Get ready, wrestling fans, because the 92 kg freestyle category is about to ignite with some of the most intense battles we’ve seen this year! The stage is set for an epic clash at the World Team Trials on May 16-17, 2025, where the best in the U.S. will go head-to-head for a shot at greatness. This isn’t just any tournament—it’s a crucible where careers are defined, legacies are forged, and only the toughest will survive to represent Team USA. With a mix of seasoned veterans and hungry up-and-comers, the competition promises to be a rollercoaster of raw power, technique, and heart-pounding drama. But who are the titans stepping onto the mat to vie for this golden opportunity?

Leading the charge are some of the biggest names in American wrestling, as highlighted by FloWrestling in their recent post on X. They spotlighted AJ Ferrari, Stephen Buchanan, Josh Barr, and Jacob Cardenas as top contenders for the 92 kg category at the World Team Trials. It’s easy to see why this lineup has fans buzzing. The tweet also asked fans who they think will face NC State’s Trent Hidlay at Final X, stirring up heated debates across social media. 

Ferrari, wrestling for Cal State Bakersfield, is a former NCAA champion at 197 pounds from his 2021 run with Oklahoma State, with wins over Buchanan, Myles Amine, and Tanner Sloan. Now at Iowa, Buchanan has beaten nearly everyone at this weight except Ferrari, including a third-place win over Cardenas at the 2024 NCAAs.

Cardenas, in a USA singlet, boasts victories over Rocky Elam and Michael Beard, while Penn State’s Josh Barr, a rising star, joins other talents like Chance Marsteller, Nate Jackson, Michael Macchiavello, and Aeoden Sinclair in this stacked field. With such firepower, who will emerge to challenge Hidlay? The stakes couldn’t be higher at the World Team Trials, where the winner at 92 kg secures a best-of-three showdown against Hidlay at Final X to determine Team USA’s representative on the global stage.

Hidlay, a four-time NCAA All-American and three-time ACC Champion, earned his spot with a victory at the 2023 Bill Farrell International at 86 kg, making him a formidable gatekeeper. For these athletes, this isn’t just about a Trials win—it’s a career-defining chance to wear the stars and stripes and chase international glory. The pressure is on, and every match will be a test of skill, grit, and mental toughness. But how will the tournament structure challenge these wrestling giants?

The structure of the World Team Trials

The World Team Trials follow a grueling format that leaves no room for error, pushing wrestlers to their absolute limits. Typically, as seen in past events like the 2024 Senior World Team Trials in Omaha, the tournament spans two days with a single-elimination bracket and wrestlebacks, culminating in a best-of-three championship series for the top two finishers.

Expect a similar setup for 2025: preliminary rounds on May 16 will narrow the field, followed by semifinals, wrestlebacks, and the finals on May 17.  It’s a gauntlet where one misstep can end your dreams, but for those who endure, a shot at Hidlay at Final X awaits. Final X, as established by USA Wrestling in 2018, is the ultimate proving ground, and the winner of the trials gets a shot at Headley.

But what if they defeat him in the two out of three falls match? Well, they get their spot on Team USA for the World Championships. This format ensures that only the best of the best represent the U.S., raising the bar for international competition. So, who will survive the Trials and take on Hidlay in this do-or-die showdown? With Final X looming, the road to the national team spot is as treacherous as it gets.

The winner of the Trials will need to bring their A-game to overcome Hidlay, whose experience and technical prowess make him a daunting opponent. For Ferrari, Buchanan, Cardenas, Barr, and the rest of the field, the Trials are just the first step in a two-part journey to glory. Fans are already speculating: Will Ferrari’s raw power and past wins over Buchanan give him the edge?

Or will Buchanan’s consistency and recent momentum carry him through? Perhaps Cardenas or Barr will pull off an upset, shaking up the wrestling world. One thing’s for sure—this 92 kg bracket is a battle for the ages, and the path to Final X will be paved with sweat, determination, and unforgettable moments. Who will rise to the occasion and etch their name in wrestling history?