The World Team Trials for USA wrestling are getting amazing by the second. We already had the likes of Spencer Lee and Jax Forrest heating it up. But now it’s the 65-kilo division that has decided to create more hype. After all, we are talking about the showdown between the crown jewel of high school wrestling, the undefeated Bo Bassett. And the man challenging him is no less capable. Marcus Blaze is a phenom in his own right after his recent blistering mat performances. But that’s not even the tip of the iceberg.

After all, it’s a clash of two undefeated legacies. One ticket to the World Championships. But this isn’t just a clash of hype and hardware. It’s a high-stakes war inside the most stacked weight class of the tournament. Surrounded by NCAA champions, All-Americans, and fearless young prodigies, Blaze and Bassett aren’t just fighting each other. They’re navigating a minefield of elite competition, ready to spoil the party. One mistake, one slip, and dreams could explode before the main event even begins.

And mind you, Blaze vs. Bassett isn’t just about the two. It’s a preview of what the NCAA scene will look like in a couple of years. Blaze and Bassett are brands. Blaze, a Penn State commit and reigning U17 World Champion, spent nearly the entire 2024-25 season as FloWrestling’s pound-for-pound king. He became just the 34th wrestler in Ohio history to win four state titles and almost did it flawlessly.

Only a solitary loss at the US Open to Jax Forrest bumped him to No. 2. Still, Blaze remains a clinical, cold-blooded technician who dismantles opponents with the precision of a surgeon. Then there’s Bassett. The Iowa commit, undefeated in high school, and a human highlight reel. Ranked No. 4 nationally, the Bishop McCort junior brings a swagger that matches his resume. 

Not many can say they’ve etched NCAA champion Anthony Ashnault. But Bassett can. With a rabid fan base and a fearless style, Bassett is the kind of wrestler who thrives under the spotlight. While he and Blaze haven’t crossed paths since middle school, all signs point to a potential blockbuster rematch at the Trials. This time, with World Championship stakes.

But it’s not just about Blaze and Bassett. The 65kg bracket is a minefield filled with proven killers. Seth Gross, a former NCAA champion and three-time All-American, is not only a coach at Wisconsin but also a dangerous competitor with the grit and IQ to derail any rising star. Nick Lee, a 2021 NCAA champion and four-time All-American for Penn State, brings ferocious pace and ironclad composure. 

Real Woods, a four-time All-American with an 80-12 career record, continues to build on his elite résumé with wins over multiple top-10 opponents. And then there’s Carter Young. Still young but already hardened by battles against the nation’s best, flashing raw talent and explosive attacks. Together, these names make the 65 kg class more than a bracket. It’s a battlefield. And for Blaze and Bassett, claiming victory here would mean surviving, not just each other. But an entire generation of greatness.

Marcus Blaze and Bo Bassett set for Final X showdown with freestyle giants

The stakes are brutal. The spotlight’s blinding. And for prodigies like Marcus Blaze and Bo Bassett, the path to Final X is lined with the toughest opposition they’ve ever faced. Blaze, fresh off a turbulent spring that saw him lose his No. 1 national ranking, has rebounded with laser focus. But the 61 kg Final X slot is already locked by 2024 Olympian Vito Arujau.

A name that casts a long shadow over the bracket. The Cornell star, who’s lit up the freestyle world with his pace and punishing transitions, awaits the Trials winner in the best-of-three series. For Blaze, just getting there means climbing through a senior-level minefield. But should he emerge, the teenager would stand opposite one of the sport’s most unshakeable performers.

Bo Bassett’s road is no easier! At 65 kg, he’s eyeing a collision with Nick Lee, an established senior national veteran who’s already proven himself against elite international talent. Lee has handled pressure in big moments and brings a physicality that most high schoolers haven’t even encountered. For all of Bassett’s flair and fearlessness, he’ll need more than momentum to break through.

Dustin Plott, meanwhile, targets the 92 kg series, where reigning Final X spot-holder Michael Macchiavello lurks. And Macchiavello is known for his poise and precision. These aren’t just matchups. They’re reality checks. The future of U.S. wrestling is coming—but the present won’t back down.