Nick Gage

[2.0] "Deathmatches require the willingness to be brutalized and to brutalize others for maybe 2 grand and that's being generous. It does require the ability to do a proper back bump so there's that. He has a history of unprofessional behavior inside the wrestling business never mind outside of it. I've never seen him have an actual wrestling match. Everything is backyard nonsense that literally anyone can do. Intentionally trying to hurt people is the exact opposite of a professional. It doesn't require training to hit someone with light tubes and cut them with a pizza slicer. He represents all of the worst aspects and stereotypes in wrestling. He has a corny, absurdly long, unintentionally hilarious ring introduction. He does have a passion for what he does and fans willing to follow him so that's worth a couple of points."

[9.0] "THE MAN, THE KING, THE FUCKING GOD OF THIS SHIT! Nick fucking Gage is a god in the deathmatch scene, of course the deathmatch style is definitely not for everyone but if you are, he's an absolute gem to watch. He excels what he does, and his trademark pizza cutter which also hilariously was played during a Domino's ad during Picture in Picture which resulted in them pulling their ads from AEW programming for a few years. He's also done some good stuff in non-deathmatch action as well. He will go down as a legend within the Deathmatch industry as well as the independent circuit. MDK ALL FUCKING DAY"

[9.0] "Nick Gage is not a Bryan Danielson or a Kenny Omega. He is not a technically sound performer and, as Jim Cornette would say, doesn't really have the look of a pro wrestler. However, this is the quintessential deathmatch wrestler. As his introduction states, he is the god of deathmatch wrestling. This man literally died for 7 minutes for the love of the game, and that doesn't scratch the surface of his dedication. The fact that he is still going today is absolutely remarkable. You may not like the style of deathmatch wrestling, but he is THE deathmatch wrestler, and that works for me, brother."

[10.0] "Nick fn Cage is a deathmatch legend, he is on the Mt Rushmore of hardcore ultraviolent style wrestling, he has very good promos and in ring abilities as well, truely a pillar in the US indy scene. THe personna fits the in ring style to a tee, and he had numerous unforgetable matches over the years, not all wrestlers have a yearlky PPV event named after them while they are still active, my rating is based on the joy he has given me over the years."

[9.0] "Legend in the game. The sheer amount of history Nick has in independent wrestling is staggering. That alone makes him the king of this shit. He's staggered recently but that should not affect his body of work."

[3.0] "Without a doubt, deathmatch wrestling requires a massive set of balls, and SOME people may say lack of brain. Nick Gage is in the odd area of being somewhat capable of working real matches, but the deathmatch influences and habits really show. He isn't gifted technically like the Angles and Danielsons of the world, but he is at least entertaining unlike many in the deathmatch scene. A 0-2 rating is unfair, as he is memorable for a reason, I guess."

[10.0] "Originally written on 04/05/25 What can you talk about Nick? What the people who think about Nick, do not consume Deathmatch, because if they saw, they would know that his skills are quite average, but I like it, I feel that he is more than a Wrestler of Deathmatch, for me he is a pioneer, someone who died for 8 minutes and then revived, is not generally good in the ring, but it is different, unique in its kind. "Nick Gage" is not just any name, it's a feeling. You know? Many say that his work is worthless, that he has nothing to contribute, but it's not that easy to say. You must have your head stuck up your ass to say something like that, deathmatch requires a lot of effort and endurance. Nick Gage does not do technical wrestling, he does DEATHMATCH, maybe for people who don't consume deathmatch this is nothing more than garbage, but for those who are fans and know how to process what they see, this is an art. Many people label Gage as insecure and terrible, but I can say with absolute certainty that that Nick no longer exists. The dangerous, criminal, and insecure Gage has changed. So if you don't watch deathmatch, you can't have an opinion; you don't know how this works. MDK all day, every day."

