Tag: indie wrestling hall of fame

Amazing Red to be inducted into Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame

Posted on by Josh Nason

Amazing Red is the first inductee into the 2025 Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame.

The news was announced Sunday during The People vs. GCW following a trios match that Red was part of. Homicide, who was on his team, presented him with a Hall of Fame plaque after the match to reveal the news.

The ceremony is expected to take place during WrestleMania 41 weekend in Las Vegas this April.

Along with contemporaries like The SAT, the 42-year-old became a legend on the Northeast U.S. indie scene in the early 2000s, displaying a style that influenced many of the top stars that followed. He wrestled in Ring of Honor, TNA, CZW, and the early days of MLW among other various indies.

He eventually founded his own school and promotion (House of Glory) where he still occasionally competes today.

He is a three-time former TNA X-Division Champion, former NWA Tag Team Champion with Jerry Lynn, and former ROH Tag Team Champion with AJ Styles among a few dozen indie titles.

He’s the 21st inductee into the Hall of Fame that was first established in 2021.

Sabu returns deposit after no-showing Indie HOF ceremony

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The situation with Sabu no-showing his Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame induction has now been fully resolved.

Sabu had been announced as a member of the Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame class of 2024. But even though he was physically in the same building where it was taking place, Sabu did not appear at the ceremony this past Sunday. He was at WrestleCon while the HOF ceremony was happening.

The ECW legend explained that he didn’t appear at the ceremony because he “changed [his] mind.” GCW promoter Brett Lauderdale responded that there were no hard feelings and he still respected Sabu both as a person and a performer.

In an update on Thursday night, Lauderdale revealed that Sabu has returned the $300 deposit he received for the Hall of Fame event. Lauderdale has donated the deposit to the William Way LGBT Community Center in Philadelphia.

“Tonight, Sabu reached out to GCW & returned the deposit ($300) he received for the Indie Hall of Fame. I appreciate the gesture & want to thank/reiterate my respect for Sabu,” Lauderdale tweeted. “I’ve decided to redirect the money in the form of a donation to The William Way LGBT Community Center.”

The William Way LGBT Community Center seeks to “engage and support the diverse LGBTQIA+ communities in the greater Philadelphia area through arts & culture, empowerment, and community connections.”

The Sheraton hotel in downtown Philadelphia was the host of the 2024 Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame ceremony. Since 2022, the event has taken place annually during WrestleMania weekend. The Hall of Fame is presented by Game Changer Wrestling and Orange Crush magazine.

The Briscoes (Jay & Mark Briscoe), Trent Acid, Steve Corino, Mercedes Martinez, “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert, and indie superfan Kevin “Whack Packer” Hogan were the other members of the 2024 Indie Hall of Fame class.

Sabu explains no-showing Indie HOF induction: ‘I changed my mind’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Sabu had a simple explanation for why he no-showed the 2024 Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame ceremony: he changed his mind about going.

The ECW icon was supposed to be inducted into the Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame on Sunday. But despite being in the hotel where the ceremony was taking place, Sabu did not attend. GCW promoter Brett Lauderdale tweeted that, “in the true spirit of independent wrestling,” Sabu decided to keep his deposit and no-show the booking.

Sabu was at WrestleCon while the induction ceremony was taking place. Both events were held at the Sheraton hotel in downtown Philadelphia.

In a social media post on Wednesday night, Sabu addressed why he didn’t appear at the ceremony: “i changed my mind.”

Lauderdale responded to the explanation and said he has no hard feelings toward Sabu.

“Just for the record, I have no hard feelings towards Sabu and still have nothing but respect for him as a person and especially as a performer,” Lauderdale wrote. “The sacrifices he made changed the game (pardon the pun) and many of my favorite memories as a fan are centered around his work.”

The Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame is presented by GCW and Orange Crush magazine. The ceremony takes place annually during WrestleMania weekend.

The 2024 class also included The Briscoes (Jay & Mark Briscoe), Trent Acid, Steve Corino, Mercedes Martinez, Eddie Gilbert, and indie superfan Kevin “Whack Packer” Hogan.

