HOWELL – Game Changer Wrestling (GCW), which staged professional wrestling events in Howell for several years, has presented its final show in the township.
The wrestling events were held at GameChangerWorld on Route 9 south just south of Strickland Road, in a facility which also hosted music events.
Danny Demanto, who co-owns GCW with Brett Lauderdale, said the GameChangerWorld property and building are being sold by the owner and no leases are being renewed.
The final GCW event was held on Jan. 20.
“The owner of the property called and told us” about the sale, Demanto said. “We have had a very good working relationship with GameChangerWorld for years and will continue to run (wrestling) shows out of their Allentown, Pa., venue.”
Demanto said he has been promoting shows at GameChangerWorld for about four years. GCW has been around for a little more than two years. Prior to becoming GCW, the wrestling enterprise was owned by another individual and operated under the Jersey Championship Wrestling banner.
Demanto said it will be hard to let go of the Howell venue.
“The atmosphere inside and even outside (GameChangerWorld) is like no other. It feels like one giant family is meeting up once a month for a great time from when we get there until we close the doors after the show.
“In a world of ‘smart fans’ who like to sit on their hands most of the time at (independent wrestling) shows, we have some of the loudest and most respectful fans, in my opinion, on the independent wrestling scene today,” Demanto said.
Andrew Storey of Howell said the news that GCW is leaving the area was upsetting. He said it was important that Demanto and Lauderdale brought something to Howell that people enjoyed.
Storey said he will travel to the new location to continue to support the wrestling promoters.
“GCW is more than just a wrestling promotion. They make you feel like you are just as important to the show as any of the talent. You feel like you are part of the family and for that alone I will always support and travel to see GCW,” he said.
Demanto said he and Lauderdale will try to locate another venue in the area at which they can present professional wrestling. He said he appreciates the success GCW found in Howell.
“I couldn’t be happier with what we have created in the past few years. Slow and steady wins the race and we are very excited about the future,” he said.
