Former WWE wrestler Kevin Nikel was fatally shot in Rogers, Arkansas, early Friday morning, according to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. The 41-year-old professional wrestler, known to fans as Knuckles Madsen and Ivan Warsaw, was found bleeding from a gunshot wound to his abdomen shortly after midnight on July 12, 2025.
Deputies from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office discovered Nikel in the area of East Highway 12 near Rogers, Arkansas, and immediately transported him to a local hospital. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries. Lieutenant Shannon Jenkins, spokesperson for the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, confirmed that “a man was shot and killed near Rogers early Friday morning” but indicated the department would not release further details at this time.
According to reports, 50-year-old Michael Hogue was taken into custody on a probation/parole hold. Hogue’s address reportedly matches the location where the shooting occurred. However, authorities have not charged him with any crimes related to the shooting as of this writing. The investigation remains ongoing.
Nikel competed in WWE NXT under the ring name Knuckles Madsen from 2012 to 2013. During his tenure with the company’s developmental division, he faced notable opponents including Kassius Ohno, Mojo Rawley, Rusev, Baron Corbin, and Bo Dallas. He started his WWE journey in Ohio Valley Wrestling before transitioning to NXT, where he primarily performed in house shows and dark matches.
Following his WWE departure, Nikel continued his wrestling career on the independent circuit under the name Ivan Warsaw. He competed for various promotions including TSW, UWN, Memphis Wrestling, Championship Wrestling, and Southwest Wrestling Entertainment. His wrestling career spanned nearly two decades, with his final documented match taking place in July 2024.
Most recently, Nikel was associated with Ozark Mountain Wrestling, which announced memorial service plans for the wrestler. The organization stated they would hold a celebration of Nikel’s life on Friday, July 18, from 2 to 3 PM at New Hope Assembly of God, located at 2626 W New Hope Road in Rogers, Arkansas.
Nikel leaves behind his eight-year-old son Zac, who was described as the center of his world. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to cover memorial service expenses and provide financial support for his son. The wrestling community has rallied around the family during this difficult time.
Multiple wrestling organizations and fellow wrestlers have paid tribute to Nikel following news of his death. TNA X-Division Champion Moose expressed his shock, noting they were scheduled to wrestle the following weekend. He praised Nikel as a great human being and professional wrestler whose life was taken too early.
Memphis Wrestling remembered Nikel as strong-willed with a powerful voice and described him as a force both in and out of the ring. The organization emphasized his impact on their wrestling family and expressed devastation over his untimely passing.
Ozark Mountain Wrestling released a statement describing Nikel as an amazing friend who had a fierce love for his family. The organization requested privacy and prayers for the family during this difficult time and emphasized the profound shock felt by everyone who knew him.
Former WWE performer Enzo Amore, now known as REAL1, shared his grief on social media, describing Nikel as one of the best wrestlers in the world and revealing they had spoken just the week before his death. He characterized one of their matches as among his career favorites against his best opponent.
Several wrestling promotions, including NWA Texas and Dog Pound Wrestling, issued joint statements mourning Nikel’s death. They honored his contributions to professional wrestling and extended condolences to his family and friends, emphasizing that his impact on the industry would never be forgotten.
Nikel’s death marks another loss for the wrestling community, which has faced several recent tragedies. The incident occurred just weeks after former WWE star Maxx Justice died in a bicycle accident while returning home from work. The 63-year-old wrestler, whose real name was Mike Raybeck, was struck by a vehicle and became another prominent figure from the wrestling world to die unexpectedly.
The investigation into Nikel’s death continues as authorities work to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The wrestling community awaits further developments while mourning the loss of a performer who dedicated nearly two decades to entertaining fans across various promotions.
