This weekend, GCW, widely regarded as the top independent wrestling promotion globally, returns to its home base at The Showboat in Atlantic City, New Jersey, for two thrilling nights of Homecoming. On Saturday and Sunday, fans will be treated to a spectacle that’s become a staple in the GCW calendar.

Homecoming is renowned for its unforgettable moments. Who could forget Cardona’s legendary Ghostbuster entrance or his stunning victory over Gage in a deathmatch to claim the GCW World Championship?

Each year, GCW delivers a lineup that fans eagerly anticipate, and this year is no exception. Both nights are packed with matches that promise to captivate wrestling enthusiasts of all kinds.

Catch all the action live on TrillerTV, with ten exciting matches lined up for Saturday night. Let’s dive into what’s in store for the first night of Homecoming!

Megan Bayne Open Challenge

Megan Bayne has been nothing short of amazing since she first stepped into the GCW locker room. Her recent performance at The Showboat, where she took down the talented Speedball, was seriously impressive. Now, this Saturday, Megan is setting up an open challenge, and while we don’t yet know who she’ll be facing, it’s sure to be exciting.

GCW is famous for its surprise moments, and with Homecoming being one of the biggest events of the year, there’s a good chance her opponent will be someone big. If history’s any guide, this open challenge is going to be a must-watch, so stay tuned to see who Megan Bayne will be up against!

Brandon Kirk & Kasey Catal vs. Los Macizos (Ciclope & Miedo Extremo)

Recently, the Kirks have made quite an impression at The Showboat, with standout moments like Brandon’s memorable TOS performance and Kasey’s jaw-dropping scissor lift spot earlier this year. It’s clear that The Showboat has a special connection with the Kirks. However, this upcoming match could present a real dilemma for GCW fans.

Los Macizos, who have become an integral and beloved part of the GCW roster over the past few years, are set to face off against the Kirks. The intrigue surrounding this match is heightened by recent events. After the dramatic fallout between Ciclope and Miedo in Asbury Park, fans are left wondering about the future of this team. Will their internal issues come to the forefront during this match?

Additionally, there’s speculation about whether this match will live up to the deathmatch standards we’ve come to expect from all four competitors. Fans are eagerly hoping that this clash will feature the brutal, high-stakes action that defines the deathmatch genre.

Matthew Justice vs. Zilla Fatu

Earlier this month, Mather Justice made his highly anticipated return to GCW, going head-to-head with Mance Warner at GCW Now And Forever 2024. Fans had been eagerly awaiting Justice’s comeback, as it had been since May 2023 that he last graced a GCW ring. Known for his daring spots and high-risk maneuvers, Justice is a beloved figure among the GCW faithful.

In this exciting matchup, Justice faces Zilla Fatu, one of the brightest rising stars from the Samoan Dynasty. Despite having only 23 matches to his name, Fatu has already made a significant impact in the wrestling world. This clash promises to test Fatu’s limits as Justice, renowned for his unpredictable and thrilling style, is sure to push him to his breaking point. As fans speculate about where Justice might execute his next jaw-dropping leap, it’s worth noting that this will be the first time both competitors will battle it out in The Terminal at The Showboat.

This adds an extra layer of anticipation to what is sure to be a memorable and high-stakes encounter.

Masha Slamovich vs. Galeno Del Mal

Since his debut in GCW last May against Speedball, Galeno Del Mal has consistently impressed. However, he is now poised to face his toughest challenge yet inside a GCW ring. This Saturday, Del Mal will go up against former GCW World Champion and current JCW World Champion Masha Slamovich; a GCW mainstay known for her resilience and fearlessness, regardless of her opponent’s size.

Masha will be stepping into the ring with a formidable opponent in Del Mal, who stands 6’5″ and weighs 300 pounds. It will be intriguing to see how Masha navigates the significant size and strength advantage of her opponent. One thing is certain: this match promises to be a hard-hitting, intense battle. Fans can expect both competitors to feel the impact long after the final bell.

Tony Deppen vs. Sidney Akeem

This match feels like the ultimate welcome party for Sidney in a GCW ring. Despite his impressive 5-0 record under the GCW banner, he hasn’t yet faced off inside The Showboat or against one of GCW’s originals, Tony Deppen. Deppen might be a bit of a heel with the fans, but in The Showboat in New Jersey, he’s our kind of trouble. This venue is essentially a home game for him, and it’ll be fascinating to see how the crowd reacts to these two competitors on Saturday night.

Tony Deppen is renowned as one of the best all-around wrestlers in the world today, while Sidney, known to some fans from his WWE days as Reggie, has already proven in his five GCW matches that he’s far more than just a former WWE star. Sidney consistently delivers standout performances in the ring.

One thing is certain: this match promises to be one of the highlights of the entire weekend, showcasing a clash of top-tier talent that’s sure to deliver an unforgettable show.

Big F’n Joe vs. John Wayne Murdoch

Any fan of Death Match wrestling will be ecstatic about this upcoming clash. John Wayne Murdoch, who has been on an incredible hot streak, is arguably the top death match competitor not just in the country, but possibly in the world. Earlier this year, Murdoch solidified his status by winning the prestigious Tournament of Survival, a testament to his unmatched skills and resilience in the ring.

In this highly anticipated match, JWM will be taking on Big Joe, a wrestler many consider the best death match competitor in the UK. This bout marks a rematch of their chaotic and unforgettable encounter at NGI 9 in 2022. The Showboat crowd is notorious for its intense enthusiasm for death match wrestling, and they’re sure to be in for a treat.

