With the 2025 Final X set to determine the U.S. World Team reps, wrestling fans are in for a showcase of elite matchups and rising stars. While the postponed 61 kg bout between Vito Arujau and Jax Forrest will still generate buzz in July, here we focus on the nine head-to-head matchups happening June 14 in Newark, NJ.
Here’s our ranking of the Final X men’s freestyle matches based on fan interest, storyline depth, and competitive intrigue.
9. 125 kg – Wyatt Hendrickson vs. Trent Hillger
Hendrickson breaks the mold of heavyweight wrestling — he’s explosive, high-paced, and always looking to score. Hillger brings consistency, strong positioning, and defense but hasn’t shown a high ceiling in freestyle. These two wrestled at the US Open this year, Hendrickson winning the match 10-4, though no points were scored in the second period. This match is likely to go Hendrickson’s way, especially given his gas tank and par terre scoring ability. However, if Hillger can slow the tempo and keep it tight, he might steal one. Even though this match is in last, Hendrickson tends to make his matches very entertaining!
Here’s their match from the US Open back in April
Key Stat: Hendrickson averages nearly 10 points per freestyle match — rare for this weight.
X-Factor: Can Hillger keep Hendrickson off his legs for six full minutes?
Prediction: Hendrickson wins 2 matches to 0
8. 79 kg – Evan Wick vs. Levi Haines
Wick thrives when able to utilize his length, he’s tricky and extends positions further when others would have to bail. Haines is fast, balanced, and improving every month at Nittany Lion WC. He’s likely better in neutral but less proven in gritty positions. Stylistically, this is a chess match. Haines will need to stay on the offensive and win on reattacks. If he doesn’t stop attacking, he can score often if able to win those extended positions, but Wick’s length could throw a wrench in that. These two wrestled at the Non-Olympic World Team Trials late last year. It was a close match until Haines built up into a double leg finish that ended in a fall.
Key Stat: This will be either wrestler’s first world team
X-Factor: Par terre — both are solid on top, expect turns
Prediction: Haines wins 2 matches to 1
7. 97 kg – Kyle Snyder vs. Hayden Zillmer
Snyder, Olympic gold medalist and 3-time World champ, is a model of consistency. He moves well at 97kg and keeps a foundational position every second of the match. Zillmer is experienced and gritty, managing to make a world team at 125kg back in 2022, but hasn’t a previous match with Snyder didn’t go his way. This one likely doesn’t go to a third match, but it’s an opportunity for Snyder to signal where he stands ahead of Worlds — especially with Tazhudinov, Sadulaev, Azarpira, and Yoshida looming.
Head-to-Head: Snyder has beaten Zillmer in their lone prior match, way back in 2019 at the Bill Farrell
X-Factor: Mental sharpness — is Snyder still hungry, or does Zillmer catch him off guard?
Prediction: Snyder wins 2 matches to 0
6. 92 kg – Trent Hidlay vs. Josh Barr
Hidlay is a physical monster, known for pace, pressure, and tough hand-fighting. His underhook has been a deadly piece of his artillery that Josh will need to find a way to mitigate. Barr, just finished his Redshirt Freshman year of college, is the newest Nittany Lion phenom. He’s technical and fearless, but still green. A U20 world silver medalist last year, Josh has shown a pace of improvement to put him up there with the best. Expect Hidlay to come out hot and try to dominate early. Barr’s best chance is to withstand that early burst and stay in the match until the second period.
Here’s Josh Barr’s win that sent him to FinalX
Style Watch: Hidlay scores off underhook throws and go-behinds. Barr prefers clean low shots.
X-Factor: Composure. If Barr stays in it late, don’t be surprised if he forces a third match.
Prediction: Hidlay wins 2 matches to 1
5. 65 kg – Joey McKenna vs. Real Woods
McKenna is a veteran with great positioning, solid leg attacks, and world-level experience. He’s been this close to a world team before, it will be hard to deny him of it now. Woods is a scrambler with unique flair, capable of turning broken positions into points. We watched him FIGHT to get here, expect that same energy in Newark. Neither of these competitors concede positions easily, there will be few points earned and it will take everything to get them. Expect a lot of chess in neutral — both will shoot, but few clean finishes are likely. Whoever wins the mat game (counters, top turns) will likely take the series.
