jon Moxley, you could be forgiven for overlooking the quiet woman, Marina Shafir. But to do so is at your own peril. While her MMA career isn’t as widely recognized as some of her peers, like Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler, Shafir has some serious credentials. In amateur competition, the current AEW star went 5-0 in two years of fights. The same ferocity and skill that brought her those wins is still evident today when she locks in her “Mother’s Milk” chokehold on someone. Just ask Jay White.
SPOTLIGHT CARD
This week is a busy week for wrestling, with multiple promotions staging unique and exciting shows. And perhaps none are more unique and exciting than Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIII. The former UFC heavyweight’s signature show will bring together a solid crop of talent from around the wrestling world. Already set for the card are clashes like Nattie Neidhart vs. Miyu Yamashita and Timothy Thatcher vs. Pete Dunne (among other contests).
Bloodsport events are a gritty and realistic presentation of pro wrestling, with the emphasis very much on the combat side of the sport. They harken back to the days of the Japanese-based UWF International promotion, which enjoyed a cult following in the early-to-mid-’90s. Whether you are on the ground in Vegas this week or watching at home on Triller, Bloodsport XIII is perfect for fans looking for a little more realism in their pro wrestling.
REMEMBER WHEN …
While he might not have achieved much success in the octagon, CM Punk’s efforts in the UFC deserve a ton of respect. Abandoning the familiarity of a wrestling ring, Punk dedicated himself to becoming the best mixed martial artist he could be. The training alone would have been enough to scare off most mortals. Although his time as a fighter was short, he deserves all the credit in the world for his efforts.