GCW held their Now and Forever event on Friday night in New York City, New York.
During it, Nick Gage made an appearance and issued a challenge to Deathmatch Royalty (Matt Cardona & Steph De Lander) for GCW Homecoming weekend. Cardona and De Lander attacked Gage and Itoh from behind. Cardona accepted the challenge for the event.
As seen below, Cardona made his entrance dressed as The Undertaker.
Triple Threat Match: Gringo Loco defeated Komander and Arez.
Mance Warner defeated George South.
GCW World Tag Team Championships Match: The East West Express (Jordan Oliver & Nick Wayne) (c) defeated The Bookers (Amazing Red & BXL) (w/Ultra Violette).
Singles Match: Maki Itoh defeated Billie Starkz. Post-match, Nick Gage made an appearance and issued a challenge to Deathmatch Royalty (Matt Cardona & Steph De Lander) for GCW Homecoming weekend. Cardona and De Lander attacked Gage and Itoh from behind. Cardona accepted the challenge for the event.
“Speedball” Mike Bailey defeated YOSHIHIKO.
Grim Reefer, Matt Tremont & Homicide defeated Jimmy Lloyd, Miedo Extremo & Ciclope.
GCW World Championship Match: Blake Christian (c) defeated MAO.
After decades of shady practices, bad business, and various physical and emotional trauma, professional wrestling has finally started to change for the better. A lot of that has to do with many people adopting the “leaving it better than I found it” mindset. But unfortunately, that wasn’t always the case for female wrestlers, which former WWE and Impact Wrestling star Kimber Lee experienced first-hand during her days in CZW.
While she was known as “The Princess Who Saves Herself,” Lee was fortunate enough to have people to watch her back and save her when she needed it at the very beginning of her career. During an interview with Piers Austin, she recalled her experience as the first female graduate of the Combat Zone Wrestling Academy under the tutelage of Drew Gulak.
The former WWE Cruiserweight Champion — who also trained a number of wrestlers over the years, including “Stone Cold” Steve Austin ahead of his WrestleMania comeback – put the students through the wringer and Lee emerged with a solid foundation of in-ring ability and cherished memories from that period of time.
However, it was after her graduation from the academy that things began to go downhill. That’s when the alleged inappropriate behavior of CZW promoter DJ Hyde started to become more prominent. Lee confirmed that Hyde would frequently say, as chronicled during the Speaking Out movement, that he wouldn’t hire anyone he wouldn’t have sex with.
“It was something that was said to all of us and it’s terrible,” she said. “At the time, I was a 19-year-old girl that didn’t know how to react to that and I was the only girl. There was no one to stand up for me, so I got very protective of some of the girls that came afterwards.”
Throughout his time with All Elite Wrestling, Eddie Kingston has still maintained a healthy schedule of independent shows on many weekends to complement his work on “AEW Dynamite” and “AEW Rampage.” While speaking to Marc Maron on a special wrestling-themed episode of “WTF,” Kingston discussed his reasons for continuing to work independent promotions, and shared that he usually makes a charitable donation with a significant portion of his earnings.
“I like doing the independents still,” Kingston said. “Because without the independents, I would’ve went nuts years ago. … A lot of times — well, they already announced it a couple times. I hate it when they do this. I usually will go there and do a show, but I’ll tell them, ‘Take half my money, and give it to a charity that’s local.’ And I tell them not to announce it, just do it. And they announced it anyways.” Kingston stated that he sees these donations as his way of giving back after working his way through the independents for most of his career.
Over the last year, Kingston has stayed busy working for promotions across the country such as House of Glory, Beyond Wrestling, DEFY, and Glory Pro. On top of his work with his home promotion and on the independents, the AEW star has competed for New Japan Pro-Wrestling, facing off against Tomohiro Ishii and even teaming with Kazuchika Okada to wrestle “Switchblade” Jay White and Juice Robinson of Bullet Club in October. After months of trash talk back and forth, Kingston will soon return to the promotion to face White in a singles match at NJPW Battle in the Valley on February 18.
The WWE Network and Peacock have added new independent wrestling content.
The new programming includes shows from ICW, and wXw. The shows are available to be seen at any time on-demand. Here is what was added:
ICW Fear & Loathing XIV – 11/20/22.
