Josh Barnett Ends Bloodsport Series, Cites Funding and Infrastructure Shortfall

Josh Barnett announced Friday that he is ending his Bloodsport series, telling Ariel Helwani the project is “closed unless something is done to get us where we need to go” and stressing the move is not a hiatus. Barnett said the concept would require significantly more capital, employees and an office — “more than an indie promotion and a lot less than WWE or AEW” — and opted to end it now rather than risk diminishing the product.

Barnett added he’d been considering the shutdown for some time after failing to meet timeline goals and secure sponsors or outside support despite preparing a pitch deck, and he ruled out the brand continuing under any other name, calling it “my show, my concept.” He also stated WWE had no say in his booking, noted Paul Levesque and Nick Khan want their talent to get reps, and said he was backstage for Saturday’s WrestleMania 42 card.

Originally reported by Wrestling Observer: https://www.f4wonline.com/news/other-wrestling/josh-barnett-explains-why-bloodsport-is-done/.