For the first time since 2014, the Jersey J-Cup will take place. Game Changer Wrestling and Jersey Championship Wrestling are partnering to revive this tournament featuring many of the most formidable competitors on the independent scene today. Since GCW and JCW announced said revival, news was slowly but surely unveiled, providing fans with information regarding participants, where tickets can be purchased, and so forth. This year’s Jersey J-Cup will take place this Saturday, February 11, across two sessions. Tickets are on sale, but those that cannot attend in person can still watch on FITE+. Here are a few key points to make note of before the action unfolds.
Preview for the Jersey J-Cup
The Participants
- Mike Bailey
- Alex Shelley
- Jonathan Gresham
- Komander
- Arez
- Jack Cartwheel
- Joey Janela
- Jordan Oliver
- Cole Radrick
- Tony Deppen
- Blake Christian
- Alec Price
- Billie Starkz
- Starboy Charlie
- Lio Rush
- Dante Leon
- Marcus Mathers
- Yoya
- Dyln McKay
- Charles Mason
The First Round Matches
- Mike Bailey vs. Jonathan Gresham
- Arez vs. Komander
- Lio Rush vs. Tony Deppen
- Jordan Oliver vs. Alex Shelley
- Blake Christian vs. Alec Price
- Joey Janela vs. Starboy Charlie
- Charles Mason vs. Billie Starkz
- Scramble Match: Marcus Mathers vs. Dante Leon vs. Dyln McKay vs. Jack Cartwheel vs. Cole Radrick vs. Yoya
*JCUP UPDATE*
THE BRACKET for The #JerseyJCup has arrived!
Who will win The JCup?
Get Tix:
Session 1: 2PM
Tix: https://t.co/6ZcNWkmgOgSession 2: 8PM
Tix: https://t.co/sZDin1l5R2Watch LIVE on @FiteTV+! pic.twitter.com/rHghNRhxIW
— GameChangerWrestling (@GCWrestling_) February 7, 2023
What is the Jersey J-Cup?
The Jersey J-Cup was established in 2000 by Jersey Championship Wrestling. It was regularly hosted by JCW before the company folded in 2004. The following year, the Promoter of National Wrestling Superstars, Joe Panzarino, purchased the rights to said tournament. Panzarino renamed it the Chris Candido Memorial J-Cup Tournament in memory of the wrestler in question following his passing on April 28, 2005. After 2012, the rights to the tournament were acquired by Indiana-based wrestling organization Funkdafied Wrestling Federation. Over the years, the tournament took on many forms, even including separate tournaments for men’s and women’s divisions.
Who were the previous winners?
The first Jersey J-Cup was held on May 12, 2000 in Paramus, New Jersey. This was a 16-man tournament that featured wrestlers from not only JCW but other independent organizations such as World Xtreme Wrestling and Jersey All Pro Wrestling. Such names involved in the tournament included Homicide and Low Ki. The final match was won by NJ local Judas Young. See the previous winners of the Jersey J-Cup below.
- 2000: Judas Young
- Defeated Ryan Wing in the finals
- Former JCW Light Heavyweight Champion
- Former Independent Superstars Of Professional Wrestling Heavyweight Champion
- 2001: Low Ki
- Defeated Queenan Creed in the finals
- Former GCW, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, and Ring of Honor World Champion
- 5x IMPACT Wrestling X-Division Champion
- 2002: Reckless Youth
- Defeated American Dragon (Current All Elite Wrestling star Bryan Danielson) in the finals
- Former GCW World Champion
- Former JCW Television Champion
- 2003: Jay Lethal
- Defeated Homicide in the finals
- Former ROH Pure, Tag Team, Television, and World Champion
- Former IMPACT World Tag Team and 6x X-Division Champion
- 2004: Super Dragon
- Defeated B-Boy in the finals
- Former CZW World Heavyweight Champion
- Former PWG World Champion and 6x World Tag Team Champion
- 2005: Mike Kruel
- Defeated Azriael in the finals
- Former Ohio Valley Wrestling Heavyweight Champion and 2x Television Champion
- Former Chaotic Wrestling Heavyweight Champion
- 2006: Grim Reefer
- Defeated Deranged in the finals
- Former 5x Fight the World Wrestling Gen-X Champion and 3x World Heavyweight Champion
- Former 2x JAPW New Jersey State Champion
- 2007: Deranged
- Defeated Gavin Quest in the finals
- Former JAPW Light Heavyweight Champion
- Former USA Pro Xtreme Champion
- 2008: Rhett Titus
- Defeated Drew Blood in the finals
- Former ROH World Television and 2x World Tag Team Champion
- Last ROH Top of the Class Trophy Winner
- 2009: Myke Quest
- Defeated Jay Lethal in the finals
- Former JAPW Tag Team Champion
- Former NWS Junior Heavyweight and 2x Jersey Shore Champion
- 2010: John Walters
- Defeated Nicky Oceans in the finals
- Former ROH Pure Champion
- Former 2x CW, 2x Lucha Libre USA, and 3x Big Time Wrestling Heavyweight Champion
- 2011: Nicky Oceans
- Defeated Devon Moore in the finals
- Former 4x NWS Tag Team, 5x Jersey Shore, and 2x Junior Heavyweight Champion
- 6x Jersey J-Cup Participant
- 2014: Chris Dickinson
- Defeated Joey Janela in the finals
- Former ROH World Tag Team and 2x EVOLVE Tag Team Champion
- GCW Acid Cup 2 Winner
The Jersey J-Cup will take place in Jersey City, New Jersey on February 11, 2023.
Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. The Jersey J-Cup is set to air Saturday at 2 PM EST on FITE+. Tickets are also available via Eventbrite for Session 1 and Session 2.
