Brett Lauderdale On Drake Wuertz Joining GCW, Says He Donated Part Of Pay To Pro-LGBTQ+ Group

Brett Lauderdale issued a statement about Drake Wuertz making a surprising appearance at GCW Homecoming and why he was brought in. As noted, the former NXT head referee made an appearance to help Joseph Sawyer win the GCW World Championship.

Wuertz’s arrival was controversial due to his past in which he spoke publicly in support of QAnon conspiracy theories, publicly argued against mask mandates during the COVID pandemic, made anti-LGBTQ+ statements and more. He addressed the crowd after, apologizing for his past comments, and said he had lost his way “and was associating with topics and groups, loosely or directly that I had no business or interest affiliated with.”

Lauderdale, the owner of GCW, posted to Twitter on Monday to address the matter. He spoke about how Wuertz had been there for him years ago and helped him get through addiction issues. He noted Wuertz had taken him to his first NA meeting and thus saved his life and gave him a second chance.

Lauderdale added:

“‘Cool story bro… but that doesn’t have anything to do with me and it doesn’t change the fact that he said and did some fucked up shit. Why should I care?’

You’re right, and some people don’t want to give him a second, chance, and they don’t have to. That’s their choice and I don’t fault them for making that decision.

Personally, I am a believer that people can change. I’ve seen it happen and I think the most powerful thing we can do as humans is give people that opportunity to make amends and right their wrongs. How can we as a society move forward if we can’t be open to forgiveness?”

Lauderdale went on to say that he understands that talk is cheap and Wuertz has work to do in order to show he’s changed and if he is proven wrong, he will admit it was a mistake to give him a second chance. He said that fans don’t have to take his word for it, but knows there are those out there who will support Wuertz’s journey to redemption.

Finally, he wrote that Wuertz’s “first ACTION of his GCW tenure [was] Using proceeds from his pay for this weekends appearances, Drake has asked GCW to make a donation on his behalf in the amount of $250 to Garden State Equality.

GSE is NJ’s largest LGBTQ+ advocacy group.

Hopefully this is the first many actions on the path to proving change…”

He included a screenshot of the donation as well.

In the past, Drake Wuertz shared some extreme views. He spread a rhetoric that was offensive to many and in some cases, dangerous.

What makes him worthy of a second chance & why does that second chance come in GCW of all places?

The answer to that question is personal to me… pic.twitter.com/GkLBE1bWK6

— brett lauderdale (@Lauderdale11) August 18, 2026

"ok cool… but what has he done to show he's changed? Talk is cheap…." pic.twitter.com/PblG40sopl

— brett lauderdale (@Lauderdale11) August 18, 2026

Using proceeds from his pay for this weekends appearances, Drake has asked GCW to make a donation on his behalf in the amount of $250 to Garden State Equality.

GSE is NJ's largest LGBTQ+ advocacy group.

Hopefully this is the first many actions on the path to proving change… pic.twitter.com/T6Z0PgfvOu

— brett lauderdale (@Lauderdale11) August 18, 2026