The GCW Championship changed hands during Part 1 of GCW's Homecoming weekend.
Last month, Cardona attacked Gage at GCW's Zombie Walk show, appearing under a hood, tricking the audience into believing Jon Moxley was in the ring. Before this encounter, the former WWE Superstar had spent weeks calling out Gage on social media. Gage responded in turn, attempting to get his hands on Cardona at a live podcast event. Soon after it was announced that they would face off at Homecoming with Gage's title on the line.
The two had a back and forth battle at Homecoming, with Cardona dominating the early stages of the match. Eventually, however, Gage took control and tortured Cardona with slams through glass, light tubes smashed over his back, and pizza cutters dragged across his forehead.
CUT THAT MOTHER FUCKER UP #GCWHomecoming pic.twitter.com/h0cr02yByQ
— The Tripping Balls Demographic (@IsThisWrestling) July 25, 2021
At one point, Chris Jericho's entrance music, Judas, played, causing some chaos in the Showboat Hotel. Gage is set to face Jericho on the upcoming episode of AEW Dynamite. The person who came out was nobody of note, though. Moments later, 44.OH! came out, but Gage fought them off. Rickey Shane Page, the man Gage won the title from, then seemingly came to his defence. He quickly turned on Gage, allowing Cardona to retake control of the bout and score the pinfall victory.
And neewwwww GCW WORLD CHAMPION! Matt Cardona! #GCWHomecoming pic.twitter.com/Yh0H7e4g6S
— Mike Fager (@MiracleMichaelM) July 25, 2021
Cardona was showered with pelted with trash by the audience as he posed with the belt before hightailing it out of the venue.
Watch until the end. I’ve never seen someone happier @TheManAdamVan #GCWHomecoming pic.twitter.com/5gQLAqgS36
— Brett Miles (@brettxedge570) July 25, 2021
Earlier in the day, Cardona tweeted that if he won tonight, fans could start calling him “MR. GRAND SLAM CHAMPION” Matt Cardona.
For full results from GCW Homecoming: Part 1, click here.
