Topline: Amanda Penny and Michael Hogue face first-degree murder charges in the fatal shooting of Kevin Nikel.
Published: November 22, 2025 8:00 am ET
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Left: Amanda Penny, Center: Micheal Hogue, Right: Kevin Nikel (via Benton County Sheriff’s Department/Facebook)
ROGERS, AR — Amanda Penny, the ex-wife of former professional wrestler Kevin Nikel, and her boyfriend, Michael Hogue, were arrested and charged with first-degree murder in Nikel’s July shooting death.
Nikel, 41, competed in WWE NXT from 2012 to 2013 under the ring name Knuckles Madsen. He later founded the Ozark Wrestling Academy and the Ozark Mountain Wrestling promotion. His death shocked the local wrestling community.
The homicide occurred three days after Nikel and Penny finalized their divorce on July 8, court records cited by the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette show.
Penny, 40, and Hogue,51, are romantically involved according to court documents. Investigators have focused on the relationship dynamics between the three, though no motive has been publicly confirmed. Penny and Nikel share an eight-year-old son.
Authorities said Nikel was found July 11 with a gunshot wound to the abdomen along an Arkansas highway. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The Benton County Sheriff’s Office has not released details about the circumstances of the shooting.
Hogue and Penny were arrested on Nov. 17 by the U.S. Marshals Service. They were charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by certain persons. The firearm charges indicate one or both suspects are legally barred from owning a weapon.
Penny and Hogue appeared before a judge Nov. 19 for a bond hearing. Hogue’s bond was set at $750,000, while Penny’s was set at $500,000. Penny’s public defender told the court she is seven months pregnant and under a doctor’s care, the Democrat Gazette reported. Both remain in custody at the Benton County jail.
Nikel’s mother, Susan Kinderman, told 5NEWS, ”We still don’t know exactly what happened when he got shot,” adding that detectives have been “pretty close lipped on that, which is good.”
“It’s been a fight for four months to get these two people arrested,” Kinderman continued. “We’re hoping to actually find out what happened, and we will find out what happened. So, we’re a little relieved.” She noted Nikel and Penny were high school sweethearts and married for 13 years.
If convicted, Penny and Hogue face up to life in prison. Their next court appearance has not been scheduled. The Benton County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate, and details about the weapon used have not been released.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Ex-Wife, Boyfriend Charged in Killing of Former WWE Wrestler Kevin Nikel
Amanda Penny and Michael Hogue face first-degree murder charges in the fatal shooting of Kevin Nikel.
By Kate Byrd
Published: November 22, 2025 8:00 am ET
Left: Amanda Penny, Center: Micheal Hogue, Right: Kevin Nikel (via Benton County Sheriff’s Department/Facebook)
ROGERS, AR — Amanda Penny, the ex-wife of former professional wrestler Kevin Nikel, and her boyfriend, Michael Hogue, were arrested and charged with first-degree murder in Nikel’s July shooting death.
Nikel, 41, competed in WWE NXT from 2012 to 2013 under the ring name Knuckles Madsen. He later founded the Ozark Wrestling Academy and the Ozark Mountain Wrestling promotion. His death shocked the local wrestling community.
The homicide occurred three days after Nikel and Penny finalized their divorce on July 8, court records cited by the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette show.
Penny, 40, and Hogue,51, are romantically involved according to court documents. Investigators have focused on the relationship dynamics between the three, though no motive has been publicly confirmed. Penny and Nikel share an eight-year-old son.
Authorities said Nikel was found July 11 with a gunshot wound to the abdomen along an Arkansas highway. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The Benton County Sheriff’s Office has not released details about the circumstances of the shooting.
Hogue and Penny were arrested on Nov. 17 by the U.S. Marshals Service. They were charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by certain persons. The firearm charges indicate one or both suspects are legally barred from owning a weapon.
Penny and Hogue appeared before a judge Nov. 19 for a bond hearing. Hogue’s bond was set at $750,000, while Penny’s was set at $500,000. Penny’s public defender told the court she is seven months pregnant and under a doctor’s care, the Democrat Gazette reported. Both remain in custody at the Benton County jail.
Nikel’s mother, Susan Kinderman, told 5NEWS, ”We still don’t know exactly what happened when he got shot,” adding that detectives have been “pretty close lipped on that, which is good.”
“It’s been a fight for four months to get these two people arrested,” Kinderman continued. “We’re hoping to actually find out what happened, and we will find out what happened. So, we’re a little relieved.” She noted Nikel and Penny were high school sweethearts and married for 13 years.
If convicted, Penny and Hogue face up to life in prison. Their next court appearance has not been scheduled. The Benton County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate, and details about the weapon used have not been released.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Ex-Wife, Boyfriend Charged in Killing of Former WWE Wrestler Kevin Nikel
Amanda Penny and Michael Hogue face first-degree murder charges in the fatal shooting of Kevin Nikel.
By Kate Byrd
Published: November 22, 2025 8:00 am ET
Left: Amanda Penny, Center: Micheal Hogue, Right: Kevin Nikel (via Benton County Sheriff’s Department/Facebook)
ROGERS, AR — Amanda Penny, the ex-wife of former professional wrestler Kevin Nikel, and her boyfriend, Michael Hogue, were arrested and charged with first-degree murder in Nikel’s July shooting death.
Nikel, 41, competed in WWE NXT from 2012 to 2013 under the ring name Knuckles Madsen. He later founded the Ozark Wrestling Academy and the Ozark Mountain Wrestling promotion. His death shocked the local wrestling community.
The homicide occurred three days after Nikel and Penny finalized their divorce on July 8, court records cited by the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette show.
Penny, 40, and Hogue,51, are romantically involved according to court documents. Investigators have focused on the relationship dynamics between the three, though no motive has been publicly confirmed. Penny and Nikel share an eight-year-old son.
Authorities said Nikel was found July 11 with a gunshot wound to the abdomen along an Arkansas highway. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The Benton County Sheriff’s Office has not released details about the circumstances of the shooting.
Hogue and Penny were arrested on Nov. 17 by the U.S. Marshals Service. They were charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by certain persons. The firearm charges indicate one or both suspects are legally barred from owning a weapon.
Penny and Hogue appeared before a judge Nov. 19 for a bond hearing. Hogue’s bond was set at $750,000, while Penny’s was set at $500,000. Penny’s public defender told the court she is seven months pregnant and under a doctor’s care, the Democrat Gazette reported. Both remain in custody at the Benton County jail.
Nikel’s mother, Susan Kinderman, told 5NEWS, ”We still don’t know exactly what happened when he got shot,” adding that detectives have been “pretty close lipped on that, which is good.”
“It’s been a fight for four months to get these two people arrested,” Kinderman continued. “We’re hoping to actually find out what happened, and we will find out what happened. So, we’re a little relieved.” She noted Nikel and Penny were high school sweethearts and married for 13 years.
If convicted, Penny and Hogue face up to life in prison. Their next court appearance has not been scheduled. The Benton County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate, and details about the weapon used have not been released.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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