The 24-For-24 Story: The Super Bowl Of Armwrestling Comes To Arkansas And Crowns Monster Michael Todd A 24-Time World Champion

On June 6, 2026, Little Rock, Arkansas, ceased being merely the capital city of Arkansas and became, for one unforgettable day, the armwrestling capital of the world.

For decades, Arkansas has produced champions in football, basketball, baseball, and track and field. But this weekend, the Natural State welcomed something it had never hosted before: East Vs. West 24, an ecosystem of sporting success that I call the "Super Bowl of Armwrestling."

And the story could not have been scripted any better.

The headline attraction featured Arkansas icon Monster Michael Todd (MMT) competing for a world championship on his home turf. When the dust settled inside the Statehouse Convention Center, the hometown hero stood victorious, capturing his 24th world championship in front of family, friends, and fans in the state he proudly calls home.

It was 24 for 24.
East vs. West 24 delivered Monster Michael Todd's 24th world title.

As a former amateur armwrestler myself, I have attended competitions in multiple states over the years. What I witnessed in Little Rock was unlike anything Arkansas sports fans have ever experienced. The global elite of armwrestling converged on Arkansas.

The legends were here. The champions were here. The fans showed up, and the monster showed off. History was made.

Among those in attendance were some of the biggest names the sport has ever produced. John Brzenk, widely considered the greatest armwrestler of all time. Devon Larratt, arguably the most recognizable armwrestler on the planet. And Levan Saginashvili, the reigning super heavyweight king and one of the most dominant competitors in modern armwrestling history.

For one weekend, Little Rock was no longer simply a Southern city.

It became the center of the armwrestling universe.

Monster Todd's victory was about more than a championship belt. Following the match, he gave thanks to East vs. West 24 CEO, Robert Baxter, for helping build the premier armwrestling promotion in the world. More importantly, Todd gave glory to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, telling the audience that he was merely a "vessel" being used for a greater purpose.

His words reflected the spirit of Philippians 4:13:

"For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."

For those who have followed Todd's career, the verse fits. Through injuries, setbacks, criticism, and comebacks, he has remained one of the most resilient competitors the sport has ever seen.

His journey also mirrors Proverbs 16:3:
"Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed."

For decades, Todd has invested in growing armwrestling through training systems, events, athlete development, and community outreach. East vs. West 24 represented the culmination of years of work by athletes, promoters, sponsors, and fans who believe armwrestling deserves a bigger stage.

Perhaps most fitting was James 4:10:
"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor."

Instead of celebrating himself, Todd thanked God, his supporters, Robert Baxter, Arkansas fans and supporters, and his best friend and wife, Rebecca Todd.

Known throughout the armwrestling world as "Mrs. Monster," Rebecca Todd is a respected nurse, former national champion, and CEO of Monster Factory 2.0. Their partnership has become one of the sport's most recognizable success stories and serves as a reminder that championships are rarely won alone.

The event itself demonstrated something Arkansas sports fans have known for years: this state can host world-class events.

Thousands of fans attended a card featuring elite international competitors from around the globe. The atmosphere was electric. The audience was diverse. Families, longtime armwrestling enthusiasts, and first-time spectators filled the venue.

The turnout should serve as a wake-up call to sports promoters everywhere. Armwrestling is no longer a niche activity confined to garages, gyms, and local tournaments. It is a legitimate international combat sport. And after what happened in Little Rock, the argument for armwrestling's future inclusion in the Olympic Games deserves serious consideration.

What other sport allows competitors in their teens, twenties, forties, fifties, and beyond to compete at elite levels?

What other sport combines strength, technique, leverage, strategy, endurance, and experience quite like armwrestling?

Monster Michael Todd, now a 24-time world champion just shy of his 53rd birthday, provides part of that answer.

This weekend was not simply a victory for Todd. It was a victory for Arkansas. It was a victory for East vs. West. And it was a victory for the future of armwrestling. As someone who helped promote awareness of this event and witnessed it firsthand, I can say with confidence that Arkansas sports history was made. East vs. West 24 was not merely another sporting event. It was a declaration that Arkansas belongs on the global combat sports stage.

For official match results, title changes, rankings, and future event announcements, readers are encouraged to visit the official East vs. West platform. The streets of Little Rock may be quiet again today. But for one weekend in June, they echoed around the world. And something tells me this is only the beginning.

Yes, monsters do exist. This one just won another world title, not just for himself, but for the United States and the global sport of arm wrestling. Thanks, East vs. West, and congrats to all of the winners.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Edmond W. Davis is a social historian, journalist, professor, and documentary host. Davis is the founder of the National HBCU Black Wall Street Career Fest. This native of Philadelphia, PA, his wife, and his son currently live in the Little Rock, Arkansas, area. Davis is committed to cultural empowerment and educational equity through storytelling and civic engagement. In 2026, Davis was a grand marshal at the 38th Annual African American History Month Celebration Parade, the largest in the U.S. during Black History Month.