The World Team Trials are back, and the hype is real! The 2024 Senior World Team Trials are set for September 14-15 in Omaha, Nebraska. Wrestlers are ready to bring their A-game and fight for a chance to secure their spot at the World Championships. It’s shaping up to be an intense wrestling battle, and everyone’s gearing up for some epic action on the mat!

Amid the star-studded lineup, two names shine brightest and are returning to the squared circle—Jordan Burroughs and David Taylor. Burroughs is stepping back into the 79 kg category, while Taylor is gearing up in the 92 kg class. Fans are buzzing to see if these two legends can once again claim their spots on Team USA. It’s the epic return of champions and a major déjà vu, nearly a decade later, with the world watching to see history repeat itself!

The r/wrestling subreddit recently threw it back to 2017, the last time Jordan Burroughs and David Taylor both made it to the World Championships—though in different weight classes. That year, Burroughs clashed with his US Open rival Kyle Dake at the US World Team Trials. Despite dropping the first match of their best-of-three, tied at 6–6, he came roaring back with commanding victories in the next two rounds, sealing the spot with 8–4 and 6–2 decisions.

Meanwhile, Taylor blazed his way to the World Team Trials finals, dominating ’16 US OTT Greco-Roman champ Joe Rau, ’12 Junior World Championship runner-up Pat Downey, and three-time NCAA All-American Nick Heflin. He secured his place in the best-of-three finals, where he squared off against Olympic bronze medalist J’den Cox. What a ride it was!

As the hype builds, the post asked fans, who’s ready for this epic comeback? One fan couldn’t hold back their excitement, dropping the perfect comment: “Would be insane! One last team with two freaking goats of my generation.” And honestly, how could they not be considered GOATs? Burroughs grabbed Olympic gold in 2012, while Taylor dazzled with his gold medal at the 2020 Games.

These two have shared an epic rivalry both on and off the mat, and with their return, the wrestling community is buzzing! Fans everywhere are chiming in, hyped for what’s shaping up to be yet another thrilling chapter in their ongoing saga!

Wrestling fans go crazy over the epic return of American legends Jordan Burroughs and David Taylor

After the Reddit post dropped, fans quickly flocked to the comments to share their excitement! One user said, “Right now, it’s within the realm of possibility that we see JB vs Sidakov & Magic Man vs Sadulaev in the World Finals. And that makes me so. Damn. Happy.” They added, “For both the US and Russia, no less!” The hype is real. On one side, you’ve got Zaurbek Sidakov, the reigning Olympic champ at 74 kg and a three-time World Champion. On the other, Abdulrashid Sadulaev, one of the most dominant freestyle wrestlers around. It’s going to be epic!

Another fan jumped in, replying,

“Perfect storm, UWW and every wrestling fan across the world should be hoping for them all to be there!” And honestly, who wouldn’t? A face-off between the American World Champions and the Russian giants is going to be something truly special. The ultimate clash of titans, with the best of the USA going head-to-head with Russia’s wrestling powerhouses—it’s bound to be legendary!

In 2021, the wrestling world was treated to the long-anticipated clash between Jordan Burroughs and David Taylor in the FloWrestling Burroughs vs. Taylor showdown. For months, these two titans exchanged jabs on social media, but the real sparks flew when they finally faced off on the mat. Taylor came out strong, holding a 1-0 lead into the second period and stretching it to 4-0. Just when it seemed like the match was sealed, Burroughs made an epic comeback, tying the score in the final moments. But with the match ending 4-4, Taylor claimed victory on criteria, marking his first win over Burroughs in five encounters.

Both wrestled at 74 kg for a while, but after Burroughs secured Olympic gold in 2012, he dominated the weight class. Their rivalry saw four previous meetings, all won by Burroughs, with this bout being their first since 2014. In 2015, Taylor made the move up to 86 kg. As the dust settled on this epic contention years ago, one fan couldn’t help but comment looking at their present-day form saying, “I have much higher hopes for DT than I have for JB. Don’t be wrong. I love JB and love to see him do well. I just expect more out of DT at this point.”

Yet, let’s not forget about Zahid Valencia, the two-time NCAA Division I national champ and three-time Pac-12 Conference champion.

“I wouldn’t count out Zahid against DT. Should be a fun bracket to watch,” said another fan. If Taylor advances out of Saturday’s preliminary rounds, he will face 2023 World bronze medalist Zahid Valencia in a best-of-three finals series on Sunday with the world championships spot at stake.

The wrestling world is buzzing with excitement as these two titans prepare for their latest déjà vu moment! Fans can’t stop talking about the possibility of Taylor and Burroughs both making it to the World Championships again. We’re just as hyped! What do you think? Will these two legends share the spotlight on Team USA once more? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!