GCW Issues Statement On Avery Styles Social Media Spat

Game Changer Wrestling have issued a statement about the social media spat between Arik Cannon and AJ Styles, which was fuelled after Cannon accused AJ's son Avery Styles of refusing to help set up ahead of a recent GCW show.

GCW issued the statement to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, who wrote: "Regarding the AJ Styles and Avery Styles comments, GCW has contacted us to say that while they respect and like Arik Cannon, he does not speak for GCW, he speaks for himself."

GCW owner Brett Lauderdale has also commented on the situation on X/Twitter, noting he respects both Arik Cannon and AJ Styles and that Avery Styles deserves to be afforded the ability to make mistakes in the same manner as other teenagers.

"I respect arik cannon & i respect aj styles. Regardless of which side of this situation you're on... Avery Styles is a kid and he deserves the same grace that would be afforded to any other *teenager* being thrown in to the deep end at this early stage in his career (and LIFE). Hes gonna make mistakes along the way just as all rookies in this business will, but the difference is he will be held to a higher standard because of who his dad is. From talking to avery personally, im certain hes going to learn from them all and continue to grow on his journey," Lauderdale wrote.

A social media spat began over the weekend after Arik Cannon disputed Nattie Neidhart's comments about Avery Styles wanting to "pay his dues" in pro wrestling, with Cannon claiming that Avery was unwilling to help set up at GCW, alleging that Styles hid in the locker room after being asked twice to help set up chairs.

AJ Styles quickly replied to Cannon to defend his son, while WWE NXT's Lexis King also defended Avery Styles. Cannon continued to comment about the situation into Monday, sharing photos of Cody Rhodes and Jimmy Hart helping out at independent wrestling events.

Arik Cannon has only sporadically wrestled for Game Changer Wrestling, but he is the owner of the Minnesota-based F1rst Wrestling and the two companies co-promoted shows over WWE SummerSlam weekend in Minneapolis. Cannon was at the GCW show on August 1 that featured Marcus Mathers vs. Avery Styles, with it being one of Styles' first matches since he made his in-ring debut just six weeks ago.