[0.0] "This man is quite possibly and most definitely the worst wrestler I've ever watched. His matches are all the same "deathmatch bullshit" with the pizza cutter, light tubes, It's all the same and there is never anything new from him. And if he is ever in a regular match, he can't wrestler for shit and gets carried by everyone, even a young rookie. And not only is he horrible in-ring & on the mic, but he's an untrustworthy drug addict who can't keep his shit together for just a day. Doesn't deserve all the recognition, he doesn't deserve that dumb one-time AEW match (glad he's never getting another), and he definitely doesn't deserve to be in this business. Go away forever, you reject. Nobody wants you here. Trust me, we will be better off without you."

[10.0] "Nick Gage is among the most important figures in deathmatch, if not the most important. No, he isn't a technician, but he is resilient, relentless, and determined in the ring. No matter how many hits he takes, he keeps getting up and he keeps swinging. Perhaps the most incredible thing about him is his redemption. He did time in prison after robbing a bank, but he turned himself around and kept wrestling. He very nearly bled out and died when his artery was sliced open, but he came back stronger. He lost his friend, his brother, and his wife, and he kept on trucking. He's been wrestling for almost 30 years and deals with chronic pain, but he keeps showing up. Gage's cult status is more than well-deserved after all he's been through and what he has survived. What is also impressive is how humble and grateful he is to fans and other wrestlers. He's an unstoppable force in the ring, but outside of it is a genuinely kind and humble man. All of this amounts to a 10 in my eyes. MDK All Fuckin' Day!"

[10.0] "An big icon of deathmatch, he has a strong connection with fans and has been the major figure in GCW for a long time. He also has a fascinating background, so for all that, he doesn't deserve such a low rating here. MDK"

[7.0] "Look, I think it's a load of BS to give this guy a 0 rating. No, he isn't a Bryan Danielson or Kurt Angle, but he never wanted to be. To me, he's the Bryan Danielson of Death Match wrestling. Based on pure aura alone, you have to put some respect on this guy's name. Nick Gage rules, and you better believe that. MDK all day."

[10.0] "The king of ultraviolence is a name you get for a reason. Nick Gage has had one of the bloodiest careers in wrestling. He's had wars with some of the best on the indy scene, he's responsible for helping build GCW to what it is today. Yeah he's not a technical wrestling master, but he is the god this shit and I can respect that."

[3.0] "No one can deny that Nick Gage has an aura that makes him stand out on the independent scene, and I think with the proper training (and better life choices) he would have excelled more in the wrestling world. But nothing I've seen from him in the ring has fascinated me... He had his chance to make a name for himself after his documentary on Vice and wrestling Jericho in AEW. But he immediately relapsed, ruining perhaps his last chance to break out of the indie scene. I wish the story were different..."

[0.0] "While I'm sure I can wax lyrical about how good Gage is at hitting people with various weapons and implements, the bottom line is that he only does that hardcore bullshit for one simple reason... that reason being that he cant wrestle. Aside from this at times Gage has shown himself to be utterly unprofessional towards other wrestlers, his tough guy gimmick simply does nothing for me and he has an ego which would make you think hes been the NJPW, WWE, AEW world champion. Also in regards to his style of matches they follow an incredibly similar and formulaic style which can become boring after a while, basically all his matches become a case of waiting for someone to get bladed or hit with some kind of weapon. Ill say again those wrestlers who wrestle death matches do it because they cant get over anywhere else."

[3.0] "Arguably one of the most important figure of hardcore wrestling and a guy who elevated CZW's popularity, but his unprofessional behavior towards David Arquette overshadows his career and exposes toxic values when personal issues are crossing with a wrestling ring."

[9.0] "Nick Gage is a true ultraviolent icon. Despite his obvious shortcomings as a human being he is an incredibly good deathmatch wrestler and contrary to what many think he CAN break out decent mat wrestling in small doses and is actually (relative to other deathmatch wrestlers) an incredibly safe worker. Will likely be fine as long as hes kept away from washed up actors and financial institutions."

