Anybody ever heard of Dueling Axes?

Popular sports bar chain closes all locations, no bankruptcy​

Sports bars, brewpubs, and craft breweries have struggled for a variety of reasons since the Covid-19 pandemic, including declining foot traffic and rising costs of products and labor, driven by inflation.

In some cases, an establishment closes for a mysterious, undisclosed reason.

Axe-throwing sports bar chain Dueling Axes has closed all of its locations as a result of circumstances outside of the company's control, according to WCMH-TV in Columbus, Ohio.



Dueling Axes closes all locations

The company did not indicate what circumstances caused it to shut down all five locations as of July 31.

A spokesperson for Dueling Axes was no immediately available for comment.

"The closures resulted from circumstances outside our control and we are deeply saddened that our eight-year journey has ended this way," Dueling Axes said in a statement. "For now, founders Paul and Jess are focused on responsibly wrapping up the company's operations and moving forward into their next chapter."

The Columbus-based axe-throwing sports bar chain has not filed for bankruptcy at last check, and the owners have not revealed their future plans.

Axe-throwing bar opened in 2018​

Dueling Axes was founded in 2018 by co-owners Jess Hellmich and Paul Sherry in Downtown Columbus. The sports bar consisted of axe-throwing lanes with targets, separated by netted barriers to protect participants, a full bar, and plenty of, mounted large format television screens for sports fans to watch their games.

The axe-throwing sports bar also opened locations in New Albany, Ohio, and Las Vegas in December 2020, Grove City, Ohio in July 2025 and Cincinnati in August 2025, according to WCMH.

The Downtown Columbus location didn't sell food, but allowed outside food to be brought in. Other locations had kitchens, such as the Cincinnati Dueling Axes, which offered axe-throwing deals with a food menu that included flatbread pizzas, Cuban sandwiches, Paninis, and appetizers such as nachos and tots, according to its website.

Farewell messages from owners​

The Dueling Axes New Albany webpage posted a closing message for customers:

"This location has permanently closed. After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to close our New Albany/Hamilton Quarter location," the message read.

"We are incredibly grateful to every guest, team member, neighbor, and partner who supported this location over the years. Thank you for choosing us for your nights out, celebrations, team events, birthdays, date nights, and everything in between.

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Just sayin': He had a great run at Ohio State, played 11 seasons in the NFL, and made over $25M in just his NFL contracts.


However, what I mostly remember mostly about him is his mother. His mother Anne Apple led an advocacy effort in January 2015 helping parents of Ohio State players secure travel stipends from the College Football Playoff to attend the national championship game.

Background on the Travel Stipend Fight

• • High Costs: Families spent thousands of dollars out of pocket to travel and watch the team play deep into the postseason.
  • The Push: Annie Apple and other football parents spoke out publicly and pressured organizers regarding the financial burden.
  • The Result: The College Football Playoff and NCAA eventually provided a travel stipend (around $1,250 per parent) to help families offset travel and lodging expenses.

Needless to say, that was years before the start of NIL......

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Just sayin': Click on the link to see he graduated today.

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He shot a disappointing 72 (+2) on his last round.
69-67-69-72 = 277 (-3) and T67; earned just $17,595.

Crazy that it's been 17 years since Carroll was at USC.

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This week’s question: Which players had the most noteworthy performances for Ohio State in Puerto Rico?​

Connor: Anthony Thompson​

Based on Adam Jardy’s reporting from San Juan and some of the clips Ohio State tweeted out this week, Anthony Thompson completely balled out in the Buckeyes’ two games.

Acknowledging that it was against inferior competition, Thompson looked like the type of player that could elevate Ohio State from a middle of the Big Ten type of team to a legitimate Big Ten contender.

In two games, Thompson averaged 13.5 points on 61% shooting overall and was 4-for-10 from three-point range. He also grabbed 13 rebounds in the two games combined, and had two steals in Ohio State’s second win of the week.

Thompson only drew one foul in Puerto Rico and was 1-for-2 at the free throw line, which means Thompson probably wasn’t getting to the basket a ton and instead was relying on his jumper. That worked well against lower level competition, but when the season actually starts, he will need to be able to use his 6-foot-9, 215-pound frame to draw fouls and wear down defenses.

Jardy reported that, after watching these two games, Thompson will need to “continue to develop from a physical standpoint.”

I think it’s super encouraging that Thompson was so efficient playing against grown men and (reportedly) did not look sped up at all playing with college teammates against professional players. More than any other player, I think Thompson’s performance this season could completely change the trajectory of Ohio State’s season.

