• Former WWE Wrestler’s Ex-Wife & Her Partner Arrested In His Killing
U.S. Marshals have arrested two people in connection with the July killing of former WWE NXT wrestler Knuckles Madsen aka Kevin Nikel/Ivan Warsaw.
The suspects are Amanda Penny, Madsen’s ex-wife, and her partner Michael Hogue. Penny has been charged as an accomplice to first-degree murder, while Hogue faces first-degree murder charges along with additional firearm-related counts.
Madsen, 41, was found with a gunshot wound to the abdomen in Rogers, Arkansas, and later died in the hospital. His mother told CBS that Penny and Madsen had only recently finalized their divorce, reportedly just days before his death.
According to Madsen’s mother, investigators believe Penny and Hogue lured him into meeting them shortly before the shooting.
Knuckles Madsen’s career in wrestling spanned nearly two decades, beginning in 2006. He wrestled across multiple promotions and earned a spot in WWE’s NXT system, where he competed from 2012 to 2013. During his time in the ring, he faced off against notable names like Mojo Rawley and Kassius Ohno, building a reputation as a hardworking and dedicated performer.
Beyond WWE, Nikel worked with regional promotions including NWA Texas and Ozark Mountain Wrestling.
• Update On Joe Hendry’s WWE NXT Salary
Former TNA World Champion Joe Hendry has officially signed with WWE and is part of the NXT brand.
According to Fightful Select, Hendry is reportedly coming in on a main-roster-level deal, earning above the usual minimum main roster salary, which indicates WWE views him as more than a standard NXT developmental signing.
The expectation is that his arrival could lead to movement within NXT, with names like Ricky Saints or Ethan Page potentially being called up. In that scenario, Hendry would slide into the next top spot on the brand as someone already familiar to fans.
There’s also a belief that Hendry won’t be limited strictly to NXT. Instead, he may appear across different shows when needed, similar to how certain unique personalities are used in various places rather than being tied to one roster full-time.
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