FORT WORTH, Texas – This weekend’s Michelob ULTRA PBR Houston is very much centered around 40-some of the most talented bull riders on the planet.

But when you consider the Fort Worth-based organization is set to pit the Texas Rattlers against the Austin Gamblers in H-Town as the Texas-centric showdown entertains thousands Friday night to close out the Round 1 action in 6 vs. 6 style …

… it’s kind of hard not to look forward to the two most recent PBR Camping World Team Series Champions renewing their rivalries via the most recent installment of Texas Cup competition during this weekend’s Monster Energy Team Challenge (METC). 

RELATED: Monster Energy Team Challenge preview: Austin Gamblers vs. Texas Rattlers 

While the teams will merely be fighting for their prized series trophy and bragging rights, their Friday night outs 100% still count towards the weekend’s event leaderboard. And with stars like Dalton Kasel, Sage Steele Kimzey, Kaique Pacheco set to be featured in the team vs. team showdown, fans are going to be in for quite the in-state battle!

Of course, the Rattlers’ Brady Fielder is coming off his first win of the season last weekend in Chicago, while it was the Gamblers’ Lucas Divino which captured the big showcase in the Big Apple the weekend prior, which means a member from the two Texas-based contingents have successfully captured the tour’s two most recent showdowns. 

Throw in a surging veteran talent like Joao Ricardo Vieira, who’s piecing together some quality stretches lately, and it’s easy to see why this weekend’s METC is the star of the show.

RELATED: What to Watch For: Joao Ricardo Vieira inking PBR record books as the legend rides on

2025 PBR Unleash The Beast Standings: 
1. John Crimber (447 points)
2. Dalton Kasel (349 points)
3. Brady Fielder (305 points)
4. Lucas Divino (266.5 points)
5. Sage Steele Kimzey (264.75 points)
6. Julio Cesar Marques (261.33 points)
7. Cort McFadden (248.75 points)
8. Derek Kolbaba (220 points) 
9. Anderson de Oliveira (217.5 points) 
10. Andrew Alvidrez (192.75 points)

Yet, it’s No. 1 John Crimber who continues to lead the pack into the Week 9 showdown, officially 98 points ahead of No. 2 Kasel after producing a 3-for-3 effort last weekend in Chicago. 

RELATED: 2025 Unleash The Beast Game Notes: Houston 

And he’s got the chance to extend said advantage during his Round 1 dance with Mr. Right Now, while Kasel prepares for a rematch effort aboard Coach during Friday’s METC action. 

Lineups and draw are in for the ninth of 23 regular season Unleash The Beast showdowns, so we’re taking a closer look at Friday night’s matchups, rematches and everything you need to know ahead of the weekend’s opening slate!

With the premier series primed to invade Houston, Texas, Jan. 17-18, we’re breaking down starting lineups for competition inside Toyota Center (With coverage set to begin at 8 p.m. CT via PBR’s YouTube channel and Ride Pass on Pluto TV).

PBR HOUSTON STARTING LINEUPS 
Leonardo Castro vs. Show Off
Luciano De Castro vs. Short Fire
Conner Halverson vs. Hang ‘em High
Andrew Alvidrez vs. Fatal Attraction 
Manoelito de Souza Junior vs. Redwing 
Adriano Salgado vs. Quick Show 
Felipe Furlan vs. Buzz 
Dawson Branton vs. Levy 
Eduardo Aparecido vs. Rock ‘n Roll
Rogerio Venancio vs. Good Riddance 
Jake Morinec vs. Modified Ride 
Vinicius Pinheiro Correa vs. Mo Money 
Clay Guiton vs. Sam’s Shot 
Paulo Eduardo Rossetto vs. Chain Up 
Elizmar Jeremias vs. Abracadabra 
Trace Redd vs. Yahoo
Mason Taylor vs. Buck Nasty 
Kaiden Loud vs. Rooster’s Melt Down
Alan de Souza vs. Sucker Pop
Thiago Salgado vs. Oyster Creek Brawler 
Daylon Swearingen vs. Taylor’s Cowtown Throwdown 
Koltin Hevalow vs. Foul Motion 
Sandro Batista vs. Woody 
Keyshawn Whitehorse vs. Let’s Roll
*Julio Cesar Marques vs. Walk Hard 
Anderson de Oliveira vs. El Sicaro 
Austin Richardson vs. Constant Payne 
Derek Kolbaba vs. Cash On Black 
Cort McFadden vs. Rockabilly 
John Crimber vs. Mr. Right Now
Brady Fielder vs. Lap Dance (METC)
*Dalton Kasel vs. Coach (METC)
Daniel Keeping vs. Whiskey Business (METC)
Kaique Pacheco vs. Ridin’ Dirty (METC)
Claudio Montanha Jr. vs. Interstate Daydream (METC)
Dener Barbosa vs. Mike Honcho (METC)
Callum Miller vs. Drago (METC)
Lucas Divino vs. What’s Poppin (METC)
Braidy Randolph vs. Little Country (METC)
Ramon de Lima vs. Bad Chad (METC)
Joao Ricardo Vieira vs. Fast Flow (METC)
*Sage Steele Kimzey vs. Electric Kitty (METC)
*Denotes Rematch
(METC) = Monster Energy Team Challenge matchup

REMATCHES
Dalton Kasel vs. Coach (90.25 points in Ontario, California) 
Julio Cesar Marques vs. Walk Hard (3.83 seconds in Wichita, Kansas)
Sage Steele Kimzey vs. Electric Kitty (6.75 seconds in Sacramento, California)

OUT DUE TO INJURY/OTHER
Jose Vitor Leme (injury)
Hudson Bolton (injury)
Cassio Dias (injury)
Vitor Losnake (injury)
Eduardo Matos (injury)
Ky Hamilton (injury)
Nick Tetz (injury) 

FOLLOW ALONG
This weekend’s PBR Houston showcase in Houston, Texas, is set to begin Friday, Jan. 17 at 7:45 p.m. CT as the best bull riders in the world prepare to put on a show inside Toyota Center.

Competition is set to conclude Saturday, Jan. 18 at 7:45 p.m. CT with Round 2, followed by the short go as riders look to make their time count down south one night before the Houston Texans prepare to take on the Kansas City Chiefs during the National Football League’s (NFL) Playoffs.  

All three rounds of action in Houston will be available LIVE and FREE on RidePass on Pluto TV, PBR’s YouTube channel, PBR’s mobile app, PBR’s app on connected TVs, including Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, and Google TV, as well as on your favorite web browser at watch.pbr.com. The stream for PBR Houston begins on Friday, Jan. 17, at 8 p.m. CT.

Fans can keep an eye on PBR.com and @PBR social media channels for the latest news, scores, wrecks and more! 

Photo courtesy of Josh Homer/Bull Stock Media