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 Canada, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, and Mexico. Annual GCW events include Backyard Wrestling, Bloodsport, Joey Janela's Spring Break, the NGI, 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, in January 1999 in New Jersey. JCW ran their first show on January 29, 2000, in Lyndhurst, New Jersey. Later that year, JCW hosted the inaugural Jersey J-Cup, which featured many of the top independent wrestlers of that period. They would continue to host the tournament until 2004, when JCW was sold to rival company National Wrestling Superstars (NWS).
The promotion would remain dormant for nearly a decade until September 2013 when, after the closure of National Wrestling Superstars, Otazu reclaimed the rights to JCW and reopened the promotion. In April 2014, JCW opened its own training school in North Bergen. Later that year, JCW would return to hosting the Jersey J-Cup.
2015–present: Rebranding as Game Changer Wrestling In June 2015, Jersey Championship Wrestling rebranded itself to Game Changer Wrestling (GCW) after being purchased by Brett Lauderdale and Danny Demanto. 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, the Tournament of Survival and the Acid Cup.
In March 2017, GCW produced Joey Janela's Spring Break show in Fern Park, Florida. This would become an annual tradition for the company. GCW would begin to expand throughout the United States and hosted its first show in Los Angeles in November 2018, titled Joey Janela's LA Confidential. In April 2018, GCW partnered with Matt Riddle to produce Matt Riddle's Bloodsport, a show that fused professional wrestling and mixed martial arts. Bloodsport would take place twice more in 2019, this time with the partnership of Josh Barnett. In August 2019, GCW embarked on a two-day tour of Japan.
In August 2018, GCW began simulcasting their events on both IndependentWrestling.tv (IWTV) and Triller TV, then in December 2020, GCW moved to end their partnership with IWTV, later moving their content exclusively to Triller TV. In 2021, IWTV sued GCW for breach of contract. An out of court settlement was reached that involved GCW producing a series of 8 events exclusively on IWTV, dubbed the "Settlement Series", they were primarily afternoon events held prior to major JCW and GCW shows, and featuring younger low card talent.
In May 2021, Lauderdale relaunched the JCW name as a separate brand, holding smaller events in the afternoon of major GCW shows, and utilizing more younger and unknown talent that have not yet debuted for GCW.
On October 14, 2021, GCW announced that they would be launching a west coast companion brand called "LA Fights" and confirmed that they would hold the first event under the brand on November 28, 2021.
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.
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".
In October 2022, Lauderdale signed a guaranteed rights deal with Triller TV to become a part of Triller's new subscription based service "Triller TV+", moving GCW events from a PPV business model to a monthly subscription based model. The promotion became the most prominent wrestling company to be featured on Triller TV+.
GCW returned to Japan in September 2022 with 3 sold out shows in conjunction with Pro Wrestling FREEDOMS, they returned again in 2023 for 2 tours, and debuted in Korakuen Hall on October 12, 2023 with "The Wrld on GCW 2023", streaming the event live on Triller TV, GCW thus became the first American wrestling company to ever broadcast live from Korakuen Hall. Subsequent Japan events have been held in conjunction with DDT Pro-Wrestling, including a return to Korakuen Hall on July 30, 2025.
On April 12, 2023, GCW announced a working relationship with Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw), which saw GCW hold their inaugural events in Germany as part of wXw's 2023 World Tag Team Festival weekend.
On September 14, 2024, GCW began a partnership with the Detroit-based promotion Juggalo Championship Wrestling in which the two promotions would have a feud which concluded at JCW vs. GCW: The 2 Day War at the 2025 Gathering of the Juggalos.
On October 29, 2024, Nick Gage, GCW's sole contracted wrestler, announced that he was departing GCW. Nick returned to GCW on May 2, 2026 at their "One Night Only" event at the 2300 Arena.
Roster
Wrestlers Ring nameReal nameNotesCharles MasonUnknownJCW World Champion CiclopeWWE ID prospectJimmy LloydJoseph SawyerWorld ChampionKJ OrsoGCW World Tag Team ChampionLátigoMaki ItohMaki ItohWWE ID prospectDeathmatch Hall of FamerMiedo ExtremoJoe Zimbardi Rina YamashitaGCW World Tag Team ChampionSidney AkeemSteph De LanderStephanie De LandreUltraviolent Champion
Referees Ring nameReal nameNotesSenior referee
Broadcast team Ring nameReal nameNotesCommentatorIndie Wrestling Hall of FamerCommentatorRing announcer CommentatorCommentatorCommentatorJCW CommentatorCommentator CommentatorOccasional wrestler
Other personnel Ring nameReal nameNotesOwner / BookerOperations ManagerGraphic DesignerVideo ProducerEP / Head of ProductionProduction AssistantProduction Manager
Halls of fame Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame
Deathmatch Hall of Fame Year Ring name2019Mad Man PondoNate HatredDanny HavocMatt Tremont2021SupremeEugeneNick Mondo2022WifebeaterToby Klein Dewey DonovanJ. C. Bailey2023Mike "Piss Jug Mike" BieszckLowlife LouieJohn ZandigBrain Damage2024Abdullah the ButcherMarkus CraneGary Walter20252 Tuff TonyJeff CannonballMean And Hard (Mean Mitch Page and Rollin' Hard)Scrawny Shawny2026Megumi KudoIcemanDysfunctionMasashi Takeda
Championships and accomplishments
Current championships As of , Championship Current champion(s)ReignDate won DaysheldLocationNotes GCW World Championship Joseph Sawyer 1 August 15, 2026 Atlantic City, NJ Defeated Atticus Cogar at GCW Homecoming Weekend: Night 1 JCW World Championship Charles Mason 1 February 7, 2026 Jersey City, NJ Defeated defending champion Billie Starkz in what was also the finals of the 2026 Jersey J-Cup tournament. GCW Ultraviolent Championship Vipress 1 September 12, 2026 Los Angeles, California Defeated Otis Cogar at No Signal in the Hills Pt. 5 GCW Tag Team Championship KJ Orso (pictured) and Sam Stackhouse 1 August 15, 2026 Atlantic City, NJ Defeated Bustah and the Brain (Alec Price and Jordan Oliver) at GCW Homecoming Weekend: Night 1
Former championships ChampionshipDate of entryFirst champion(s)Date retiredFinal champion(s)Years activeEvent GCW Extreme Championship September 13, 2013 Bandido Jr. January 19, 2025 Matt Tremont 12 The People vs. GCW GCW Women's Championship November 23, 2003 April Hunter June 3, 2016 Deonna Purrazzo 13 Live eventJCW Light Heavyweight Championship April 14, 2000 Judas Young April 10, 2004 Kahagas 4 Live event JCW Television Championship April 14, 2000 Kevin Knight February 22, 2004 Moondog Wenzel 4 Live eventJCW Six Man Tag Team Championship November 4, 2000 CJ Brock, Crazy Ivan, and Dave Greco November 4, 2001 CJ Brock, Crazy Ivan, and Dave Greco 1 Payback Time
Notes
References
External links
Game Changer Wrestling Results GCW Fans message board