The stage is set for an electrifying showdown at Final X, where America’s top wrestlers will battle in a best-of-three series. Scheduled for June 14, 2025, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, this high-stakes event will feature 20 weight classes of men’s and women’s freestyle, drawing fans and athletes alike to witness wrestling’s elite. Amid this anticipation, one name stands out: Spencer Lee, the 2024 Olympic silver medalist, who’s already secured his spot and fired a shot across the bow at his rivals. Now, when we are less than two months away from the Final X kickoff, Lee has sent a word of caution to his opponents.

A 2x Dan Hodge Trophy winner, 3x Big Ten Champion, and a Silver medalist at the Paris Olympics, Lee has odds in his favor with his latest gold medal win at the Zagreb Open earlier this year. Even though his opponent for the Final X is yet to be announced, Lee seems more ready than ever for the mega event. Just two weeks ago, Lee accepted his berth at 57kg in freestyle.

Apart from his physical strength, it is his mental strength that makes him unbeatable. “I’m a guy who believes more in wins and losses,” Lee said in February this year during his matchup against Ono at Xtreme Arena. As June 14 approaches, Lee’s latest message serves as a clear warning to anyone standing in his way.

On April 10, 2025, Spencer Lee sent shockwaves through the wrestling world with a cryptic yet powerful two-word message on Instagram: “war is ready”. Posted shortly after accepting his Final X berth, this bold declaration was a warning to competitors eyeing the 57 kg men’s freestyle crown. Known for his intense focus and relentless drive, Lee’s message resonates as both a psychological jab and a promise of dominance. 

As a 2024 Olympic silver medalist, Spencer Lee has secured an automatic bid to compete at 57 kg in men’s freestyle at Final X, bypassing the grueling US Open tournament. This privilege, reserved for Olympic medalists, reflects Lee’s elite status after his standout performance at the Paris Olympics, where he defeated Zou Wanhao (China), Bekzat Almaz Uulu (Kyrgyzstan), and Gulomjon Abdullaev (Uzbekistan) before narrowly falling 4-2 to Japan’s Rei Higuchi in the final.

The 27-year-old Pennsylvania native, a three-time NCAA champion (2018, 2019, 2021), now sets his sights on the 2025 World Championships, with Final X as his next proving ground. His direct qualification means more time to train with the Hawkeye Wrestling Club and Titan Mercury Wrestling Club, honing the skills that made him a global force. But what does this mean for Lee’s rivals, and how will his “war-is-ready” mindset shape the competition?

Final X and Spencer Lee’s Quest for World Team Glory

Final X is set to ignite the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on Saturday, June 14, 2025, as America’s premier wrestlers compete to cement their place on the 2025 U.S. Senior World Team in men’s and women’s freestyle. This high-stakes event will feature 20 weight classes across 10 weight classes in each discipline, with the top two athletes in each battling it out in gripping best-of-three series to earn a coveted spot at the 2025 Senior World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia.

The competition unfolds in two action-packed sessions: Session I at 2 p.m. ET kicks off with round one of each series, while Session II at 5 p.m. ET delivers round two and, if needed, decisive round three matches, with match orders to be announced later. Should the New Jersey Devils host an NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs game on June 14, Final X shifts to Sunday, June 15. 

As the 15th Beat the Streets New York Annual Benefit, Final X raises over $1 million annually to empower New York City youth through wrestling programs, culminating in a vibrant after-party. Fans can stream the event live on FloWrestling.com, track results on USA Bracketing, or secure tickets via Ticketmaster. With the wrestling world buzzing, who will rise to define this pivotal moment?

Spencer Lee, the 2024 Olympic silver medalist, is a marquee name, having secured a direct berth at 57 kg in men’s freestyle for his first Beat the Streets Annual Benefit appearance. He awaits the men’s freestyle 57 kg champion from the U.S. Open, set for April 26, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada, for a best-of-three showdown. With his chilling Instagram message “war is ready” reverberating, Lee’s presence guarantees intensity. Will the U.S. Open champ stand a chance against Lee’s relentless drive, or is Zagreb his destiny?