List of independent wrestling promotions in Canada
Appearance
This is a list of independent wrestling promotions in Canada, sorted by regional area, and lists both active and defunct "indy promotions."
West Coast
[edit]British Columbia
[edit]Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Website | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Active | |||||
All-Star Wrestling | Vancouver | Parm Singh Athwal | 2007– | Yes | Continuation of NWA: All-Star Wrestling.[1] |
Big West Wrestling | Kelowna | Chris Olson | 2011– | Yes | |
Nation Extreme Wrestling | Vancouver | Rob Fai and Chris Parry | 2021- | Yes | |
Thrash Wrestling | Okanagan | Nick Szalanski | 2004– | Yes | [2] |
Vancouver Island Pro Wrestling | Nanaimo | Brent LaPlante, Cody Washington | 2013– | Yes | |
Defunct | |||||
All-Star Wrestling | Vancouver | Cliff Parker (1949–1968) Rod Fenton (1950–1968) Sandor Kovac (1968–1977) Gene Kiniski (1968–1983) Al Tomko (1977–1989) |
1962–1989 | No | |
Canadian Wrestling Alliance | Chilliwack | Dave Bruce Judy Bruce Dillon Powers |
1993–1994 | No | |
Elite Canadian Championship Wrestling | Vancouver | Dave Republic (1996–2010) Michael Sweetser (2010–2012) ECCW Entertainment, LTD (2010–) |
1996–2020 | Yes | Formerly Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling. |
International Championship Wrestling | Vancouver | Tim Flowers | 1996–2010 | No | |
Pacific Coast Championship Wrestling | Vancouver | Rocky Dellaserra Fred Roselli |
1989–1994 | No | |
Pro Wrestling Canada | Vancouver | Cobra Moondog Manson |
2004–2005 | Yes | |
Pure Wrestling Association | Campbell River | Mike Becherer | 2013–?? | No | |
Top Ranked Wrestling | Abbotsford | Grunt Layne Fontaine |
2004–2005 | No | |
Universal Wrestling Alliance | Vancouver | Al Tomko | 1985–1989 | No | |
Victoria City Wrestling | Victoria | Vid Vain | 2005 | No | |
West Coast Championship Wrestling | Vancouver | Mark Vellios | 1991–1996 | No | |
No | |||||
BCW Pro Wrestling / Power Pro Wrestling | British Columbia | Shaun Myall (Dirty Money) | 1996-2009 | No |
Canadian Prairies
[edit]Alberta
[edit]Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Website | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Active | ||||||
Can-Am Wrestling | Calgary | Steve Gillespie Otto Gentile Steve Wilde |
1997–2002 2021- |
Yes | ||
Monster Pro Wrestling | Edmonton | Sean Dunster | 2002– | Yes | ||
Love Pro Wrestling | Edmonton | Spencer Love | 2021– | Yes | ||
Pure Power Wrestling | Lethbridge | Kevin Farrell Kyle Kristiansen Jim Kristensen Richard Rainey |
2010– | Yes | ||
Real Canadian Wrestling | Edmonton | Steven Ewaschuk | 2003– | Yes | ||
Wild Rose Sports Association | Calgary | Jay Sullivan | 2022– | Yes | ||
Defunct | ||||||
Can-Am Wrestling | Grand Prairie | Martin Boroditsky | 1989 | No | ||
Canadian All-Pro Wrestling | Calgary | Tim Stein | 2011–2012 | No | ||
Canadian Championship Wrestling | Edmonton | |||||
Canadian Rocky Mountain Wrestling | Calgary | Darryl Harty Ed Langley |
1992–1995 | No | ||
Canadian Wrestling Coalition | Red Deer | Dylon Featherstone | 2015-2019 | No | The promotion was sold to Real Canadian Wrestling in early 2019 and they did a few co-hosted shows under "RCW/CWC" through that year but after their August 2019 show they announced their official closure and dropped the "CWC" from their initials, thereby marking the end of the Canadian Wrestling Coalition. | |
