Jonathan Gresham's Return Announced Following Strokes
Jersey Championship Wrestling has announced Jonathan Gresham as an entrant in the 2026 Jersey J-Cup tournament, set to take place February 6-7 at White Eagle Hall in Jersey City, New Jersey.
The announcement marks a significant milestone for “The Octopus,” who suffered two strokes on August 5, 2025. In a harrowing account shared on social media at the time, Gresham described waking up unable to walk or move the left side of his body, with impaired vision and difficulty speaking. It took him 30 minutes to dial 911.
Doctors were unable to determine a definitive cause but suggested the strokes could have been a possible complication from a severe COVID-19 case Gresham had contracted weeks earlier. His last match before the medical emergency was at GCW Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIV on August 2, 2025, against Pete Dunne.
In an August interview on Unlikely with Adrian Hernandez, Gresham’s wife Jordynne Grace revealed he had made a remarkably fast recovery, attributing it to his age and overall health. She confirmed he was back to 100 percent and expected to be cleared for in-ring competition within weeks.
More recently, Grace hinted at big plans for her husband in 2026, responding to a fan’s comment about Gresham deserving a major promotion contract with simply “2026.”
Gresham, 37, is no stranger to the Jersey J-Cup, having competed in previous editions. The 20-year veteran is a former ROH World Champion, ROH Pure Champion, ROH World Tag Team Champion, and CZW World Heavyweight Champion. His most recent contracted stint was with TNA Wrestling between December 2022 and January 2025, when his contract expired.
Other confirmed entrants for the 2026 Jersey J-Cup include Jordan Oliver (2023 winner and 2024 finalist), Alec Price, Erick Stevens, Sinner And Saint (Judas Icarus and Travis Williams), and PROGRESS World Champion Man Like DeReiss. Six additional entrants will be determined at JCW’s December 14 event.
Both nights of the Jersey J-Cup will stream live on TrillerTV+.
