Joey Janela's Spring Break
Joey Janela's Spring Break is an annual professional wrestling pay-per-view event promoted by Game Changer Wrestling (GCW), founded and headlined by wrestler Joey Janela. Debuting in 2017, the event is renowned for its chaotic, high-energy atmosphere, featuring hardcore stipulation matches, multi-person battle royals, and appearances by talent from independent promotions as well as occasional mainstream crossovers. Held traditionally during WWE's WrestleMania weekend, it has established itself as a flagship show in the independent wrestling landscape, emphasizing spectacle and fan engagement through violent, innovative bouts.[1][2] The series originated as Janela's vision to create a "party-like" wrestling experience, with GCW owner Brett Lauderdale crediting the inaugural edition for planting seeds that transformed the industry by elevating indie events to major draws and influencing booking trends toward more extreme and entertaining formats. Early iterations, such as the 2019 edition split into two parts, showcased a mix of comedy, international stars, and deathmatches, setting a template for future shows. By 2025, the event had reached its ninth installment on April 18 at the Pearl Theater in the Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada, attended by 1,733 fans and streamed live on TrillerTV, followed by a second show, Joey Janela's Spring Break: Clusterfuck Forever, on April 19 at the same venue with 892 attendees.[1][2][3][4] Key hallmarks include the annual "Clusterfuck" battle royal, a 30-plus entrant elimination match that often features surprise participants and determines title challengers, alongside high-profile stipulations like no-rope barbed wire deathmatches. The 2025 events highlighted this with a main event No Rope Barbed Wire Match on April 18 between Janela and retiring ECW legend Sabu (who passed away in May 2025), alongside title defenses and interpromotional clashes involving wrestlers like Zack Sabre Jr. and the Wagner family on the first night, and the Clusterfuck battle royal—won by Brodie Lee Jr.—on the second. Its cultural impact extends to merchandise and trading cards, with sets released starting in 2019 to capitalize on the event's growing popularity.[2][5][6][7][8]Background
Inception and concept
Joey Janela, an independent wrestler from Asbury Park, New Jersey, who began his career at age 15 without formal training, had long toiled on the indie circuit, often driving hours for minimal or no pay while embracing a hardcore style influenced by early death matches and Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW).[9] By 2016, after gaining viral attention for a high-risk roof bump in a death match, Janela sought to elevate the indie scene by creating a WrestleMania-style spectacle tailored for independent wrestlers during WWE's WrestleMania weekend, allowing fans to experience dream matchups and nostalgia without the corporate polish.[10][9] The concept of Joey Janela's Spring Break emerged as a chaotic, fan-centric event blending hardcore wrestling, 1990s-inspired absurdity, and surprise appearances to evoke the excess of ECW and early non-WWE promotions, positioning it as a "throwback beach party" with high-energy matches featuring both rising stars and veterans.[11][9] Janela's vision emphasized spectacle over convention, aiming to deliver a midnight party atmosphere that contrasted with the more structured indie shows of the era, drawing on his personal affinity for nostalgic elements like iconic spots and campy fun to build a unique identity for the series.[10][11] Initial planning for the debut centered on March 30, 2017, at the Orlando Events Center in Fern Park, Florida, strategically timed to coincide with WrestleMania 33 weekend and capture the influx of wrestling fans in the area.[11] Janela, in partnership with Game Changer Wrestling (GCW) for production support, focused on booking dream matches to anchor the card, such as his own bout against 1990s icon Marty Jannetty.[10] Early promotional efforts relied heavily on social media hype, including viral videos highlighting Janela's obsession with Jannetty and other gimmicky storylines, which quickly generated buzz and sold out the event.[11][10]Promotion and production
