Announced back in October to a rapturous reception, it was revealed that Game Changer Wrestling would be taking their alternative breed of professional wrestling to the historic Hammerstein Ballroom. It is a building that has hosted some of the biggest events, all-time great matches, classic moments and most talented stars the professional wrestling industry has ever seen. For GCW, under the leadership of promoter Brett Lauderdale, to stake their claim and plant their flag in that sacred ground, it is a pivotal moment in the timeline of independent wrestling.
GCW have been building a lot of buzz around their island of misfit toys, rising to prominence most drastically through their events held at the various 'WrestleMania weekends' that have steadily grown of the past decade. They are responsible for the insanity of Joey Janela's Spring Break, the hard-hitting action of the Bloodsport series, and minority spotlight shows like For the Culture and Effy's Big Gay Brunch, all of which have been massive events on the independent scene. Now, they have the chance to take all that success and propel themselves to new heights as they take Manhattan on January 23rd.
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GCW Is Carrying on ECW's Hardcore Legacy
The Hammerstein Ballroom will forever be best known for the insanity that Extreme Championship Wrestling brought to its gorgeous interior. ECW debuted in the Hammerstein Ballroom back in 2000, fairly late into its run, but was quick to leave its mark on the New York arena. In the years since, the arena has become as synonymous with ECW as their very own ‘ECW Arena’ in Philadelphia on the corner of Swanson and Ritner. Even after the hardcore promotion closed its doors in 2001, the ballroom was remembered as a home of professional wrestling, so much so that it hosted the ECW One Night Stand revival shows in 2005 and 2006.
For GCW, coming into the Hammerstein is almost like a passing of the torch. Though other hardcore promotions have looked to carry on ECW’s legacy, GCW has the opportunity to do it better than anyone and secure their spot as the premier extreme company. Though Combat Zone Wrestling strived to take that mantle with its own range of ultraviolence in the early 2000s and certainly gathered a strong following, it never reached the levels of success that GCW has. Like ECW before them, GCW doesn't just focus on the deathmatches, blood and guts, but has also hosted a cavelcade of excellent grapplers, high fliers and performers. They have certainly held that punk rock ECW spirit for quite some time now, but by finally reaching the glitz of the Hammerstein Ballroom, GCW has essentially cemented itself as the one true successor.
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This Show Can Take GCW To New Heights
Another factor that also puts an immense amount of weight on this already sold out event, The Wrld on GCW, is the current shifting landscape of independent American wrestling. This past weekend just saw Ring of Honor's Final Battle, marking an end to an era as the company now goes on hiatus, unclear when, or if, it might return. For almost the entirety of its existence, ROH had been perhaps the top independent company in the United States, though just how 'indy' it was after its purchase by the Sinclair Broadcasting Group is up for debate. Regardless, ROH has been synonymous with independent wrestling, and with them now out of the ecosystem for the time being at least, that opens up a spot for Brett Lauderdale and GCW.
ROH also had ties to the Hammerstein Ballroom, having ran numerous shows there over the past several years and brought even more immortal wrestling memories to that building. The Hammerstein Ballroom has witnessed key chapters in the Kevin Steen and El Generico fued, masterclasses by Bryan Danielson and Nigel McGuinness, as well as crossover events bringing the biggest stars of New Japan Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling NOAH to the United States. The legacy of the Hammerstein Ballroom extends far beyond ECW. A legacy which the performers of GCW have the opportunity to build on top of and create even more memories that are sure to linger in the history books, and in the minds of their loyal fans.
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The Hammerstein Ballroom Is The Home Of Misfits, Rebels & Outcasts
Finally, The Wrld on GCW emanating from the Hammerstein Ballroom, a venue in the same complex as the Grand Ballroom that was the site for the very first episode of Monday Night RAW back in 1993, is the statement it makes on their character. Just as the Hammerstein Ballroom had marked ECW's extreme nature could comfortably draw a crowd, and that ROH's purer sense of the sport could as well, the event marks as a stamp of success for GCW's own blend of professional wrestling.
As well as for the company, reaching the Hammerstein Ballroom is also validation for so many competing in GCW. The GCW roster is full of athletes who had been previously written off by many, some for their personalities, others for their wrestling skills, and some as human beings in general. Yet, here they are about to perform in one of the most beloved and well-known arenas in wrestling history in front of a sold out crowd, and many more watching on pay-per-view.
Over a month out from The Wrld on GCW, this show already feels special. However the card shapes up or how the matches go down, GCW in the Hammerstein Ballroom is definitely going to be unforgettable, for the wrestlers and the fans alike.
