Though The Collective may be over, Game Changer Wrestling won’t take long to resume action. This Saturday, live from one of the company’s notable venues, the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Los Angeles, California, the company gets a touch spooky with GCW Paranoid. While the name itself may seem simple on the surface, the action scheduled for the weekend will be anything but that. From the company’s most notable names to a GCW Extreme Championship defense, there will be much to witness, whether you intend on seeing the show in person or watching from home. Here’s what to know about the action to come.
GCW Paranoid – Full Card
- Chris Dickinson vs. Masha Slamovich
- Chris Bey vs. Jack Cartwheel
- Joey Janela vs. Gringo Loco
- ACH vs. Nick Wayne
- The Briscoes (Jay and Mark Briscoe) vs. BUSSY (Allie Katch and EFFY)
- Minoru Suzuki vs. Blake Christian
- GCW Extreme Championship: AJ Gray (c) vs. Kevin Blackwood
The Ultimate Finesser Returns to GCW
For the first time in over seven months, Chris Bey steps into Game Changer Wrestling. “The Ultimate Finesser” has been more than busy in the meantime, however, whether it’s been on the independent scene or fighting alongside his BULLET CLUB allies in IMPACT Wrestling and New Japan Pro-Wrestling. He’s also been in contention for the X-Division Championship, and though he’s yet to hold the title since the summer, one can only assume that it’s only a matter of time until he becomes a 2x X-Division Champion. This weekend, Bey enters GCW Paranoid to put on one of his performances that has made him one of the most talked about stars in IMPACT and elsewhere.
To attain a win, however, will take more than just Bey’s trademark confidence. After all, he will be going up against fellow high-flying, fast-paced star Jack Cartwheel. Fans of not only GCW but its sibling promotion, LA Fights, will be familiar with “The Rockwheel’s” various exploits. His ability to pull off breathtaking maneuvers, such as his signature cartwheel from the the rope, helped make him a popular performer on any stage he’s taken. He will also go into Paranoid with the goal of overcoming a multi-time titleholder in Bey, elevating his stock in the process. Will this Saturday belong to “The Ultimate Finesser” or “The Rocketwheel?”
The Murderous King Steps Forward
Another wrestler set to make their Game Changer Wrestling return is “The King,” Minoru Suzuki. The Japanese professional wrestling legend last appeared for the company this past October at War Ready, where he overcome another man that’s been known to call himself “King” in Nick Gage. The year 2022 has seen Suzuki remain largely in his home promotion of NJPW, either competing in multi-person matches or notable singles bouts, including a New Japan Cup match against Hiromu Takahashi. Suzuki’s latest tour of the United States includes multiple GCW contests, starting with this one. At GCW Paranoid, he goes head to head with a man who prides himself on being “All Heart.”
To say that Blake Christian has had a presence in GCW throughout 2022 would be an understatement. From a GCW Tag Team Championship match against The Briscoes to grueling encounters with the likes of Lio Rush, “Speedball” Mike Bailey, and Jonathan Gresham, Christian’s enjoyed the company’s spotlight time and time again. However, there is perhaps no match with more potential punishment for the young star than a one-on-one encounter with Suzuki. If Christian were to win at GCW Paranoid, it would elevate his career to a staggering degree. Given Suzuki’s experience and mastery of the ring, however, a victory isn’t a guarantee.
More Than An Aesthetic Title Defense
In what’s certain to be a thrilling main event, AJ Gray defends the GCW Extreme Championship against “The Aesthetic Crippler” from New York, Kevin Blackwood. Gray has made 4 successful title defenses. “Rich Homie Juice’s” competition has been fierce, including the high-flying ACH at Welcome to Heartbreak and the versatile EFFY at Astronaut. Possessing a smash-mouth style and explosive offense, Gray is one of the most appropriate men to hold the Extreme Championship. At GCW Paranoid, however, he will have to work that much harder if he intends on leaving the Ukrainian Cultural Center with the gold intact.
Possessing bundles of charisma and a well-rounded wrestling style, Blackwood has been making a name for himself in any independent organization that books him. For those that have been keeping up with promotions such as Prestige Wrestling and Black Label Pro, you’ve most likely seen Blackwood ply his craft. In terms of GCW, he’s made multiple appearances for not only the core promotion but LA Fights, expanding his reach further. At GCW Paranoid, he enters this match a titleholder in his own right, having captured Empire State Wrestling’s heavyweight title this past November. Can he leave LA a dual champion? Tune into the action to see how this unfolds.
GCW Paranoid will take place in Los Angeles, California on April 9, 2022.
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. GCW Paranoid is set to air Saturday at 8 PM PDT on FITE. Tickets are also available via Eventbrite.
