GCW Issues Apology After Talent Uses Offensive Slur, Donates Their Pay To Charity
GCW donated one performer’s pay to charity after that wrestler used offensive language toward two fans at a recent event.
At GCW Aura on November 20th, independent wrestler Chris Hamrick participated in a scramble match. Prior to the bout beginning, however, he directed a homophobic slur at two members of the audience, a move the company has wholeheartedly condemned.
In a social media post, Game Changer Wrestling revealed that not only would they apologize for the incident, they would be donating Hamrick’s pay as well as a matching donation from the company themselves to Youth Pride RI, an organization that focuses on helping LGBTQ+ individuals in Rhode Island under the age of 23. The social media post included a screenshot of a $500 donation made by the company along with descriptions of the organization receiving the funds.
“During tonite’s event, Chris Hamrick used language in an unscripted promo that was inconsistent with our values & offensive to many in our audience. We apologize to those affected. We are donating Chris’s pay, and matching it with an equal donation of our own to Youth Pride RI.”
During tonite's event, Chris Hamrick used language in an unscripted promo that was inconsistent with our values & offensive to many in our audience. We apologize to those affected.
We are donating Chris's pay, and matching it with an equal donation of our own to Youth Pride RI. pic.twitter.com/5pEFAWYRgX
— GameChangerWrestling (@GCWrestling_) November 20, 2022
Hamrick himself took to social media to apologize for his actions, saying that while he used that type of slur out of habit, there is no excuse and that he should know better. His Twitter account has since been deactivated.
“I want to apologize to everyone for the language I used at the GCW show tonite. For years I used this language in character and it became a habit. Regardless, there is no excuse because I know these words are offensive and I should know better. Sorry to anyone I offended #GCWAura”
Hamrick’s comments come at an especially charged time in the United States as the previous day saw a mass shooting at a queer nightclub in Colorado Springs that left five people dead and many more injured. GCW Aura featured a number of openly LGBTQ+ performers on the card including EFFY, Dark Shiek, and Allie Katch.