All Eyes On Hammerstein: GCW In 2022
After its first traditional pay-per-view, what does the future hold for the outlaw promotion?
Game Changer Wrestling (GCW) achieved a huge milestone on January 23, 2022.
After producing viral deathmatch moments, three-day Collective weekends and tours of Japan and Mexico, GCW finally achieved mainstream recognition. Taking place in the world-famous Hammerstein Ballroom, the promotion produced its first legitimate pay-per-view: The WRLD on GCW.
It was a seminal moment for the company. Many (including myself) never expected GCW to appear on TV. Considering the ultraviolence, the frequent profanity and somewhat bare production values, it didn’t look like the New Jersey-based independent wrestling promotion would appeal to a PPV provider.
After all, the company’s niche was built through creative freedom. Internet streaming channels, like FITE, allow for more flexibility than traditional PPV presentations. This is something that has always played to the company’s advantage. The restrictions of time cues, complicated production and sometimes challenging sound quality have never affected viewership online. On traditional PPV, though, these issues aren’t as easily accepted.
Living in the United Kingdom, I watched the event through YouTube and FITE. So, my viewing experience wasn’t affected. Conversely, I saw it was many viewers’ first time experiencing “The Last Outlaws.” Some expressed a strange feeling of nostalgia coupled with confusion, and others used the event as an excuse to be negative and abusive. For an ever so small percentage of viewers, it was a revelation. The mixture of the passionate fan atmosphere and fresh wrestling talent really resonated with those at home.
Ironically, for many diehard GCW fans, the PPV didn’t live up to their lofty expectations. Many felt the show wasn’t a true reflection of what their beloved company is capable of because certain expectations weren’t met.
The NYC athletic commission forbid any use of “deathmatch” weaponry, meaning hardcore affairs were unable to take place in their usual ultraviolent ways. The commission also has a strict policy regarding underage wrestlers, which prevented popular up-and-comer Nick Wayne from competing. The show suffered from timing issues, meaning the main event significantly underdelivered to fans. While devout GCW followers were overjoyed to see Matt Tremont and the returning Nick Gage answer the Briscoes’ challenge, first-time viewers were hoping the surprise opponents would be FTR, especially since the two teams have had a war of words on Twitter over the past month.
𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐆 . 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄 . 𝐆𝐂𝐖
— tøny d . ❤️🩹 (@DJ_Tony_D) January 25, 2022
1.23.22 Hammerstein Ballroom#ATonyDJoint #TheWrldOnGCW
Thank You @GCWrestling_ For Everything ❤️🩹🎬 pic.twitter.com/sazRTUbU8Z
As you can expect, I’m much more defensive of the company. Granted this was not a “Show of the Year” candidate by any means, but several factors do affect people’s enjoyment. A major problem for all companies, not just GCW, is that when fans are expecting a significant show like The WRLD on GCW, they’re expecting a blow-away PPV with incredible match after incredible match after incredible match, a hot crowd and no technical problems.
That’s an idealistic view of a PPV we’re all paying to see. Sadly, that rarely happens. Look at all the poor WrestleManias, Bound for Glorys and Starrcades we have suffered through. Wrestling fans are notoriously critical, brutally critical in fact, so any problems are leapt on in an instant. Add in fact that the Hammerstein Ballroom is truly a historic wrestling venue, made famous by ECW, and the comparisons and subsequent stakes are even higher.
Along these lines, PPV debuts for independent promotions are always difficult. The continuation and possible conclusion of storylines, which have been leading into the event, need to appeal to both loyal fans and new viewers. You have double the amount of pressure to satisfy each set, which I can imagine causes a strange juxtaposition backstage, let alone on screen. In a nutshell, putting a PPV like The WRLD on GCW together is tough! Really tough!
At the same time, GCW achieved something very few promotions are able to do. Through word of mouth, social media buzz and effective cross-promotional relationships, GCW was able to not only get onto PPV, but by owner Brett Lauderdale’s account, smash all company records. And even if 5% of those first-time viewers return for the next PPV or buy tickets to see the company in person, this whole gamble was worth it in the long run.
Plus, did you see how many people were actually in the Hammerstein Ballroom? I’ve never seen the venue as crammed as that. Truly SOLD OUT! A wonderful sight to see given what we’ve experienced with COVID-19 restrictions and empty arena shows.
So, what is the next step for GCW? How can it continue to change the game? With the gap left by Ring of Honor, GCW can fill that void as a top alternative for wrestling fans. It might even be incorrect to consider the company an indie anymore. Thanks to sister promotions Jersey Championship Wrestling and LA Fights, GCW is becoming a franchise.
As long as GCW continues to do what it’s been doing for the last seven years, learning, growing and most of all, game changing, the 2022 PPV calendar could have a lot more shows involving “The Last Outlaws.” I’ll be with them along the way!
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