Jersey Championship Wrestling (JCW) hosted its annual “Born (Almost) on the Fourth of July” PPV event on July 6, 2025, at the House of Independents in Asbury Park, New Jersey. They are a secondary brand of Game Changer Wrestling (GCW). The event was JCW’s birthday celebration. It was streamed live and free on the GCW YouTube channel. It drew significant attention from wrestling fans for its mix of high-profile matches, intense promos, and notable moments.
Match Recaps
The card featured a stacked lineup with several high-profile matches, including title defenses, a tag team dream match, and a chaotic Jersey Lotto match.
GCW Tag Team Championship Match: YDNP (Jordan Oliver and Alec Price) (C) defeated Jonathan Gresham and Adam Priest
The defending champions, Young, Dumb and Poor (YDNP), faced off against the formidable duo of Jonathan Gresham and Adam Priest. This match was a focal point of the event, given the star power of both teams and the prestige of the GCW Tag Team Championships. YDNP, known for their high-flying and technical prowess, successfully retained their titles, as seen in a similar defense at JCW’s “May Flowers” event earlier in 2025. The match was a fast-paced, hard-hitting affair, showcasing Oliver and Price’s synergy against Gresham’s technical mastery and Priest’s physical dominance. The victory solidified YDNP’s reign. The match drew significant crowd engagement due to the popularity of both teams.
wXw Unified World Wrestling Championship: 1 Called Manders (C) defeated Man Like Dereiss
1 Called Manders defended his wXw Title against Man Like Dereiss in a hard-hitting contest. Manders, a powerhouse in the hardcore wrestling scene, leaned into his brawling style, while Dereiss brought agility and resilience. The match was a test of endurance, with Manders retaining the title. It was consistent with his successful defense against Tom Lawlor at “May Flowers.” Manders’ continued reign strengthens his position as a dominant champion, potentially attracting international attention from wXw’s European fanbase.
JCW World Championship Match: Masha Slamovich (C) defeated Mara Sade (fka WWE Jakara Jackson)
This was one of the most anticipated matches of the night. Masha Slamovich defended her JCW World Championship against Mara Sade. A promotional documentary titled “JCW CONFIDENTIAL” hyped the personal stakes of this matchup. Slamovich, a versatile and intense competitor, faced a formidable challenge in Sade, a former WWE NXT talent known for her athleticism. The match was a significant moment for the women’s division in JCW, showcasing two top-tier talents.
Tag Team Dream Match: Billie Starkz and Miyu Yamashita defeated Lena Kross and Megan Bayne
This highly promoted dream match pitted the dynamic duo of Billie Starkz and Miyu Yamashita against Lena Kross and Megan Bayne. The pairing of Starkz, a young prodigy, and Yamashita, a Japanese wrestling star, created a unique contrast with the powerhouse Kross and the imposing Bayne. The match was a blend of technical wrestling, high-flying moves, and raw power, delivering a standout performance that lived up to its billing as a “dream match.” This match elevated the visibility of all four competitors, particularly Bayne and Kross, who are rising stars in the independent scene. It also highlighted JCW’s commitment to showcasing international talent like Yamashita.
Lee Moriarty defeated Darian Bengston
Lee Moriarty, known for his technical wizardry, faced Darian Bengston in a singles match. This bout focused on mat-based wrestling, with Moriarty’s submission skills clashing with Bengston’s resilience. Moriarty’s victory over Marcus Mathers at “May Flowers” suggested continuing his momentum as a top singles competitor. This victory established him as a key player in JCW.
Mance Warner defeated Timothy Thatcher
This clash pitted the brawling, hardcore style of Mance Warner against the technical, submission-based approach of Timothy Thatcher. The contrast in styles produced a gritty, intense match, with Warner leaning into his unorthodox offense and Thatcher targeting submissions. It was a crowd-pleaser as fan-favorite Warner defeated Thatcher.
Dog Collar Match for the GCW Ultraviolent Championship: Matt Tremont defeated Mad Dog Connelly
A hardcore wrestling spectacle, this match featured Matt Tremont, a GCW/JCW staple known for his deathmatch style, against Mad Dog Connelly. There were weapons, blood, and chaos everywhere as Tremont got the win. This match catered to JCW’s hardcore fanbase.
