The Wrestling World Team Trials 2026 are currently underway and have now entered their final phase after a startling preliminary finish at the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center. After a series of shockers and triumphs, the final matchups have been decided, which are stacked with clashes for ages that are expected to set the mat on fire. After 3 PM on May 15, the complete Final X lineup will be revealed based on what the qualified wrestlers do during the upcoming finale.
Across weight classes, Day 1 has seen a dominating performance led by promising stars determined to make it to Team USA. However, expectations from the already established wrestlers fell short as a few top-seeded wrestlers got overthrown by high-school talents. During the first session of day 1, Jayden James and Coby Merrill bagged the biggest upsets by beating top-seeded Joseph Sealey (10-0) and second-seeded Hayden Zillmer (4-1); however, Merrill, during the semifinals, got beaten by Isaac Trumble in a 3-0 decision.
Aaron Seidel has also made a statement through his technical win over Austin DeSanto, TF 15-4 (5:52); however, he later faced a defeat at the hands of Oklahoma’s Jax Forrest in a 9-4 decision. Forrest now faces Benjamin Davino for the final showdown to secure a spot and the Final X, but would also look ahead to avenge his US Open defeat, where Davino decimated the cowboy during the finals.
Elsewhere, Spencer Lee and Anthony Knox will once again meet for a startling clash after Lee had previously pinned Knox in just 45 seconds during the US Open semifinals, and with another win this time, he will face the already qualified contender, Luke Lilledahl, who had already beaten Lee during the US Open final and received a direct bye to the Final X.
Here is the complete list of the finale matchups that will decide the fate of who will finally move ahead to the most anticipated Final X in June, where a win would propel them to secure the prestigious spot on the USA Wrestling senior national team.
Wrestling World Team Trials 2026: Senior Men’s Freestyle Finals Matchups
57 kg: Spencer Lee vs Anthony Knox (Winner will face Luke Lilledahl at the Final X)
61 kg: Benjamin Davino vs Jax Forrest (Winner will face Marcus Blaze at the Final X)
70 kg: Zain Retherford vs Caleb Henson (Winner will face Ridge Lovett at the Final X)
74 kg: Jayden James vs David Carr (Winner will face James Green at the Final X)
125 kg: Mason Parris vs Issac Trumble (Winner will face Wyatt Hendrickson at the Final X)
Note: Wrestlers in the 65 kg, 79 kg, 86 kg, and 92 kg weight classes have already advanced to the Final X, and therefore, the Wrestling World Team Trials will not feature any action in these respective weight classes.
Read more:
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