Kevin Nikel, who wrestled as Knuckles Madsen and Ivan Warsaw, has died after a shooting in Arkansas on Friday.
Nikel, 41, was reportedly the victim of a shooting in Benton County. Police arrived at the scene and transported Nikel to the hospital, where he died after he was shot in the abdomen, according to the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette.
The performer was born in Memphis and began wrestling in 2007, and had a developmental deal with NXT in 2012 & 2013. He mainly wrestled at live events but did appear on NXT programming for the #1 contender’s battle royal in May 2013, which Bo Dallas won. Nikel wrestled through December with NXT.
RIP Knuckles Madsen. One of our merry band of characters back in developmental. Sad, sad news to wake up to. He’d be the first to try to help someone else. Strength to his family.
We’ll always have Coming to America. pic.twitter.com/9kZN1An8oy
— Rob Naylor (@NINaylor) July 12, 2025
The police are investigating the shooting.
