Who is Effy? Know all about the GCW star at the epicenter of AEW's failed partnership 

AEW is well-known for doing business with other pro wrestling promotions like NJPW and CMLL, even allowing its talent to perform on independent shows. However, the Tony Khan-led company is seemingly cutting down on its working relationship with GCW, a prominent indie brand, owing to remarks made by one of its talents, Effy, regarding the All Elite CEO.

Born Taylor Gibson on June 7, 1990, Effy's journey in the squared circle began in 2015. The Florida native has competed across various independent companies, including FEST Wrestling, Black Label Pro, Xtreme World Wrestling, and Glory Pro Wrestling.

Effy began appearing for GCW in 2019 and has competed prolifically in the promotion in recent years. The openly gay wrestler has also been a key player in organizing Effy's Big Gay Brunch series of events featuring other queer talents and allies, the latest iteration of which took place in April 2024.

Effy made headlines recently after it was reported that AEW had pulled Ricky Starks from several planned appearances at GCW. The report noted that certain disparaging remarks made by The Weapon Of Sass Destruction regarding Tony Khan may have driven the AEW Creative Head to withdraw The Absolute from his GCW bookings.

Days after the 34-year-old star took further shots at TK, it has been reported that Willie Mack, who is also seemingly under an All Elite contract, has been pulled from upcoming GCW shows. Speculations indicate that Effy's comments about Khan may be the reason behind the aforementioned talent withdrawal, although definitive information on the situation is still being sought.

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Effy's critique of AEW President Tony Khan

Shortly after All Elite Wrestling and Tony Khan pulled Ricky Starks from his future GCW appearances, Effy commented on the subject on Game Changer Weekly earlier this month. He stated:

"When I’m a reason for you to pull Ricky Starks from shows, therefore EFFY’s words are very important. They’re so cunning, they’re so jarring, and I just don’t understand, with some of the things Tony Khan has personally said about other people, that he would have the thin skin that is required for this to be what sets him off," he said.

In light of the events discussed above, it remains to be seen whether AEW talents will be permitted to compete in a GCW ring moving forward. While Effy replaced Starks as Matt Cardona's opponent for GCW Highest In The Room 3 on December 14, Khan recently brought in The Indy King as Chris Jericho's ROH World Title challenger for ROH Final Battle 2024.