Game Changer Wrestling Explained

Game Changer Wrestling
Formerly:Jersey Championship Wrestling (1999–2015)
Acronym:GCW
Founder:Ricky Otazu
Owner:Ricky Otazu (1999–2004, 2013–2015)
Brett Lauderdale and Danny Demanto (2015–2019)
Brett Lauderdale (2019–present)
Location:New Jersey, U.S.
Website:GCWMerch.com

Game Changer Wrestling (GCW), formerly known as Jersey Championship Wrestling (JCW), is an American independent professional wrestling promotion based in New Jersey. The promotion was originally founded by Ricky Otazu in 1999; it was rebranded under its current name in 2015, after a sale to Danny Demanto and current owner Brett Lauderdale. The promotion specializes in hardcore wrestling, as well as mixed martial arts–inspired shoot style matches.

GCW has grown from running shows based in New Jersey, to holding events across the United States, as well as internationally in Japan and Mexico. Annual GCW events include Backyard Wrestling, Bloodsport, Joey Janela's Spring Break, the Nick Gage Invitational, and the Tournament of Survival.

History

As Jersey Championship Wrestling

Jersey Championship Wrestling (JCW) was founded by independent wrestler Ricky Otazu, also known by his ring name of Ricky O,[1] in January 1999 in New Jersey.[2] [3] JCW ran their first show on January 29, 2000, in Lyndhurst, New Jersey.[4] Later that year, JCW hosted the inaugural Jersey J-Cup, which featured many of the top independent wrestlers of that period.[5] They would continue to host the tournament until 2004, when JCW was sold to rival company National Wrestling Superstars (NWS).[6]

The promotion would remain dormant for nearly a decade until September 2013 when, after the closure of National Wrestling Superstars,[7] Otazu reclaimed the rights to JCW and reopened the promotion.[6] In April 2014, JCW opened its own training school in North Bergen.[8] Later that year, JCW would return to hosting the Jersey J-Cup.[9]

2015–present: Rebranding as Game Changer Wrestling

In June 2015, Jersey Championship Wrestling rebranded itself to Game Changer Wrestling (GCW)[3] after being purchased by Brett Lauderdale and Danny Demanto.[10] Since the buyout, GCW began to predominantly feature hardcore wrestling and continued to enjoy success in the New Jersey wrestling scene. GCW became known for producing several tournaments featuring independent wrestlers; including the Nick Gage Invitational Ultraviolent Tournament,[11] the Tournament of Survival[12] and the Acid Cup.[13]

In March 2017, GCW produced Joey Janela's Spring Break show in Fern Park, Florida.[14] This would become an annual tradition for the company.[15] GCW would begin to expand throughout the United States and hosted its first show in Los Angeles in November 2018, titled To Live and Die in LA.[16] In April 2018, GCW partnered with Matt Riddle to produce Matt Riddle's Bloodsport, a show that fused professional wrestling and mixed martial arts.[17] Bloodsport would take place twice more in 2019, this time with the partnership of Josh Barnett.[18] [19] [20] [21] In August 2019, GCW embarked on a two-day tour of Japan.[22]

In December 2020, GCW attempted to end their partnership with streaming platform Independent Wrestling TV (IWTV), later moving their content to FITE TV. In 2021, IWTV sued GCW for breach of contract.[23] [24]

On January 23, 2022, GCW held the sold out The Wrld on GCW event, their debut at the Hammerstein Ballroom. The event marked the first GCW event to air on traditional pay-per-view outlets.[25] [26]

On February 7, 2022, GCW signed Nick Gage to a contract, which was referred to as "the first and only contract that GCW will offer". GCW owner Brett Lauderdale said of the contract, "This is a major milestone moment for both Nick and GCW. I have always been against the idea of contracts in GCW but there are exceptions to every rule. From day 1, Nick has put his body, and literally his life on the line for the fans inside the squared circle. He deserves, and has earned the right to be rewarded for 20+ years of hard work and sacrifice. This historic contract will do just that, allowing him to continue his in-ring career at a pace that is beneficial to his health, while beginning to focus on opportunities that take him towards the next phase of his career. GCW would not have achieved the level of success it has without Nick F'N Gage, and we are proud to be able to say that GCW will remain Nick's home for the rest of his career".[27]

On April 12, 2023, GCW announced a working relationship with Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw), which will see GCW hold their inaugural events in Germany as part of wXw's 2023 World Tag Team Festival weekend.[28]

Roster

Game Changer Wrestling's roster consists mainly of independent freelancers and wrestlers contracted to promotions like All Elite Wrestling, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, Major League Wrestling, and WWE.

