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Ex-WWE Stars Announce New Promotion

By Craig Ballantyne • Published 25th April 2024
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A former WWE tag team has announced a new wrestling venture.

Zack Gibson and James Drake, better known as Grizzled Young Veterans, joined WWE back in 2018 and quickly became NXT UK’s inaugural Tag Team Champions. The pair transitioned to NXT in 2020 and became a formidable force in the US branch of the developmental branch.

Gibson and Drake underwent a surprising transformation in 2022. Under the names Jagger Reid and Rip Fowler, the pair were known as The Dyad and joined Joe Gacy’s Schism faction. They remained part of that group until September 2023 when they left the company.

A few weeks later, Grizzled Young Veterans launched a scathing attack on WWE, claiming that overproduction there led to “soulless wrestlers” and the “death of creativity.” Since then, the two have been wrestling on the independent scene and have made multiple appearances in TNA.

Former WWE Stars Grizzled Young Veterans Launch UK Promotion

Now, on top of their wrestling commitments, Drake and Gibson have announced the creation of Burning Heart Pro Wrestling, which they promise has been “created by wrestlers, for wrestlers and fans.”

Confirming that the first show would take place on June 25th in Liverpool, the pair went back and forth in a video announcement.

Gibson: “I am Liverpool’s Number One Zack Gibson. This man is James Drake. Together, we are Grizzled Young Veterans.”

Drake: “Today is our privilege to announce the arrival of Burning Heart Pro Wrestling, a new international wrestling promotion run by a committee of top international wrestlers.”

Gibson: “It is my pleasure to announce that the first show will take place in my hometown on the 25th of June at the Liverpool Olympia, a venue rich in history that has seen its fair share of blood, sweat, and tears in a city with unrivaled heart what better place for a company called Burning Heart to show the world exactly what they are about pro wrestling from the heart.”

Drake: “Get your tickets this Monday at 10 am GMT or BurningHeartWrestling.com.”

Gibson: “This is the first time we’ve been back in Liverpool in over five years, so you know that we’re bringing our best, and you know that we’re coming for a fight.”

Drake: “So remember this June 21 Liverpool Olympia when you see the GYV coming, grit your teeth.”

H/T to WrestlingNews.co for the above transcription.