[10.0] "Nick Gage is a deathmatch legend. I cant in good conscience give this icon anything less than a 10. Is he the most athletic? No. Is he the most technically gifted? No. Does he excel at what he does? Yes. Is the reaction he gets from his crowd in GCW what wrestlers all over the world dream they could receive? Yes. MDK All Day"

[3.0] "Not good at all in the ring besides swinging weapons around in bloodfest death matches, and he is pretty good at that, plus his GCW world title reign was fun. Overall though, I cannot rate him higher than a three because of his lack of in-ring skill."

[10.0] "If the highest ideal of wrestling as art is to make the audience feel something than Nick Gage is the greatest wrestler that ever lived. His intro gives me chills, his promos move me, he is a master of his style of wrestling. Nick Gage is the Picasso of death matches."

[10.0] "The king. One of the most enigmatic and charismatic wrestlers to ever do it. A modern day folk hero. Without him, GCW would've never reached anywhere near the level it has. Brett owes EVERYTHING to him. He died one time and then came back to life, just like Jesus Christ himself. MDK All Fucking Day, shout out to Nate Hatred and Justice Pain."

[1.0] "This man is quite possibly the worst wrestler to ever wrestle since the days of New Jack. He is a garbage wrestler who wrestles a garbage style. He promotes an absolutely sick style of wrestling and has carelessly hurt a lot of people severely, David Arquette for example. When face with actual wrestling he can barely handle doing real wrestling moves, take his match against Chris Jericho in AEW for example. A dangerous person who needs to rely on gory presentation to be over and can barely be carried to a real wrestling match."

[10.0] "Rating him as a death match wrestler, this will offset all the anti-death match people. I am pro death match. I like CZW, what can I say. I know most people don't understand, but for this style of wrestling, this man is simply the best. All the negative stuff around him produces an incredible folk hero. Again, rating as 10 because I am pro-death match, I understand some are anti so maybe somewhere in here he gets an average rating. But the early Tournament and Cage of Death's Nick was in were all time. I am rating him on that, his ability to come back, and his connection to the crowd. If I was rating him for his strong style rating, it would be significantly lower. Nick Gage is one of America's best death match wrestlers. David Arquette thing, like with Public Transit, was really on the person not knowing what they were signing up for."

"Nick Gage is a very... interesting character to say the least. An actual convicted felon who turned his life around through deathmatch wrestling. Certainly not the best wrestler in the world, but there's no denying the following he's gained and how far he's taken deathmatch wrestling in the US as a whole. I personally think he's fine, but everyone can have their own opinions on him - whether you think he's a god send or worse than New Jack (which I think is a bit far, New Jack was an actual racist who tried to kill multiple of his opponents), the way that he's taken Deathmatch wrestling to the main stream with matches against Moxley and Jericho is impressive. Kudos to Gage for doing what he's done for the modern wrestling world."

"This dude! Is AWESOME! It's on my bucket list to see him wrestle live. Been a huge mark since I saw the dark side of the ring episode. Very interesting and very hardcore person. Gage really loves the business and his fans. MDK all day! Every day! Woop woop!"

[5.0] "Nick Gage is the most important individual in the deathmatch industry, and that already says a lot about how low that market has fallen. Like any wrestler, Nick has had ups and downs in his career, but mostly he seems to focus on looking like a lunatic like New Jack used to be, which is already a disgrace just thinking about it. In the ring he is usually a rather arrogant guy who does not respect his opponents."

[0.0] "We're ranking him on his wresting ability, not his ability to slug somebody over the head with a foreign weapon. Gage is awkward and clumsy in the ring. He's good at connecting with crowds, but besides that the casual fan may struggle to believe in him. I've rated Gage '0' points because he simply is not a good professional wrestling (in my opinion). But sure, he's a good death-match wrestler."

[0.0] "Possibly the worst wrestler of all time. No wrestling ability, no selling or psychology and no ability to create a story in his garbage matches. To add to it, he has influenced people to wrestle similar to his garbage style which is horrendous. An influence on the wrestling world but in one of the worst ways possible."

