The July killing of former WWE developmental talent Kevin Nikel has taken a major turn, as the U.S. Marshals have confirmed the arrests of two suspects—one of them Nikel’s own ex‑wife.
According to officials, both were taken into custody on November 17, 2025, bringing a tragic case back into the spotlight. Nikel, known to wrestling fans as Ivan Warsaw and Knuckles Madsen, died on July 11 after being found with a gunshot wound to the abdomen in Rogers, Arkansas. He was transported to the hospital but later passed away. He was only 41 years old.
The U.S. Marshals Service announced that Michael Hogue has been charged with 1st Degree Murder, while Amanda Penny, Nikel’s ex‑wife, has been charged with Accomplice to Murder in the 1st Degree. Both are also facing weapons-related charges. The statement released by the Marshals reads:
“On November 17th, the U.S. Marshals Service arrested Michael Hogue in Fort Smith and Amanda Penny in Rogers, AR. Hogue was wanted for 1st Degree Murder and Penny for Accomplice to Murder in the 1st Degree… Both had additional charges for possession of a firearm by certain persons.”
Nikel’s mother, Susan Kinderman, spoke with CBS affiliate THV11 and confirmed that Amanda Penny was Nikel’s ex‑wife—and their divorce had only been finalized days before his death. According to Kinderman, investigators believe her son may have been lured into meeting with Penny and Hogue shortly before the shooting.
“There was some kind of an argument. Maybe there was texting going back and forth. I think they enticed Kevin to meet up with them. I was told by the detectives that there was some kind of altercation. Shots were fired, and Kevin was killed, and that’s all we really know.”
Kinderman gave more background on the pair’s relationship, explaining that Nikel and Penny first met in high school.
“She was his first friend that he met in high school. They were dating, then they got married. They were happy for a long time, and then I guess they started to grow apart… Kevin took a job where he could be gone two weeks at a time, and things just progressively got worse, until they divorced.”
The Marshals say both suspects were arrested simultaneously:
“They were both located simultaneously in the River Valley and Northwest Arkansas on Monday around 4:30 pm.”
Nikel—who once held a WWE developmental deal in 2012—wrestled across Texas, Arkansas, and Memphis through 2024, even headlining TCW shows against Jerry Lawler. His wrestling career had continued long after his WWE exit, making him a familiar face on the Southern independent circuit. Kinderman said her priority now is finding out why her son was killed.
“I just hope that we have a lot of answers… I want to make sure we know exactly what happened and why. I would like to hear it from them… we’ll just have to see how that comes out.”
This case remains active, and with both suspects now in custody, more information is expected to surface as prosecutors move forward.
How do you feel about the shocking developments in this case? Do you think justice is finally on the way, or is there still more to uncover about what really happened that night? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
November 19, 2025 1:05 pm