Wrestlers

width=19%Ring namewidth=19%Real namewidth=27%Notes
Alan Parnell
Charles MasonUnknown
Ciclope
Tag Team Champion
Fuego Del Sol
Indie Wrestling Hall of Famer
Jimmy LloydAlso known by the ring name "Broski Jimmy"
Kerry MortonKerry Morton
Tag Team Champion
Látigo
Leon SlaterLeon Slater
Lio RushLionel Green
LuFistoGenevieve Goulet
Maki ItohMaki ItohExtreme Champion
World Champion
JCW World Champion
Matthew CardonaGCW General Manager
Deathmatch Hall of Famer
Microman
Miedo Extremo
[29] Contracted wrestler
Nicholas Finley
Joe Zimbardi
Rina YamashitaUltraviolent Champion
"Speedball" Mike Bailey
Steph De LanderStephanie De Landre
Isayah Fatu

Other personnel

width=19%Ring namewidth=19%Real namewidth=27%Notes
Referee
Owner/booker
Referee
Referee
Commentator
Indie Wrestling Hall of Famer
Commentator
Ring announcer
Video producer
Commentator
Referee
Referee
Commentator
Occasional wrestler

Halls of fame

Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame

See main article: article and Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Deathmatch Hall of Fame

YearRing name
2019Mad Man Pondo
Nate Hatred
Danny Havoc
Matt Tremont
2021Supreme
Eugene
Nick Mondo
2022Wifebeater
Toby Klein
Dewey Donovan
J. C. Bailey
2023Mike "Piss Jug Mike" Bieszck
Lowlife Louie
John Zandig
Brain Damage
2024Abdullah the Butcher
Markus Crane
Gary Walter

Championships and accomplishments

Current championships

As of,

ChampionshipCurrent champion(s)ReignDate won Days
held
LocationNotes
align=center GCW World Championshipalign=center align=center align=center 1align=center June 2, 2024align=center align=center Atlantic City, NJalign=left Defeated Joey Janela at Cage of Survival 3 after cashing in his Do or Die championship contract.align=center [30]
align=center JCW World Championshipalign=center align=center Masha Slamovichalign=center 1align=center February 10, 2024align=center align=center Jersey City, NJalign=left Defeated Jordan Oliver at Jersey J-Cup. align=center
align=center GCW Ultraviolent Championshipalign=center align=center Rina Yamashitaalign=center 1align=center August 13, 2022align=center align=center Atlantic City, NJalign=left Defeated Alex Colon at Homecoming: Part 1. align=center [31]
align=center GCW Extreme Championshipalign=center align=center Maki Itohalign=center 1align=center March 9, 2024align=center align=center Atlantic City, NJalign=left Defeated champion Joey Janela at Ashes To Ashes in a six-way scramble match also including Alex Zayne, Broski Jimmy, Jack Cartwheel, and Marcus Mathers.align=center [32]
align=center GCW Tag Team Championshipalign=center align=center Violence Is Forever
align=center 1
align=center November 4, 2023align=center align=center Atlanta, GAalign=left Defeated Los Macizos (Ciclope and Miedo Extremo) at ¿Sí Or No?.align=center [33]

Former championships

ChampionshipDate of entryFirst champion(s)Date retiredFinal champion(s)Years activeEvent
GCW Women's ChampionshipNovember 23, 2003April HunterJune 3, 2016 13 Live event
JCW Light Heavyweight ChampionshipApril 14, 2000Judas YoungApril 10, 2004Kahagas4Live event
JCW Television Championship April 14, 2000Kevin KnightFebruary 22, 2004 Moondog Wenzel 4 Live event
JCW Six Man Tag Team Championship November 4, 2000CJ Brock, Crazy Ivan, and Dave GrecoNovember 4, 2001CJ Brock, Crazy Ivan, and Dave Greco1Payback Time

