Drake Younger appeared at GCW Homecoming weekend, and many fans questioned the appearance.
Younger, real name Drake Wuertz, challenged Otis Cogar for the GCW Ultraviolent Championship at the Showboat in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Wuertz also appeared at the end of the GCW World Championship match between Cogar and Joseph Sawyer, formerly Joe Gacy in WWE.
The 41-year-old anticipated fans’ displeasure in seeing him in GCW and admitted those feelings were “incredibly valid.” He apologized for his past actions and associations and wanted an opportunity to prove himself through his work.
GCW promoter Brett Lauderdale addressed fans’ questions about Wuertz’s booking in a series of social media posts.
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 & why does that second chance come in GCW of all places?
The answer to that question is personal to me…
The posts included screenshots of his perspective.
In March of 2012, I was on the losing end of a brutal addicition to opiates. I was at the end of the road in Miami for Mania Week and I needed help. I didn’t know what to do.
…only one person readched out his hand to help and that person was Drake Younger. On that day, 3/29/12, he took me to my first of many years of NA 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 2nd chance… in my heart, I feel like now is the time.
Lauderdale continued, anticipating fans’ response to his story.
“Cool story bro… but that doesn’t have anything to do with me and it doesn’t change the fact that he said and did some fucked up shit. Why should I care?”
Lauderdale understood that not everyone was so willing to give Wuertz a second chance, but he believes people can change.
You’re right, and some people don’t want to give him a second chance, and they don’t have to. That’s their choice and I can’t fault them for making that decision.
Personally, I am a believer that people can change. I’ve seen it happen and I think the most powerful thing we can do as humans is give people that opportunity to make amends and right their wrongs. How can we as a soceity move forward if we can’t be open to forgiveness?
"Cool story bro… but that doesn't have anything to do with me and it doesn't change the fact that he said and did some fucked up shit. Why should I care?" pic.twitter.com/YRrJbyY5Kc
— brett lauderdale (@Lauderdale11) August 18, 2026
Wuertz has still been an active wrestler, but his GCW appearance marked his first booking in 2026. He has largely been out of the spotlight, leading to fans wondering if Wuertz is a changed man.
“ok cool… but what has he done to show he’s changed? Talk is cheap….”
Lauderdale admitted he could only speak to his experiences and others he’s spoken to and was willing to admit if he ends up being wrong.
I agree. It’s one thing to say you are a different person but it’s another thing to live it, show it, and prove it. I can only speak on my most recent experiences and those of a trusted and *diverse* group of peers with opinions I value.
If it turns out I was wrong, or that I missed something along the way, I will admit this was a mistake and that will be the end of this experiment.
In my opinion, this is an ongoing process, and Drake has to do the work to show it.
"ok cool… but what has he done to show he's changed? Talk is cheap…." pic.twitter.com/PblG40sopl
— brett lauderdale (@Lauderdale11) August 18, 2026
The next anticipated response was, “So that’s it? We are just supposed to take your word for it and move along?” Lauderdale told fans it was their choice whether or not to accept Wuertz.
Nah, you don’t have to. If you feel like he’s worthy of an opportunity to redeem himself, that’s your choice.
But I know there are some that do. The people who chanted his name on Sunday at GCW showed me there are those that are willing to support his journey.
For now, Drake doesn’t have social media and I don’t intent to speak for him. But I can tell you about the first ACTION of his GCW tenure…
Lauderdale’s last post revealed that the pay from his weekend appearances, which totaled $250, would be donated to Garden State Equality, as Wuertz requested. GSW is New Jersey’s largest LGBTQ+ advocacy group, and Lauderdale hopes that this was “the first many actions on the path to proving change.”
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
Wuertz worked as a WWE referee from 2014 until his release in May 2021. During the latter portion of his tenure, he became the subject of significant criticism over his public political activity and promotion of conspiracy-related claims.
In May 2021, he missed an NXT television taping to attend a Seminole County school board meeting in Florida, where he argued against mask requirements for children during the COVID-19 pandemic.
At another school board meeting the following month, Wuertz opposed masks, social distancing and pressure to vaccinate children while also raising claims about sexual grooming and pedophilia in the entertainment industry. POST Wrestling reported on the appearance, which Joey Janela attended as a prank.
David Bixenspan reported for Vice that Wuertz had used a WWE email account in connection with fundraising for Operation Underground Railroad, a purported anti-trafficking organization whose cause attracted significant interest within QAnon circles.
Wuertz later ran unsuccessfully for the Florida House of Representatives in 2022 and publicly disavowed QAnon during that campaign.
Following a deathmatch against Janela at Juggalo Championship Wrestling’s Powder Keg on August 1, 2025, Wuertz told the audience he was a “changed man,” described himself as “clean and sober” and apologized to people he had offended through his actions.
