Josh Barnett talks working with WWE and booking Shayna Baszler for Bloodsport X.
WWE star Shayna Baszler will make her GCW debut when she faces Masha Slamovich at Josh Barnett's Bloodsport X. The announcement sparked plenty of buzz, as WWE has rarely let their talent work independent events in recent years. Fightful Select previously reported that Barnett had inquired about getting WWE talent for Bloodsport in the past, and he personally reached out to Triple H about booking Baszler.
Speaking with Tim Battle and Eli on the Battleground Podcast, Barnett was asked about booking Baszler for Bloodsport and whether he had ever thought that was possible.
“I never thought it was impossible, just unlikely, and I’ve spoken to them in the past, around previous Bloodsports, about being able to have some access or to take advantage of some of their talent. But this is the time, so we’re very fortunate to be able to have this relationship blossom for us, and we get one of the top stars in WWE and honestly, arguably the best person to come from that company to be a part of this show in Shayna Baszler," Josh Barnett said.
Barnett was also asked whether there were other competitors in WWE that he would want to book for Bloodsport, or if he had a dream list of fighters he'd like to work with. He noted that there were several wrestlers in WWE who he thought would be a perfect fit for Bloodsport.
“Yeah, we’re open to…there’s more than a handful of wrestlers in WWE that I think would be a perfect fit for this. Whatever or not that will ever happen, I don’t know. It would be cool if it does, but if it doesn’t, they’ve definitely got a place where they’re gonna have to work their asses anyway. There’s enough to overcome in WWE for them to make their name," Barnett said.
Josh Barnett previously said that he has spoken to CM Punk and Malakai Black about competing at Bloodsport. Check out his comments here.
Click here to see what Josh Barnett had to say about booking Shayna Baszler for Bloodsport X.
Check out Shayna Baszler's comments about Josh Barnett here.
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