If he is an All-Big Ten type of player, this will be Jake Diebler’s best Ohio State team by far.

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Just sayin': Under the new NCAA rule "5 in 5" Luke Montgomery now has 2 more years of college eligibility. He does have the option to play for Ohio State again in 2027 and wait for the 2028 NFL draft.

Definitely thought that Devin portaled because of minutes. This being his money year and all. But losing Devin took a big chunk of leadership and experience from this team. Hopefully, the young 'uns will season-up early, and when the going gets tough, they will rise to the occasion. This will be a young tOSU team. Maybe older players, but not so many with this team experience. Go Bucks!

This guy is gonna occupy more than one DL on every snap. He's certainly wide enough to blot out at least one of the RB 'holes'. Glad he's suited up in S&G. Go Bucks!

Mike80 said:

Steiner Math is inarguable...

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Just sayin': Apparently he played college ball at Jacksonville State; I would have though that he would have followed his old man and been a "legacy" at scUM. Anyway he plans to end up being a "legacy" in WWE.

Jacksonville State football's Brock Rechsteiner announced as part of WWE's NIL class​

“I work out with [Bron Breakker] all the time back home. I go fishing with him a lot because he moved back to Georgia. He has really convinced me to, once I’m done playing football, to get into the wrestling business,” Rechsteiner told WDSU-TV. “I want to play football for as long as I can, give it the best shot I can, but once I’m done playing football, I’ll get into it, for sure. I’ll be getting into WWE.”

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ScriptOhio said:

New Hall of Fame inductee Drew Brees reacts to his bust with former New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton looking on.

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It looks like Ben Roethlisberger with a rug.

Jagdaddy said:

It disturbs me that I remembered that guy’s name before you posted it.

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I think @Mike80 at the time found a pic of the whole Yaccobacci extended family posing under a bridge. They were just as disturbing as you can imagine.

If I remember correctly, the fake Gmail address that I created to communicate with them was "[email protected]

MD Buckeye said:

No, you're in lol. I kept first team in there and removed the other two that were added today.

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Well that's pretty weird. All I did was sign In

New Hall of Famer Roger Craig reveals dementia diagnosis​

New Hall of Famer Roger Craig revealed during his taped acceptance speech Saturday that he has been diagnosed with vascular dementia.

Craig, 66, said his doctors believe his condition came, in part, from concussions he sustained during his 11-year career as a running back. In his speech, Craig explained that "the changes were gradual" and were initially "dismissed as normal aging."

"Over time, my family noticed it too and ultimately led us to seek answers from my doctor," Craig said. "Two things can be true: Football gave me opportunities beyond anything I could imagine. It helped shape the man I became. At the same time, we know more today about brain health than when I played, and I hope sharing my story encourages people to pay attention to their health and seek help when something doesn't feel right."
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U.S. Senate adds Missouri to teams claiming 1960 national title​

Four teams had claims to the 1960 national championship in college football. The U.S. Senate is adding Missouri to that list.

Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., introduced a resolution during a meeting Thursday recognizing the Tigers for a claim to the national title. The measure was passed with no objections; resolutions don't have the force of law and by the chamber's definition reflect the Senate's "sentiments," according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Still, it adds another odd wrinkle to college football history for a sport decided by polls and rankings decades ago before the arrival of the Bowl Championship Series or today's College Football Playoff. Missouri hadn't previously claimed the 1960 team as a national champion.

Team spokesman Dave Matter didn't immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press for comment Friday afternoon.

Missouri went 10-1 on the field after beating Navy and Heisman Trophy winner Joe Bellino in the Orange Bowl. The lone loss had come to "Border War" rival Kansas in a game to decide the then-Big Eight Conference title, though the league ordered the Jayhawks to forfeit for using an ineligible player because of recruiting violations.

In a past interview with the The Post-Dispatch, author Brendon Steenbergen - who wrote a book detailing that season - said: "I've been beating the drum to try to get the university to recognize it because I think they have as much a right as anyone in the country to be national champions in 1960."

Minnesota was crowed champion by the AP and United Press International polls, though that took place before the Gophers lost to Washington in the Rose Bowl. The Football Writers Association of America voted Mississippi its post-bowl champion.

The Helms Athletic Foundation, created in 1936 to promote amateur athletics until dissolving in 1983, recognized Washington as its champion. Meanwhile, the Litkenhous Rating system chose Iowa with its mathematical formula utilizing scoring margins and opponent strength, according to The Athletic.

