Game Changer Wrestling (GCW) has reacquired a big piece of its history.
The promotion has announced that they have purchased the rights to the Jersey Championship Wrestling (JCW) brand as well as their video library from its founder, Ricky Otazu.
JCW operated initially from January 1999 until 2004, at which point they were sold and remained dormant for nearly a decade. Otazu would reclaim and reopen the company in 2013, before selling it once again in 2015, this time to Brett Lauderdale and Danny Demanto. They would change the name from JCW to GCW.
For this venture, Lauderdale (now the sole owner of GCW) partnered with Adam Abdalla, the President of New York-based arts and entertainment marketing agency Cultural Counsel and publisher of Orange Crush: The Journal of Art & Wrestling.
A relaunch event has been scheduled for May 1, 2021, at the Showboat in Atlantic City, New Jersey at 3 PM. It will be part of a double-header event along with Ashes to Ashes and will stream live and for free on YouTube. Announcements regarding the card will be made over the next few weeks.
Brett Lauderdale issued the following statement to Fightful:
"I am excited to have a chance to bring back a classic brand and at the same time offer more opportunities to what is an ever-expanding wealth of young and hungry independent wrestling talent."
The full press release can be seen below:
GCW ANNOUNCES PURCHASE OF JERSEY CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING
New Jersey, March 14, 2021 - Game Changer Wrestling today announced the purchase of the rights to the Jersey Championship Wrestling (JCW) brand and video library from their original owner, Ricky O.
Effective immediately, Game Changer Wrestling promoter Brett Lauderdale will be reviving JCW, the lineal predecessor to GCW, with a relaunch event on May 1, 2021 at the Showboat in Atlantic City, NJ at 3 PM, joining Game Changer Wrestling's "Ashes to Ashes" for a doubleheader. JCW's return will be broadcast LIVE and FREE on YouTube.
Partnering with Lauderdale on the Jersey Championship Wrestling revival is Adam Abdalla, President of New York-based arts & entertainment marketing agency Cultural Counsel and publisher of Orange Crush: The Journal of Art & Wrestling.
Jersey Championship Wrestling, which rebranded as Game Changer Wrestling in 2015, was a breeding ground for such stars as Joey Janela, Chris Dickinson, Santana, Ortiz, and many more. The relaunched JCW, like the original, will bring together the best young independent starts in the Tri-State area with their counterparts from around the country.
"GCW has developed a reputation for finding the "next" big independent wrestling stars and introducing them to a national audience. This is something I am passionate about, and take a lot of pride in," said GCW owner Brett Lauderdale. "Before GCW was GCW, it was JCW, and through its landmark event The Jersey J-Cup, numerous careers were made, changing the game for so many talented performers. As indie wrestling gears up for its return in 2021, I am proud to lead a team of motivated and passionate people that will bring JCW back and provide a platform for a generation of hungry young talents."
Talent announcements for May 1st will be made over the next few weeks.
Follow Jersey Championship Wrestling on Twitter at @JerseyCW for all the latest news.
Fightful will keep you updated should any additional information on the sale or event become available.