Canadian Wrestling Connection | Calgary | Bob Pupetz | 1989–1992 | No | ||
Hart Legacy Wrestling | Calgary | John Oniston (2013) Smith Hart (2015–2017) Stacey Angel |
2013-2017 | No | ||
Power Zone Wrestling | Lethbridge | Tim Strom | 2005–2009 | No | ||
Revolution Pro | Edmonton | Justin Sczembora | 2013–2014 | |||
Stampede Wrestling | Calgary | Stu Hart (1948–1984) Vince McMahon (1984–1985) Bruce Hart (1985–1989, 1999–2005) Ross Hart (1999–2005) Bill Bell (2005–2008) |
1948–1989 1999–2008 |
No |
Saskatchewan
[edit]Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Website | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Active | ||||||
Best Entertainment Wrestling | Saskatoon | 2020- | Yes | |||
Prairie Pro Wrestling | Saskatoon | Roberto Ureta | 2020- | |||
Ringside Wrestling | Moose Jaw | Joe Neustaeter | 2014– | Yes | ||
Defunct | ||||||
Gold Dragon Wrestling | Moose Jaw | Jan and Michelle Armstrong | 2008–2014 | Yes | ||
Hardcore Wrestling/Wild West Wrestling | Regina | Scott Wheatley | 1996–1998 | Yes | ||
High Impact Wrestling Canada | Regina | Charles Pichette (1996–2012) Mike Roberts (2012–2019) |
1998–2019 | Yes | Split Brand: HIW Wildside | |
High Impact Wrestling Wildside | Regina/Saskatoon | Mike Roberts | 2014–2015 and 2017–2019 | Yes | Split Brand: HIW Canada | |
Professional Outlaw Wrestling | Saskatoon | Crash Crimson | 2001–2005 | Yes |
Manitoba
[edit]Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Website | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Active | ||||||
Canadian Wrestling's Elite | Winnipeg | Danny Warren | 2009– | Yes | ||
Premier Championship Wrestling | Winnipeg | Andrew Shallcross | 2002– | |||
Primos Wrestling Canada | Winnipeg | Graeme Keam | 2010– | No | ||
Union of Wrestling | Winnipeg | 2016- | No | |||
Winnipeg Pro Wrestling | Winnipeg | 2018- | No | |||
Defunct | ||||||
Action Wrestling Entertainment | Winnipeg | Jeff Dyck | 2005–2006 | No | ||
Canadian Wrestling Federation | Winnipeg | Ernie Todd | 1979–1984 | No | ||
International Wrestling Alliance | Winnipeg | Joan McGuire Tony Condello |
1974–2000 | No | Originally known as the West Four Wrestling Alliance from 1974 to 1994. | |
New Wrestling Nation | Île-des-Chênes | Dan King | 2006–2011 | |||
Steeltown Pro Wrestling | Selkirk | Rob Stardom TJ Bratt |
2007–2013 | Yes | ||
Supercard Wrestling | Winnipeg | Walter Shechyk | 1979–1984 | No | Formerly known as New Brand Wrestling. | |
WFX Wrestling | Winnipeg | Jeff Dyck | 2007–2010 | No |
Central Canada
[edit]Ontario
[edit]Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Website | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Active | ||||||
Acclaim Pro Wrestling | Ottawa | Chaz Lovely (2010–) Brent Doherty (2010–) |
2010- | Yes | ||
Barrie Wrestling | Barrie | Shawn Gibson | 2015– | Yes | ||
Big Time Pro Wrestling | Ottawa | Joe Dunlap Pat Paquette |
2004– | Yes | Associated with Bodyslammers Gym. Head trainer Claude Prest and trainers Crimson X and Hangman. | |
Border City Wrestling | Windsor | Scott D'Amore | 1993– | Yes | ||
Border Town Pro Wrestling | Fort Erie | Chris Snieg | 2018– | Yes | ||
Capital City Championship Wrestling (C*4) | Ottawa | Mark P. | 2007– | Yes | ||
Canadian Pro Wrestling | Woodstock | Robbie McAllister | 2011– | Yes | ||
Canadian Wrestling Federation | St. Catharines | Frank Ryckman | 2014– | Yes | ||
Chem Valley Wrestling | Sarnia | Arron Sisson | 2019- | No | ||
Chinlock Wrestling | Kingston | Jan Murphy | ?– | Yes | ||
