Wave goodbye to Director of Demand Joel Gertner. The Quinntesential Stud Muffin’s year long contract came due mid-March and he seems to be leaving things much as when he arrived.
Debuting at 2018’s Luchapalooza, Gertner sexually charged the event with women from Toronto Adult Club OASIS and Canadian Dick Deity SEXXXY EDDY in the main event. This year, the Demand Board of Directors has done similar for ‘Palooza, with a Dick Punch Battle Royal (?you’ll find out when I do) Intergender Action and Penis Impresario JOEY RYAN on board!
Gertner did some great things for the Demand Brand while in charge, though, putting together GxM, the 1st company Supershow, helping secure the legendary Opera House as a continued venue, bringing in sponsors like TacoFest, U of T, OASIS Aqua Lounge and even attempting to cull favor with pastry juggernaut Cinn-a-bon.
One of Gertner’s final acts as Director was to end the company’s troubles with Buck Gunderson. Gertner first came face to face with Gunderson almost a full year earlier and finally ended his company career, booking an empty arena match against Freddie Mercurio for the Openweight Championship, a match if Buck lost, would all but guarantee his last booking with Demand! Mercurio came out with the win and became the first new Openweight title holder of the Lucha Era.
Gertner confronts Buck 
Gertner makes the match 
New Openweight Champ
But not all was rosy with the Director. We’ll leave the details unsaid, but a few sexually inappropriate faux pas’ strained relations with the Alliance Banquet Hall venue, a staple of the Mexican community in Toronto. This was not the only difficulty the Director faced, as Demand Lucha threw it’s fewest shows in a year span under Gertner’s watch. Major injuries to Carter Mason, who was the top tag team contender with Lionel Knight, delayed a title showdown and led to injuries to the tag champs during singles competition. As the months dragged on, Gertner’s decision not to strip the titles led to stagnation in the division. His personal issues with talent also made re-signing key stars difficult.
Joel Gertner and Hutch Henries
With full control now reverted back to the board, Hutch Henries was nominated as Interim Director of Demand and immediately announced Joey Ryan as a last minute addition to LUCHAPALOOZA, via the company’s social media
Rumours abound, though, that certain board members have issues with longtime commentator Jay Moore. The Infamous One has never kowtowed to authority and supposedly has rubbed certain higher-ups the wrong way on commentary and in person. His association with a local heat seeking podcast has also drawn scrutiny. Sources say the final decision on this and the Tag Title situation is up to the Interim Director, but Henries’ longtime on-air partnership with Moore goes back many many years, which could make such a choice difficult. Hearing the two on commentary it’s obvious they have a love/hate relationship, but could that relationship be at an end? I guess we’ll find out at LUCHAPALOOZA. Get your last minute tickets below.