GCW says Sabu no-showed Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame ceremony

Posted on by Joseph Currier

When the 2024 Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame ceremony took place on Sunday afternoon, one of the scheduled inductees did not appear.

Sabu was supposed to be inducted into the Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame as part of its 2024 class, but he wasn’t at the ceremony. Game Changer Wrestling promoter Brett Lauderdale tweeted that Sabu no-showed the Hall of Fame despite being downstairs in the hotel where the event was taking place.

Lauderdale wrote:

In the true spirit of independent wrestling, sabu has decided to keep his deposit and no show the indie hall of fame ceremony today. He accepted the booking and took the money, but doesnt wanna get in the elevator and come upstairs

What a legend

Sabu was present at WrestleCon while the induction ceremony was taking place. Both events were held at the Sheraton hotel in downtown Philadelphia.

The Briscoes (Jay & Mark Briscoe), Trent Acid, Steve Corino, Mercedes Martinez, Eddie Gilbert, and indie superfan Kevin “Whack Packer” Hogan were the other members of the 2024 Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame class. Jay Briscoe, Acid, Gilbert, and Hogan were inducted posthumously.

The Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame is presented by GCW and Orange Crush Magazine. It was first established in 2022.

This year’s ceremony is available to watch below: 

Eddie Gilbert joins Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame class of 2024

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A new inductee has been confirmed for the Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame class of 2024.

“Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert will be inducted into Game Changer Wrestling & Orange Crush magazine’s Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame this Sunday (April 7). The induction ceremony is streaming live for free on YouTube starting at noon Eastern time.

Trent Acid, The Briscoes, indie superfan Kevin “Whack Packer” Hogan, Steve Corino, Sabu, and Mercedes Martinez are also part of the Hall of Fame class. Acid, Jay Briscoe, Hogan, and Gilbert are being inducted posthumously.

The son of Tommy Gilbert, Eddie began his in-ring career as a teenager. He worked as both a wrestler and a booker before passing away at 33 years old in 1995.

Gilbert is best known for his time wrestling in Memphis. He also has a connection to Philadelphia through the work he did for ECW.

The Sheraton hotel in downtown Philly is hosting Sunday’s Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame ceremony. The ceremony is held annually during WrestleMania weekend.

Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame inductees —

Class of 2022:

  • Dave Prazak
  • Jerry Lynn
  • Homicide
  • LuFisto
  • Ruckus
  • Tracy Smothers

Class of 2023:

  • Cheerleader Melissa
  • Christopher Daniels
  • Excalibur
  • Jimmy Jacobs
  • Michael Modest
  • Paul London

Class of 2024:

  • Trent Acid
  • The Briscoes (Jay & Mark Briscoe)
  • Kevin “Whack Packer” Hogan
  • Steve Corino
  • Sabu
  • Mercedes Martinez
  • Eddie Gilbert

Mercedes Martinez announced for Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Mercedes Martinez is being honored for her contributions to independent wrestling.

In Philadelphia this Sunday (April 7), Martinez will be inducted into the Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame. She’s the sixth act announced for the 2024 class. Trent Acid, Jay & Mark Briscoe, indie superfan Kevin “Whack Packer” Hogan, Steve Corino, and Sabu are also being honored.

Fellow Shimmer veteran Lexie Fyfe will be inducting Martinez into the Hall of Fame.

Martinez was an indie standout in the 2000s and 2010s. She later wrestled for WWE and is now contracted to AEW.

Currently wrestling in ROH, Martinez lost to Billie Starkz in the semifinals of ROH’s Women’s TV title tournament last month.

The Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame was established in 2022 by Game Changer Wrestling and Orange Crush magazine. The induction ceremony takes place annually during WrestleMania weekend. This year’s ceremony will stream live on YouTube for free starting at noon Eastern time on Sunday.

Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame inductees —

Class of 2022:

  • Dave Prazak
  • Jerry Lynn
  • Homicide
  • LuFisto
  • Ruckus
  • Tracy Smothers

Class of 2023:

  • Cheerleader Melissa
  • Christopher Daniels
  • Excalibur
  • Jimmy Jacobs
  • Michael Modest
  • Paul London

Class of 2024:

  • Trent Acid
  • The Briscoes (Jay & Mark Briscoe)
  • Kevin “Whack Packer” Hogan
  • Steve Corino
  • Sabu
  • Mercedes Martinez

Sabu to be inducted into Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame

Posted on by Joseph Currier

One of ECW’s biggest legends is being inducted into the Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Game Changer Wrestling announced today that Sabu will be inducted into the Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame on Sunday, April 7. The induction ceremony is being held in Philadelphia, which was the home city of ECW.