Kez Evans, Stevie James, Leyton Buzzard and Craig Anthony collide in an ICW World Heavyweight Championship Elimination Match. Kasey challenges ICW Women’s World Champion Molly Spartan. BT Gunn battles Jack Jester in a King of Insanity Match. Glasgow Grindhouse clash with K.O.E. for the ICW Tag Team Championship.
wXw World Tag Team Festival – Night 3 – 10/03/22.
The top teams from Group A and Group B battle for the wXw Tag Team Titles. Four women square off to determine the No. 1 Contender for the wXw Women’s Championship. Killer Kelly takes on Masha Slamovich in a wXw 16 Carat Gold Qualifying Match.
It was set to be a trip that 17-year-old prodigy Nick Wayne would never forget — venturing across the pond for the first time to perform in the United Kingdom. However, after a serious incident took place on his flight home, it will be a jaunt to remember for somewhat less expected reasons.
Wayne, along with his mother, became suspects in a potential bomb threat aboard their flight back to the United States, according to Wrestling Observer Radio. The flight, traveling from Frankfurt, Germany,to Seattle, Washington, was diverted when a bomb threat was written on a bathroom mirror. A decision was made for the plane to be diverted to Keflavik, Iceland, where the entire passenger manifest were detained, with their luggage and personal items being thoroughly searched by local authorities.
According to the Observer report, Wayne’s mother was interrogated for “quite some time” due to the fact that she had an item of make-up that could have been used to write the bomb threat in the bathroom. Wayne’s mother was said to have been “in a panic” by the whole ordeal while being detained.
The airplane, operated by Condor, was passing over Greenland at 36,000 feet, according to FlightRadar24, when the threat was discovered. It was said passengers were allowed to use bathrooms, but were not allowed to charge their phones during the process. It was noted by AirLive that an aircraft was sent later that night for the passengers to resume their journey. As of this writing, it is unclear if the passengers are still being detained, or if they have already been sent on their way across the Atlantic. Notably, Wayne retweeted a tweet this morning, which could suggest that the situation has eased somewhat.
Wayne was in the United Kingdom performing for Progress Wrestling in London, England, where he defeated Robbie X in a one-on-one match. The young upstart, who signed for All Elite Wrestling earlier this year, will also be in action this weekend during Starrcast in Nashville, TN, taking on Alex Zayne at GCW: The People vs. GCW this Friday night.
Marko Stunt wants to form a new wrestling company this year.
Former AEW performer Marko Stunt has revealed plans to start up his own promotion.
The 25-year-old left AEW this year as a result of not having his contract extended and is now wrestling on the independent scene, mostly performing for GCW. His exit from AEW hasn’t slowed him down any and he remains very active as an in-ring competitor. However, he has plans to begin working on the periphery and is looking to launch his own promotion before the end of 2022.
“I’m actually, I have my own promotion coming up around where I live in Memphis,” Stunt said during an interview with NBC Sports Boston recently. “I think we’re starting here in September. We’re still trying to come up with everything and do everything.
“We haven’t released any posters or anything. That is coming soon. I am going to be starting up a promotion here. I also help out a lot with a show in Missouri, with the booker there. I’ve been getting into that role and trying to learn that type of stuff.”
Stunt has been appointed EVP and co-booker of Cape Wrestling in Missouri since his departure from AEW.
The current NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion Matt Cardona has revealed he is going to be out of action for the near future due to suffering an injury.
The former WWE Superstar is currently enjoying a strong run right now on the independent scene where he has thrived in a variety of top promotions. Cardona is currently working with Impact Wrestling, while he is also making a big name for himself in other places such as Game Changer Wrestling and the NWA.
Unfortunately during his recent match against Blake Christian at GCW Downward Spiral on May 28, Cardona suffered an arm injury which led to him heading back to Orlando to get the situation looked at. It has now been confirmed that it is a serious issue, as he has torn his bicep.
Despite his brilliant performances as of late and his domination across a variety of different promotions, Cardona is now going to have to take some time on the shelf because his injury does require him to undergo surgery, which will then need to be rehabbed moving forward.
Cardona wrote: “Got a MRI today. Bicep is torn. Surgery needed. Will unfortunately need to cancel some dates.”
Got a MRI today. Bicep is torn. Surgery needed. Will unfortunately need to cancel some dates.
It is currently unclear the exact moment when Cardona will be medically cleared to return, and it is unknown what will be happening to his current NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship run. He was originally scheduled to defend the title at NWA Alwayz Ready against Nick Aldis on June 11, but that match is now unlikely to be taking place.
