By Kacie Albert
Kansas City Outlaws, Arizona Ridge Riders and Missouri Thunder also secure wins on Friday night in Oklahoma City inside Paycom Center
OKLAHOMA CITY – As the 2024 PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Team Series launched Friday evening in Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma Wildcatters made their home debut inside Paycom Center in dominant form, knocking off the league’s reigning champion Texas Rattlers by three ride scores.
“Those guys were ready to go. That’s why they’re on this team,” said Oklahoma Wildcatters Head Coach J.B. Mauney. “There’s no fluke on this team. We [General Manager Brandon Bates and I] both had reasons behind why we picked them. All the pressure was on right here, and they showed out.”
Oklahoma’s 248.25-0 victory in bull riding’s version of the Red River Showdown was earned courtesy of key scores from Eduardo Matos, Clay Guiton and Cort McFadden. The Wildcatters’ commanding win in the team’s first-ever game also marked the first time the Rattlers went 0-5 in gameplay.
Via the win, Head Coach Mauney’s Oklahoma Wildcatters are now 1-0 and will seek their second consecutive game win Saturday night when they play the Arizona Ridge Riders, who are also 1-0 in 2024.
The Texas Rattlers will look to rebound when they play the 1-0 Missouri Thunder.
Arizona won their season-launch game by defeating the Nashville Stampede 340.5-255, marking the highest-scoring game of the evening. Both teams combined to go 7-for-10, covering a torrid 70% of their animal athlete opponents.
While the Stampede logged crucial scores from Ednelio Almeida, Mason Taylor and Silvano Alves, it was not enough to outlast the efforts put out by the Ridge Riders’ Nick Tetz, Eduardo Aparecido, Keyshawn Whitehorse and Luciano de Castro.
Nashville will look to even their record to 1-1 on Saturday, July 13, when they play the New York Mavericks, who are also 0-1 following the first game of the season.
The first game of the 2024 season bore witness to an electric showdown between the Kansas City Outlaws and two-time regular season champion Austin Gamblers. In what was the closest game of the evening, Kansas City, backed by rides from Koltin Hevalow and Cassio Dias, beat Austin, which recorded points from Dalton Kasel and Jose Vitor Leme, 178.25-174.
Both the Kansas City Outlaws, now 1-0, and Austin Gamblers, 0-1, will have a bye Saturday evening.
The Missouri Thunder was the final team to earn a victory Friday night. They beat the New York Mavericks by two ride scores, 174.75-0. The Thunder’s victory was championed by qualified rides from Felipe Furlan and Boudreaux Campbell in the game’s opening two frames.
After having byes Friday night, the Carolina Cowboys and Florida Freedom will make their season debuts when they face each other in the first game of the night on July 13.
The first night of the 2024 PBR Camping World Team Series concluded with the first-ever Shootout Round, featuring one rider from each of the winning teams.
The Arizona Ridge Riders won the special round as Eli Vastbinder posted the league’s first 90-point ride of the 2024 season, topping Ricky Vaughn for 91.75 points.
Second was the Missouri Thunder’s Briggs Madsen, who also delivered a monster ride, covering Black Gold for 90.25 points.
As the only other team to cover in the Shootout Round, the Kansas City Outlaws’ Dias was third. He rode Mike’s Motive for 89 points.
The PBR Oklahoma Wildcatters Days, presented by Travel Oklahoma, continues Saturday, July 13, at 7:45 p.m. CDT. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online atTicketmaster.com and PBR.com, at the Paycom Center Box Office, or by calling PBR customer service at 1-800-732-1727.
Merit Street Media will broadcast all three days of action from PBR Wildcatters Days. Viewers can watch on the Merit+ app or go to https://www.meritstreetmedia.com/channel-finder to find the Merit Street Media cable channel in their area. On-demand replays of all the PBR Teams action will be available the following day on the Merit+ app. RidePass on Pluto TV will also air Teams replays five days later.