Swann’s way?

(For any Proust fans out there)

Login to view embedded media Katie Borchers
Women's Cross Country/Track & Field, 2012-15
Katie Borchers rewrote the track & field and cross country record books during her time at Ohio State.
Borchers is the only two-time cross country All-American in school history. She was an individual qualifier for the 2013 NCAA Championships and finished 40th. In 2014, Borchers led the Buckeyes to the program's second team appearance in the NCAA Championships and finished 34th individually. She was twice selected as an All-Great Lakes Region honoree.

In track and field, Borchers earned a spot on the All-Big Ten First Team in 2013 and All-Big Ten Second Team in 2014. Upon graduation, she held seven records (indoor 800m, indoor 1000m, mile, outdoor 800m, outdoor 1500m, sprint medley relay and distance medley relay). She is a three-time Big Ten Champion in the 800m (2014 outdoor, 2015 indoor, 2015 outdoor).

The 2015 Big Ten Medal of Honor winner also excelled in the classroom and was a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.

Login to view embedded media Oyesade Olatoye
Women's Track & Field, 2015-21
Oyesade Olatoye raised the standard for Ohio State throwers. The 2019 NCAA Weight Throw Champion tallied nine NCAA First Team All-America accolades and won seven Big Ten Championships during her time in the Scarlet & Gray. In 2019, she was named USTFCCCA Great Lakes Field Athlete of the Year and Ohio State Female Athlete of the Year. Olatoye also carved out a spot on the Bowerman watch list in 2019. She was selected as the Big Ten honoree for 2021 NCAA Woman of the Year and was a 2021 NCAA Today's Top 10 nominee.

As she wrapped up her collegiate career, Olatoye held four program records – indoor shot put (58'8"), weight throw (80'3"), outdoor shot put (58'8") and hammer throw (229'3"). She still holds the program records for the weight throw and hammer throw and ranks in the top five in program history in the discus throw (185'11").

Olatoye excelled in the classroom as a six-time Ohio State Scholar Athlete, five-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and five-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar. She received postgraduate scholarships from Wayne Duke, NCAA and Varsity O.

After competing for the United States in the 2016 IAAF World U20 Championships, she began representing Nigeria in 2019. Since then, Olatoye has secured six global medals and consistently ranks among the top hammer throw athletes worldwide. She is a 2024 Paris Olympian and currently holds a top 35 world ranking in hammer throw. Alongside her athletic pursuits, Olatoye is committed to becoming a physician, continuing her academic and professional journey.

Login to view embedded media Diane Dixon
Women's Track & Field, 1983
Diane Dixon was a trailblazer for the Ohio State women's track & field program, setting the standards for excellence in 1983. She captured the 1983 NCAA Outdoor 440y Championship after winning the Big Ten 300m indoor championship earlier that same year. Dixon holds the program records in each of those events and also ran a leg on the Ohio State record 4x400y relay squad. She continues to hold the Jesse Owens Classic and Ohio Stadium records in the 200m and 400m.

Following her time at Ohio State, Dixon went on to earn a silver medal in the 4x400m relay and compete in the 400m at the 1988 Olympics. She served as an alternate for the 1984 Olympics.

Login to view embedded media Chris Sanders
Men's Track & Field/Football, 1992-94
Chris Sanders was a dual-sport athlete at Ohio State, excelling at football and as a member of the track & field team. He earned Ohio State Male Athlete of the Year honors, across all sports, in 1994.

As a member of the football team, Sanders was a three-year starter at wide receiver, totaling 71 career receptions for 1,120 total yards and helped lead the Buckeyes to a Big Ten title in 1993. As a senior in 1994, he had 35 receptions for 533 yards and a team-leading eight touchdown receptions.

In track & field, Sanders was one of the best long jumpers – and athletes – the program has ever seen. The three-time First Team All-Big Ten selection earned a spot on the USTFCCCA All-America First Team on 10 occasions in four different events (long jump, 200m, 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay). Sanders captured six Big Ten Championships – 1992 indoor long jump, 1992 outdoor long jump and 4x100m relay, 1993 outdoor 4x100m relay, 1994 outdoor 200m and 4x100m relay. He ran a leg on the winning 4x100m relay at the 1993 Big Ten Championships that set an outdoor championship record (39.33). Sanders held the program record for the indoor long jump (26'9.75") for 34 years, a record that was just broken this season. He also ranks fourth in the outdoor long jump (26'7").