"Even if you aren't into the scene, you probably at least know who this dude is. That's a testiment to his longevity and commitment if nothing else. But it's still hard to rate a guy who's whole career was on the independents. He takes it to the limit, til the line blurs between what's a shoot or not."

[10.0] "The most credible, reckless, charismatic and though prowrestler in the Indy circuit. Nick Gage breathes deathmatch and he is on the Mount Rushmore of DM wrestling, and this is more than enough to watch all of his matches."

[2.0] "What can be said that is positive about Nick Gage? Yes he has been in matches that have been entertaining in their own way, but for the most part he's just trash. Multiple occasions of taking pizza cutters to peoples heads and mouths. That's just unacceptable when you're told NOT to do that. He's not as bad as some "Death Match wrestlers" but he's far from good."

[0.0] "It is a great hypocrisy that users on this site correctly demonize New Jack but praise Nick Gage. I do not care if you hate David Arquette or think he is not a real wrestler, but he and Nick agreed not to work the face, and Nick did anyway. That is unsafe and unprofessional to wreck the trust of your opponent. He is also so bad on the microphone that his tough-guy act borders on stupidity, like he sounds more illiterate than brash. Also has no ring skills like selling or arsenal variety."

[6.0] "Nick Gage isn't the most technical wrestler in the world, but has found his deathmatch niche that works for him well."

[10.0] "Absolutely fascinating. Each of his entrances has an aura that no other wrestler on the indie scene has. A complete Deathmatch legend that continues to make history with more than forty years. I don't know how much longer we can continue to enjoy his work, but the most violent and bloody genre of wrestling has evolved throughout the world and it is, partly, thanks to him."

[4.0] "I really don't buy into the appeal of Nick Gage, but even from a deathmatch stabdard, his matches really aren't that... great? He has cultivated a pretty impressive following, and a brand, if you will."

[2.0] "Every time I see Nick Gage come to the ring to cheering crowds I don't get it. He's ridiculous and terrible. His big gimmick is that he no-sells moves. But it's wrestling, anyone can no-sell moves. He's an over-booked novelty act."

[2.0] "The reason I give him a two is because I believe he is a bad wrestler and also an overrated death match wrestler as well. His skills on the ring are below average and the thing he's famous for being a death match wrestler he is out done by many others such as jimmy havoc when he was active.He is also bland and boring, and if you're a wrestler with no in-ring skill then you have to make it up with your prime skills but he has none. The only reason I do t give him a lower grade is because a 1 and a 0 are reserved for the worst of the worst."

[3.0] "Nick Gage a bad and limited wrestler with a lack of technique in the ring and therefore only fights in death and Hardcore matches. he's just a generic hardcore wrestler anymore"

[4.0] "I don't care for deathmatch wrestling and I do not condone it. That being said, Nick Gage may be one of the bigger stars deathmatch wrestling has to offer. However, he's hardly a technician. Really did not like his match with Jericho in AEW and there is nothing special about him aside from his pizza cutter gimmick. He's been through life and came close to dying on quite a few occasions, which I can respect. He also has his demons and made some not so great decisions, which is unfortunate. Ultimately though, he doesn't appeal to me."

[4.0] "Do I respect Nick Gage? Absolutely. Do I think he's a good wrestler? No. It is undeniable that Nick Gage lives and breathes deathmatch wrestling. He legally died for 8 minutes and was brought back to life, and STILL chooses deathmatch wrestling. For that, I respect him. But when it comes to his in-ring ability, Gage simply can't wrestle. He can take insane bumps and do crazy stunts, but he lacks and skill / ability. He does, however, know how to get the crowd behind him and invested. I'd give him a 9 or a 10 for commitment and dedication to the craft, but I'm focusing on skill / ability for this review and that is something that Gage lacks. (I'm not a MASSIVE fan of hardcore wrestling, but every now and then, I might have a mindless watch of it) (Also, why tf would you rob a bank WITHOUT A MASK? ! WTAF? )"

[5.0] "i respect nick gage a lot. but he's basically a glorified stuntman in the ring, not as much a true "professional wrestler"."