Classic Championship Wrestling | Southern Ontario | Jay McDonald | 2009– | Yes | ||
CrossBody Pro Wrestling | Kitchener | Ben Ortmanns Chris Tidwell |
2016- | |||
Crossfire Wrestling | St. Catharines | Chris LaPlante | 2012– | Yes | ||
Deathproof Fight Club | South-Western Ontario | Chad Gowing | 2009– | Yes | ||
Demand Lucha | Toronto | Jordan Matthew Marques | 2015- | Yes | ||
Destiny Wrestling | Mississauga | Emilio Albi | 2014- | Yes | ||
Great Canadian Wrestling | Oshawa | David Lorne | 2005– | Yes | ||
Independent Pro Wrestling (IPW) | Brantford | Mike Shea | 2002- | Yes | ||
Magnificent Championship Wrestling | Brantford | Nick Mercante | 2010– | Yes | ||
Northland Wrestling | North Bay | Dann Pigozzo | 2016- | Yes | ||
Northumberland Pro Wrestling | Northumberland County | Derek Sharp, Lionel Poizner, Rob MacArthur | 2019- | www.northumberlandpro.com | ||
Ontario Elite Wrestling (OEW) | North Bay | Steve Lavictoire, Rhyan Tourout | 2022- | |||
Pro Wrestling Eclipse | Oshawa | Sean Murley | 2010– | Yes | ||
Pure Wrestling Association | Kitchener Guelph |
Mike Becherer | 2005– | Yes | ||
PWA Niagara | Niagara Region | Pete Stalmach | 2006– | Yes | ||
Smash Wrestling | Toronto | 2011– | Yes | |||
Superkick'D Live | Toronto | Ashley Sixx, Kris Chambers[3] | 2015– | Yes | ||
Union of Independent Professional Wrestlers | Toronto | Anthony Kingdom James | 2007; 2012–2014; 2019- | Yes | ||
Defunct | ||||||
Alpha-1 Wrestling | Hamilton | Julian Micevski (2010–)[4] | 2010–2021 | This company was on an indefinite hiatus as of their show on October 21, 2012, due to financial issues that are related to thefts totaling at least $1,350. It resumed in 2013 with REHAB. | ||
Apocalypse Wrestling Federation | Toronto | Ron Hutchison | 1998–2004; 2008 |
Yes | ||
BSE Pro | Toronto | Dave Blezzard | 2005–2010 | No | Merged with Border City Wrestling to form Maximum Pro Wrestling in 2010. | |
Canadian Grand Prix Wrestling | Joe Dunlap | 2003–2007 | Yes | [5] | ||
Canadian Wrestling Action | Cornwall | Greg Ezard | 2007–2015 | Yes | ||
Canadian Wrestling Revolution | Toronto | Frank Greco | 2007-2010 | Yes | ||
Championship Wrestling International | Brantford | Nick "Nitro" Wyman | 1998– | Yes | ||
Conflict Wrestling | Kitchener | Jeffery Marsh | 2011–2014, 2016 | Yes | Formerly known as Tri-City Wrestling | |
Extreme Wrestling League Show | Brooklin | Darryl Swoffer | 2007–2014 | Yes | ||
Fight! Brand | Toronto | Ashley Sixx | 2011–2014 | Yes | ||
Fringe Pro Wrestling | Hamilton | Cameron Banks | 2013–2016 | No | ||
Great White North Wrestling | Hamilton | Jack Kinsella | 2007–2013 | Yes | ||
Hogtown Wrestling | Toronto | Jay Nadler | 2012–2017 | Yes | Formerly known as Victory Commonwealth Wrestling. | |
Maple Leaf Wrestling | Toronto | Jack Corcoran (1930–1939) John Tunney (1939) Frank Tunney (1939–1983) Jack Tunney (1983–1986) Eddie Tunney (1983–1986) |
1930–1986 | No | ||
Maximum Pro Wrestling | Toronto Windsor |
Scott D'Amore Arda Ocal Jason Brown Jeffrey Scott James Trepanier Dave Blezard |
2010– | Yes | ||
Neo Wrestling | Niagara Falls | Jesse Friskey (2002–2006)[6] Jesse Scott (2002–2006, 2011–)[7] |
2002-2006 2011-[8] |
Yes | Formerly known as Neo Spirit Pro Wrestling | |
Niagara Pro Wrestling | Fort Erie | Aaron Thompson | 2010–2013 | Yes | ||
Mecca Pro Wrestling | Cornwall | 2010–2016 | Yes | |||
Moonshine Branded Wrestling | Welland | Matthew Terry | 2011–2014, 2016 | Yes | ||
