Dark Sheik has offered a pointed explanation for why she walked away from Game Changer Wrestling, connecting her departure to the company’s decision to bring in former WWE NXT referee Drake Wuertz during GCW Homecoming in August.

In a social-media post, Sheik said she left the promotion when Wuertz was brought into the fold and characterized herself as the only person who made that choice at the time. Her comments arrive after a period in which she had been a familiar presence in GCW, working regularly for the independent promotion from 2021 through earlier this year.

“when they brought in drake and I was the only one who walked out, im pretty sure I became the last outlaw.

“But if a signed guy took a week off for injury. now its ‘We’re all gcw’”

For more background on this topic, read John Cena Discusses Why He Chose Not to Have Children and the Life Behind His WWE Farewell.

The second part of Sheik’s statement appears to reference current GCW World Champion Joseph Sawyer, who has missed events because of an injury. More broadly, the post frames Sheik’s frustration around what she sees as a difference in how commitment to the promotion is measured and discussed.

Wuertz’s GCW Appearance Drew Immediate Criticism

Wuertz’s appearance at GCW Homecoming created a strong reaction among fans and wrestlers alike due to his public history. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Wuertz argued against mask mandates. He also expressed support for QAnon conspiracy theories. In addition, he reportedly reacted negatively to a speech from Triple H in which the WWE executive emphasized that people of every race, gender, religion, and background were welcome in NXT.

Those past actions and statements made Wuertz’s presence in GCW contentious from the moment it became known. The promotion has long presented itself as an alternative space in wrestling, one with a loyal independent audience and a talent roster that has included performers from a wide range of backgrounds. For critics of the decision, the issue was not simply that Wuertz was being given an appearance, but that his history stood in direct opposition to the inclusive image many associate with the company and its fan base.

Dark Sheik’s remarks make clear that, for her, the response was not limited to public criticism after the fact. She says she physically removed herself from the situation by walking out. Her message does not provide additional detail regarding the precise timing of her exit or conversations that may have taken place behind the scenes. What it does establish is her belief that she made a stand when others did not.

Lauderdale Defended Giving Wuertz Another Opportunity

GCW owner Brett Lauderdale addressed the backlash following Wuertz’s Homecoming appearance. Lauderdale explained that Wuertz had supported him years earlier and had helped him through addiction issues. Lauderdale said he believes Wuertz is sincerely remorseful for his prior conduct and views the situation as an opportunity for Wuertz to demonstrate personal change.

At the same time, Lauderdale acknowledged that Wuertz still has work to do. He said the former referee would need to prove that he has changed through his actions, and that he would admit it had been a mistake to offer that second chance if Wuertz failed to do so.

That stance placed the company at the center of a difficult conversation familiar to wrestling and the entertainment industry as a whole: when a public figure with a controversial record seeks another opportunity, who gets to decide whether that opportunity is warranted, and what responsibility does a promotion have to the talent and audience members who may feel harmed or alienated by the decision?

Lauderdale’s comments presented the decision as one rooted in his personal experience with Wuertz and his belief in rehabilitation. Dark Sheik’s response presents the opposing concern with equal clarity. A person can apologize, seek growth, and receive support from some people while others remain unwilling to work alongside them or accept their presence in a professional environment. The two positions are not necessarily about whether change is possible; they are also about trust, safety, accountability, and who bears the consequences while that change is being tested.

Wuertz Issued an Apology at Homecoming

Wuertz addressed the live crowd after appearing at GCW Homecoming, apologizing for his past comments and actions. The apology was a significant part of the immediate fallout, as it signaled an awareness that his appearance would not be received as routine by the GCW audience.

However, apologies in public-facing situations rarely settle the issue on their own. For many observers, the meaningful question is what follows: whether the person acknowledges the specific harm caused, whether their conduct changes consistently over time, and whether the organizations extending opportunities are prepared to respond if that progress does not materialize. Lauderdale’s statement indicated that he recognizes this standard, saying Wuertz must show that the change is real.

Dark Sheik’s post underscores that an apology and a promise to do better do not obligate every colleague to remain involved. Her decision, as she describes it, was her own response to a line she was not willing to cross. In an independent wrestling landscape where performers frequently work across many promotions without the protections or certainty that come with major-company contracts, decisions about where to work can carry both professional and personal weight.

A Significant Voice in the GCW Conversation

Sheik’s opinion carries added significance because she was not an outside commentator with no connection to GCW. She had been a regular part of the promotion’s orbit for several years, making her comments an account from someone who had invested time and work in the company.

Her use of the phrase “last outlaw” also has particular resonance within GCW’s identity. The word “outlaw” has been closely associated with the company’s branding and the broader culture surrounding it. Sheik’s wording turns that identity into a critique, suggesting that standing by certain principles should be part of what the term represents. It is a sharp challenge to the promotion’s self-image rather than a simple statement that she disagreed with one booking decision.

The reference to a signed wrestler missing time through injury adds another layer to her criticism. Sawyer’s absence due to injury is separate from the Wuertz situation, but Sheik appears to be questioning what language about unity and loyalty means when applied selectively. Her post does not offer a full explanation of every issue she believes exists, though it plainly expresses disappointment with the culture around the company following her departure.

What Happens Next

There is no indication in Sheik’s comments that she is planning a return to GCW. Her statement instead looks backward at the point she says caused her to leave and forward at the ongoing debate over the promotion’s choices.

For GCW, the controversy remains tied to whether Wuertz’s stated remorse is followed by sustained conduct that earns confidence from those who were critical of his inclusion. Lauderdale has made his position known: he believes Wuertz deserves the chance to demonstrate that he has changed, while also saying that he will own the decision if that trust proves misplaced.

For Dark Sheik, the matter appears more immediate. Her post says she had already made her decision when Wuertz was brought in. Rather than waiting for the company or the former referee to resolve the controversy, she chose to step away.

The episode is a reminder that wrestling promotions are not defined only by matches, championships, and event lineups. They are also defined by the values communicated through their decisions, the people they choose to feature, and the reactions of the wrestlers who work under their banner. In this case, Dark Sheik has made her position unmistakable: she viewed Wuertz’s presence as incompatible with continuing her relationship with GCW.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.