SCORE BULLETINS
Kansas City Outlaws Win First Game of the 2024 PBR Teams Season in Oklahoma City, Defeating the Austin Gamblers
Kansas City Outlaws: 178.25
Austin Gamblers: 174
OKLAHOMA CITY – As the 2024 PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Team Series got underway Friday night in Oklahoma City, the Kansas City Outlaws quickly struck, winning the season’s first game, defeating the Austin Gamblers by less than one ride score. Marking the first out in the 2024 season, Koltin Hevalow quickly gave the Outlaws an 88.5-point lead as he dominated Rowdy. In the bottom of the frame, the Austin Gamblers turned to Dalton Kasel on Big Hawk to provide the two-time regular-season champions early momentum. After some struggles in the chutes, Kasel nodded with confidence, matching his animal athlete jump-from-jump en route to the whistle. Despite being awarded a re-ride, the Gamblers elected to keep Kasel’s 87.25-point score, pulling within 1.25 points of the Outlaws. Kansas City then stumbled in the top of the second, unable to grow their lead as Julio Cesar Marques came down in 2.47 seconds on Fast Flow. Opening the door for Austin to reclaim the lead, the Gamblers tapped team newcomer and 2018 PBR World Champion Kaique Pacheco in the bottom of the second. The out was the first for Pacheco as a Gambler after being acquired by the team through a trade at the Expansion Draft with the Oklahoma Wildcatters, who initially took the veteran Brazilian from the Nashville Stampede. Pacheco, however, was unable to convert, hitting the ground in 4.73 seconds on Lapua. In the middle round of outs, the Outlaws again struck out as Bob Mitchell was tossed by 6.89 seconds by Ninja Cowboy. While the Gamblers didn’t add points in the bottom of the frame, Guilherme Valleiras was awarded a re-ride after Powerstroke fouled himself in the chutes. The scoreboard then went unchanged in the fourth, setting up a crucial fifth and final frame. While Kansas City only had one attempt remaining, Austin had two riders left to take to the chutes, having yet to attempt their re-ride from the third. The final series of outs began with two-time PBR World Champion and Gamblers closer Jose Vitor Leme aboard Crazy Times. Leme, the only rider ever to win the PBR Teams MVP title, burst into the arena with his championship form on full display. Covering his animal athlete opponent with ease, he was awarded 86.75 points to give the Gamblers an 85.5-point lead. The score also forced the Kansas City Outlaws’ Cassio Dias into a must-ride position atop Let’s Roll. Less than two months after winning the 2024 PBR World Championship, Dias delivered for his squad, besting the bull for a commanding 89.75 points to propel the Outlaws 4.25 points back out front. The fate of the game then rested in the hands of the Austin Gamblers’ Paulo Henrique da Silva, who was matched with re-ride bull Whiplash. While Silva initially appeared centered, he was ultimately unseated at the 2.7-second mark, delivering Kansas City the first win of the season. The Kansas City Outlaws improved to 1-0, while the Austin Gamblers are now 0-1 as the final scoreboard read 178.25-174. Both the Outlaws and Gamblers will have their first bye of the season on Saturday, July 13, returning to competition for the quartet of games on Sunday, July 14, when they will play the Missouri Thunder and Oklahoma Wildcatters, respectively.
Arizona Ridge Riders Beat Nashville Stampede Following Intense Ride-for-Ride Slugfest on Opening Night of PBR Camping World Team Series Action in Oklahoma City
Arizona Ridge Riders: 340.5
Nashville Stampede: 255
When the dust settled on a game that featured the two teams combining for a 70% riding average, the Arizona Ridge Riders emerged supreme, beating the Nashville Stampede on the opening night of PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Team Series action in Oklahoma City. The game, which was a rematch from the 2022 PBR Teams Championship game, began in electric form with both teams converting in the first frame. After Ednelio Almeida rode Ready Teddy to give the 2022 PBR Teams Champion Stampede an 84.75-point lead, Arizona roared to life in the bottom of the first as Nick Tetz rode Hoka Hey for 86.75 points to put the Ridge Riders out front by 2 points. The Stampede then turned to two-time PBR World Champion Jess Lockwood to return them to the lead. Lockwood, however, was unsuccessful in his first-ever out in the league, upended byMama’s Boy in 2.19 seconds. Arizona then capitalized on Nashville’s stumble, growing their lead to a commanding 90 points as Eduardo Aparecido bested Mahan for 88 points. Nashville wouldn’t remain quiet for long. Quick to respond, in the top of the third, the Stampede inched within 3.25 points of the lead as Mason Taylor converted atop Renegade for 86.75 points. Arizona then registered their first, and what would prove only, buckoff of the game when Bruno Carvalho hit the ground in 4.8 seconds atop The Kraken. While Head Coach Colby Yates challenged the call, believing the bull fouled himself, the judges disagreed, keeping the buckoff in place. As a result, Arizona lost its challenge for the remainder of the game. In the fourth, the Stampede turned to team newcomer Cody Teel on Bandito Bug, while the Ridge Riders tasked Keyshawn Whitehorse with Desperado. While Teel was tossed in 3.26 seconds, failing to add points to Nashville’s total, Whitehorse grew Arizona’s lead to 90.25 points as he made the requisite 8 for a key 87.5 points. The back-and-forth battle through the opening four rounds of outs set up a critical, game-defining fifth frame. Leading off, Nashville found themselves in a must-ride situation as three-time PBR World Champion Silvano Alves settled in on Redwing. Alves answered the call for his team, delivering a qualified ride, but his 83.5 points were not enough to put his team back in front with no outs remaining. After Arizona concluded the game with closer Luciano De Castro’s 78.25-point ride on Barbarosa, the final scoreboard read an 85.5-point Ridge Rider victory as they defeated Nashville 340.5-255. Via the outcome, Arizona began the season with a 1-0 record, while the Stampede slipped to 0-1. When gameplay continues on Saturday, July 13, the Arizona Ridge Riders will look to continue their winning ways when they play the host Oklahoma Wildcatters, while the Nashville Stampede will look to rebound when they play the New York Mavericks.
