FORT WORTH, Texas — When you’re fighting for one of the last five spots up for grabs at the 2025 PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast — Championship, it’s not about what you’ve done this season.
 
Specifically Wednesday night inside Cowtown Coliseum, it was about what you can do with two outs amidst the pressure of the “ride or go home” showcase. 

Able to effectively block out the bright lights despite the appearance serving as his outright Unleash The Beast debut, Maverick Smith put on his shades and rode.

Lights out. 

“It feels great – Coming in here and doing my job, that’s what it’s all about,” the Missouri Thunder rider shared following his productive debut.

“I’m just focusing on the basics, really. Riding the bulls that are under you, that’s the most important thing. Staying calm and focused.”

Making it seem easy despite it being his first time giving it a go within the Monster Energy-sponsored tour, Smith bested both of his opponents on the opening night of Ride For Redemption suspense. 

Scored a quality 87.5 points during his dance with Johnny Rocket during the opening round, he jumped to the top of the event leaderboard via his flashy introduction.

Staying perfect on the night, he solidified the opening session win courtesy of a 76.75-pointer after surviving the requisite 8 atop Whiskey Trip. Initially offered a re-ride, Smith declined the additional opportunity in lieu of his guaranteed spot to compete during Thursday’s final “ride or go home” showcase. 

While the 21-year-old gained some valuable experience riding as a regular in PRCA events this season, he plans to focus on PBR moving forward, which he’s excited for.

A fair sentiment after being just one of two men to produce 2-for-2 slates Wednesday night.

Outscoring 2022 PBR Rookie of the Year Bob Mitchell by two points in the aggregate, it was a big night for the youngster. 

Whether the appearance at the first of two middle stage showcases officially counts as a World Finals appearance or not can be debated, but we know showing up to the Championship finale May 17-18 would very much appear on any rider’s resume.

RELATED: Maverick Smith, Bob Mitchell, Murilo Henrique de Oliviera, Yan Victor Cunha and Callum Miller Advance to Second Night of PBR World Finals – Ride For Redemption on May 15 at Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas

Of course, it sure felt like a World Finals atmosphere Wednesday night inside the historic venue thanks to a rowdy crowd and a quality showing from the cowboys. 

It’ll take another few more conversions for a young kid like Smith to officially claim a spot inside AT&T Stadium come Thursday.

And while he didn’t have any friends or family in town for the mid-week event, there’s a good chance his parents would be joining tens of thousands of fans inside Jerry World come Saturday night if he were to make some noise some Thursday’s finale. 

His one other appearance at a PBR event this season (a Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour showcase in March) resulted in a fifth-place finish, so he’s got a decent track record against top-tier bovines lately.

Set to spend his second PBR Camping World Team Series season with the Missouri Thunder, it’s only right his Head Coach Ross Coleman was the one who reached out and extended the squad’s team invite to the up-and-coming talent.

 
“My coach, Ross Coleman, and (General Manager) Luke Snyder asked me if I wanted to be here, so I took the opportunity. I’m thankful for them for thinking of me and it worked out,” Smith said.

“Those guys are great guys to surround yourself with and I think they’re going to make me a lot better of a bull rider.”

Getting invited to the big dance by your new coach is a confidence-booster, for sure.

But suiting up for your home state team on the biggest stage in the business had to have checked some boxes just the same. 

Originally drafted No. 21 overall by the New York Mavericks during the 2024 PBR Teams New Rider Draft, he put any potential revenge narratives to rest ahead of the camaraderie-driven league’s approaching fourth season. 

Of course, he’s got two more bulls to ride Thursday, and potentially another stop along the way, before he can worry about training camp or anything other than World Finals.

“I enjoyed my time there (New York) and for all Kody (Lostroh) did for me but I’m ready to get after it this summer,” he said.

“I try to just keep (the pressure) to the side. Just stay calm and stay focused on your bull, each bull, and hopefully it’ll work out.”

Set to join Mitchell, Murilo Henrique de Oliveira, Yan Victor Cunha and Callum Miller Thursday night inside Cowtown Coliseum during the second night of double-round action, we’re THAT much closer to knowing the final roster of 25 endgame talents. 

Regardless of how or which final five cowboys ride their way into this weekend’s 2025 PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast — Championship, we know one HELL of a party and competition await! 

Photo courtesy of Bull Stock Media