Brett Lauderdale Says Matt Cardona’s Run In GCW Was a Game Changer

Brett Lauderale credits Matt Cardona’s post-WWE run in GCW as something that changed things for the independent scene in a big way. Cardona began his run in GCW at Zombie Walk 2021 and has built himself as a major player on the independent scene. Lauderale was on The Business of the Business with Lavie Margolin and John Poz, where he was asked about Freddie Prinze Jr. previously saying that Cardona’s run in GCW inspired him to start his own promotion.

“Freddie Prinze [Jr.]…in terms of him being inspired by Matt Cardona, a lot of people were inspired by Matt Cardona,” Lauderdale said (per Fightful). “People from the WWE bubble that might not have understood what the indies were or might not have understood what was out there. Matt definitely inspired a lot of people and continues to.”

He continued, “But yeah, that initial GCW run, that was, pardon the pun, that was a game-changer in so many ways. I think that the influence it had in the short term and the long term, I think we’re gonna continue to feel the ramifications of his success. I think it just made everybody look differently at the indies.”

Listen to “Episode 152 – Brett Lauderdale of Game Changer Wrestling” on Spreaker.