Missouri Thunder Beat the Scoreless New York Mavericks by Two Ride Scores on First Night of PBR Camping World Team Series Game Play in Oklahoma City
Missouri Thunder: 174.75
New York Mavericks: 0.00
OKLAHOMA CITY – During the third game of the opening night of PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Team Series competition in Oklahoma City, the Missouri Thunder parlayed a strong game start into a two-score victory against the scoreless New York Mavericks. The New York Mavericks opened their first-ever league game pairing Vitor Losnake with Grey Fox. The matchup, however, was not fruitful as Losnake hit the ground in 5.01 seconds. Missouri then struck in the bottom of the first, jumping to an early 88.25-point lead as Felipe Furlan rode Peterbilt. The Mavericks again struck out in the top of the second, as Maverick Smith was tossed by Boujee Boy in 5.54 seconds. The Thunder then responded with their second score in as many attempts, surging to a 174.75-point lead as Boudreaux Campbell dominated Wasted Nights for 86.5 points. The scoreboard then went unchanged through the third. In the top of the fourth, Ederson Santos faced a must-ride situation for New York as he settled in atop Washita Red. While he came down before the whistle, he was awarded a re-ride after the bull fouled himself. Missouri then had the chance to clinch the game win early in the bottom of the penultimate frame, with Andrew Alvidrez taking on Cliffhanger. Alvidrez, however, came up short, sent airborne in 2.88 seconds. While they had a renewed shot at victory, New York quickly found themselves in a must-ride position in the top of the fifth. In the pressure situation was Braidy Randolph atop Big Bank, but the Texan was unable to begin a resurgence for his team, coming down in 2.21 seconds to deliver Missouri the win. The game then ended in back-to-back buckoffs, as Missouri closer Paulo Eduardo Rossetto didn’t find success on Red Demon and Mauricio Moreira didn’t convert on New York’s re-ride bull Blue Suede Shoes. At game’s end, the scoreboard read a 174.75-0 Missouri win, as the Thunder are now 1-0 and the Mavericks 0-1. When gameplay continues for PBR Wildcatters Days, presented by Travel Oklahoma, on Saturday, July 13, the Missouri Thunder will seek their second game win when they play the reigning PBR Teams Champion Texas Rattlers, while the New York Mavericks will look for their first win when they play the 2022 PBR Teams Champion Nashville Stampede.
Oklahoma Wildcatters Defeat Reigning Teams Champion Texas Rattlers on Opening Night of League Homestand in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma Wildcatters: 248.25
Texas Rattlers: 0.00
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Wildcatters made their PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Team Series home debut in commanding form, knocking off the league’s reigning Champion Texas Rattlers by three ride scores Friday night in Oklahoma City, winning bull riding’s Red River Showdown 248.25-0. The game inside Paycom Center began in electric form. After the Rattlers’ Joao Ricardo Vieira bucked off Bruised Ego in a quick 0.96 seconds, the Wildcatters took to the chutes for the team’s first ever out in the PBR Teams league. As their Head Coach, bull riding legend J.B. Mauney, watched on, Eduardo Matos delivered a statement out, giving his team an 89.25-point lead as he covered Bangarang. Following a scoreless second, Texas began the third frame by earning re-ride following Brady Fielder’s out with MAGA. The round of outs then concluded with a Wildcatter buckoff, as Hagen Braswell came down in 1.73 seconds on Buckle Up, leaving the scoreboard unchanged. Texas continued to struggle in the fourth as Marcelo Procopio Pereira was unable to get past Flint Stone, sent to the dirt in 6.09 seconds. Reversing their momentum, the Wildcatters then delivered their second score in the bottom of the fourth. Young gun Clay Guiton topped Taz for 71 points, and after the team declined the re-ride, they grew their lead to two ride scores and 160.25 points. As a result, the Rattlers faced a must-ride position in the top of the fifth. Their hopes of a road win were dashed when closer Daniel Keeping was bucked off by Mr. Nasty in 3.18 seconds. With the win in hand, the Wildcatters punctuated their first-ever home game with a dominant final out. Anchor Cort McFadden delivered an 88-point ride on Top Dollar to grow his team’s lead to 248.25 points. The game concluded with Texas logging their fifth consecutive buckoff, marking the first time in league history they failed to convert once during a game, as Shane Scott proved no match for Hundred Bad Days, brought down in 4.18 seconds. Via the 248.25-0 win, the Oklahoma Wildcatters improved to 1-0 this season, while the Texas Rattlers are now 0-1. When gameplay continues on Saturday, July 13, Oklahoma will take on the Arizona Ridge Riders and the Texas Rattlers will play the Missouri Thunder.
