An Awesome Return: GCW Homecoming 2020
Lio Rush returned to independent wrestling.
Game Changer Wrestling returned to New Jersey at the Atlantic City Boardwalk for its Homecoming Weekend from July 25-26. For those of you in the loop, GCW has become arguably the hottest independent wrestling promotion in North America. Full of variety, its shows are always a blast, and GCW Homecoming 2020 was no different.
Before I start this review proper, I want to thank FITE TV for allowing me to review this show (with my friends at @BBGWrestling) and help promote the GCW product further. I want to thank my good friend Kane Wharton (@Kane_B13) for allowing me to share his exclusive photos from this event for my review. Lastly, I want to thank the staff at GCW for continuing to produce shows during this pandemic. The safety of the fans, wrestlers and staff is paramount, and that is truly refreshing given the current state of the world right now.
As there is a lot to cover in these two shows (over 15 matches clocking in at over six hours combined!) I am going to cover specific matches and points which really stuck out to me:
The Venue
The promotion’s unofficial trademark, GCW always runs events in unique venues, such as the Garden Pier. The ocean in the background of the hard-cam shots, along with the lampposts and the boardwalk pier, made this show feel fun. As I mentioned in my verbal review, I’d much rather watch a show outside with fans than inside an empty arena.
The Big Names
When it comes to bringing in big wrestling talent, GCW always comes up trumps. GCW Homecoming 2020 was no different, featuring the return of ACH and the debut of the greatest wrestler of our times from DDT Wrestling, Yoshihiko!
Upcoming Talent
One of the reasons I love independent wrestling is because you get to see so many fresh faces ready to make a mark in the industry. You can then see them grow and follow them on their journey to the big-time stages of WWE, NJPW or AEW. These two shows allowed so much fresh talent to shine through, and I’m so pleased with their progress. Lee Moriarty, Tre Lamar, the U.K.’s own Benjamin Carter and the star of the weekend Calvin Tankman, all got to show the world just what they can do.
Rickey Shane Page (and the 44OH!)
Nowadays, heels rarely generate the amount of hatred they deserve to get. This is partly due to fan expectations and restrictions from promoters (after all, you want to make money, not push people away from your product). Of course, AEW star and GCW alumni MJF has managed this balance beautifully, generating hatred from the crowd at every show he appears. But just tipping him off his perch, Rickey Shane Page and his heel stable 44OH! create more “white heat” than any other wrestlers in years. RSP’s facial expressions, mic skills and mannerisms just make you hate him so much, and every time his name is mentioned or (heaven forbid) he comes out at a GCW show, all hell may break loose!
Alex Colon’s Deathmatch Double Duty
GCW was built upon death matches. Crazy hardcore encounters which rely on an over-emphasis on weapons, dangerous moves and blood are quite repetitive and can get quite dull. But they make you stop and look, possibly with the same mentality as gruesome horror movies. On this weekend, Alex Colon, not only had one great deathmatch…but two!? His match against AJ Gray was a real hard-as-nails affair with tons of deafening strikes, and (believe it or not) storytelling. His second match of the weekend, against Impact Wrestling star Zachary Wentz, was a glass-laden bloodbath. Alex Colon might not be the first name you think of when you consider death match wrestling, but he should be now.
Blake Christian vs. Alex Zayne
Sadly, GCW does not have instant replay. When you are watching two of the most innovative high-flyers go at it, you really can’t keep up! This match was fantastic: the daredevil risks and innovative moves are like something you literally have never seen before. It was fast. It was crazy. But most of all, it was fun!
Joey Janela Wins Gold!
When Yoshihiko, the greatest wrestler of all our times, was announced for GCW Homecoming 2020, I was really scared for Joey Janela’s safety. Add in that this match was for the DDT Ironmanheavymetalweight Championship and I really was not sure what to expect. However, Joey somehow not only brought the fight every step of the way to Yoshihiko, but he somehow won the belt! Yoshihiko’s face said it all. I was absolutely amazed, and if you want to see the most historically significant match of the weekend, this is the one to seek out!
Chris Dickinson vs. Calvin Tankman
If you like power-man matches with two big bulls, this is the match for you. I didn’t expect to enjoy it much, but it turned out to be my favorite of the weekend. Wonderful power moves, hard-hitting strikes, surprising high-flying, it had it all! It was reminiscent of Donovan Dijak vs. Keith Lee. I’ve never been a huge fan of Dickinson, but this match changed my view entirely!
Lio Rush is Back!
Well, I never saw this one coming. Lio Rush is back on the independent wrestling scene…and he looks better than ever. I’ve followed Rush for many years, and after his terrible time in WWE, I was really worried about his views on the industry. He is made for wrestling, and, as he himself put it, loves independent wrestling. It was a wonderful surprise to see him back, and when he faced off against long-time rival Joey Janela (somehow still moving after his war with Yoshihiko on Night 1), it was just like old times. It was dubbed as “The Last Match,” but, in reality, it was never going to be that. This was Lio’s grand return to his home – independent wrestling – and I’m glad he is back doing what he loves.
GCW Homecoming 2020 was a roller coaster of exciting matches, historic wins, grand debuts and legendary returns. There is truly something for everyone on these two shows, and I really couldn’t pick which night was better of the two. Get yourselves over to FITE TV and watch the replay right now. You won’t regret it!
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