Sports · Other Sports · 6 hrs ago
GCW owner warns young wrestlers against signing with MLW
GCW owner Brett Lauderdale urged young wrestlers not to sign with MLW, a professional wrestling company.
He made the comments after a report said MLW plans to refresh its roster and may not renew some contracts.
Lauderdale claimed MLW contracts pay little, limit wrestlers’ ability to work for AEW or WWE, and include a clause preventing them from wrestling for GCW.
He argued that these restrictions could stall a wrestler’s career, especially without a guaranteed level of pay.
Lauderdale said MLW could book wrestlers without signing them, so he sees little reason for young talent to commit for years.
GCW wrestler Joey Janela also criticized MLW’s alleged contract clause, saying it was added after he spoke out about the company.
MLW and its owner have not publicly responded, and no further action is stated.
MLW is planning a roster refresh and may not renew some contracts, according to a Fightful Select report.
The report says MLW is evaluating viewership data from Tubi and aims to free up payroll to pursue one or two bigger free agents.
GCW promoter Brett Lauderdale said wrestlers have little reason to sign with MLW and alleged its contracts bar talent from wrestling for GCW.
Lauderdale argued that contracts without substantial guaranteed pay could limit young wrestlers’ career options.
MLW and Court Bauer had not publicly responded to Lauderdale’s comments, according to Wrestling Observer.
- Who
- MLW is considering changes to its roster; GCW promoter Brett Lauderdale criticized the company’s contracts.
- What
- MLW is planning a roster refresh, with some contracts not being renewed. Lauderdale alleged MLW contracts restrict wrestlers from appearing for GCW.
- When
- Fightful and Wrestling Observer published their reports on November 10, 2026. Lauderdale’s post was dated November 9.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- The reported goal is to free up payroll to pursue one or two bigger free agents, based on viewership data from Tubi.
MLW
Brett Lauderdale
Roster plans
MLW
MLW reportedly wants to free up payroll to pursue one or two bigger free agents.
Brett Lauderdale
Lauderdale said wrestlers have little reason to sign with MLW.
Contracts
MLW
The articles do not state MLW’s view of its contract terms.
Brett Lauderdale
Lauderdale alleged contracts restrict wrestlers from appearing for GCW and said signing without substantial guaranteed pay could harm young wrestlers.
MLW presented its Saturday Night SuperFight show.
Lauderdale posted criticism of MLW and its contracts.
Fightful and Wrestling Observer published reports about MLW’s roster plans and Lauderdale’s comments.
- Roster plan
- Some contracts may not be renewed
- Reported data source
- Tubi viewership data
- Recruitment target
- One or two bigger free agents
- GCW promoter
- Brett Lauderdale
- MLW event
- Saturday Night SuperFight, November 7
2 sources
What people are saying
There is literally zero reason to sign a contract with MLW.
But for young wrestlers, signing away years of your career without a substantial money GUARANTEE is detrimental
they claimed it was me taking shots at the “competition” for GCW’s sake per usual but in reality it was just me looking out for young talented people getting taken advantage of by a lifetime scam artist & liar…
Posts on X
There is literally zero reason to sign a contract with MLW. They only do a handful of tapings per year and you dont make any money. Your career momentum stalls and you cant sign w/ aew or wwe unless they let you out. Oh they also have a clause that says you cant wrestle for gcw
If they want you on their show bad enough, they will book you with or without a contract. But for young wrestlers, signing away years of your career without a substantial money GUARANTEE is detrimental
No, but if you are a young wrestler that doesnt know any better, the illusion of "being on tv" and "being signed" is very hard to pass up.