GCW hasn’t announced who will be inducting Sabu.

Sabu joins The Briscoes (Jay & Mark Briscoe), Steve Corino, Trent Acid, and indie wrestling superfan Kevin “Whack Packer” Hogan in this year’s Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame class.

One of the best and most recognizable hardcore wrestlers of all time, Sabu is a former ECW World Champion, NWA World Heavyweight Champion, ECW Television Champion, and ECW Tag Team Champion.

Sabu wrestled for WWE from 2006-2007 as part of WWE’s ECW revival.

Last year, Sabu made a couple of appearances for AEW and served as the special guest enforcer for Adam Cole vs. Chris Jericho at Double or Nothing 2023.

The 59-year-old Sabu hasn’t wrestled since 2021 but has mentioned the idea of potentially having one last match against his friend Rob Van Dam.

The Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame was established in 2022 by GCW and Orange Crush Magazine. This year’s ceremony will stream live on YouTube for free starting at noon Eastern time on April 7. The ceremony is taking place from the Sheraton hotel in downtown Philadelphia.

Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame inductees —

Class of 2022:

  • Dave Prazak
  • Jerry Lynn
  • Homicide
  • LuFisto
  • Ruckus
  • Tracy Smothers

Class of 2023:

  • Cheerleader Melissa
  • Christopher Daniels
  • Excalibur
  • Jimmy Jacobs
  • Michael Modest
  • Paul London

Class of 2024:

  • Trent Acid
  • The Briscoes (Jay & Mark Briscoe)
  • Kevin “Whack Packer” Hogan
  • Steve Corino
  • Sabu

Steve Corino to be inducted into Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Former ECW star Steve Corino is being honored in Philadelphia over WrestleMania weekend.

Corino will be inducted into the Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame on Sunday, April 7. The Hall of Fame was established in 2022 by Game Changer Wrestling and Orange Crush magazine.

The 50-year-old Corino tweeted that he’s honored to be part of the Indie Hall of Fame. He’s being inducted by his son Colby Corino, who is a wrestler for the NWA. 

Steve Corino wrestled in ECW, ROH, and all over the world during his two-plus decade career in the ring. He was a one-time ECW World Heavyweight Champion. Since 2017, Corino has worked behind the scenes in WWE. He’s a coach and producer in NXT.

Corino is a former color commentator for ROH and NJPW.

Corino came out of retirement in 2021 to face his son Colby in a match for Premier Wrestling Federation. It’s the only time the elder Corino has wrestled since 2016.

The 2024 Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame ceremony is taking place from the Sheraton hotel in downtown Philadelphia. It starts at noon Eastern time on April 7 and will stream live on YouTube for free.

The Briscoes (Jay & Mark Briscoe), Trent Acid, and indie wrestling superfan Kevin “Whack Packer” Hogan are also part of this year’s Hall of Fame class. Jay Briscoe, Acid, and Hogan are being inducted posthumously.

Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame —

Class of 2022:

  • Dave Prazak
  • Jerry Lynn
  • Homicide
  • LuFisto
  • Ruckus
  • Tracy Smothers

Class of 2023:

  • Cheerleader Melissa
  • Christopher Daniels
  • Excalibur
  • Jimmy Jacobs
  • Michael Modest
  • Paul London

Class of 2024:

  • Trent Acid
  • The Briscoes (Jay & Mark Briscoe)
  • Kevin “Whack Packer” Hogan
  • Steve Corino

The Briscoes to be inducted into Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame

Posted on by Joseph Currier

One of the greatest tag teams of all time is set to be inducted into the Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Game Changer Wrestling has announced that The Briscoes (Jay & Mark Briscoe) will be inducted into the Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame over WrestleMania weekend this April. Mark Briscoe will be in attendance at the ceremony to accept the honor on behalf of himself and his late brother.