Ontario Championship Wrestling | Kingston | Roy Demerchant | 2016–2019 | Yes | ||
Pro Wrestling Xtreme | Tillsonburg | Jay McDonald/Dan Vandekerckhove | 2004–2009 | Yes | ||
Rage Wrestling Entertainment | Ottawa | Damian Styles | 2005–2012 | Yes | Merged with Big Time Pro Wrestling in 2012. | |
Sault Area Wrestling | Sault Ste. Marie | Rob Zagorc | 2007–2014 | Yes | ||
Squared Circle Wrestling | Toronto | Rob Fuego | 2010– | Yes | ||
Steel City Pro Wrestling | Hamilton | 2014 - 2017 | Yes | |||
TWA Powerhouse | St. Catharines | Frank Ryckman | 2008–2013 | Yes | ||
Twin Wrestling Entertainment | Toronto | Jian Magen Page Magen |
1999–2011 | Yes | ||
WrestleCrisis | Toronto | Ross Aitken[9] | 2011-2014 | Yes | ||
Wrestling Abaddon | Toronto | Osiris | 2015–2016 | Yes |
Quebec
[edit]Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Website | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Active | ||||||
BATTLEWAR | Montreal | James McGee Mike Daponte |
2012– | No | ||
Federation de Lutte Québécoise / Théâtre Extrême | Montréal | Carl Leduc | 2001– | Yes | ||
Granby Entertainment Wrestling | Granby | Sébastien Maltais | 2002– | Yes | ||
Inter Species Wrestling | Montreal | Mike Rotch | 2005– | Yes | ||
International Wrestling Syndicate | Montreal | Manny Eleftheriou | 1998–2010; 2014– |
Yes | ||
La Descente du Coude | Montreal | Maxime Thifault Julien Ethier Guillaume Maltais |
2017- | Yes | ||
nCw Femmes Fatales | Montreal | François Poirier Phil Bélanger |
2009– | Yes | ||
Northern Championship Wrestling | Montreal | François Poirier Phil Bélanger |
1986– | Yes | ||
North Shore Pro Wrestling | Quebec | Steve Boutet |
2011– | Yes | ||
Gatineau Pro wreslting (GPW) | Gatineau | dereick clement, martin villeneuve, stephane gauthier , denis | 2019- | no | ||
Defunct | ||||||
Canadian International Wrestling | Mike Vachon Paul Vachon |
1994 | No | |||
Elite Wrestling Revolution | Quebec City | Eric Picard Patrick La Rue Claude Provost |
2004–2005 | No | ||
Grand Prix Wrestling | Montreal | Lucien Gregoire Gary Legault Paul Vachon |
1971–1974 | No | ||
International Wrestling Association | Montreal | Eddie Quinn (1935–1964) Bob Langevin (1965–1975) Johnny Rougeau (1965–1975) |
1935–1975 | No | Originally known as the American Wrestling Association from 1935 to 1965. | |
Lutte Internationale | Montreal | Andre the Giant (1980–1984) Gino Brito (1980–1987) Frank Valois (1980–1987) |
1980–1987 | No | ||
Royal Wrestling Ring | Verdun | Alain Field | 1994–1997 | No | ||
World All-Star Wrestling | Montreal | 1994–1995 | No |
Atlantic
[edit]New Brunswick
[edit]Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Website | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Active | ||||||
Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling | Shediac | Emile Duprée (1977–1986, 2001– Present) Paul Peller (1986–1992) Mike Zinck (2001) |
1977–1992 2001–Present |
No | Also Referred to as "Grand Prix." Runs intermittently. | |
Innovative Hybrid Wrestling | Greater Moncton | Julien Young (2005–) Mathieu Titus (2005–) Serge Doucet (2005–2013) Dave Cawley (2005–2015) Kevin Tyler (2013–2018) Peter Smith (2018–) Sandra Taylor (2018–) Chris Glidden (2018–) |
2005– | Yes | ||
North Pro Canadian Wrestling | ased in Greater Moncton, New Brunswick | Eric Doucet | 2015– | No | Also Referred to as "North Pro Wrestling or North Pro" | |
Defunct | ||||||
