A potentially massive technical wrestling showcase nearly took place at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport X in 2024.

GCW promoter Brett Lauderdale revealed that Chad Gable had been scheduled to compete at the event against Jonathan Gresham. Lauderdale shared a previously prepared match graphic and explained that the bout was changed late in the process when Gable wanted to direct his attention toward WrestleMania plans.

“It was supposed to be Chad Gable vs Jonathan Gresham and it would have been one of the greatest matches of all time lol But alas wwe changed course at the last minute because chad wanted to focus on wrestlemania (which i understand) It ended up being a landmark event regardless”

The revelation offers a look at one of the more intriguing matches that did not happen on the independent wrestling calendar. Gable and Gresham are both closely associated with technically precise, mat-based wrestling, making the proposed contest an especially natural fit for the Bloodsport environment.

For more background on this topic, read WWE Discussed Moving the 2027 Royal Rumble to February 20.

While the match never came to fruition, the fact that it was planned at all underlines how close Bloodsport X came to presenting a major crossover attraction involving a WWE talent and one of the most accomplished technical wrestlers of his generation.

Why Gable vs. Gresham Was Such an Appealing Matchup

The proposed pairing immediately stands out because of the reputations both competitors have built through their in-ring work. Gable’s amateur wrestling background has long been central to his presentation and offense. Whether working in tag team competition, singles matches, or longer championship programs, he has consistently been recognized for his athleticism, suplex-based attacks, quick transitions, and ability to make a wrestling-centered match feel urgent.

Gresham, meanwhile, has made his name through a highly detailed technical style. His approach often emphasizes holds, counters, positioning, and the importance of controlling an opponent’s limbs and movement. A Gable-Gresham match would have brought together two wrestlers capable of making exchanges on the mat feel as significant as strikes or high-impact moves.

That stylistic compatibility is what makes Lauderdale’s description of the match so notable. The promoter clearly viewed the proposed contest as something special, calling it a potential all-time great encounter. That is an understandably lofty assessment for a match that never happened, but it reflects the excitement surrounding the idea of placing Gable and Gresham in a setting designed to highlight their strengths.

There is also an important distinction between a dream matchup and a confirmed result. No Gable vs. Gresham match took place at Bloodsport X, meaning there is no official winner, no finished card result, and no in-ring chapter between the two to assess. What exists is the confirmation that the match was intended for the show before plans changed.

Bloodsport’s Format Made the Match a Natural Fit

Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport has developed a distinct identity within the broader wrestling landscape. The event series is built around a more combat-sports-influenced presentation than a conventional professional wrestling card, placing particular focus on grappling, submissions, knockouts, and the competitive feel of the matches.

That environment has made Bloodsport an appealing destination for wrestlers whose backgrounds or styles translate well to a stripped-down format. Gable’s credentials and in-ring identity would have made him a compelling addition, while Gresham’s technical approach appears especially suited to the kind of tactical contest the event encourages.

A match between the two could have revolved around positional battles, escape attempts, takedowns, submissions, and counters rather than simply relying on familiar wrestling match rhythms. That does not guarantee any particular style or outcome, of course, but it explains why the contest generated immediate interest once Lauderdale disclosed the plan.

Bloodsport has also become a place where wrestling audiences look for matchups they may not see on weekly television or traditional promotion-specific events. The possibility of Gable appearing on a GCW-promoted Bloodsport card against Gresham represented exactly that kind of attraction: a meeting between performers from different corners of the industry, presented in a format tailored to their strengths.

WrestleMania Focus Changed the Plan

Lauderdale said the change came because Gable wanted to focus on WrestleMania, and he added that he understood that decision. WrestleMania season carries obvious importance for WWE performers, both in terms of preparation and the significance of the company’s biggest annual event.

The explanation also makes clear that the change was not framed as a creative dispute between Gable and GCW or as an issue involving Gresham. Rather, Lauderdale described a situation in which WWE changed direction at the last minute and Gable’s WrestleMania focus took priority.

For an active WWE wrestler, especially one preparing for a major period on the company calendar, an outside appearance can involve more than simply accepting a match. Training, travel, promotional responsibilities, television plans, and physical readiness can all become factors. Lauderdale did not provide additional details about the decision-making process, and none should be assumed beyond what he shared.

Still, the update illustrates how quickly an outside booking can shift when a wrestler’s primary promotion changes course. A finished graphic suggests the Gable-Gresham match had progressed beyond a loose concept, but it ultimately remained an unrealized plan rather than an announced and completed Bloodsport bout.

Bloodsport X Still Became a Landmark Event

Even without Gable vs. Gresham, Lauderdale stressed that Bloodsport X was a landmark event. His comments do not diminish the show that took place; instead, they add another layer to its history by revealing a high-profile match that could have been part of the lineup.

Major wrestling events are often shaped by plans that never become public. Cards change because of scheduling, creative shifts, injuries, travel complications, or promotions choosing to move in another direction. Fans usually see the final version of an event, not every possibility considered during the planning process. In this case, Lauderdale’s post pulled back the curtain on a matchup that would have added another major talking point to an already important Bloodsport show.

It also speaks to Bloodsport’s standing that a match involving Gable was considered for the card. The series has cultivated a reputation for presenting wrestlers in a setting that can feel different from their usual environment. For Gable, that would have meant a rare opportunity to bring the wrestling-first aspects of his work to a specialized event. For Gresham, it would have meant sharing the ring with a WWE athlete whose technical ability is widely respected.

Gable’s Current WWE Position

Gable’s WWE career has continued to evolve since the planned Bloodsport appearance did not materialize. He is a former WWE Intercontinental Champion, and his most recent Intercontinental Championship reign ended on the November 2 edition of Monday Night Raw, where he was defeated by Ethan Page.

That result marked the end of Gable’s latest run with the title, but it also reinforces why the abandoned Bloodsport match remains such an interesting what-if. Gable has maintained a profile as a wrestler capable of thriving in high-level singles competition, particularly when the match structure allows him to showcase his timing, athleticism, and wrestling foundation.

Gresham’s presence in the originally planned match only heightens that curiosity. The two men represent a matchup built less around spectacle alone and more around the question of how each would solve the other’s style. Would Gable’s explosiveness and amateur background have created openings? Would Gresham’s control and technical intricacy have slowed the contest down and forced Gable into a more methodical battle? Those questions will remain unanswered unless the match is revisited at some point in the future.

An Unfinished Chapter, Not a Forgotten One

At present, there is no indication that Gable vs. Gresham has been rescheduled or that it will happen on a future Bloodsport card. Lauderdale’s post established that it was once planned for Bloodsport X and explained why it was removed, but it did not announce a new date or venue for the bout.

For now, it belongs among the most tantalizing matches that were close to happening but never reached the ring. The appeal is easy to understand: Chad Gable and Jonathan Gresham in a Bloodsport setting is a matchup with a clear stylistic hook, genuine crossover value, and the potential for a distinctive kind of professional wrestling contest.

Bloodsport X went on to make its own mark, as Lauderdale noted. But the newly revealed plan ensures that the event will also be remembered for the Gable-Gresham encounter that almost was.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.