[8.0] "I love me some Nick Gage he is for sure the king of deathmatch wrestling, from his time in CZW to BJW and the now best deathmatch wrestling promotion in the west GCW, he has always been a main event/upper midcard player. No one apart from Thumbtack Jack and Danny Havoc can reach the hardcore greatness of Nick "Fucking" Gage. MDK All F'ing DAY."

[7.0] "Nick Gage is like the junk food of the wrestling I watch. I know it is bad. I know it is not good. I can admit that and I will admit that. But I keep coming back to it. I keep wanting more. Most Deathmatches in America come off as extremely corny, fake, and choreographed. It takes a rare worker to make them work. Someone like Alex Colon for example. Nick Gage is another where it just feels natural. Ever since he nearly killed David Arquette that thought of Nick Gage actually being there to hurt someone has not left my mind during his matches. Some if not most of Nick Gage matches are bad, but there is so much realism and authenticity to them, and even a level of sadistic charm I cannot help but like most of them. As for a cagematch rating? 7, I guess. I cannot give a 10 or a 9, but he does not deserve a 4 or a 5. Nick Gage is a below average wrestler. And I still love his matches."

[10.0] "The fucking king of this shit. Sometimes there's just not much more to be said about a wrestler than to use their own words."

[7.0] "Definitely one of the best death match wrestlers of all time. Love Nick's charisma and the way he takes/gives a beating. Makes every match he fights in feel like he's fighting for his life. His promos are alright, can wrestle well but also a bit sloppy at times. Since he's usually not working normal matches, however, it doesn't really effect the match quality. Not for everyone, but if you love hardcore wrestling, I think you'd be missing out on a special talent if you haven't checked him out yet."

[8.0] "I am not a deathmatch wrestling fan but there's something about Nick Gage that's really special. That dude can connect with a crowd better than most guys working today."

[10.0] "An icon. A legend. Nick Gage fits both of those words. One of the most intense and believable wrestlers ever regardless of style. He is also by far the most over wrestler on all of the indies and has been for years now. Gage is one of the best deathmatch wrestlers of all time bar none. He is the man, the king, the fucking god of this shit NICK FUCKING GAGE. And it's MDK all fucking day. My favorite wrestler"

[10.0] "Nick Gage possesses a magic that only a handful of wrestlers could ever hope to attain. He has an aura and a connection to the fans that cannot be manufactured. His in-ring skills are perfectly fine but his charisma is off the charts. SCSA in WWF, Jimmy Havoc in PROGRESS, Grado in ICW. This is the league Nick Gage is in and he is perhaps the most authentic of them all."

[10.0] "the most iconic and charismatic death match wrestler of all time. he is an awesome man inside and outside the ring. i didn't see any indy wrestler as popular as nick gage."

[10.0] "The King Nick Fuckin' Gage. He is so over it is amazing. He has been wrestling for over 20 years now and is over more now than ever before. He has improved his in ring skills. For years he wrestled in CZW in deathmatches and regular matches. More CZW Titles than anyone else. But has switched to GCW as his main promotion. The crowd goes crazy for him there. He is bun rushed at his entrance and it is like a concert. The closest entrance was the Sandman's old ECW entrance. Once he gets in the ring he can go to. He is skilled in the ring, even though he usually does deathmatches. He was GCW champion for almost 2 years, dominating everyone. That finally came to an end and he got injured. But his run was unprecedented for how long it was. He also won GCW NGI4 as well. He is one of the most over and dominant wrestlers today. Amazing promos where he makes everything seems real, great in the ring too, and one of the best dearhmatch wrestlers today."

[10.0] "Only a 6. 57? Cagematch definitely not gang affiliated, MDK all f*cking day. Gage is the american Tanahashi."