Joey Janela On Who Can Step Up For GCW Now That Talent Is Leaving

In an interview with Wrestling Inc, Joey Janela spoke about what talent will be able to step up and fill the void in GCW now that AEW has signed names like himself, Jungle Boy and Marko Stunt and others to full-time contracts. Here are highlights:

On what GCW has meant to him: “I’ve been there since the beginning and took a lot of risks for them. We watched each other grow to be responsible adults. Well, they’re at least responsible adults, me, not so much. Still, it means a lot to me as I’ve watched them grow and sell out shows all over the country. So, it means a lot. Right now I’m really looking forward to letting my body rest. I’ve been going pretty hard this summer so I’m looking forward to that and having some weekends off. And just looking forward to TV and all the fame that comes with it.”

On Brian Lauderdale: “He’s a smart dude who knows how to strike when the iron is hot. He definitely knows what he is doing and a lot of his shows are different types of pro wrestling shows. He had Nick Gage which started it all and the Tournament of Survival. Then there’s Spring Break and Bloodsport and this year was Orange Cassidy. I’m sure there will be many other themed shows after very charismatic individuals. But Brett is great putting these together and getting the buzz flowing.”

On if he wants Lauderdale in AEW: “I would like that. With AEW, a lot of there talent have gotten a lot of buzz from GCW. So I’m hoping that some time in the future we can work something out. But right now AEW is trying to get its footing and they have bigger things to worry about. But I hope one day we can work something out.”

On who can fill the void with established stars leaving: “Well they’re already establishing guys like Alex Zayne, Effy and Chris Dickinson. Now they’re putting them on more shows and I don’t think it will be an issue for GCW to recoup from all of this signage. I think those guys are gonna step up to the plate and especially Tony Deppen who is probably the biggest workhorse on the indies in 2019. So, I think they’re gonna be alright.”

On Effy: “I think he’s great and very charismatic. He can hang with the best of them and he proved that on the feature GCW shows. He had a match on All Out weekend with Nick Gage that got great reviews and he stepped out of his element for that. I think he’s gonna be one of these guys who gets better and better by just wrestling all of these different types of wrestlers at GCW.”

On his advice for other indie promotions: “Just think outside the box and don’t try to emulate other people. GCW, I know a lot of people compare them to CZW when they first started. But I think they’ve completely surpassed them at this point. They are gonna keep on being their own thing. I would just say think outside of the box and don’t stick to a formula. I say that to wrestlers, promoters, bookers – the formula is not the way to go in 2019. The formula has been done and you’ve gotta think outside the box.”