The match order doesn’t lie. And for Wyatt Hendrickson, it paints a curious picture. Just a short time ago, the U.S. Open heavyweight headliner was the final bout of the night, closing out a card with the energy of a main event. But as Final X 2025 approaches, Hendrickson’s name isn’t in lights anymore. In a lineup stacked with 20 thrilling matchups, his bout against Trent Hillger has been bumped down to the middle of the card. Not opening. Not closing. Just… midcard. For a man who once had the whole arena watching in awe, it’s a surprising demotion, and fans are starting to take notice. What changed? Part of it is timing, and part of it is the firestorm created by another rivalry.

Kyle Dake’s seven-year run of domestic dominance was snapped in dramatic fashion by Zahid Valencia at the U.S. Open, ending an era and setting the stage for one of the most anticipated rematches in recent memory. The shock of Dake’s defeat and his hard-fought rebound win over Carter Starocci at the WTT Challenge has elevated their Final X clash to top billing. Dake vs. Valencia will close the show on June 14 in Newark, New Jersey, as the final bout of the night. And while Hendrickson’s heavyweight battle with Hillger still promises fireworks, it’s clear that in this narrative-driven sport, moment and momentum matter just as much as muscle.

Justin Basch took to X, “Final X Match Order is set!” And the layout has the wrestling community buzzing. Closing the show at the Prudential Center? None other than the grudge match of the year: Zahid Valencia vs. Kyle Dake at 86kg. That’s not just a main event. It’s a statement. The last time they met, Valencia did the unthinkable. He didn’t just beat Dake. He outclassed him. An 8-4 stunner ended Dake’s seven-year domestic reign, not with a fluke or a flash pin, but with cold, calculated control. This Final X rematch isn’t just about a world team slot. It’s about legacy. And Dake, who handed out autographs with a bloodied face after scraping past Parker Keckeisen, is showing he’s not done writing his story just yet.

Meanwhile, Wyatt Hendrickson, the same man who headlined the U.S. Open, finds himself buried in the third slot of the night. Once the show-closer, Hendrickson now wrestles squarely in the midcard, sandwiched between Haines vs. Wick and Barr vs. Hidlay. It’s a stark shift for the dominant heavyweight, who tech-falled three of four opponents in Vegas and rolled Hillger 10-4 in what was his toughest bout of the weekend. Hendrickson’s explosive run had him looking like a headliner, but Final X seems to have different priorities this time around.

As for Hillger, the Wisconsin big man clawed his way back into contention at the Trials, capitalizing on Zillmer’s drop to 97kg and a thinner field. He picked up decisive wins over Jordan Wood (13-2) and Demetrius Thomas (10-4) to punch his Final X ticket. But he’ll face a very different beast on June 14. Hendrickson isn’t just here to defend his U.S. Open crown. He’s fighting to remind the world, and perhaps the event organizers, that he’s still main-event material.

Final X’s most electrifying showdowns—Clash of generations and styles

Final X 2025 isn’t just delivering high-stakes matches. It’s serving up a full-course meal of generational battles, technical chess matches, and redemption arcs. At 57kg, we get the classic tale of youth vs. experience as Olympic silver medalist Spencer Lee squares off with 19-year-old phenom Luke Lilledahl. It’s the seasoned veteran versus the teenage sensation! Lee’s top game has crushed some of the best in the world, but Lilledahl’s quick-strike style and fearless mindset could force a seismic shift in the weight class. At 61kg, two-time world medalist Vito Arujau brings his relentless pressure against Jax Forrest, a high school junior who rocked the wrestling community with his U.S. Open run. “If you love fireworks, this one’s for you!” Forrest may be 17, but he’s stepping into this showdown with zero hesitation.

Things don’t slow down at 65kg, where Joey McKenna and Real Woods clash in what’s shaping up to be one of the most intense tactical battles of the night. Both are known for their grit and mat IQ. This one will likely be decided by inches. Over at 70kg, the crowd favorite Yianni Diakomihalis takes on teenage disruptor PJ Duke, who’s already knocked off NCAA champs en route to his Final X debut. Can Duke shock the world, or will Yianni’s experience shine through? It’s a classic setup: the calm, calculating technician against a rising storm. Then comes 74kg, where Mitchell Mesenbrink and David Carr renew their rivalry. Their last encounter ended with Mesenbrink’s domination. But Carr rebounded at the Trials. This is the rematch fans circled in red.

Rounding out this electrifying stretch is the 79kg matchup between Evan Wick and Levi Haines. Wick holds the advantage in terms of freestyle experience, but Haines has been surging with NCAA-seasoned fire and sharp technique. It’s veteran control versus rising aggression. And of course, there’s the marquee showdown at 86kg. Zahid Valencia vs. Kyle Dake. This is a true blockbuster! Valencia shocked the world at the U.S. Open with an 8-4 win, but Dake’s not one to fade into the background. The four-time world champ is known for his late-match miracles. This match won’t just decide who goes to Zagreb. Moreover, it may shift the power structure at 86kg entirely.