AJ Ferrari had one goal ahead of his showdown vs Stanford University’s Nick Stemmet on November 1: Take his win streak to a blistering 22 after a fatal accident rendered him out of the mat for three years, and help revive what he called a “dying sport”. And, boy, did he do it in style…With questions pondering over his comeback and no squad to join, the NCAA Division I national champion returned as a Cal State Bakersfield member, and thwarted his opponent—who’s a two-time NCAA Qualifier who came into the weekend ranked #18 in the country—with a 5-0 victory. 

Following the win, the Bakersfield wrestler went out on social media, posting a snapshot of him doing a split in the middle of the Stanford ‘S’ symbol while performing the Double Birds. However, amid the long caption, what caught the community’s attention was a heart-wrenching reality: “Fans and spectators need to see that wrestling is a dying sport, and that stuff like this gives our sport the attention it deserves‼️” While the wrestler’s comment aimed to bridge the gap between the sport and its seemingly dwindling spectators, it was a special occasion for Ferrari, too, especially after his career was thought to be over.

For the unversed: The 23-year-old, an Oklahoma State University wrestler back then, and track athlete Isai Rodriguez met with an accident in January 2022. According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Ferrari was driving his 2019 Dodge Durango with Rodriguez as his passenger on Highway 33 near Perkins, Oklahoma, when he “attempted to pass 3 vehicles while cresting a hill”. Ferrari’s SUV hit an oncoming vehicle, and overturned several times before coming to rest in a ditch. The cause of the collision was listed as “passing in a no-passing zone”. The 2021 NCAA champion sustained internal injuries in his arms, legs and head, and was released two days later. While, ideally he’d be eligible to compete pretty soon, his road to achieving glory was further marred by allegations of sexual assault, prompting Oklahoma State head coach John Smith to dismiss him…

His case was dismissed a year later, with Ferrari joining the Cal State University Bakersfield (CSUB) wrestling team this year—finally restarting his redemption arc, further publicized by Nick Stemmet’s public disses. “Why don’t you pick on someone your own size??” began the Stanford athlete on Instagram on October 22, while tagging Ferrari. 

On November 1st I will face the corniest and hor****t 197 pound wrestler of all time. He’s been away for a while, and I plan on spoiling his big return. I promise to actually try this time, and show him that 3 years of crime and snapchat is not a recipe for success. When I win you are banned from emojis for LIFE and you have to change your handle to @mrslowtwitch,” he further wrote referring to his opponent’s Instagram handle @mrfasttwitch, before adding, “Also, the series will be tied, so we will have to settle things like men. May I suggest a cage match in the Spring? No rules and no time limits (I’m going to bring my sword).”

Well, a sword won’t be required anymore, as not only did Ferrari clinch that win, but he also made sure to clap back brutally.

Ferrari gets the last laugh

“Mr. Fast Twitch is preparing a comeback to take back his throne. “There’s a lot of talk about some little punk kid Carter Starocci bumping up. A safe recommendation for Carter is to stay down at 174 or 184 pounds – don’t come up to 197 pounds – you can’t handle this horsepower,” wrote AJ Ferrari against the 2022  U23 World bronze medalist on Instagram igniting a feud.

However, it wasn’t long before Starocci hit back. On September 9 this year, he wrote: “Been focused on training, recovery, and business recently, but here we are again…. Another has been ncaa champ that needs added to my collection…I know you’re broke, desperate..Lawyers are expensive so let’s put it all on the line. Winner takes the entire match purse. On top of that we each put up 300k. Winner takes all . Loser goes back to talking sh*t on social media…190lbs. You started it, I’ll finish it. Agree to my terms and I’ll smash your face in.”

And then in comes Stemmet with his own challenge. Tagging Starroci in his Instagram post challenging Ferrari, he wrote,

“It’s okay @carterstarocci I accept his challenge on your behalf.” Well, we all know how that went. And, as expected, the recent victor isn’t going to let this opportunity go by.

Adding a new twist to the tale, the wrester clapped back. “Ferrari🏎️ vs. Stemmet🐐did not disappoint, and Nick Stemmet’s trash talk 🗣️, call out 🫵, and hype along with AJ Ferrari’s theatrics is so appetizing and under-appreciated by fans,” he wrote. Additionally, when a fan commented, “Damn, I thought he majored him before,” AJ replied, “This time I skunked him 🖐️to Nada 🤫,” referring to his 5-0 victory.

Handing out an impressive defeat, Ferrari’s performance in the match was an answer to the trolls and poking comments made against him by the Stanford wrestler on social media. Following his disqualification from the Soldier Salute tournament and a possible hint at making his future in MMA, the recent win adds a valuable achievement to his comeback career. Do you agree?