Recent Form: Woods has been more active and trending upward. McKenna has the edge in big-match experience.
X-Factor: First takedown — matches between these two are often low-scoring and tight.
Prediction: McKenna wins 2 matches to 1
4. 74 kg – Mitchell Mesenbrink vs. David Carr
Mesenbrink is high-octane — brutal pace, relentless shots, and plenty of antics. He was one of the most dominant collegiate wrestlers this season for a reason, no one wins a shootout with Mitchell. Carr is smooth, tactical, and uses movement and angles to neutralize pressure. He can take down some of the best in the world, but winning a match takes more than just 2 points. This might be the most exciting pure wrestling match of Final X. Expect multiple lead changes, scrambles, and maybe some exchanges between whistles. These two wrestled in the finals at the US Open this year, and it got out of hand in favor of Mesenbrink. If David Carr wants to make his first senior world team, he will need to emulate some of whatever Caliendo cooked up for Mitchell this college season.
Here’s their match from the US Open last April
Matchup Note: Carr has more freestyle polish; Mesenbrink has the momentum.
X-Factor: Gas tank. Carr faded late last match — and Mesenbrink doesn’t slow down.
Prediction: Carr 2 matches to 1
3. 70 kg – Yianni Diakomihalis vs. PJ Duke
Yianni is a 4-time NCAA champ and has been on the world team before. He’s an artist in space, using misdirection and slick reattacks. You don’t stumble into earning a world silver medal, Yianni is the real deal. Duke hasn’t even started attending college, but already a junior world bronze and one of the most dangerous young wrestlers in the country. He has strength and power that no one else his age has. He can wrestle with the best, that was on display when he earned his spot to wrestle in FinalX. This may be the best “future vs. present” match of the night. If Duke scores early, the crowd will erupt. If Yianni controls pace, expect a clinical display.
Here’s Duke’s win over NCAA Champ Antrell Taylor
Comparison: Yianni wins through deception; Duke thrives on pressure and drive-through power.
X-Factor: Experience — Yianni’s seen every look, Duke hasn’t seen many YIANNIS.
Prediction: Yianni 2 matches to 0
2. 57 kg – Spencer Lee vs. Luke Lilledahl
Lee, a 3-time NCAA champ and Olympic silver medalist, is best known for his gut wrench and tight top game. He’s the heavy favorite in this match, with ridiculous strength powering him through his leg attacks and turns on top. Lilledahl is only a freshman in college but has multiple age-level world medals. He’s fast, sharp, and intelligent. His growth as a wrestler has driven him to the spot he’s in, it’ll take a strong game plan to propel him past Lee. This match could end in fireworks — or tactical warfare. Lee will likely work HARD to get to his gut wrench or leg lace. If Lilledahl can avoid being turned, it’s a lot more of a toss-up on the feet. These two wrestled at the Bill Farrell in 2023, and Lee ended it quickly.
Here’s their only prior match
Style Clash: Lee explodes after contact; Lilledahl prefers quick outside shots and reattacks.
X-Factor: Par terre. If Lee gets on top, it may be over in 30 seconds.
Prediction: Lee 2 matches to 0
1. 86 kg – Zahid Valencia vs. Kyle Dake
Dake is one of the best ever a 4-time world champ and 2-time Olympic Bronze medalist. He’s hard to score on, rarely gives up exposure, and handles the pressure in close matches. Valencia shocked the nation by beating Dake 8–4 at the U.S. Open, using pace, angles, and sheer aggression. Valencia’s key piece of offense to utilize against Dake is his duck under. It avoids the risk of counter offense from leg attacks, something Kyle is one of if not the best in the world at. From the US Open, Dake will need to adjust — likely with more ties to tighten the scoring opportunities in the first period. Valencia needs to keep moving and not get caught in positions. This is a clash of elite styles — and maybe a changing of the guard. This series is the only one where the best-of-three format might affect the outcome. With Zahid fading in matches, is he able to recover from match-to-match?
Here’s their match from the US Open Last April
Tactical Insight: Dake controls the tempo better than almost anyone — but Valencia took that away last time.
X-Factor: Strategy. Can Dake slow the match down and turn it into a grind, or does Zahid push the pace again?
Prediction: Dake wins 2 matces to 1
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