Conservatives cheer as former WWE star Kane challenges Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to a charity wrestling match after the governor boasted he could “kick the a**” of MAGA supporters, setting the stage for an unexpected collision of politics and sports entertainment.
Top Takeaways
- Kane (Glenn Jacobs), WWE Hall of Famer and Republican mayor of Knox County, Tennessee, challenged Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to a charity wrestling match in response to Walz’s claim that he could “kick most of their a**” referring to Trump supporters.
- Jacobs proposed splitting proceeds 50/50 between their chosen charities and offered to start with a $10,000 donation.
- The challenge has drawn attention from political figures with radio host Dana Loesch volunteering to referee and VA Secretary Doug Collins expressing interest in attending.
- Both Kane and his WWE partner The Undertaker (Mark Callaway) supported Donald Trump in the 2024 election, while Walz ran unsuccessfully as Kamala Harris’s running mate.
From Wrestling Ring to Political Arena
Glenn Jacobs, better known to wrestling fans as WWE legend Kane, has thrown down the gauntlet to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. The challenge came after Walz claimed on California Governor Gavin Newsom’s podcast that he could “kick most of their a**” when referring to supporters of President Donald Trump. Jacobs, serving as the Republican mayor of Knox County, Tennessee since 2018, seized the opportunity to respond to Walz’s boast in a way that bridges his wrestling past with his current political role.
The WWE Hall of Famer took to social media with a direct challenge, saying, “All joking aside, @GovTimWalz, let’s put our money where our mouth is…in a charity wrestling match. We’ll split the gate 50/50 between our chosen organizations. I’ll kick things off myself with a $10,000 donation. What do you say?”
All joking aside, @GovTimWalz, let's put our money where our mouth is…in a charity wrestling match. We'll split the gate 50/50 between our chosen organizations. I'll kick things off myself with a $10,000 donation. What do you say? #TennesseeWalz#LetsDance pic.twitter.com/2VV6j4RYs2
— Glenn Jacobs (@GlennJacobsTN) March 20, 2025
A Potential Final Match for the Big Red Machine
Jacobs, who was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2021, hinted that a showdown with Walz could mark the end of his storied wrestling career. “Everyone is always asking me if I have one last match left. I think I have found my final victim, er, I mean opponent,” Jacobs quipped, leaning into his intimidating wrestling persona. The former World Champion, Tag Team Champion, and Intercontinental Champion’s last WWE appearance came at the 2021 Men’s Royal Rumble, making this potential charity event a significant return to the ring.
The challenge has garnered significant attention and support from various public figures. Radio host Dana Loesch volunteered to referee the match, while newly appointed VA Secretary Doug Collins expressed interest in attending. Sean Davis from The Federalist predicted that Walz would ultimately avoid the challenge, suggesting the governor’s tough talk might not translate to action in this case.
Wrestling’s Political Connections
The wrestling-politics crossover isn’t entirely new in this election cycle. Kane and his former tag team partner, The Undertaker (Mark Callaway), known collectively as the Brothers of Destruction, previously expressed their support for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election. Callaway appeared in a TikTok video alongside Trump and Jacobs urging voters to support the president, saying, “All right everyone. November 5th – ElectionMania. The choice is yours.”
The challenge also comes in the wake of another WWE star, Dave Bautista, who vocally supported Harris and Walz during the campaign, criticizing Trump in a video. The political divisions within the wrestling community mirror those in broader American society, with prominent figures taking opposing sides. Whether or not the charity match materializes, the challenge itself has successfully merged entertainment and politics in a way that has captured public attention.
Sources:
- Former WWE Champion Challenges Minnesota Governor Tim Walz To A Fight
- Former Wrestler Calls Walz’s Bluff, Challenges Him To Charity Match
- WWE legend Kane, now a Tennessee mayor, challenges Tim Walz to charity wrestling match after gov’s bold claim
