Drake Wuertz (Drake Younger) Makes Surprise Appearance at GCW Homecoming 2026 and Gives Statement Apologizing for Past Controversies, Brett Lauderdale Issues Statement Over Backlash For Booking Wuertz

This past Saturday’s Homecoming 2026 Part 1 event for Game Changer Wrestling in Atlantic City, New Jersey featured former WWE referee Drake Wuertz, former Drake Younger in the indies, making a surprise appearance. Wuertz helped Joseph Sawyer defeat Atticus Cogar for his GCW World Championship victory at the event.

Wuertz also made an appearance at GCW’s Homecoming 2026 Part 2 event this past Sunday in Atlantic City. Wuertz competed against Otis Cogar for the GCW Ultraviolent Championship, which was won by Otis. Following the match, Wuertz gave a speech talking about how he accepts and appreciates that people may not be thrilled with him showing up in GCW. After talking about how Joey Janela and GCW promoter Brett Lauderdale tried to help him out after he had lost his way five or six years ago, he gave an apology for the controversies he has been involved with and him associating with topics and groups that he had no business of interest in being affiliated with.

“You are incredibly valid for feeling that way. People like Joey and Brett were saying, ‘That’s not the guy I know.’ I brushed it off and didn’t listen. I had tunnel vision and was associating with topics and groups, loosely or directly that I had no business or interest affiliated with. Through that, I may have said some things, and I definitely some things that offended a large portion of our audience in independent wrestling. For that, genuinely, I’m sorry, and I hope you’ll forgive me.”

Wuertz also stated that he hasn’t asked for any special treatment and isn’t there for a legends contract, he’s there because he’s one of the best. Wuertz continued stating that all he is asking is for the opportunity to prove he’s not that guy. Wuertz thanked both Lauderdale and Janela for giving him this opportunity again in GCW.

Following the online backlash over GCW’s booking of Wuertz at their Homecoming shows, Lauderdale responded in a series of tweets about his decision to bring back Wuertz to GCW and the personal connection he had to him. Lauderdale also stated that Wuertz had donated a portion of his GCW pay ($250) to Garden State Equality, which is the largest LGBTQ+ advocacy group in the state of New Jersey.

“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 and why does that second chance come in GCW of all places?

The answer to that question is personal to me…

In March of 2012, I was on the losing end of a brutal addiction to opiates. I was at the end of the road. I was in Miami for Mania Week and I needed help. I didn’t know what to do.

Only one person reached out his hand to help and that person was Drake Younger. On that day, [March 29, 2012], he took me to my first of many years of [Narcotics Anonymous] meetings that put me on my road to recovery.

Drake’s compassion changed (saved) my life, he gave me a second chance. I’ve been waiting for years to return the favor and give him his second chance. In my heart, I feel like now is that time.”

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

Among the notable controversies Wuertez was involved during his time with WWE from 2013 to 2021 included him participating in QAnon activities, being public against mandating mask-wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, publicly criticizing wrestlers taking COVID shots, and claimed that the country-wide mask mandates to combat COVID put children at risk of being trafficked. Wuertz was also involved in a notable incident backstage following him walking out after WWE CCO Paul “Triple H” Levesque gave a speech promoting and welcoming equality in the company, specifically after Levesque mentioned people of all religions being welcomed.

Source: Fightful.com, F4WOnline.com, r/SquaredCircle