Conservatives cheer as WWE legend Kane challenges Governor Tim Walz to a charity wrestling match after Walz boasted he could “kick most” MAGA supporters’ backsides.
Key Insights
- Former WWE champion Glenn Jacobs (Kane), now Republican mayor of Knox County, Tennessee, challenged Gov. Tim Walz to a charity wrestling match with a $10,000 opening donation.
- The challenge was prompted by Walz’s comments on a podcast with California Gov. Gavin Newsom where he claimed he could “kick most” MAGA supporters’ backsides.
- Jacobs proposed splitting proceeds 50/50 between their chosen charities, turning political tension into a potential fundraising opportunity.
- Several public figures, including radio host Dana Loesch and VA Secretary Doug Collins, have expressed interest in participating or attending.
From Wrestling Ring to Political Arena
Glenn Jacobs, better known to wrestling fans as the fearsome Kane, has brought his signature showmanship to his role as Knox County, Tennessee mayor by challenging Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to a charity wrestling match. Jacobs issued the challenge after Walz claimed on California Governor Gavin Newsom’s podcast that he could “kick most of their a**” in reference to MAGA supporters. The 7-foot WWE Hall of Famer didn’t take kindly to the vice-presidential candidate’s boast about physical prowess against political opponents.
Jacobs, who has been Knox County’s mayor since 2018 and is a strong Trump supporter, didn’t miss the opportunity to leverage his wrestling persona while fulfilling his political duties. “All joking aside, Tim Walz, let’s put our money where our mouth is … in a charity wrestling match. We’ll split the gate 50/50 between our chosen (charity) organizations. I’ll kick things off myself with a $10,000 donation. What do you say?” Jacobs proposed in his challenge to the Minnesota governor who recently lost his vice-presidential bid on the Harris ticket.
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
Support from Wrestling Royalty
This isn’t the first time Jacobs has blended his wrestling career with politics. During the 2024 presidential campaign, he appeared alongside fellow WWE legend The Undertaker (Mark Callaway) in support of Donald Trump. The duo, known in wrestling as the “Brothers of Destruction,” created content encouraging voters to support Trump and JD Vance over the Harris-Walz ticket. Their involvement stands in contrast to former WWE star Dave Bautista, who publicly backed Harris and Walz in the election.
The challenge has gained traction among conservative commentators and public figures. Radio host Dana Loesch volunteered to referee the match, while VA Secretary Doug Collins expressed interest in attending. Sean Davis from The Federalist predicted Walz would avoid the challenge rather than face the imposing former world champion, who towers over most politicians at seven feet tall and has decades of professional wrestling experience.
Politics Meet Professional Wrestling
Kane’s challenge represents an unusual intersection of politics and entertainment that has become increasingly common in American discourse. Jacobs, whose wrestling accomplishments include being a former WWE World Champion, Tag Team Champion, and Intercontinental Champion, brings his theatrical flair to governance. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2021, with his last WWE appearance occurring at the 2021 Men’s Royal Rumble event.
The proposed charity match, while unlikely to materialize, highlights the theatrical nature of modern political discourse. It transforms a provocative comment into an opportunity for charitable giving while maintaining the dramatic flair both politics and professional wrestling share. As of publication, Governor Walz has not responded to Jacobs’ challenge, leaving fans of both politics and wrestling wondering if this unlikely matchup will ever move beyond social media exchanges into an actual event.
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