On top of that, Cardona currently holds the AIW Absolute and AIW Intense Championships, which are keeping him a busy man, but for now, his focus is going to be on returning to full health.
Indie Wrestler Logan Roettger (Logan Legit) who performed for World Wrestling Alliance (a indie promotion in Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee), who passed away due to a car accident on March 23, 2022, has given 4 others a chance at life, when his ended too soon because he was an organ donor.
Evansville, In. area Eyewitness News covered the story on their news broadcast and posted the following on the website:
POSEY COUNTY, Ind. (WEHT) — A Wadesville man who died in a car crash last month was able to save lives after his passing. According to his obituary, 28-year-old Logan Roettger was able to save the lives of four people because he was an organ donor.
His obituary says he loved making others feel good about themselves. He was an independent professional wrestler with the World Wrestling Alliance known as “Logan Legit.” He became the most loved wrestler in World Wrestling Alliance and won belts such as tag team title and WWA National Champion.
“As a friend he was irreplaceable and he was truly LOVED,” says a spokesperson for WWA. “Logan departing this world has shown light on how many people’s lives he touched.”
Logan loved to perform, living for wrestling and his fans, his obituary states. He had also styled hair for WWE and NXT women wrestlers.
A celebration of life and memorial will be held at a later date in Evansville. His family asks that instead of flowers, donations be made to the Vanderburgh Humane Society or your favorite animal shelter in his memory.
W.W.A. posted the following response on their Facebook page:
Logan Roettger was featured on the news tonight. Logan Legit was an organ donor and has given 4 others a chance at life, when his ended too soon. The W.W.A. will forever be incomplete without Logan, but we’ll never let the world forget what kind of beautiful human being he was. #wwaisnowChris Waddell
We are very sad to learn that Logan Roettger, a pro wrestler who also styled many WWE performers at his salon in Tampa, Florida, passed away due to a car accident on March 23. He was only 28 at the time of his death.
Roettger known as Logan Legit performed for World Wrestling Alliance (a indie promotion in Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee).
Wrestling promoter Chris Waddell said Roettger left his home Wednesday, March 23, 2022. Unfortunately, he was in an accident en route and was taken to a hospital in Nashville, Roettger, where he passed away.
“We spent all day with him yesterday [Thursday], and his parents flew in from Florida,” said Waddell in a video shared to Facebook. “Logan was full of life and every time he stepped in the locker room — every time — he made it a better place, a more enjoyable place,” said Waddell.
“He became the best of us, he really was Logan to me was not only my partner, but he was my best friend. He gave me tools inside to let people know who I was, who I am, and just to be a better person overall, we are broken, we are sad, I feel so, so much pain for his mom and dad.”
In addition to working as an independent talent, Roettger occasionally styled many WWE and NXT superstars at his salon in Tampa, Florida. He was also the WWA National Champion.
Waddell spoke to the WWA fans, noting that as Legit, Roettger “understood how to connect” with the audience, and drew fans and fan loyalty, and was the most popular wrestler in the company. “He lived for performing for you.”
Roettger was born October 14, 1993, and was from Posey County, Indiana, and resided in and around Evansville for most of his life.
In 2019, he started wrestling, and worked as a manager, and rose to become WWA National champion, despite his smaller size.
“Logan was full of life and every time he stepped in the locker room — every time — he made it a better place, a more enjoyable place,” said Waddell. “He became the best of us, he really was.”
“Logan to me was not only my partner, but he was my best friend. He gave me tools inside to let people know who I was, who I am, and just to be a better person overall,” said Waddell. “We are broken, we are sad, I feel so, so much pain for his mom and dad.”
Late on Friday, Waddell shared more memories of Roettger with SlamWrestling.
“We met through online dating and had our first date at a WWE house show at the Ford Center [in Evansville] in May 2019,” said Waddell. “Logan helped me build up the courage to come out as bisexual.”
“Logan and I started dating and he quickly told me about his passion for wrestling. He immediately wanted to manage, thinking he was too small to compete, but fell in love with the performance as soon as he stepped in front of our crowd,” said Waddell, who has been a wrestler and promoter for 15 years. “He started wrestling and was amazingly talented. He won our 2021 Most Loved year-end award in December and loved his fans and the industry so much.”
According to Waddell, the WWA promotion became much more “progressive and inclusive” thanks to Roettger.
