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.
24-949: 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 NGI, and the Tournament of Survival. 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
48-648: A Bloodsport event. The trophy was awarded to Lindsay Snow. Bloodsport Women's Tournament Josh Barnett's Bloodsport 4 took place on February 13, 2021, at Electric Pony Studios in Los Angeles , California . Josh Barnett's Bloodsport 5 took place on February 20, 2021, at Electric Pony Studios in Los Angeles , California , only a week removed from Bloodsport 4. Josh Barnett's Bloodsport 6 took place on April 8, 2021, at The Cuban Club in Tampa , Florida . Josh Barnett's Bloodsport 7 took place on October 22, 2021, at
72-465: 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 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. On January 23, 2022, GCW held
96-554: A style that mimics the early days of MMA and catch wrestling . It is common for Bloodsport competitors to have some knowledge in other combat sports and/or MMA, as well as professional wrestling, as these one on one matches often appear stiff and have a feel of a classic Shoot-style wrestling fights. Matt Riddle's Bloodsport took place on April 5, 2018, at Pontchartrain Convention & Civic Center in Kenner, Louisiana . The main event
120-644: The Roulette Intermedium in New York City , New York . Josh Barnett's Bloodsport XII took place on November 24, 2024, at the White Eagle Hall in Jersey City , New Jersey . Game Changer Wrestling Game Changer Wrestling ( GCW ), formerly known as Jersey Championship Wrestling ( JCW ), is an American independent professional wrestling promotion based in New Jersey . The promotion
144-465: The Jersey J-Cup. 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
168-710: The Marion Country Fairgrounds Coliseum in Indianapolis, Indiana . The event was held as part of the Collective 2020 weekend. It was originally scheduled to be held on April 2, 2020, at The Cuban Club in Tampa, Florida , but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Florida . The event included an inaugural Bloodsport Women's Tournament, which was the first professional wrestling tournament to ever be held at
192-436: The NGI, and the Tournament of Survival. 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
216-596: 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
240-577: 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 To Live and Die in LA. In April 2018, GCW partnered with Matt Riddle to produce Matt Riddle's Bloodsport ,
264-871: The Ukrainian Culture Center in Los Angeles , California . Josh Barnett's Bloodsport 8 took place on March 31, 2022, at Fair Park in Dallas , Texas . Josh Barnett's Bloodsport 9 took place on March 30, 2023, at the Ukrainian Culture Center in Los Angeles , California . Josh Barnett's Bloodsport X took place on April 4, 2024, at Penn's Landing Caterers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania . Bloodsport Women's Tournament Josh Barnett's Bloodsport Bushido took place on June 22, 2024, at Ryōgoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan . Bloodsport Bushido Tournament Josh Barnett's Bloodsport XI took place on July 28, 2024, at
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#1733086212891288-653: The United States and hosted its first show in Los Angeles in November 2018, titled To Live and Die in LA. 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 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. On January 23, 2022, GCW held
312-513: 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
336-467: 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
360-408: 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
384-594: 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". 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 October 29, 2024, Nick Gage, GCW's sole contracted wrestler, announced that he
408-495: 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". 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 October 29, 2024, Nick Gage, GCW's sole contracted wrestler, announced that he
432-464: 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. 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
456-493: 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
480-429: 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
504-414: 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
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#1733086212891528-535: Was departing GCW. As of December 1, 2024 GCW Bloodsport GCW Bloodsport is a professional wrestling event held by the American promotion Game Changer Wrestling (GCW). This event consists of a unique ruleset compared to a traditional pro wrestling event, in that every match must end in either a knockout or submission. The traditional wrestling ring is replaced by a ring canvas with no ropes or turnbuckles. This event features worked shoot matches in
552-489: Was originally booked as a match between Low Ki and Matt Riddle , but the former was replaced by Minoru Suzuki prior to the event. Josh Barnett's Bloodsport took place on April 4, 2019, at White Eagle Hall in Jersey City, New Jersey . Josh Barnett's Bloodsport 2 took place on September 14, 2019, at The Showboat in Atlantic City, New Jersey . Josh Barnett's Bloodsport 3 took place on October 11, 2020, at
576-514: 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 ,
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