The 97Red Preservation Trust and XPRO Wrestling are excited to announce a landmark talent exchange agreement with the Sanctioned Violence Organization (sVo), a company with deep ties to the Board and a long history of collaboration through HOTv programming.

For years, sVo and High Octane Wrestling stood as rivals, and now, with the evolution of XPRO, the two organizations are officially working in partnership to strengthen rosters and competition for both promotions.

As part of this groundbreaking move, three-fourths of The SEC stable — Brice Brantley, The Alabama Kid, and Gator Bates — have been traded to sVo. In return, XPRO acquires three dynamic competitors, each bringing a unique pedigree and international experience:

• Jude Boswell – The son of DW Hall of Famer “The Icon” Chris Boswell, Jude has been honing his craft across Europe, most notably in Berlin Apex Wrestling. Seeking his big break on a global stage, Boswell now enters XPRO with a chip on his shoulder and a legacy to uphold.
• Maverick Matthews – A former PV TV Champion, Matthews has been on a rough run since losing his gold six months ago. Chicago-born and bred, he now returns home under the XPRO banner, hungry to re-establish himself as a force to be reckoned with.
• Bronson Johnson – A former sVo Roulette Champion, Johnson has recently made waves in Japan while competing in Rising Sun Pro Wrestling. A throwback with a mean streak, Johnson brings veteran instincts and ruthless intensity to XPRO.

This trade underscores the shared vision between the 97Red Preservation Trust and the leadership of sVo: fostering talent exchange, elevating competition, and strengthening professional wrestling across both brands.

The Board released the following statement:

“HOTv has always been a proving ground for partnerships and competition. The addition of Boswell, Matthews, and Johnson gives XPRO fresh depth and international flavor, while Brantley, The Alabama Kid, and Gator Bates will find new challenges in sVo. This is a win-win for everyone involved….except maybe for Mark Hendry.”

Impact on Mark Hendry and the SEC

This move has immediate and dramatic consequences for the reigning XPRO World Champion, Mark Hendry. One week before he is scheduled to defend his title at X on the Beach against Lexi Gold, Hendry now finds himself stripped of his stable and left to stand alone.

The Board has offered no official explanation for the timing of the deal. Some insiders suggest this may be a calculated move to help Hendry remain focused on singles competition, as he has recently faltered in tag action. Others speculate it could be punishment, a reminder that no competitor — not even the World Champion — is untouchable under the Trust’s leadership.

Board representative Scott Stevens commented:

“This trade strengthens both rosters and reflects the Board’s commitment to competition. Boswell, Matthews, and Johnson bring immediate value to XPRO, and sVo will benefit from three seasoned members of The SEC. As for Mark Hendry, he has proven time and again that he doesn’t need backup to dominate. Whether this makes him sharper or exposes him remains to be seen at X on the Beach.”

Fans can look forward to seeing Jude Boswell, Maverick Matthews, and Bronson Johnson make their XPRO debuts as soon as X on the Beach potentially.