For those who know, Game Changer Wrestling, GC-Dub, stepped into the hollowed grounds of Camden’s Electric Ballroom last Sunday (Jan 26th) and put on a show that had a sold-out crowd loving what they saw.
The show, promoted in association with PROGRESS Wrestling, featured 9 bouts that merged local, British talent with the top names from the promotion that is based out of Jersey. PWMania’s Lee Tarrier (@leeseedub) was on hand to enjoy and review it all.
* GCW Tag Team Championship Match: Gahbage Daddies def. Lykos Gym.
This was a great opener. Fast-paced, high-flying with a crowd totally into everything both teams can do. The spots Alec Price does when bouncing and fliiping off the ropes in insane and unique. All 4 deserve their flowers for a red-hot opener
* Sidney Akeem def. Aigle Blanc.
Akeem and Blanc kept the crowd loud and engaged with another high-flying, quick paced bout. Both are names that are going to make waves throughout 2025, building on solid 2024’s where they begun to wow a lot of indy crowds.
* Maki Itoh def. Man Like DeReiss.
This was the most fun I’ve had watching a wrestling bout. After 2 grand entrances from the two competitors, the match had an ebb and flow, comedic element to it that was amplified to the max when Itoh took DeReiss down, all whist asking Brett to play the POkemon theme tune. Cue 750 people singing to the top of their lungs. Great mid-card fun.
* Luke Jacobs def. Manders.
After the fun came the brutality. This was as hard hitting as you can get from two wrestlers that any real wrestliong fan needs to see in the flesh. Chops, clotheslines and forearms that even I could feel were on show throughout. I couldn’t stop wincing but loved every second of a real fight!
* Leon Slater def. Jimmy Lloyd.
I’m not sure I can praise Leon Slater anymore. Well, I can. The guy is awesome and put on another fantastic, fluid show against a great opponent in Jimmy Lloyd. It was the perfect placement in the card for these two and I must say, if Leon Slater is not a world champion somewhere by 2025 then it is a travesty.
* Joey Janela def. Big F’n Joe.
Carnage. Absolute carnage and I loved every second of it. Especially Janela coming out to the song “Come On Eileen”. Cue another ballroom singalong. This was violent (doors, tacks and even weed grinders) and had the crowd on their feet. Top hardcore wrestling.
* JCW Championship Match: Masha Slamovich fought Megan Bayne to a draw.
These two women left everything in the ring. So much so, they pinned each other. This was hard-hitting and full of skill from both wrestlers. They will fight on the grandest of stages throughout their careers. It was a n honour to witness such a top bout live.
* No DQ Match: Mance Warner def. Drew Parker.
Warner hates London. London hates Warner. Warner beats Parker. Parker came so closer to beating the former GCW champ. It was violent, as you’d expect. But it was damn good.
* GCW Championship Match: EFFY def. Cara Noir.
EFFY defends against the best early on in his reign. I wasn’t keen on the egg sharing (if you saw live or on Triller+, you’ll know) but it was a good match for EFFY to start making a mark as GCW champion. Cara can go up a few gears from here and I’d like to see that more now that his return is in full swing. All in all, a good main event.
GCW certainly have their supporters in London, as seen at the merch stands and the backlog for the bar. With the massive announcement of Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport in London this September, it’s safe to say, the crowd will be flooding back.
What a show!
Pictures: Lee Pitman (leepitman.com)