NWE Pro Wrestling | Miramichi, Sussex, St.John | Sean Nelson, Isaac Malley | 2013–2021 | Yes | Also Referred to as "Next Wrestling Entertainment" |
Nova Scotia
[edit]Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Website | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Active | ||||||
Downtown Wrestling | Halifax | Ryan Fried | 2022- | Yes | ||
EPIC Pro Wrestling | South Shore | Kasey Krypt | 2022- | No | ||
Kaizen Pro Wrestling | Halifax / Dartmouth | 2019- | Yes | https://www.kaizenwrestling.ca | ||
Relentless Wrestling | Dana Christie Sophie Marie |
2022- | No | |||
Ultimate Championship Wrestling | Spryfield | Chuck "Coalminer Chuck" Martin | 2007– | Yes | Yes | |
Defunct | ||||||
Canadian Championship Wrestling | Berwick | Paul Peller Stephen Petitpas |
1990–1992 | No | ||
East Coast Pro Wrestling | Kingston | Sheldon MacLean | 2005–2010 | No | ||
Eastern Sports Association | Halifax | Al Zink (1969–1975) Rudy Kay (1969–1975) Bobby Kay (1975–1976) |
1969–1976 | No | ||
New Breed Wrestling | Truro | Chris Cooke & Tyson Hamilton | 2008–2012 | Yes | No | |
WrestleCentre | Halifax | Jason Mosher | 2014–2016 | Yes |
Newfoundland and Labrador
[edit]Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Website | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Active | ||||||
Inner City Wrestling | Bonavista | Brady Hobbs Kyle Durdle |
2023- | Yes | ||
New Evolution Wrestling | St. John's | Travis Canning Sheldon Bishop |
2015- | Yes | ||
Newfoundland Championship Wrestling | St. John's | Bennett Brothers | 1998–2005 2023- |
No | ||
Defunct | ||||||
Cutting Edge Wrestling | St. John's | Sailor White Gord Glynn |
1998–2007 2011–2019 |
No | ||
Newfoundland Pro Wrestling | St. John's | Steve Clarke | 2013–2015 | No |
Prince Edward Island
[edit]Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Website | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Active | ||||||
Red Rock Wrestling | Stratford | Mike Hughes | 2009– | Yes |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Wilson, Daniel (2012). "B.C.'s All-Star Wrestling reaches into the past". slam.canoe.ca. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
Mark Vellios
- ^ "Former WWE star Gangrel headlining Thrash Wrestling". bclocalnews.com. 2012-04-12. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Superkick'D « Promotions Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database".
- ^ van der Griend, Blaine (2012-01-18). "Ontario indy Alpha-1 lands TV deal". slam.canoe.ca. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
- ^ Emanuel, Melo (July 11, 2003). "Interview with Joe Dunlap, promoter for Canadian Grand Prix Wrestling". OntarioIndyWrestling.com. Archived from the original on 2004-12-12.
- ^ LaCroix, Corey David (2003-11-11). "The year of Neo Spirit". slam.canoe.ca. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
- ^ Cheevers, Melinda (2011-08-11). "Wrestling's Wylde Card takes centre stage". niagarathisweek.com. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
- ^ Cino, Sam (2011-02-09). "Neo spirit Pro Wrestling to make a comeback". niagara-news.com. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
- ^ Semley, John (2011-04-08). "Video Game Wrestlers Go For Broke". torontoist.com. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
Further reading
[edit]- Nevada, Vance (2011). "Promotion/Promoter profiles". Wrestling in the Canadian West. Gallatin, Tennessee: Crowbar Press. ISBN 978-0-9745545-9-4.