The partnership between wrestler Joey Janela and Game Changer Wrestling (GCW) founder Brett Lauderdale formed in early 2017, when GCW agreed to produce Janela's envisioned event during WrestleMania weekend in Orlando, Florida. On short notice—just a couple of months before the show—GCW handled key logistics including talent booking, on-site security, and basic streaming setup, allowing Janela to focus on creative elements.[12] Production for the inaugural 2017 event relied on an independent framework, with limited professional broadcasting resources amid the high-stakes WrestleMania environment. By 2018, the event shifted to streamed broadcasts on FITE TV, enhancing accessibility and viewership. This evolution continued into the 2020s, with professional production on platforms like TrillerTV (formerly FITE TV) starting in 2021, incorporating multi-camera setups and global distribution.[13][14] Organizers faced significant challenges in venue negotiations, as WrestleMania weekend saturates available spaces in host cities, requiring early and competitive deals to secure suitable locations like the Orlando Events Center in 2017 or the Palms Casino Resort in 2025. Talent coordination added complexity, particularly with wrestlers under contract to major promotions such as AEW and WWE, where bookings often demand formal releases and approvals; for instance, WWE rejected a proposed mixed tag team match involving its talent Matt Cardona and Chelsea Green against GCW-contracted performers in early 2025.[15] Financially, the event demonstrated steady growth in ticket sales, drawing an estimated 900–1,000 attendees to the 2017 debut and expanding to approximately 1,800–2,000 for the 2018 edition. By 2025, approximately 1,300 tickets were sold for Spring Break 9, reflecting increased demand and scale, with attendance reaching 1,733. Sponsorships bolstered revenue, notably with 44OH! presenting the 2021 rSpring Break iteration amid pandemic adjustments.[12][16][3][17]Event format
Structure and match types
Joey Janela's Spring Break events typically run for 3 to 4 hours and feature 8 to 10 matches, structured to begin with undercard bouts that introduce a mix of styles before escalating to high-stakes main events.[18][19] The card often opens with the signature Clusterfuck battle royal, followed by a progression of singles, tag team, and specialty contests designed to showcase diverse wrestling talent and build audience energy throughout the night.[19] Common match types emphasize extreme and innovative formats, including deathmatches incorporating weapons such as barbed wire, glass panes, and light tubes to heighten the intensity and spectacle.[19] Intergender matches are a recurring element, allowing wrestlers of different genders to compete directly and reflecting GCW's boundary-pushing approach.[19] Multi-promotion crossovers are prevalent, drawing competitors from organizations like AEW, Impact Wrestling, and Ring of Honor to create dream matchups and broaden the event's appeal.[19] Title defenses play a central role in the card's composition, with championships such as the GCW World Championship and JCW World Title often featured in prominent positions to anchor the lineup and elevate stakes.[19] These bouts are integrated strategically, sometimes as open challenges or high-profile clashes, to highlight top contenders and maintain narrative continuity across the series.[19] The event structure has evolved over time, notably shifting to a two-night format starting with Spring Break 3 in 2019 to accommodate expanded content and larger cards without overwhelming a single evening.[20] This change allowed for more matches and varied storytelling, with subsequent iterations like Spring Break 6 in 2022 adopting the split format to enhance production scale and viewer engagement.[21]The Clusterfuck battle royal
The Clusterfuck battle royal serves as the marquee attraction of Joey Janela's Spring Break events, embodying the promotion's emphasis on unscripted chaos and inter-promotional crossovers within Game Changer Wrestling (GCW). Introduced at the inaugural event in 2017, it debuted with 30 participants entering at staggered intervals, akin to a Royal Rumble format, where eliminations occur primarily by tossing opponents over the top rope but also via pinfall, submission, or unconventional methods like "leaving the building."[11][22] The match operates without a time limit and under no-disqualification stipulations, permitting weapons such as chairs, doors, and tables, which frequently spill action beyond the ring into brawls, high-flying dives, and improvised spots that amplify its unpredictable nature.[22][23] The victor secures a future opportunity for the GCW World Championship, often cashed in at a subsequent major event, underscoring the match's role in elevating undercard talent to title contention.[24] Over the years, the field has grown dramatically to accommodate GCW's rising profile and fan demand for spectacle, reaching 60 entrants in the 2019 edition and peaking at 80 in 2025, allowing for broader international and surprise appearances that heighten the event's allure.[23][25] Notable victors include Jimmy Lloyd in 2017, who leveraged his win into a high-profile title challenge; The Invisible Man in 2018, highlighting the match's penchant for gimmick entrants; Nate Webb in 2020, amid a pandemic-adjusted show; Second Gear Crew (AJ Gray, Mance Warner, and Matthew Justice) in 2022, with AJ Gray pinning a final opponent in a marathon bout; Microman in 2024, overcoming a 79-person field as a fan-favorite underdog; and Brodie Lee Jr. in 2025, marking his in-ring debut with a dramatic last elimination.[11][26][19][24][27] Each winner's subsequent title pursuit has contributed to ongoing storylines, reinforcing the Clusterfuck's significance as a proving ground in GCW's ecosystem.[24]Events
