An update in the murder case of former WWE star Kevin Nikel.
On November 17th, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) arrested Michael Hogue and Amanda Penny on charges related to the killing of former WWE developmental wrestler Kevin Nikel, also known as Knuckles Madsen. Hogue was charged with first-degree murder, while Penny was taken in on the charge of being an accomplice to murder in the first degree. Both are facing additional charges for possession of a firearm by certain persons.
5News reports that Nikel was found with a gunshot wound along East Highway 12 near Rogers, Arkansas, on July 11, 2025, after an argument with Hogue and Penny, the latter of whom was married to Nikel for over a decade. Their divorce was said to be finalized just days before the aforementioned shooting. Nikel later died from his injuries at a nearby hospital.
“After being shot, Mr. Nikel was able to obtain the firearm and go seek help from somebody driving down the road nearby,” Benton County Prosecuting Attorney Josh Robinson said. “Unfortunately, he was not able to be saved.”
Prior to his passing, Nikel reportedly told good Samaritans and the police that Hogue had shot him. At a bond hearing on November 19, Hogue was given a bail of $750,000 due to his criminal history and the nature of the case. Penny was assigned a bail of $500,000.
Documents in the case file noted that per Nikel’s mother, Hogue was the “cohabitating romantic partner” to Penny.
WrestleZone extends its sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Kevin Nikel.
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