Brett Lauderdale Issues Statement On Drake Wuertz Joining GCW, Reveals Wuertz Donated Part Of Pay To Garden State Equality
Drake Wuertz made a surprise appearance at GCW Homecoming night one, helping Joseph Sawyer win the GCW World Title.
Wuertz competed the following night, losing to Otis Cogar in a deathmatch. After the match, Wuertz addressed the audience and apologized for his past behavior and comments, which included pushing QAnon views, publicly arguing against mandating mask-wearing, calling PRIDE month “woke propaganda,” and more.
On Monday, GCW promoter Brett Lauderdale issued a statement on why Wuertz was brought in and revealed that Wuertz donated a portion of his GCW pay ($250) to Garden State Equality, NJ’s largest LGBTQ+ advocacy group.
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
Wuertz (Drake Younger) previously worked for WWE as a referee, but was fired during the pandemic.
Wuertz has not commented further on the matter.