Joey Janela's Spring Break (2017)
Joey Janela's Spring Break (2017) was the inaugural event in the annual professional wrestling series produced by Game Changer Wrestling (GCW), held on March 30, 2017, at the Orlando Live Events Center in Fern Park, Florida.[28] The show featured a mix of hardcore, technical, and multi-person matches, emphasizing chaotic and nostalgic elements during WrestleMania weekend. It introduced the signature Clusterfuck battle royal format, a 30-person over-the-top-rope elimination match designed to showcase surprise entrants and high-energy spots.[11] The full card consisted of seven matches, blending established indie talent with unexpected crossovers. In the opening bout, Sami Callihan defeated Kyle the Beast via submission with the Stretch Muffler at 9:45.[28] This was followed by a mixed tag team match where Andy Williams and Penelope Ford beat Braxton Sutter and Allie with an assisted moonsault at 8:08.[28] For the GCW Heavyweight Championship, champion Matt Tremont retained against Eddie Kingston by pinfall with a Death Valley Driver through a door at 10:42, in a hardcore-style encounter involving weapons and crowd brawling.[11] The Clusterfuck battle royal lasted 36:03 and saw Jimmy Lloyd emerge victorious by eliminating the final two opponents—Ethan Page and an entrant dressed as the Invisible Man—with an Omori Driver variation.[28] Lio Rush then upset Keith Lee with a series of frog splashes at 13:57 in a showcase of contrasting styles.[11] Event namesake Joey Janela defeated wrestling legend Marty Jannetty via pinfall with a superkick at 12:13, amid interference and nostalgic callbacks.[28] The main event pitted rising star Matt Riddle against MMA veteran Dan Severn, with Riddle securing the submission victory using the Bromission at 8:50.[11] Key highlights included the event's debut of unbridled chaotic energy, exemplified by weapon spots such as doors bridged across chairs and used for high-impact dives, as well as surprise appearances by figures like Glacier and referee Earl Hebner.[11] The Clusterfuck in particular captured this spirit, with over-the-top entrants like a costumed Invisible Man and playful elements such as a beach ball in the ring, contributing to a party-like atmosphere.[28] The event established the Spring Break series as a WrestleMania weekend staple, blending indie creativity with hardcore spectacle and drawing praise for its innovative booking that prioritized fun and unpredictability.[11]Joey Janela's Spring Break 2 (2018)
Joey Janela's Spring Break 2 took place on April 6, 2018, at the Pontchartrain Convention & Civic Center in Kenner, Louisiana, attracting an attendance of approximately 1,500 spectators.[26] This second iteration of the event expanded on the inaugural show's chaotic energy, particularly by staging the second annual Clusterfuck battle royal as a marquee attraction.[29] The card showcased a blend of deathmatch specialists, international stars, and rising independents, with a notable emphasis on Lucha libre elements through competitors like Penta El Zero M and Gringo Loco, adding high-flying and masked wrestler dynamics to the proceedings. Production quality saw improvements over the 2017 debut, including live streaming on FITE TV, which broadened the event's reach beyond the live crowd.[29] A six-way scramble opened the show, won by Eli Everfly over DJZ, Gringo Loco, Kyle the Beast, Teddy Hart, and Tony Deppen in 11:07, setting a fast-paced tone with multiple dives and near-falls.[26] The GCW World Championship match highlighted the event's deathmatch roots, as champion Nick Gage retained the title against Penta El Zero M in a no-disqualification bout lasting 9:27, featuring glass panes, doors, and brutal weapon spots that ended with Gage's Chokebreaker.[29] Other standout contests included Matt Riddle's quick 3:37 submission victory over James Ellsworth via Broton, PCO's hard-fought 18:27 defeat of WALTER through stiff strikes and a senton bomb, and David Starr's 11:35 win over Mike Quackenbush with technical prowess and a Hanunake.