GCW has shown a willingness to work with promotions all around the world, co-promoting shows with DDT Pro Wrestling, PROGRESS Wrestling, and Tokyo Joshi Pro. The promotion has also utilized talents from AEW, NJPW, and ROH as its established itself as the premier independent company.
In 2024, GCW and WWE got on the same page with WWE talent being used for Josh Barnett's Bloodsport during WrestleMania weekend.
"So the first time it was surprising to me because Josh is such an interesting guy. I remember when Josh told me that he was friends with Nick Khan the first time and I was like, ‘Oh, he probably met him some at some time.’ Like, you know how we all say we're friends with somebody because we had a good conversation with somebody once or a couple of times and I was like, ‘Oh, that's cool.’ But I didn't realize he meant like, no, he's like friends with Nick Khan, like he's actually like, they talk to each other, they hang out. I didn't realize that. That's legit," Lauderdale told Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp.
He continued, "Josh has a relationship with Nick Khan and Triple H and others where he actually can directly go right to the top and say, ‘Hey, do you think we could use one of these people or is there anybody who you guys would be willing to let us use or want us to use for the upcoming Bloodsport?’ I mean, there's a little more to it. Once they say yes or offer a name. there's some processes that have to be completed, but there is no send an email into the void and hope somebody sees it and replies to you. He can go right to the top and get an answer."
Charlie Dempsey, Shayna Baszler, Julius Creed, and Brutus Creed have all competed at Bloodsport events.
Speaking about working with other independent promotions and promotions overseas, Lauderdale said, "Again it all goes back to, as I told you earlier, I want GCW to have a presence all over the world. I want fans all over the world to know us and to bring GCW to places where it's never been before. Part of that is growing, is building relationships with other companies all over the world. That's with companies like DDT and Progress and Tokyo Joshi Pro and so on and so forth. I've always made it clear. it doesn't have to be a one-way street. I'm happy to help bring all these other companies to the United States as well, and spread wrestling together. At the end of the day, this independent wrestling thing, we're all on the same team, whether we want to believe it or not. So when, when indie wrestling is good, it's good for indie wrestling."
AEW talent MVP is set to headline Bloodsport XII on November 24 when he faces Barnett.
GCW will return to the Hammerstein Ballroom on January 19, 2025 for The People vs. GCW.
Fans can watch the full interview with Lauderdale in the video above.
