GCW’s Brett Lauderdale Holds Up Shotzi Blackheart as a Model for Indie Wrestlers

GCW founder Brett Lauderdale has high praise for Shotzi Blackheart, going so far as to suggest that independent wrestlers everywhere should look to her as an example of how to approach the craft.

Shotzi has been candid about her experience since departing WWE and returning to the indie circuit in June 2025, making clear that she prefers the constant grind of the independent scene over her time with the company, where she found herself used infrequently. That grind has been anything but quiet — since her indie comeback, Shotzi has racked up 98 matches across a range of promotions, a workload that speaks for itself.

Lauderdale’s comments reflect the broader appreciation the independent wrestling community has developed for Shotzi’s attitude and work ethic. Where some talents who exit a major company slow down or wait for the next big opportunity, Shotzi has done the opposite, throwing herself into as many bookings as possible and seemingly rediscovering the hunger that drove her early career.

For an industry figure like Lauderdale — whose GCW promotion has become one of the most prominent platforms for that kind of grinding, passionate indie performer — the endorsement carries real weight. His point appears to be as much about mindset as it is about match count: showing up, putting in the work, and embracing the indie lifestyle rather than treating it as a stepping stone.

Shotzi’s run since June 2025 has made her one of the most active performers on the independent scene, and if her pace continues, that match total will keep climbing.