GCW regular and well-known deathmatch competitor SHLAK has come under fire once again after he hit a competitor with his car during GCW Backyard Wrestling 2 on July 4. The incident was part of the match and was meant to be a callback to Big Japan in 2000 when Matsunaga tried to run over John Zandig.
However, SHLAK has a history of associating with Nazi group Atlantic City Skins and was part of the band Call the Paramedics, who pushed misogyny and sexual assault in their lyrics. Colette Arrand detailed SHLAK's past and associations in an article for FanByte, which you can read by clicking here.
What could have been a simple callback to a famous Big Japan deathmatch took a whole different meaning for some fans due to SHLAK's past associations and Black Lives Matter protestors being run down in the streets by white supremacists over the past few months.
With SHLAK being questioned about his past, he issued the following statement on social media.
"Over the course of my existence, I've done a lot of crazy and stupid shit. Trust me, some regrettable. I've been locked up, put around, and hung out with some very ignorant people, and played along while they've said some very hurtful things. I myself have said some very hurtful things and joked about things that, frankly, weren't funny at all. I understand my actions, regardless of intent, were inappropriate, ignorant, stupid, and just plain wrong. Unfortunately, I can't change the past. All I can do is move forward and live a better life. I want to say thank you to all my brothers and sisters in the locker room, who have actually met me in person, and take my words and actions at face value and have defended me every single time this has come up online and in person. I'm grateful for that. I want you to hear this come directly out of my mouth so there is no misconception; I am not a Nazi. I have never been a Nazi. I am completely against white supremacy and the discrimination of others based on skin color and sexual orientation. Let me say it loudly and clearly; Fuck Nazis!"
I have addressed this in the past, but it's clear I didn't go far enough. pic.twitter.com/KOCzNxzssq
— SHLAK (@SHLAK187) July 14, 2020
3. I have had literal physical conflict with sone of these people in the past over attempts to recruit me. I have never been a member, and I never will be.
— SHLAK (@SHLAK187) July 14, 2020
Game Changer Wrestling also issued the following statement on the matter:
Just to further clarify,
— GameChangerWrestling (@GCWrestling_) July 14, 2020
"Based on their skin color or sexual orientation" was/is NOT exclusive.
This extends to religion, folks with disabilities & everything else in between.
We are proud of our fanbase and nobody/no group will be allowed to fuck that up.
SHLAK has been competing for GCW since 2017.