Jay & Mark started their careers as teenagers on the indies in Delaware. They’d go on to become one of the most decorated tag teams ever, including 13 reigns with the ROH Tag Team titles. The Briscoes were the first act ever inducted into the ROH Hall of Fame in 2022.

Jay Briscoe (Jamin Pugh) passed away in a car accident in January 2023. He was 38 years old. On the one year anniversary of his death, the Briscoe family honored Jay on AEW Dynamite last month.

Mark Briscoe (Mark Pugh) is signed to AEW and competes for both AEW and ROH.

Created by GCW and Orange Crush magazine, the Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame was first established in 2022. This year’s ceremony is taking place from the Sheraton hotel in downtown Philadelphia on Sunday, April 7. The ceremony will stream live on YouTube for free starting at noon Eastern time.

The late Trent Acid (Michael Verdi) has also been confirmed for this year’s Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame class. Acid is being inducted by his former Backseat Boyz tag team partner Johnny Kashmere.

Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame inductees —

Class of 2022:

  • Dave Prazak
  • Jerry Lynn
  • Homicide
  • LuFisto
  • Ruckus
  • Tracy Smothers

Class of 2023:

  • Cheerleader Melissa
  • Christopher Daniels
  • Excalibur
  • Jimmy Jacobs
  • Michael Modest
  • Paul London

Class of 2024:

  • Trent Acid
  • The Briscoes (Jay & Mark Briscoe)

Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame reveals first class of 2024 inductee

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame has revealed the first inductee for its 2024 class.

Created by Game Changer Wrestling and Orange Crush magazine, the Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame was first established in 2022. Its induction ceremony takes place as part of GCW’s The Collective during WrestleMania week each year.

The 2024 ceremony is being held at the Sheraton hotel in downtown Philadelphia on the afternoon of Sunday, April 7. It will stream live on YouTube for free.

Trent Acid is the first member of this year’s class. Acid will be inducted by his former tag team partner Johnny Kashmere. Known as The Backseat Boyz, they were a top indie tag team and held titles in numerous promotions including ROH and CZW.

Acid (real name Michael Verdi) passed away of a drug overdose in 2010. He was 29 years old.

Philadelphia was Acid’s hometown.

Acid becomes the 13th person to join the Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame. There were six inductees in both 2022 and 2023:

Class of 2022 —

  • Dave Prazak
  • Jerry Lynn
  • Homicide
  • LuFisto
  • Ruckus
  • Tracy Smothers

Class of 2023 —

  • Cheerleader Melissa
  • Christopher Daniels
  • Excalibur
  • Jimmy Jacobs
  • Michael Modest
  • Paul London

Class of 2024 —

  • Trent Acid

Orange Cassidy to induct Excalibur into GCW Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Orange Cassidy will induct Excalibur into the GCW Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame at a ceremony on Sunday, April 2.

GCW announced late Wednesday that Cassidy, AEW’s International Champion, will induct Excalibur at the event set for the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. The ceremony will air live on FITE+ at 3 p.m. Eastern time.

AEW’s lead broadcast voice since its 2019 inception, Excalibur is also the co-founder of Pro Wrestling Guerilla, widely considered the most influential independent pro wrestling promotion in the country. 

Real name Marc Letzmann, Excalibur had a seven-year career as an independent wrestler prior to becoming a commentator. He wrestled on PWG’s first show in 2003. 

The 2023 class of the Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame includes these entrants and inductees: 

  • Excalibur [Orange Cassidy]
  • Paul London [TBA]
  • Cheerleader Melissa [Dave Prazak]
  • Jimmy Jacobs [Alex Shelley]
  • Mike Modest [Beyond the Mat director Barry Blaustein]
  • Christopher Daniels [Frankie Kazarian]

GCW and Orange Crush magazine established the Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2022. The first class consisted of Jerry Lynn, Homicide, Dave Prazak, LuFisto, Ruckus, and Tracy Smothers.

Paul London announced for GCW Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame

Posted on by Joseph Currier

GCW has revealed a new inductee for this year’s Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame class.

