Former Wrestler Calls Walz’s Bluff, Challenges Him To Charity Match

Wrestler-turned-politician Glenn Jacobs — known also by his ring name, Kane — challenged Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) to a charity match on Thursday, responding to the latter’s claims that Republicans were intimidated by him and that he could “kick most of their ass.”

Walz made the assertions during a discussion with fellow Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) — for his new podcast — while complaining that Republicans had fixated on his masculinity during the 2024 presidential election cycle, and his assessment was that they criticized his mannerisms because they were really a little bit scared of him.

“How do you fight it?” Walz asked Newsom, adding, “I think I could kick most of their a**! I do think that … I know I can outrun them. I don’t know if we’re going to fall into that place where we, okay, we challenge you to, you know, a WWE fight here, type of thing.”

Jacobs, now an influential Republican politician in Tennessee, responded to Walz’s bluster in an interview with The Daily Wire’s Brent Scher.

WATCH:

This morning I ran into @GlennJacobsTN, aka Kane, and asked him about Tim Walz saying he’d kick any MAGA voter’s ass.

Here’s what he has to say: pic.twitter.com/DsT8b7b8SN

— Brent Scher (@BrentScher) March 20, 2025

Jacobs later proposed an opportunity for Walz to make good on his threat — and even volunteered to get in the ring with him, for charity.

“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?” Jacobs asked, adding, “#TennesseeWalz #LetsDance.”

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

Radio host Dana Loesch offered to referee the match: “I would totally referee this.”

I would totally referee this. https://t.co/3xodfRhwL9

— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) March 20, 2025

“I would be front row!” VA Secretary Doug Collins said.

I would be front row! https://t.co/zKhoDGrSfm

— Doug Collins (@RepDougCollins) March 21, 2025

“Should @CrainCompany referee this match?” David Cone asked.

Should @CrainCompany referee this match? https://t.co/nG0DilEtAY

— David Cone (@davidadamcone) March 20, 2025

“Tell me where to send the check @GlennJacobsTN! Will pain me to see half the money go to the Minnesota Boys Tampon Fund though,” Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-NY) posted.

Tell me where to send the check @GlennJacobsTN ! Will pain me to see half the money go to the Minnesota Boys Tampon Fund though. https://t.co/6VGsDjvyg7

— Nick Langworthy (@NickLangworthy) March 21, 2025

“Double or nothing for Hell in a Cell,” Shawn Farash added.

Double or nothing for Hell in a Cell

— Shawn Farash (@Shawn_Farash) March 20, 2025

“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, posting as his old wrestling persona Kane, said.

Everyone is always asking me if I have one last match left. I think I have found my final victim, er, I mean opponent. pic.twitter.com/NYOraw0ES6

— Kane (@KaneWWE) March 19, 2025

The Federalist’s Sean Davis predicted that the challenge would end in disappointment, however: “Walz is going to run from this just like he ran away [from] the military to avoid being deployed.”

Walz is going to run from this just like he ran away the military to avoid being deployed. https://t.co/9Y3o2uM7tW

— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) March 20, 2025