With many promotions shutting down (such as CHIKARA) and others going on hiatus while they restructure their administrative teams following the recent #SpeakingOut movement that has exposed the dark side of the industry, news broke on Thursday that a new promotion was rising in the UK indie scene, born out of a parting of ways from one promotion’s promoter. Gary Ward, former co-owner and promoter for Wrestle Gate Pro, has announced he is departing the company he founded in the fall of 2018 after allegations have arisen surrounding co-owner Alex Shane during the recent movement. In a statement released by Ward on Thursday, he was officially announcing his departure from Wrestle Gate Pro, as well as his merchandising company Lariat Apparel, as both were acquired by Shane’s Wrestle Talk company. Gary Ward is remaining in the business and is now moving forward with the launch of a new promotion, Wrestle Carnival.
https://twitter.com/GaryRWard/status/1276178742856081409
Gary Ward began in the wrestling scene as a photographer for multiple UK promotions, before working behind the scenes in a small capacity for Southside Wrestling Entertainment (SWE). In 2018, he made the leap to a promoter, founding Wrestle Gate Pro, which sought to combine British wrestling with the Strong Style of Japanese puroresu. It brought an exciting new brand into the UK scene, which gained international attention when it was the site of Adam “Hangman” Page‘s confrontation with PAC during the early days of All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in 2019. Wrestle Carnival is ready to begin operations once the UK government allows the re-opening for live events.
Time to work.
The Carnival is coming to town. 🎪
// @WrestleCarnival // pic.twitter.com/uqXjgTei5o
— Gary Ward (@GaryRWard) June 25, 2020
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