It was announced on Friday that Paul London will be inducted into the Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame over The Collective weekend on Sunday, April 2. He’s the sixth entrant for the class, joining Christopher Daniels, Cheerleader Melissa, Jimmy Jacobs, Mike Modest, and Excalibur.

Daniels is being inducted into the Hall of Fame by Frankie Kazarian. Cheerleader Melissa is being inducted by Dave Prazak, Jacobs is being inducted by Alex Shelley, and Modest is being inducted by “Beyond the Mat” director Barry Blaustein.

GCW hasn’t announced who will be inducting Excalibur or London.

London was one of the standout indie wrestlers of the early 2000s, including being one of the top wrestlers in Ring of Honor when the promotion launched. In ROH, fans famously chanted “Please Don’t Die” at London over the moves he would do.

London returned to the indies following a stint with WWE that lasted from 2003-2008.

GCW and Orange Crush magazine established the Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2022. The inaugural class featured Jerry Lynn, Homicide, Dave Prazak, LuFisto, Ruckus, and Tracy Smothers.

This year’s induction ceremony is taking place at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles and will air live via Fite+.

Excalibur announced for Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame

Posted on by Josh Nason

This story was updated and corrected.

Pro Wrestling Guerrilla co-founder, former indie wrestler and AEW lead commentator Excalibur was announced as the fifth entrant into the Indie Hall of Fame Thursday.

The ceremony will take place Sunday, April 2nd at the Millenium Biltmore as part of WrestleCon taking place during WrestleMania weekend in Los Angeles.

It’s unknown who will induct him.

One final entrant has yet to be announced.

The 42-year-old Excalibur (Marc Letzmann) is one of six founders of the famed PWG out of Los Angeles, an indie promotion that has featured a who’s who of domestic and international talent in addition to their yearly Battle of Los Angeles tournament.

He was an indie wrestler from 2000 through his retirement in 2007 due to concerns about the long-term effects of concussions. In his time in the ring, he worked for PWG, CZW, Chikara, and California’s RevPro.

He has been part of the AEW broadcast team since 2019.

Here are the five current inductees and who will be inducting them:

  • Excalibur (TBA)
  • Christopher Daniels (Frankie Kazarian)
  • Cheerleader Melissa (Dave Prazak)
  • Jimmy Jacobs (Alex Shelley)
  • Mike Modest (TBA)

Jimmy Jacobs announced for GCW Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Jimmy Jacobs is being honored with an induction into GCW’s Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame.

GCW has announced that Jacobs will be inducted into the Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame during The Collective weekend next month. The induction ceremony is being held at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles on Sunday, April 2.

Jacobs is being inducted into the Hall of Fame by Alex Shelley.

Jacobs is a former ROH Tag Team Champion, holding the titles five times. He currently works behind the scenes in Impact Wrestling.

Jacobs was also formerly part of the creative team for WWE.

Three inductees have now been confirmed for this year’s Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame class. In addition to Jacobs, Christopher Daniels (inducted by Frankie Kazarian) and Cheerleader Melissa (inducted by Dave Prazak) are being inducted.

The Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame was established by GCW and Orange Crush magazine in 2022. Jerry Lynn, Homicide, Prazak, LuFisto, Ruckus, and Tracy Smothers were part of the inaugural inductee class.

Cheerleader Melissa to be inducted into the Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Cheerleader Melissa is the second inductee announced for this year’s Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame.

GCW announced Wednesday that Melissa will be inducted by Dave Prazak. Christopher Daniels, who will be inducted by Frankie Kazarian, was the first inductee announced for this year’s ceremony, which will take place on April 2 at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles during WrestleMania 39 weekend.

Melissa started wrestling in 1999. She is best known for her run in Impact Wrestling as Awesome Kong’s manager Raisha Saeed who occasionally wrestled from 2008 through 2009. She also wrestled for the promotion under the name Alissa Flash on and off through 2013.

Outside of Impact, she also wrestled for APW, ChickFight, and Shimmer. In Shimmer, she held the Shimmer Championship twice and the Shimmer Tag Team titles once with Mercedes Martinez.

GCW held their first Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame ceremony last year, with Tracy Smothers, Ruckus, Homicide, Jerry Lynn, Prazak, and LuFisto as the inaugural class.