By trade, Roettger was a hairdresser, after studying at TSPA Evansville Beauty School, in Indiana.
Kelsey Boles was a classmate, and they graduated at the same time. They have remained friends. She recalled Roettger excitedly letting her know when WWE wrestlers came in to get their hair done, when he worked at Monaco Salon in Tampa, Florida. “Pro women wrestlers (WWE I’m pretty sure) would come get their hair done and he was shocked and so excited that he was in a salon where they get their hair done at,” she recalled via text. “He got to do a few of the girls’ hair before. His favorite women’s wrestler at the time was Carmella.”
“He always loved wrestling,” added Boles. “He would tell me he would watch wrestling all the time growing up and still to this day did. Him and I went to a couple WWE shows together as well.”
At the time of his death, Roettger was associated with the JuniperJade Salon in Evansville.
There were many who shared their memories of wrestling Logan Legit online.
“Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to work with him. Probably the easiest match I ever had. He was my first opponent in my return to the WWA,” posted Paul Rickard.
Ian Matthew Harper had a longer post:
I always loved goofing around with Logan at shows while we were waiting on matches or segments. I’m still processing that when I go to the building, Logan isn’t going to be there to give me a hug and say something catty about the sweatpants and flip flops combo I’m usually wearing. I only got the pleasure of being involved in a handful of segments or matches with Logan including being slapped, stomping on him for real in my first battle royal on accident (that he regularly reminded me of), and finding any excuse to diss each other in front of the fans. My favorite was the last tag match I wrestled. I had a ruptured disc in my back and took a week off, but before then was my most recent WWA show and it included me managing Bo Brady and Alex Beretta against Logan Legit and CCW (Chris). We acted like buffoons that entire match and made it feel like the old Saturday morning wrestling you’d watch where the bad guys always got their comeuppance and tan away like scolded dogs. I’m blessed to have had my last memory with Logan being an entertaining one with him standing tall.
Jones Nation was one of Roettger’s wrestling trainers, and later an opponent. “When I first saw Logan he showed up before an Evansville show. I went over and introduced myself and had small talk. He was very nervous but excited to start his journey into professional wrestling. Thus the heel manager Logan Legit was born. He instantly had a knack for working the crowd,” wrote Nation. “Logan had a interest in starting to train to be a wrestler. Myself and others would teach him the ways of the business.”
Munchie Gonzalez also shared his memories: “I can’t really put much words into how appreciative I was to have you in my life. We trained together. You were involved in my first match and helped me gain confidence when I had none in myself to perform. You were one of the first to welcome me back with open arms when I came back. You were always available at 2 am in the morning to talk to when I needed someone. You were the best of us and I will miss you everyday.”
WWA presented: WWAisLEGIT (Fandemonium 2022) on Saturday, March, 26, 2022, at Veterans Memorial Coliseum (Evansville, IN).
WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett vs. Effy is now official for The Wrld On GCW.
The feud between Double J and Double F began at GCW’s Die 4 This event a few weeks back, where Jarrett made his GCW debut to interrupt a “State of Effy” speech, attacking Effy with his guitar. After a few words on social media between the two, Jarrett then appeared at GCW’s Say What You Will event this past weekend, and attacked Effy’s partner, Allie Katch, with a guitar.
Effy challenged Jarrett to a match earlier this afternoon, as seen in the Twitter video below, and now the challenge has been accepted as GCW confirmed the match this evening.
… When the man comes around… …The hairs on your arm will stand up… …At the terror in each sip and in each sup… …Will you partake of that last offered cup?… …Or disappear into the potter's ground… … When the man comes around… https://t.co/454mwZJep3pic.twitter.com/zBqPINUaoA
GCW’s The Wrld On GCW pay-per-view will be held this Sunday, January 23 from a sold out Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. Below is the updated card, along with related tweets:
GCW World Title Match Homicide vs. Jon Moxley (c)
Open Challenge for the GCW World Tag Team Titles TBA vs. The Briscoes (c)
Grab The Brass Ring Ladder Match Participants TBA Winner can choose any match at any time.
ROH World Title Match Blake Christian vs. Jonathan Gresham (c)
Jeff Jarrett vs. Effy
Matt Cardona with Chelsea Green vs. Joey Janela
Ruby Soho vs. Allie Katch
Team Bandido (Bandido, Laredo Kid, ASF) vs. Team Gringo (Gringo Loco, Demonic Flamita, Arez)
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