In what can only be described as the Royal Rumble of Regional Politics, Glenn Jacobs—known to wrestling fans as Kane, the Big Red Machine, corporate pyro enthusiast, and current Mayor of Knox County, Tennessee—has officially challenged Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to a charity wrestling match.
Yes, you read that right. The Devil’s Favorite Demon is looking to lace up his size-75 boots one more time, not to chokeslam demons, but to deliver a civic service… with suplexes.
It all started when Governor Walz appeared on Governor Gavin Newsom’s podcast and said he believed he could “kick most of their a**” when referring to Republican counterparts—including Mayor Jacobs. Classic podcast tough talk. But Kane heard the bell ring.
Jacobs, never one to miss an opportunity for a dramatic entrance, reposted the clip on his WWE X account—yes, as Kane—saying:
“Everyone is always asking me if I have one last match left. I think I have found my final victim, er, I mean opponent.”
Flames intensify in the distance.
But then he dropped the mask for a moment of actual bipartisan generosity, challenging Walz with a straight-up philanthropic body slam proposal:
“All joking aside, Governor 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 organizations. I’ll kick things off myself with a $10,000 donation. What do you say?”
Meanwhile, Ron DeSantis—America’s leading provider of unsolicited opinions—offered up Florida as a potential host state. Because when in doubt, host the gimmick in the Sunshine State where kayfabe meets Congress.
Jacobs followed up by revealing that he’s already got $50,000 in pledges and a potential corporate title sponsorship lined up, presumably for the new belt: The Intergovernmental People’s Elbow Championship.
Is the match likely to happen? Not really. Is it already better booked than most of Crown Jewel 2018? Absolutely.
If this showdown does occur, it would be Kane’s first match since the 2021 Royal Rumble, and perhaps his most politically charged bout since he last choke-slammed an actual demon back to hell on Monday Night Raw.
The world awaits Governor Walz’s response. Will he accept the challenge? Or will he… run for office, not the ropes?