Absent WWE Star To Compete In Another Company

Published: Jul 25, 2025 by Dave Adamson | Last Updated: Jul 26, 2025 by Dave Adamson

Dave has been a website writer for WrestleTalk since October 2022, having previously written for Den of Geek, among a number of wrestling, movie and television-related sites. Dave has been around the independent wrestling scene for more than a decade, including behind-the-scenes.

WWE

An absent WWE star, who was last seen competing in the company in May has been announced for an appearance in another company.

Pete Dunne was last seen on screen teaming with Tyler Bate on the May 26 episode of WWE Main Event.

Since then, neither member of New Catch Republic has been seen on WWE programming, with Bate recently commenting that he was ‘waiting‘ for a return after reports suggested they were injured.

The Bruiserweight has now been announced for a return to GCW Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport on August 2, the same night as WWE SummerSlam Night 1.

Having previously competed at Bloodsport XIII in which he scored a win over Timothy Thatcher, Dunne was announced for an appearance at the upcoming show by Barnett himself, who tweeted:

“A Catch Wrestler

“A British Strong Style bruiser

“A total F-ing Maniac

“All three making their Bloodsport returns on 8/2 and Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIV.

“Limbs wrenched

“Teeth knocked loose

“BLOOD on the mats

“Get your tickets NOW or miss the chance to see these men in the Hardest Hitting event in all of Professional Wrestling.”

As can be seen in the post below, Dunne was announced alongside WWE NXT’s Charlie Dempsey and, making his Bloodsport debut, Slade.

Dunne would share his thoughts on the announcement of his return at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIV with a post on Twitter that stated:

“Buzzing to come back to @JoshLBarnett Bloodsport”

The WWE star’s Instagram post would carry on a theme familiar to many Pete Dunne fans over the years, with the message:

“Bruiserweight

“Bloodsport

“Returns probably”

With just over a week to go until Bloodsport XIV, more names will no doubt be announced.

WrestleTalk will provide updates on pertinent names for the show as they emerge.

A Catch Wrestler
A British Strong Style bruiser
A total F-ing Maniac

All three making their Bloodsport returns on 8/2 and Josh Barnett's: Bloodsport XIV.

Limbs wrenched
Teeth knocked loose
BLOOD on the mats

Get your tickets NOW or miss the chance to see these men in the… pic.twitter.com/uS4dzsYWpH

— 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖂𝖆𝖗𝖒𝖆𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗 (@JoshLBarnett) July 25, 2025