Missouri Thunder clinch No. 1 seed in first-ever Monster Energy Team Challenge Championship

After going 4-0 in the Monster Energy Team Challenge (METC), the Missouri Thunder have clinched the No. 1 seed in the tournament’s semifinals set for Albuquerque (March 27) and Billings (April 17).  

The Thunder will play a team to be named in Albuquerque at The Pit.  The Austin Gamblers (3-1) also clinched a spot in the METC Championship. The Florida Freedom (3-1) and Kansas City Outlaws (2-1), who are in action in Indianapolis (March 20) have the highest mathematical probability to qualify for the final four showdown.

Rossetto (Photo submitted)

“All our guys are trying to perform their best when wearing the Thunder colors, and I have to tip my hat to Paulo Rossetto for his dedication and commitment, single-handedly winning three of our four game victories, and to Kade Madsen who won the other game,” said Missouri Thunder General Manger Luke Snyder. “There’s a little bit of pressure off knowing we’ve done our job, having gone 4-0, and we now have our sights set on Tacoma (for the METC Championship).”

The Monster Energy Team Challenge is a new PBR Teams showcase held during the 2026 PBR Unleash The Beast (UTB) season, bringing a new layer of competition and added intensity to spotlight PBR Teams competition. During 10 UTB events, teams compete in two head-to-head games, featuring 4-on-4 rider matchups for a total of 16 outs per event.  The results of these 20 games determine teams that advance to the METC Championship for a chance to host the coveted METC Trophy.  Winning riders will also receive silver spurs from Montana Silversmiths.

The METC Championship will be held in Tacoma (April 24), the final stop of the 2026 Unleash The Beast regular season. The top teams will battle in head-to-head 7 x 7 format in each playoff game in an elimination format to determine the METC champion.

About the Missouri Thunder:

Under the leadership of General Manager Luke Snyder and Head Coach Ross Coleman, the Missouri Thunder is owned by Johnny Morris, noted conservationist and Founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops. Since getting his start in 1972 by selling fishing tackle out of the back of his father’s store, Morris has earned a reputation as one of the most visionary and influential retailers of the last 50 years. Today he is known as a retail and travel destination pioneer, as the company provides customers with unmatched offerings spanning premier destination retail, outdoor equipment manufacturing, world-class resort destinations and more.