[26] The Clusterfuck battle royal, lasting 40:00 and involving over 30 entrants such as Orange Cassidy, MJF, and Swoggle, culminated in a comedic twist as The Invisible Man— a hooded mystery figure—eliminated Maxwell Jacob Friedman to claim victory.[29] The main event pitted host Joey Janela against Japanese legend The Great Sasuke in a 26:02 clash of styles, with Janela securing the pin after a series of dives, superkicks, and a top-rope elbow drop, underscoring the event's blend of hardcore intensity and athletic spectacle.[26] Overall, Spring Break 2 demonstrated the series' growing momentum, with title implications and diverse booking elevating its status in the independent wrestling scene.[30]Joey Janela's Spring Break 3 Part 1 (2019)
Joey Janela's Spring Break 3 Part 1 was held on April 5, 2019, at White Eagle Hall in Jersey City, New Jersey, marking a return to East Coast venues for the event series following previous iterations in California.[31][32] The show drew a sold-out crowd, streamed live on FITE TV, and emphasized high-energy undercard matches with a focus on hardcore and deathmatch elements to build anticipation for the following night's main attractions.[33][32] The event featured eight matches, absent the signature Clusterfuck battle royal which was reserved for Part 2, instead prioritizing a mix of comedy, international talent, and brutal openers to showcase Game Changer Wrestling's (GCW) diverse roster.[31] Production was handled by GCW with commentary provided by Kevin Gill, Dave Prazak, and Drew Cordeiro, capturing the intimate, rowdy atmosphere of the historic venue.[31]| No. | Results | Stipulation | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marko Stunt defeated Joey Janela (with Penelope Ford) by pinfall | Singles match | 16:00 |
| 2 | Tony Deppen defeated Dustin (a fan billed as "No Legs") by pinfall | Singles match | 8:00 |
| 3 | Jungle Boy defeated A-Kid, Jake Atlas, Australian Suicide, Slim J, and Shane Mercer by submission | Spring Break Scramble (six-man elimination match) | 10:00 |
| 4 | Nick Gage (c) defeated Shinjiro Otani by pinfall | Singles match for the GCW World Championship | 10:00 |
| 5 | Invisible Man defeated Invisible Stan by pinfall | Singles match (comedy bout with referee Bryce Remsburg portraying both wrestlers) | 7:00 |
| 6 | TAKA Michinoku defeated Orange Cassidy by pinfall | Singles match | 8:00 |
| 7 | Starman (Virgil) defeated Ethan Page by pinfall | Battle for Ethan Page's Soul and Dignity | 0:04 |
| 8 | Masashi Takeda defeated Jimmy Lloyd by pinfall | Anything Goes Deathmatch | 9:00 |
Joey Janela's Spring Break 3 Part 2 (2019)
Joey Janela's Spring Break 3 Part 2, subtitled "The Greatest Clusterfuck," took place on April 6, 2019, at the White Eagle Hall in Jersey City, New Jersey, drawing an attendance of 600.[36] This second night of the 2019 edition served as the capstone to Game Changer Wrestling's (GCW) WrestleMania weekend festivities, emphasizing chaotic, high-energy action with a mix of established stars and surprise appearances. The event was streamed live on FITE TV and featured four matches, building to an unprecedented multi-man battle royal that epitomized the series' boundary-pushing style.[37] The card opened with a singles match between Joey Janela, accompanied by Penelope Ford, and Jungle Boy, which Jungle Boy won via submission with the Snare Trap (also known as the Mushroom Lock) after 14 minutes of fast-paced exchanges and near-falls.[37] This was followed by a tag team clash where LAX (Santana and Ortiz) defeated the Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson) by pinfall in 8 minutes, showcasing generational contrast through double-team maneuvers and a decisive assisted senton.[37] The semi-main event pitted Masato Tanaka against L.A. Park in a no-disqualification brawl, won by Park via pinfall after 9 minutes highlighted by chair shots and a spear through a door propped against the ring corner.[37] The main event, the Greatest Clusterfuck battle royal, featured over 60 entrants in a format allowing timed entries and over-the-top-rope eliminations, lasting 86 minutes before ending in a no-contest due to escalating destruction and interference.[37] Notable participants included Necro Butcher, who competed for over an hour upon returning from retirement, Nick Gage, and celebrities like Brendan Brown of Wheatus, who joined as an entrant alongside wrestler Nate Webb for a musical interlude.[38] Extreme spots defined the match, such as SeXXXy Eddy's nude moonsault off the top rope, multiple dives through tables, light tube attacks, and a chaotic finale where female wrestlers disrupted proceedings by wielding weapons against the remaining men, leading to the ring's partial collapse.