OKLAHOMA CITY TEAM STANDINGS:
Here are the current Team standings for the Oklahoma City PBR Camping World Team Series event after the opening day of competition for PBR Wildcatters Days:
- Arizona Ridge Riders, 1-0-0-432.25
- Kansas City Outlaws, 1-0-0-267.25
- Missouri Thunder, 1-0-0-265
- Oklahoma Wildcatters, 1-0-0-248.25
- Nashville Stampede, 0-1-0-255
- Austin Gamblers, 0-1-0-174
- Texas Rattlers, 0-1-0-0.00
- New York Mavericks, 0-1-0-0.00
PBR TEAMS SEASON STANDINGS:
Here are the current Team standings for the regular season after the opening day of competition for PBR Wildcatters Days in Oklahoma City:
- Arizona Ridge Riders, 1-0-0-340.5
- Oklahoma Wildcatters, 1-0-0-248.25
- Kansas City Outlaws, 1-0-0-178.25
- Missouri Thunder, 1-0-0-174.75
- Nashville Stampede, 0-1-0-255
- Austin Gamblers, 0-1-0-174
- Texas Rattlers, 0-1-0-0.00
- New York Mavericks, 0-1-0-0.00
Carolina Cowboys, 0-0-0-0.00
Florida Freedom, 0-0-0-0.00
July 13 GAME SCHEDULE:
Here are the game matchups for the second day of action for PBR Wildcatters Days on Saturday, July 13:
Carolina Cowboys @ Florida Freedom
Missouri Thunder @ Texas Rattlers
Nashville Stampede @ New York Mavericks
Arizona Ridge Riders @ Oklahoma Wildcatters
Note: The Austin Gamblers and Kansas City Outlaws will have byes on July 13.
About the Oklahoma Wildcatters:
Oklahoma Wildcatters, owned by FJS Ventures and based at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, is led by Talor Gooch, a 10-season professional golfer and the 2023 LIV Golf Player of The Year, alongside Preston Lyon. Preston serves as the CEO/President of Lyon Sports Group, bringing several years of experience and a new vision of athlete representation. Gooch, born in Midwest City, Oklahoma, and a graduate of Oklahoma State, is actively involved in philanthropy through the Talor Gooch Foundation, uplifting and empowering children in Oklahoma. Lyon, beyond sports representation, engages in strategic investments, viewing his clients as more than just athletes. Lyon was born in Gastonia, NC, and now resides with his family in Charlotte, NC. Both passionate about PBR, they have chosen the Oklahoma Wildcatters as their inaugural business venture in their new partnership portfolio.
About the PBR Camping World Team Series:
The PBR Camping World Team Series is an elite league featuring the world’s top bull riders competing on teams in five-on-five games leading to a Team Championship at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. During the 2024 season, the league’s third, each of the 10 teams – Austin Gamblers of Austin, TX; Arizona Ridge Riders of Glendale, AZ; Carolina Cowboys of Greensboro, NC; Florida Freedom of Sunrise, FL; Kansas City Outlaws of Kansas City, MO; Nashville Stampede of Nashville, TN; New York Mavericks of Brooklyn, NY; OK; Oklahoma Wildcatters of Oklahoma City, OK; Missouri Thunder of Springfield, MO; and Texas Rattlers of Fort Worth, TX– will host a homestand. Neutral-site games in Anaheim, CA and Duluth, GA are planned as well.
PBR Teams, launched in July 2022, builds on the existing structure of professional bull riding with the same basic rules for judging and scoring qualified 8-second bull rides. In events staged in a tournament-style format, all teams compete in head-to-head matchups against a different opponent each day. Each game features five riders per team squaring off against another team. Full team rosters are comprised of seven riders on the Protected Roster and five Reserve riders. The team with the highest aggregate score of qualified rides among its riders is declared the winner of each game. All PBR Teams events are carried on either the CBS Television Network, streaming live on Paramount+, or Merit Street Media.
