By Richard Immel
USA Wrestling

2025 World bronze medalist Real Woods (Ann Arbor, Mich./Cliff Keen WC/Titan Mercury WC) has accepted his automatic bid to 2026 Final X, presented by Kerberos Capital Management, and will battle for the men’s freestyle 65 kg spot on the 2026 U.S. World Team. Final X is set for Friday, June 19 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Woods was one of the top stories for Team USA last year, particularly due to his rapid rise up the ranks. He went on a remarkable run from a fourth-place finish at the U.S. Open in April all the way to a bronze medal at the Senior World Championships in September, which earned him an automatic berth to Final X.

He hasn’t wrestled on the Senior level circuit since the World Championships, but has competed in a pair of Real American Freestyle bouts to maintain his edge.

Collegiately, Woods was a four-time NCAA All-American, once at Stanford and three times at Iowa. In 2023, he was the NCAA runner-up at 141 pounds while competing for Iowa.

What’s at stake at Final X?  

Final X will determine the 2026 U.S. Senior World Team in two-of-three international disciplines—men’s freestyle and women’s freestyle. In total, 20 weight classes will be contested, 10 in each discipline. The top two U.S. athletes in each weight class will wrestle a best-of-three series at Final X to determine the U.S. representative for the 2026 Senior World Championships in Manama, Bahrain.

Who will Woods face at Final X? 

The Final X opponent for Woods will be determined on April 25 at the U.S. Open in Las Vegas, Nevada. The men’s freestyle 65 kg champion from the U.S. Open will advance to face Woods in a best-of-three series at Final X.

Beat the Streets New York Annual Benefit 

Final X will serve as the 2026 Beat the Streets New York Annual Benefit, its 16th to date. These unique electrifying events help BTSNY raise critical funds each year to support local youth wrestling programs, which empower young people in New York City. The BTSNY Annual Benefit after-party takes place at the conclusion of Final X.

Woods has competed at one prior BTSNY Annual Benefit event. He defeated Joey McKenna two matches to none at last year’s Final X, winning by scores of 7-3 and 5-4.

Get Tickets 

BTSNY Annual Benefit tickets and sponsorship packages, which include access to premier seating at Final X, plus the exclusive after-party, are currently available at btsny.org. For more information on ticket packages, email BTSNY Executive Director Bob Seidel at bseidel@btsny.org. Donations and BTSNY Annual Benefit tickets and sponsorship packages directly help BTSNY make a lifelong impact on New York City youth in need.

Event-only tickets for Final X without access to the BTSNY after-party celebration are available on Ticketmaster.

Event Schedule 

12:30 p.m. (ET) – U.S. National Team true-third matches

2 p.m. (ET) – Session one (Round one)

5 p.m. (ET) – Session two (Rounds two and three, if necessary)

Match order for each session will be provided at a later date

How To Watch 

FloWrestling will serve as the host broadcast partner for Final X. Fans can watch the event live or on-demand at FloWrestling.com. Online results for Final X will be available on USA Bracketing.

For more information about Final X, please visit TheMat.com.

2026 Final X, presented by Kerberos Capital Management, Qualifiers (As of April 7, 2026) 

June 19 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey 

Men’s Freestyle 

65 kg – Real Woods (Ann Arbor, Mich./Cliff Keen WC/Titan Mercury WC)

Women’s Freestyle 

57 kg – Helen Maroulis (Scottsdale, Ariz./Titan Mercury WC)

68 kg – Kennedy Blades (Iowa City, Iowa/Hawkeye WC/Titan Mercury WC)

76 kg – Kylie Welker (Iowa City, Iowa/Iowa Women’s WC/Titan Mercury WC)