Matt Riddle is calling out Josh Barnett, and he’s accusing him of taking credit for something he didn’t create. The former WWE Superstar says Bloodsport was his idea from day one, and he’s sick of anyone acting like Barnett was responsible for getting it started.
Riddle took to Instagram on November 11, 2026, and posted a promotional graphic for the original 2018 Bloodsport event. He made it clear that while he’s happy with how successful Bloodsport became after he signed with WWE, he wants credit for coming up with the entire concept, including the rules and the name.
“I’m very happy and proud of where blood sport went after I got signed to WWE but the rules, the idea and even the name all came from me. It was my show and my vision and WWN and GCW made it possible along with all the talented wrestlers that participated.”
Then Riddle went straight after Barnett. He claimed Barnett had absolutely nothing to do with creating the original Bloodsport and accused him of taking over the event and making it his own after Riddle left for WWE.
“One thing I can say with 100% certainty is Josh Barnett did not create or even help with the original bloodsport and then tried to take it for himself,”
And Riddle wasn’t finished. He revealed that he actually had words with Barnett during WrestleMania week earlier this year after Barnett told him there wouldn’t be any more Bloodsport events. Riddle said he shut that down immediately, telling Barnett he didn’t own Bloodsport and had no business deciding whether the event could continue.
“even when I saw him at wrestlemania this past year he said there wouldn’t be anymore blood sports then I replied ‘that’s not your choice, you don’t own blood sport’.”
Despite calling Barnett out publicly, Riddle insisted their exchange wasn’t hostile. He said there was no bad blood during the conversation, but he wasn’t about to let Barnett act like he had the final say over something Riddle created.
“And that was said with a smile and no malice but at the end of the day blood sport will continue and I can’t wait to see what happens next.”
Bloodsport originally launched as Matt Riddle’s Bloodsport in April 2018 before Barnett took over following Riddle’s move to WWE. The event was later rebranded as Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport, with Barnett becoming the face of the promotion.
That’s exactly what Riddle has a problem with. Barnett took over the event, put his name on it, and built it into a recognizable wrestling brand. But Riddle says none of that changes the fact that Barnett had nothing to do with creating the original concept. And now Riddle is putting that accusation out there for everyone to see. He’s not denying that Barnett ran Bloodsport for years. He’s saying Barnett took something he created and made it his own, and Riddle clearly isn’t interested in letting him control its future.
Riddle has made his position crystal clear. Bloodsport existed before Josh Barnett took over, and he’s not about to let anyone forget whose idea it was in the first place. Whether Barnett decides to fire back remains to be seen, but Riddle has certainly given him something to answer for.
What do you think about Matt Riddle accusing Josh Barnett of taking over his Bloodsport creation? Does Riddle deserve more credit for starting the event, or has Barnett earned the right to call it his own? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