With both wrestlers at the top of their game, this match promises to deliver all the brutal excitement fans expect and more. Given the stacked lineup for the night, this is one match you absolutely won’t want to miss.

UltraMantis Black vs. Danhausen

This match is shaping up to be the ultimate wild card of Night 1. Over the years, we’ve come to expect grandiose, larger-than-life stories from these competitors. Known for their unique ability to craft some of the most entertaining and humorous comedy matches in wrestling, both of these wrestlers have proven time and again that they can bring a smile to fans’ faces with their wit and creativity.

However, there’s much more to them than just comedy. When it comes to delivering a high-stakes, hard-hitting wrestling bout, both men have shown they can rise to the occasion and put on a phenomenal display of athleticism and technique. This match promises to be a thrilling mystery for fans, as it’s uncertain which direction it will take.

Will it embrace a spooky, supernatural theme that could add a chilling and eerie element to the night? Or will it lean into its comedic roots, providing fans with a light-hearted and laugh-out-loud experience? Alternatively, could this be the match where both competitors showcase their technical prowess and engage in a brilliant display of wrestling mastery?

The sheer unpredictability of what these two will deliver adds an extra layer of excitement and anticipation. With so many possibilities on the table, this match is set to be one of the most intriguing and eagerly anticipated bouts of the evening. It’s this element of surprise and the potential for any of the three scenarios to unfold that makes this match so compelling and why fans are so eagerly awaiting it.

GCW World Championship Three Way Ladder Match

Mance Warner (c) vs. Joey Janela vs. Blake Christian

Here’s the dramatic backstory that led us to this explosive matchup. Blake Christian was the reigning GCW World Champion, locked in a fierce and bitter feud with Joey Janela that dominated much of the year. Earlier this summer, Christian and Janela were scheduled for a high-stakes title match at the Cage of Survival event. However, Christian was competing in Japan’s Best of the Super Juniors tournament at the time. Due to his deep run in the tournament, Christian couldn’t return to the U.S. in time, leading to Matt Cardona striping him of the GCW Championship.

Cardona then orchestrated a gauntlet match for the vacant title, with Janela as a key participant. Determined to prevent Janela from claiming the title, Cardona went to extreme lengths, even sending attackers to Janela’s hotel room to assault him and put him in the hospital on the day of the match. With Janela sidelined, Cardona manipulated the gauntlet match in favor of the Death Match Prince, Broski Jimmy Lloyd, who ultimately won the title.

But Joey Janela’s resilience is legendary. Despite being battered and bruised, he made a dramatic return at the end of the gauntlet, fighting through his injuries to defeat Broski Jimmy Lloyd and claimed the GCW Championship. Just as the dust seemed to settle, the story took another twist. Earlier in the year, Mance Warner had won the Do or Die Rumble, earning a title shot whenever he chose. Seizing the opportunity, Warner cashed in his chance immediately following the gauntlet match. Given Janela’s battered state, Warner easily overpowered him to become the new GCW World Champion.

We now find ourselves in a situation where three men, Blake Christian, Joey Janela, and Mance Warner all believe they are the rightful champion.

As for the upcoming match, GCW is known for delivering some of the wildest and most unpredictable moments in wrestling, and this bout promises to be no exception. Expect jaw-dropping spots and chaotic run-ins that will elevate the intensity of the match. The build-up has been nothing short of spectacular, and anticipation is at a fever pitch. This is set to be a must-watch spectacle, and I’m eagerly looking forward to how it all unfolds.

The Bollywood Boyz & Raj Dhesi vs. Thrussy

The feud between Raj Dhesi, formerly known as Jinder Mahal, and Effy began a few months ago when the former WWE star made a shocking debut in GCW by attacking Effy after a match. Since then, Raj has been a constant thorn in Effy’s side, escalating their rivalry significantly.

In this highly anticipated match, the stakes are raised even higher. Raj has enlisted the help of his former WWE colleagues, the Bollywood Boys, while Effy has called upon allies Dark Sheik and Allie Katch to even the odds.

Raj’s motive for targeting Effy is clear, Effy is one of the most prominent and influential names on the indie wrestling scene today. Given the high-profile nature of this clash, it’s evident that the match is unlikely to end cleanly. Expect interference or a surprising twist, as this confrontation promises to be anything but straightforward.

Nick Gage vs Drew Parker

Few words can fully capture the anticipation surrounding this match. For fans of deathmatch wrestling, this is a dream come true. The Deathmatch King, Nick Gage, will go toe-to-toe with The Deathmatch Prince, Drew Parker. When this matchup was announced, it felt almost surreal, especially given Drew’s retirement announcement a year ago. Yet, here we are, set to witness this epic clash this Saturday.

Nick Gage, who seems to be approaching the twilight of his career, is ensuring he faces the biggest names one last time. And what a choice he’s made in Drew Parker—one of the most versatile and fearless deathmatch wrestlers, known for his high-risk style and exceptional in-ring skills.

Nick Gage’s legacy in deathmatch wrestling is unparalleled, with a track record that speaks volumes. This match raises intriguing questions: is it a passing of the torch, or is Gage using it as a benchmark to see if he can still hold his own against the new generation of deathmatch stars?

One thing is certain: the real winners of this bout will be the fans. The excitement is palpable, and I can hardly wait for Saturday.