[38] This record-breaking field of participants underscored the event's emphasis on spectacle over traditional outcomes. The chaotic conclusion of the Clusterfuck, combined with its diverse and surprise-laden roster, further entrenched Joey Janela's Spring Break as a premier indie wrestling showcase known for unscripted insanity and fan engagement during WrestleMania season.[39] By prioritizing extreme, inclusive mayhem over decisive victories, Part 2 amplified the series' reputation for delivering unforgettable, boundary-testing entertainment that drew from deathmatch roots while incorporating comedy and celebrity crossovers.[37]Joey Janela's Spring Break 4 (2020)
Joey Janela's Spring Break 4 took place on October 10, 2020, at the Marion County Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, Indiana, as part of the rescheduled The Collective wrestling festival. Originally planned for April 3, 2020, during WrestleMania weekend, the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to widespread cancellations and restrictions in the professional wrestling industry. This shift marked a departure from the series' traditional spring timing, moving it to the fall and eliminating its usual tie-in with WWE's flagship event. The show was broadcast live on FITE TV, allowing fans to view it remotely amid gathering limitations. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the event's planning and execution, forcing Game Changer Wrestling (GCW) to cancel the original spring date as part of broader postponements for The Collective series. Organizers adapted by implementing health protocols, including a limited and socially distanced audience to comply with local regulations, resulting in a sparse crowd that contrasted with the high-energy atmospheres of prior installments. While specific mask mandates are not detailed in reports, the emphasis on social distancing highlighted the era's constraints on live events, prioritizing safety over capacity. These changes refocused the production on streaming accessibility and emotional storytelling, allowing the event to proceed without the unrestricted chaos of previous years. The card featured nine matches, blending high-flying action, interpromotional clashes, and the signature Clusterfuck battle royal, with a strong emphasis on personal narratives amid the pandemic's uncertainties. Key highlights included the main event deathmatch, where Alex Colon defeated Matt Tremont in a brutal 26-minute encounter involving light tubes, barbed wire, and tables, marking Tremont's emotional retirement from GCW after a decade with the promotion. Tremont, a cornerstone of GCW's deathmatch division, received a heartfelt sendoff, underscoring themes of closure and resilience in a challenging year for independent wrestling. The Clusterfuck battle royal, a staple of the series, lasted over 72 minutes with 53 entrants and was won by "Spyder" Nate Webb, who secured victory by pinning the final two competitors, 1 Called Manders and A.J. Gray, via a moonsault-assisted Van Terminator. Other notable bouts included Ricky Morton upsetting event namesake Joey Janela in a fun, nostalgic matchup that highlighted Morton's veteran savvy against Janela's athleticism; Lio Rush defeating ACH in a fast-paced showcase; and Tony Deppen overcoming Alex Shelley in a technical grappler's duel. The full results were as follows:| Match | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Orange Cassidy vs. Rickey Shane Page | Orange Cassidy defeated Rickey Shane Page | Non-title match; comedic opener with Cassidy's signature style. |
| Ironbeast (Shane Mercer & KTB) vs. The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz) | Ironbeast defeated The Rascalz | Tag team showcase emphasizing power vs. agility. |
| Jonathan Gresham vs. Lee Moriarty | Jonathan Gresham defeated Lee Moriarty | Pure wrestling clinic. |
| Team Pazuzu (Chris Dickinson, Santana & Ortiz) vs. Blake Christian, Alex Zayne & Jordan Oliver | Team Pazuzu defeated Blake Christian, Alex Zayne & Jordan Oliver | Six-man tag with Inner Circle members. |
| Tony Deppen vs. Alex Shelley | Tony Deppen defeated Alex Shelley | Submission-heavy contest. |
| Lio Rush vs. ACH | Lio Rush defeated ACH | High-speed aerial exchange. |
| Joey Janela vs. Ricky Morton | Ricky Morton defeated Joey Janela | Upset victory for the Rock 'n' Roll Express legend. |
| Clusterfuck Battle Royal | "Spyder" Nate Webb won | 53 entrants; over 72 minutes; Webb last eliminated Manders and Gray. |
| Matt Tremont vs. Alex Colon (Deathmatch; Tremont's GCW retirement match) | Alex Colon defeated Matt Tremont | Emotional farewell with extreme weapons; 26:20 duration. |