Republican Tennessee mayor of Glenn Jacobs, Knox County, challenged Minnesota’s government’s Tim Waltz government to a charity wrestling match on Thursday.
Jacobs was also known for his ring name “Kane” when he was a fighter for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and announced his challenge after Waltz said he thought he could “kick most of their ass” on Tuesday in a reference to Trump supporters. (Related: Tim Waltz claims without evidence that quarantine will return if education sector is closed)
“I think I can kick most of their ass, and I do,” Waltz told Democrat California Gov. Gavin Newsom on his podcast. “But I don’t know if I’ll fall into the place I want to challenge you in the WWE battle here.”
How do you win voters? By performing an attack. pic.twitter.com/1qge1ae63x
– Gavin Newsom (@gavinnewsom) March 18, 2025
Jacobs quickly seized the images. “With that steel stare and carved physique, who wouldn’t be threatened by looking beyond the ring from you to see this?” he wrote satirically.
With its steel stare and carved physique, wouldn’t you be threatened by seeing this beyond the ring from you? https://t.co/324mltzbjh pic.twitter.com/0dpcsog7bt
– Glennjacobs (@glennjacobstn) March 19, 2025
He later announced his challenge to governor. “Just kidding, Gov. Tim Waltz, let’s put our money in a place where our mouths are… it’s going to be a charity wrestling match. Split gate 50/50 between the organizations of your choice. Kick things with a $10,000 donation. What do you say?” the former WWE fighter wrote.
Please joke, @govtimwalzput our money in a place with your mouth… in a charity wrestling match. Split gate 50/50 between selected organizations. Start things with a $10,000 donation. What do you say? #tennesseewalz#LetsDance pic.twitter.com/2vv6j4rys2
– Glennjacobs (@glennjacobstn) March 20, 2025
Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has offered to host the game in his state. “Florida can host neutral sites. There are a lot of great spots and lots of wrestling fans,” he wrote Friday.
Florida will serve as a host to neutral sites.
There are lots of great spots and lots of wrestling fans… https://t.co/zst4vvlqp4
– Ron Desantis (@Rondesantis) March 21, 2025
Walz has not yet addressed this challenge. Jacobs has fought 3,019 games in his WWE career. According to To cagematch. He scored 51.9% of the time and lost 44.3% of his matches. Approximately 117 matches (3.9% of his total) ended in a draw. He was awarded numerous wrestling titles in 2010, including the World Heavyweight Champion. According to To cagematch. Jacobs became the WWE Hall of Fame in 2021 at KTVO It has been reported.
Jacobs was elected Tennessee’s third most populous mayor of Knox County in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. It has been reported.
