wrestling / News
Joe Gacy Wins Indie Championship as Joseph Sawyer
Image Credit: WWE
Since being released from WWE as part of the Wyatt Sicks, Joe Gacy has been doing a lot of talking to media, but he’s backing it up with action as well. Following an appearance with Wrestling REVOLVER in Nashville, he just became the new Xcite Wrestling Heavyweight Championship. (via Fightful)
Gacy is now going by the name of Joseph Sawyer, which is closer to his real name of Joseph Ruby. As seen in the Tweet below, he defeated Anthony Gangone to win the title.
Joseph Sawyer wins his first championship back! He is the new Xcite Wrestling Heavyweight Champion!
#Joegacy #wyatt6 #wrestling @JoeGacy @AnthonyGangone pic.twitter.com/lNgWYHLh7y
— Xcite Wrestling (@XciteWrestling) August 8, 2026
Sawyer previously stated that he was trying to get away from the Gacy name he used for most of his career, which he felt didn’t reflect him any more. WWE, however, liked his name, and in an unusual move, insisted that he keep it rather than picking a new one.
The Sawyer name could be a tribute to “Mad Dog” Buzz Sawyer, who had a similar style and persona. As part of Kevin Sullivan’s short-lived Sullivan’s Slaughterhouse stable in WCW, he had some experience with horror gimmicks as well as a successful career before and after as a technically gifted madman type.
Joseph could certainly do worse when it comes to finding a legend to emulate, at least in gimmick. He might not want to copy Sawyer’s real-life personality.
