Grand Pro Wrestling

Grand Pro Wrestling

Grand Pro Wrestling's logo
Acronym	GPW
Founded	Feb 2003
Style	Professional wrestling Sports entertainment
Headquarters	Wigan & Manchester, United Kingdom
Founder(s)	Lee Butler
Owner(s)	Johnnie Brannigan
Formerly	Garage Pro Wrestling
Website	GrandProWrestling.co.uk

Grand Pro Wrestling (formerly Garage Pro Wrestling) or GPW is a British professional wrestling promotion based in the North West of England.

The promotion was founded in February 2003 by former British wrestler "The Middleman" Lee Butler. The promotions first event took place in July 2003. Events have been run regularly ever since.

In August 2004, Butler handed over the reins of the promotion to his senior trainees, retired from wrestling and hasn't been associated with the company since. Since January 2005, GPW has been run by British wrestler Johnnie Brannigan. However, the name 'Richard Noble' was used as the public facing name up until Brannigan went public with his role in the company in April 2012.

The promotion is recognised for building much of its own stars through the training school, whilst using a mixture of more recognised British talent and lesser known names.

The promotion runs shows in the North West of England, mainly in the Greater Manchester area at The Rose Club (formerly known as The Monaco Ballroom) in Hindley Wigan running between 8 and 10 times a year.

It has developed a large, passionate fan base and gained a reputation for one of the best story telling wrestling companies on the independent scene. Its shows are known for their addictive, progressive storylines and strong characters. The promotion is also known for progressing many already established British and European wrestlers whilst shining a spotlight on their own home grown talents. Over the years, the promotion has been reluctant to use imports on their shows, favoring home bred, local wrestlers.

GPW has established several flagship shows that it has become known for, such as: Crazy Cruiser-8 (one night 8-man tournament show), "Only The Strong Survive" (survival themed show) "Thunderbrawl" (a Royal Rumble themed show), "Friday Night Thriller", promoted as an "unpredictable night of wrestling", "A Night To Remember" where the promotion and roster pay tribute to deceased roster members, Dom Travis and Kris Travis by wrestling in their memory and making a donation to MIND. This event also features the Grand Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame. "Back With A Bang" is the promotions traditional show to start a new year.

The promotion is credited with having started off many of today's British and American independent wrestlers' careers. Names include: Bubblegum, El Ligero, Claudio Castagnoli, Joey Hayes, "Dangerous" Damon Leigh, "Juice" CJ Banks, Dylan Roberts, Danny Hope, Jack Gallagher, Martin Kirby, Ricky J. McKenzie (Sam Gradwell), Lana Austin, Ste "Bin" Man and many more.