Baron Corbin, formerly known as Tom Pestock, has made a remarkable transition from the world of professional wrestling to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The former United States Champion recently won not one, but two medals at the 2024 IBJJF Tampa International Open Tournament in Florida. This achievement is a testament to his dedication and hard work in mastering the martial art.
Corbin has been training at the Rudos BJJ gym in Florida, a hub for several professional wrestlers, including Matt Riddle, Shayna Baszler, and Kairi Sane. His journey in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has provided an exciting new chapter in his life, as he shifts his focus from the world of sports entertainment to the world of martial arts.
Corbin’s first medal came in the form of a silver finish in the Master 2 Ultra Heavy Division, where he lost to Franck Alphonse in the final. However, this setback did not deter him from pushing forward. Corbin bounced back with a gold medal win in the Master 2 Open Division, defeating several opponents, including Fi Li, Bradley Curtis, and Diogo Rodrigues Ponciano Freitas, to take home the top prize.
To celebrate his wins, Corbin took to social media, expressing his mixed emotions about the day’s events. He joked about how he initially thought the day was a disappointment, but ended up redeeming himself with his impressive performance. “Just when I thought today sucked, I came back and totally redeemed myself haha. GOLD in absolute,” Corbin exclaimed.
Corbin’s success in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a testament to his growth and development as an individual. His new career path in martial arts is a winning streak, not just in terms of medals, but also in terms of personal fulfillment. By pursuing his passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Corbin has shown that he is capable of overcoming adversity and finding success outside of the WWE ring.
Before Corbin’s departure from WWE, Kurt Angle, the Hall of Famer, expressed his disappointment with the company for not renewing Corbin’s contract. Angle felt that Corbin’s final match against him at WrestleMania 35 was wasted. Corbin responded to Angle’s comments by expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to wrestle for the WWE and acknowledging that he wishes he could have done more to make it worth it for Angle.
Corbin’s last televised match was a loss to Los Garza on the August 30 episode of SmackDown, and his final match was a dark match win over Giovanni Vinci on October 18. The Baron’s new career path in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu marks a fresh start for the former United States Champion, and fans are eager to see how his journey unfolds.
It is clear that Corbin is thriving outside of the WWE ring. His transition to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has not only brought him success, but also a sense of purpose and fulfillment. As he continues to pursue his passion for martial arts, fans can expect to see Corbin’s bond with the sport grow stronger. With his impressive wins and dedication to his craft, it is undeniable that Corbin is living his best life outside of the world of professional wrestling.
