A number of athletes are currently refusing to compete until Engin Terzi returns

The Transfer of Ownership: Why Engin Terzi Sold East Versus West to Robert Baxter

Engin Terzi, a long-standing figure in arm wrestling, made the decision to sell East Versus West, stating that he had already brought the organization to a "really high point" and that taking it to the "next level" would require greater exposure for arm wrestling in North America. It was Engin's idea to sell, not Robert Baxter's, and he specifically offered it to Robert because he trusted him and recognized Robert's reputable standing and long-time involvement as an accomplished arm wrestler in the community. Robert Baxter, a seven-time world champion in arm wrestling, was initially in Istanbul to pull at an East Versus West event when he realized Engin was under significant stress. Robert suggested that for Engin's health, it might be beneficial to let go of the organization. Ultimately, Robert viewed the purchase as an opportunity to turn his passion for arm wrestling into a full-time endeavor.

Dexter Tan, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of EVW Sports, who co-owns several companies with Robert Baxter and has a background in running large events, joined the team after Robert approached him about the acquisition of East Versus West and King of the Table. Tan's responsibilities include managing the media side, the EVW sports app, social media, merchandising, and planning venue operations and run-of-show for events.

Baku Event in Limbo as Top Pullers Refuse to Compete

The current reluctance of some athletes to participate is directly impacting event planning, such as the proposed event in Baku, Azerbaijan. The organization is struggling to secure a headliner match, which is crucial as roughly 80% of pay-per-view revenue is attributed to only about 20% of the matches. While a proposed date of September 27th for Baku was considered to avoid conflict with the WS walls event on the 20th, the turmoil within the arm wrestling world regarding athlete departures is a significant factor. Dexter Tan explicitly stated that "there is a number of athletes who's refusing to pull until [Engin] is back."

Robert Baxter, despite being soft-spoken, is described as an "extremely intelligent guy and a world-class puller." EVW Sports aims for athletes to realize that Robert has "no intention to only favor" specific athletes like Devon Larratt, or any other, and that there is "no bias any whatsoever" in rule changes. Regarding Devon Larratt, it has been clarified that he is not an owner of East Versus West; his role is the same as other top athletes like Levan Saginashvili or Ermes Gasparini, with the only difference being his outspoken and flashy character. EVW Sports has not used its official channels to defend or specifically support Devon, indicating he is not treated differently from other athletes. Furthermore, no rule changes have been made in favor of or against any specific athlete or style, such as the King's Move, since Robert Baxter took over. The rules, largely based on WAF standards with some adjustments for entertainment and faster event flow, are expected to be published with accompanying explanatory videos before the Colorado event.

Bridging Continents: EVW Sports Commits to Global Armwrestling

EVW Sports acknowledges the importance of having events in both continents to grow the sport and bring it to more audiences globally, including Asia, India, and Australia. The organization also emphasizes its commitment to paying all athletes regardless of event profitability, and has even taken on the responsibility of paying athletes owed money by Core Sports (the previous owners of the King of the Table brand) by deducting those payments from future installments to Core Sports.

The challenge of securing athlete commitments due to Engin's absence is a complex issue, especially for events planned in locations like Baku, where the concept is to feature "East versus West" matches, not just Western pullers. The organization is trying to establish trust with athletes and demonstrate its commitment to fair play and the growth of the sport.