The WRLD on GCW. The first rule of show business is to “know your audience.”And Game Changer Wrestling does just that. When NYC’s Hammerstein Ballroom sells out almost immediately before a lineup is even announced with ticket prices reaching as high as $200 ringside, they most certainly are a hot property. And the 2,000 plus rabid fans were on fire for this Pay Per View before the first blow was even thrown.
As I had never seen GCW, didn’t know too many of their wrestlers or any of the angles, I grew curious based on their growing reputation alone.
This is my reaction to the January 23rd show and my ratings for the PPV:
The WRLD on GCW
Grab The Brass Ring Ladder Match: PCO vs. G-Raver vs. Tony Deppen vs. Jordan Oliver vs. Jimmy Lloyd vs. Alex Colon vs. AJ Gray:
Some great spots, but a lot of awkward ones as well. The “Hey, we’re waiting – leap on us already” moves came one after another and required a whole lot of suspension of disbelief. It began to feel more like a stunt show than an actual wrestling match. And the willingness to take punishment does not alone make a match. This bout peaked early and ran too long. PCO and Jordan Oliver are world-class talents who would have been far better served in singles matches showcasing their talents. 3*
The WRLD on GCW
Team Bandido (Bandido, Laredo Kid, ASF) vs. Team Gringo (Gringo Loco, Demonic Flamita, Arez):
Best match of the night with some great moments and Lucha moves. 3 ½*
The WRLD on GCW
Blake Christian vs. Lio Rush:
Both are excellent athletes. Solid bout. But nothing I’ll remember years from now. 3*
The WRLD on GCW
Matt Cardona with Chelsea Green vs. Joey Janela:
If Vince McMahon on RAW booked a match where everybody and their mother got on the mike, hit each other with stuff, and 137 wrestlers did surprise run-ins he would have been panned mercilessly by this very same crowd.
If memory serves there was Swoggle, Virgil (AKA Vincent), Sabu, Bill Afonso, Sam Stackhouse, Brian Myers, Marko Stunt, Sean Waltman/X-Pac, the recently laid off Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, Rin Tin Tin, Dolemite, Betty White and the biggest pop of the night was for Meatloaf returning as a Walker. Or something like that. It was just wildly overbooked and grew more absurd throughout. Even worse, the match itself got lost in all of it and these guys can wrestle. 2 ½*
Ruby Soho vs. Allie Katch:
Good and fine but nothing special. 2 ½*
Jeff Jarrett vs. Effy:
More schtick than an actual match. 2 ¾*
GCW World Championship Match:
Jon Moxley vs. Homicide:
Homicide is one of my all-time favorite wrestlers and I’ve pretty much followed him his entire career going back to his Dog House days under promoter Bobby Lombardi. The Shield is one of my favorite tag teams. So, I was chomping at the bit for this one. While very good, I’ve seen both in far better including Homicide in ROH in that very building. 3 ½*
The WRLD on GCW
Open Challenge for GCW World Tag Team Championship:
The Briscoes vs. Matt Tremont & Nick Gage (w/Dewey Donovan):
More an appearance than a match. They clunked each other with stuff. Then they threw each other through stuff. Then it abruptly ended. That pretty much sums it up. I went to ROH for years seeing the Briscoes here and this would qualify for the worst match I’ve ever seen them in and don’t get me wrong- I love “Dem Boys.” 2 ½*
The WRLD on GCW Wrap Up:
When all is said and done, just like WWE or pretty much any promotion this was a mixed bag PPV. I’m sure the fans left happy and satiated from all the carnage and will be chomping at the bit for a return, but there wasn’t a truly great match in the lot. A great atmosphere and the religious fervor of a crowd can only go so far. But will they be able to expand their audience with this package?
I’d also like to mention that although I’m not offended by the language whatsoever, the 100th or so F-Bomb from the announce team, wrestlers, ring announcer, and the crowd is the law of diminishing values. And, sorry, a play-by-play team calling a heel a “fuckhead” isn’t edgy- it’s 6th grade. By the way, not everybody needs mike time either. A ring announcer in a T-Shirt, jeans, and sneakers looked like every other kid in the audience and doesn’t work for me either, but what do I know?
In short, more quality wrestling, and less carnage and promos would be the tweak I’d need to buy a ticket. And while this old-school fan may not be their target audience, they’d do well to study ROH Nigel McGuiness era cards in that very same building. Breaking tables and doors can only take you so far.
Off the top of my head, a Jordan Oliver-Homicide match would be classic. Jeff Jarett vs. PCO would be old school and work. Moxley vs. PCO would be a rough physical bout. Or other matches in this vein. Shoot higher because like ECW when they graduated to that 3rd flaming table, it became the law of diminishing values. Great wrestling ultimately wins over all.
All in all, the show was a colorful mix and I do wish them nothing but success in the future. The more options wrestling fans have, and the more avenues of work that wrestlers have, the better it is for the entire community.
With a few changes, Game Changer Wrestling can be a leader in the industry.
*****
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