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ricky O. January 6, 2020.
  2. Web site: Jersey Championship Wrestling - History. Jersey Championship Wrestling. January 6, 2020. Wix.com.
  3. Web site: Game Changer Wrestling (GCW). Cagematch.net. January 6, 2020.
  4. Web site: JCW @ Lyndhurst - January 29, 2000. January 6, 2020. Wrestlingdata.
  5. Web site: 2000 Jersey J-Cup. Tanabe. Hisaharu. NYProWrestling.com. January 6, 2020.
  6. Web site: Jersey Championship Wrestling is back!. Jersey Championship Wrestling. January 6, 2020. September 14, 2013. Wix.com.
  7. Web site: National Wrestling Superstars. Cagematch.net. January 6, 2020.
  8. Web site: JCW Wrestling school opens in April. Jersey Championship Wrestling. January 6, 2020. March 14, 2013. Wix.com.
  9. Web site: 2014 Jersey J-Cup. Cagematch.net. January 6, 2020.
  10. Web site: Game Changer Wrestling Continues to Change The Game. Last Word on Pro Wrestling. Jamie. Greer. August 11, 2018. January 6, 2020.
  11. Web site: Nick Gage Invitational Ultraviolent Tournament. Cagematch.net. January 6, 2020.
  12. Web site: Tournament of Survival. Cagematch.net. January 6, 2020.
  13. Web site: Acid Cup. Cagematch.net. January 6, 2020.
  14. Web site: GCW Joey Janela's Spring Break. Cagematch.net. January 6, 2020.
  15. Web site: JOEY JANELA'S SPRING BREAK 3, PT. 1 LIVE RESULTS. Figure Four Online. April 5, 2019. Jeremy. Peeples. April 8, 2019.
  16. Web site: Game Changer Wrestling to debut in Los Angeles in November. SoCalUncensored.com. Andrew. February 9, 2018. January 6, 2020.
  17. Web site: Matt Riddle's Bloodsport results: Matt Riddle vs. Minoru Suzuki. April 5, 2018. WON/F4W - WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, UFC News, UFC results.
  18. Web site: Josh Barnett's Bloodsport results: Minoru Suzuki vs. Barnett. April 4, 2019. WON/F4W - WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, UFC News, UFC results.
  19. News: Josh Barnett's Bloodsport Preview and Predictions. Andrew. Benjamin. Mma Sucka . April 2, 2019.
  20. Web site: Frank Mir making pro wrestling debut at Josh Barnett's Bloodsport. January 11, 2019. WON/F4W - WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, UFC News, UFC results.
  21. Web site: GCW Josh Barnett's Bloodsport 2. September 9, 2019. Cagematch.net.
  22. Web site: GCW Worst Behavior 2019. Cagematch.net. January 6, 2020.
  23. Web site: GCW Requests To Be Released From IWTV Contract, Promoter Brett Lauderdale Comments. Mandatory. December 27, 2020. January 9, 2022.
  24. Web site: GCW's Brett Lauderdale Explains Why They Moved To FITE Rather Than Stay With IWTV. Mandatory. June 8, 2021. January 9, 2022.
  25. Web site: GCW sells out tickets for Hammerstein Ballroom show. Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Currier, Joseph. November 26, 2021. January 23, 2022.
  26. Web site: The WRLD On GCW To Air On Traditional PPV. January 12, 2021. January 23, 2021. Fightful. Lambert, Jeremy.
  27. Web site: Game Changer Wrestling Signs Nick Gage To Exclusive, Multi-Year Contract. Ross Sapp . Sean. February 7, 2022 . Fightful . Sean Ross Sapp . August 18, 2022.
  28. Web site: GCW Announces Germany Debut, Teams Up With wXw For World Tag Team Festival Weekend 2023. Fightful. Tessier, Colin. April 12, 2023. April 13, 2023.
  29. Web site: Josh. Nason. Nick Gage signs exclusive, multi-year contract with GCW. Wrestling Observer Newsletter. February 7, 2022. January 9, 2023.
  30. Web site: Mance Warner wins GCW title at Cage of Survival 3. Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Brian. Rose. June 2, 2024. June 3, 2024.
  31. Web site: New GCW Ultraviolent Champion Crowned At GCW Homecoming Part 1. Robert. Defelice. Fightful. August 13, 2022. August 14, 2022.
  32. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=386023
  33. Web site: GCW ¿Sí Or No? Results (11/4/23): Brogan Finlay Says Goodbye To GCW, Santanta Jackson vs Mike Bailey. Corey. Brennan. Fightful. November 4, 2023. November 5, 2023.