Game Changer Wrestling is set to return to The Melrose Ballroom in New York City for GCW Eye for an Eye. The last time that the company held an event at this venue was this past June for You Wouldn’t Understand. Prior to this, the last event GCW held in New York City was The WRLD on GCW, which was the promotion’s debut on traditional pay-per-view as opposed to digital streaming via FITE. Brief history lesson aside, this Friday’s offerings are incredibly promising, as they include everything from new faces to title matches. As always, for those unable to make the trip to see the show in person, FITE+ will be streaming the action live. Here’s what to expect before the opening bell sounds.
Card for GCW Eye for an Eye
- Blake Christian vs. Jack Cartwheel
- Mane Event (Midas Black and Jay Lyon) vs. BUSSY (Allie Katch and EFFY) vs. Second Gear Crew (1 Called Manders and Mance Warner) vs. Wasted Youth (Dyln McKay and Marcus Mathers)
- Bandido vs. Gringo Loco
- Willie Mack vs. Tony Deppen
- Joey Janela vs. Grim Reefer
- Homicide vs. Matt Cardona
- Time Splitters (Alex Shelley and KUSHIDA) vs. Jordan Oliver and Mike Bailey
- GCW Tag Team Championship: Los Macizos (Ciclope and Miedo Extremo) (c) vs. Rina Yamashita and Sawyer Wreck
- GCW World Championship: Nick Gage (c) vs. Masha Slamovich
The New York Collision
It wouldn’t be a wrestling event in New York without local talent, and at GCW Eye for an Eye, two of the most prominent New York names will square off. “The Notorious 187” Homicide is set for action against “Alwayz Ready” Matt Cardona in a first-time encounter. Yes, prior to this Friday, these two have never squared off, which seems unfathomable given how popular both men are on the independent scene. Despite said popularity, their styles and personalities are stark contrasts. Whereas Homicide is gritty and violent, Cardona is confident – almost to a fault – and isn’t shy about taking shortcuts if it means securing a victory. When it comes to determining a winner, one can argue that this match can go either way. Both men are former GCW World Champions, not to mention former world titleholders in other promotions. Furthermore, it will be interesting to see how a vocal New York crowd responds to both competitors. Keep an eye on this match.
KUSHIDA Makes His GCW Debut at Eye for an Eye
Making his Game Changer Wrestling debut this Friday night is none other than “The Time Splitter” himself, KUSHIDA. This veteran of the junior heavyweight scene is perhaps best known for his time in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, where he’s a former 2x IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion alongside Alex Shelley and a former 6x IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. Fans may also remember his brief stint in WWE, where he held the NXT Cruiserweight Championship for 171 days. Since his departure from WWE last year, KUSHIDA returned to his old stomping grounds of NJPW and made appearances for IMPACT Wrestling and All Elite Wrestling to boot. At GCW Eye for an Eye, he will be in action as he teams with Alex Shelley, reforming The Time Splitters, as they battle the duo of Jordan Oliver and “Speedball” Mike Bailey. Watch KUSHIDA make his GCW debut in New York City, ideally with his arm raised by the end of the bout.
Masha Slamovich Challenges for the GCW World Title
In the main event, Masha Slamovich wrestles her first GCW World Championship match against the reigning champion, Nick Gage. This past February, at GCW Middle of the Night, Gage successfully defended his title against Mike Bailey in the main event. Post-match, Gage took the mic, reiterating the fact that he would defend the GCW World Championship against anyone. This brought out Slamovich, who won the Do or Die Rumble at 56 Nights in January. This victory afforded “Russian Dynamite” a future world title match. From here, the stage was set for GCW Eye for an Eye. As mentioned earlier, this is the first time that Slamovich has challenged for the GCW World Championship. This may put her at a disadvantage, especially against a competitor as seasoned and focused as “The Man, The King, The God” in Gage. Nonetheless, if Gage is successful in his upcoming title defense, expect it to be a well-earned victory.
Image Credit: Game Changer Wrestling
GCW Eye for an Eye will take place in New York City, New York on March 17, 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. GCW Eye for an Eye is set to air Friday at 8 PM EST on FITE+. Tickets are also available via Eventbrite.
