Professional wrestler Kevin Nikel was shot and killed in July 2025 in the Beaver Shores area near Rogers, Arkansas. Amanda Penny, his recently divorced wife, and Michael Hogue were arrested and initially charged with murder. But the charges have since changed: KHBS reported in February 2026 that Penny’s murder charge had been dropped, while a July 29, 2026 report by PWInsider said Hogue still faced first-degree murder and a firearm charge. The accusations have not been proven in court.
Who was Kevin Nikel?
Nikel, also identified as Kevin Lee Nikel, was a professional wrestler who performed under the ring names Ivan Warsaw and Knuckles Madsen. Although the case has circulated under the phrase “WWE wrestler,” the cited local reporting identifies him as a professional wrestler; it does not establish that he wrestled for WWE.
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KHBS/40/29 News reported that Nikel was shot in July 2025 in the Beaver Shores neighborhood, a few miles east of Rogers, Arkansas, and died. The outlet described Penny as his recently divorced wife; the available local report does not verify an exact divorce date.
What did prosecutors allege?
In January 2026, KHBS reported that Penny and Hogue had pleaded not guilty. The outlet quoted Benton County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Joshua Robinson describing an argument, a confrontation and Nikel being shot. Robinson also said the affidavit indicated that Hogue pulled the trigger and that Penny would have been working with him. Those statements are the prosecutor’s account of the allegations, not findings of guilt.
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A separate account attributed to Hogue appears in a July 29, 2026 PWInsider report. As that outlet described the arrest affidavit, Hogue reportedly claimed an argument preceded a confrontation and that a gun discharged during a struggle. This is an account reported from the affidavit, not an established explanation of what happened.
How the reported charges changed
| Person | Reported status | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Amanda Penny | In February 2026, KHBS reported that her murder charge had been dropped. The outlet listed hindering apprehension or prosecution and possession of firearms by certain persons as her remaining charges. | KHBS, February 12, 2026 |
| Michael Hogue | A July report said he still faced first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by certain persons. | PWInsider, July 29, 2026 |
KHBS reported that both defendants had pleaded not guilty to murder in January 2026, before its February update on Penny’s charge. The July PWInsider report said a gag order remained in effect. The cited reports do not establish whether later hearings, rulings, charges or scheduling changes occurred.
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What is known about Nikel beyond the case?
KHBS quoted Nikel’s friend Logan Pendergraft remembering him as “like my brother” and saying they saw and spoke to each other every day. Pendergraft also recalled Nikel supporting him and building his confidence, describing him as a “better man, better dad.” These are a friend’s memories of Nikel, separate from the unresolved criminal allegations.
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