Game Changer Wrestling


Game Changer Wrestling is an independent professional wrestling promotion based in New Jersey, U.S.A, active since 1999. It is currently owned by independent referee Brett Lauderdale.
The promotion was founded by wrestler Ricky Otazu in 1999 as Jersey Championship Wrestling. It was renamed Game Changer Wrestling in 2015, and has transformed itself from a small regional promotion into a nationally popular company that has toured all over the United States, as well as internationally in places like Japan. The company predominantly features hardcore wrestling, and incorporates a shoot style hybrid of mixed martial arts and professional wrestling in some events.
Some of GCW's most popular annual events include Bloodsport, Joey Janela's Spring Break, Backyard Wrestling, Tournament of Survival and Nick Gage Invitational.

History

1999–2004: Early history as Jersey Championship Wrestling

Jersey Championship Wrestling 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 some of the top unsigned wrestlers of that period. They would continue to host the tournament until 2004, when JCW was sold to rival company National Wrestling Superstars. The promotion would remain dormant for nearly a decade.

2013–2015: Revival

In September 2013, 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.

2015–2017: Rebranding as Game Changer Wrestling

In June 2015, Jersey Championship Wrestling rebranded itself to Game Changer Wrestling after being purchased by Brett Lauderdale and Danny Demanto. After the buyout, GCW began to predominantly feature hardcore wrestling and continued to enjoy success in the New Jersey Wrestling scene, producing several tournaments that boasted high-level independent wrestlers, including the Nick Gage Invitational Ultraviolent Tournament, the Tournament of Survival and the Acid Cup.

2017–present: Expansion

In March 2017, GCW produced the critically well received Joey Janela's Spring Break show in Fern Park, Florida. This would become an annual tradition for the company. GCW would continue 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, a show that fused professional wrestling and mixed-martial arts rules. Bloodsport would take place twice more in 2019, this time with the partnership of Josh Barnett. GCW also entered a partnership with video-streaming service FITE TV to exclusively stream GCW events. In August 2019, GCW embarked on a two-day tour of Japan.

Championships

Former championships

Championship history

GCW World Championship

Combined reigns

†Indicates the current champion
+Indicates the reign is changing daily
<1Indicates that the reign lasted less than one day.

As of ,.
Rank WrestlerNo. of
reigns		Combined days
†+
<1