It’s Nashville’s first-ever team championship.
Nashville as a city may be booming, but as a host to professional sports franchises, we have experienced a long drought resulting in zip, zero, zilch, and nada championship trophies. Sure, the Titans, Predators, and the MLS Soccer Club have all made thrilling playoff runs, but it wasn’t until this year that the Nashville Stampede of the PBR captured a crown. They did it at the first-ever PBR Teams Series eight-team tournament held at T-Mobile Arena.
Music City now truly has a winner to call its own!
Courtesy Wrangler Network
The Nashville Stampede – competing in the groundbreaking PBR Team Series, which transformed the sport of bull riding from an individual competition into a team event – and the Stampede brought Nashville its first significant sporting national championship! Despite having a rocky regular season, concluding the year last in the standings with a 7-20-1 record, the Stampede traveled to Las Vegas determined to be the come-from-behind spoilers at the PBR Team Series Championship.
In Round 1, they first went toe-to-toe with the No. 3 Oklahoma Freedom, who they stunned 264.75-176 to advance to Round 2. They then faced a David vs. Goliath showdown with the No. 1 Austin Gamblers. Continuing their stunning performance, the Stampede knocked off the Gamblers 265-175.25 to earn the first berth in the Semifinals.
On Championship Sunday, the Stampede then went head-to-head with the No. 2 Texas Rattlers, presented by Ariat. Compliments of an early score from Joao Henrique Lucas, and a 90-point, fifth-frame ride from Kaique Pacheco, the Stampede punched their ticket to the title game with a 178.5-90.25 win.
The Stampede’s fate then came down to the Championship Game against the No. 5 Arizona Ridge Riders. Delivering three qualified rides from Ryan Dirteater, three-time World Champion Silvano Alves, and Kaique Pacheco, the Stampede defeated Arizona 264-182.75, completing their Cinderella run to be crowned the inaugural PBR Team Series Champions.
“It’s crazy,” said Nashville Stampede Head Coach Justin McBride dirtside. “I got to win two individual titles as a bull rider in this sport, and it’s nothing compared to this. The buckle is awesome, but for me, it’s about these guys who never gave up and finished on top.”
Contrary to popular lore – what happened in Vegas didn’t stay there as the Stampede made a triumphant return to Nashville on Friday, November 18, 2022, when they brought the Championship Trophy Buckle to a post-season hometown celebration at the Wildhorse Saloon, complete with great food, drink, music and even a mechanical bull so fans in attendance could test out their skills against the inaugural season champs.
Only one question remains – can the Stampede do it again in 2023?
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The article, co-authored with Laura Lynch, was published originally at MusicCityNashville.net: PBR Team Champions the Nashville Stampede Bring the Big Buckle Home to Broadway
Published at TSC at the author’s request.
Related Links: For more information on the PRB TEAM SERIES and the other organizations mentioned, please visit the following links – PBR Team Series | PBR Embraces a Thrilling New Team Spirit at Nashville Stampede Days in Music City | Wildhorse Saloon