Weapon of Choice Match: Beastman defeated Bam Sullivan
This match, billed as a “Weapon of Choice” bout, featured an array of weapons chosen by the competitors. It gave the JCW’s hardcore fans exactly the violence they wanted in this match. Beastman’s monstrous persona clashed with Sullivan’s unpredictable style, creating a chaotic spectacle. The match added to the event’s high-energy atmosphere.
Jersey Lotto Match: Marcus Mathers defeated Joey Janela, Tony Deppen, Griffin McCoy, Jackson Drake, Zayda Steele, Ava Everett, LSG, O’Shay Edwards, LeBron Kozone, Matt Mako, Janai Kai, Jordan Blade, Charles Mason, Effy, and Nick Comoroto
The Jersey Lotto match, a signature JCW multi-person match, featured entrants like Joey Janela, Zayda Steele, Janai Kai, Tony Deppen, and Effy. This match is a chaotic, unpredictable scramble, with surprise entrants and wild moments. It was a highlight of the night, showcasing a mix of young talent and established names.
Promos and Storyline Developments
JCW CONFIDENTIAL Documentary
A significant promotional element was the “JCW CONFIDENTIAL” documentary focusing on the Masha Slamovich vs. Mara Sade match. This video, promoted on X (formerly Twitter), provided a behind-the-scenes look at their rivalry, adding emotional depth to the championship bout. It included personal promos from both wrestlers, emphasizing their stakes in the match.
Hype for Dream Match
The Billie Starkz and Miyu Yamashita vs. Lena Kross and Megan Bayne match was heavily promoted as a “dream match” with X posts highlighting the unique pairing and generating fan excitement. Pre-match promos likely focused on the international appeal of Yamashita and the rising star power of Bayne and Kross. This lived up to its hype.
Event Hype on Social Media
JCW’s official X account (@JerseyCW) posted multiple updates leading up to the event, including match announcements and ticket information. These posts created a sense of urgency and excitement, describing the show as a “Birthday Blowout” and emphasizing its free streaming on YouTube. The promotional strategy was effective in drawing both live and online audiences.
Other Factors Impacting the Event
Venue and Atmosphere
The House of Independents, a staple venue for JCW in Asbury Park, provided an intimate setting that amplified the crowd’s energy. The 5:00 p.m. bell time and free streaming on YouTube made the event accessible, contributing to a hot crowd that JCW noted was “off to a hot start.”
JCW Hardcore Wrestling Roots
As a secondary brand of GCW, JCW leaned heavily into its hardcore wrestling identity, with matches like Tremont vs. Connelly and the Weapon of Choice bout catering to fans of extreme wrestling. This focus shaped the event’s tone and distinguished it from mainstream promotions like WWE.
Talent Development
The event showcased a mix of established stars (e.g., Masha Slamovich, Jonathan Gresham) and rising talents (e.g., Lena Kross, Marcus Mathers), reinforcing JCW’s role as a proving ground for independent wrestlers. The inclusion of international star Miyu Yamashita highlighted JCW’s growing global reach.
Streaming Impact
The decision to stream the event for free on YouTube, as opposed to a paid PPV model, likely boosted viewership but may have impacted ticket sales for the live event. This strategy aligns with GCW’s focus on expanding its audience through accessible platforms.
JCW Conclusion
The JCW “Born (Almost) on the Fourth of July” event on July 6, 2025, was a successful celebration of the promotion’s legacy. It delivered a mix of championship matches, hardcore bouts, and a star-studded dream tag team match. The free streaming on YouTube, combined with strong social media promotion, amplified its reach. The intimate House of Independents venue created a passionate atmosphere. Key matches like YDNP’s tag title defense, Masha Slamovich’s championship bout, and the chaotic Jersey Lotto match highlighted JCW’s diverse roster and hardcore roots. Promos, particularly the “JCW CONFIDENTIAL” documentary, added depth to the storylines. The event’s impact on the independent wrestling scene was significant, reinforcing JCW’s position as a key player in New Jersey’s vibrant wrestling landscape.
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