The King has officially established his kingdom. Gordon Ryan’s team has completed their transformation from New Wave Jiu-Jitsu to Kingsway Jiu-Jitsu, with the new facility officially opening its doors on July 4th, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
The rebrand, which was first announced in April 2025, represents more than just a name change – it’s a complete evolution of the team’s identity. With John Danaher stepping back from his primary teaching role, Gordon Ryan has taken the reins of what’s now being called one of the most anticipated gym launches in recent grappling history.
“Kingsway” pays obvious homage to Gordon’s well-known “King” moniker, but insiders suggest it also symbolizes the team’s desire to forge their own path independent of the Danaher Death Squad legacy. The timing couldn’t be more significant, with the gym opening on Independence Day – a not-so-subtle nod to their newfound autonomy.
The state-of-the-art Austin facility marks a major milestone for the team, who have been building toward this moment since Gordon’s retirement announcement earlier this year. While the King may be stepping back from competition, he’s clearly not stepping back from the sport entirely.
The gym’s official launch has already generated massive buzz on social media, with the BJJ community eager to see how Gordon’s teaching style will differ from his mentor’s approach. Early reports suggest the atmosphere is more relaxed than the notoriously intense New Wave sessions, though the technical standards remain sky-high.
This rebrand also raises questions about the future of other New Wave affiliates and whether we’ll see more splinter groups establishing their own identities in the coming months.
See the tour from his new gym
