Great Canadian Wrestling (GCW) is an independent professional wrestling promotion company based in Oshawa, Ontario.[1] GCW was founded in 2005 and promotes shows throughout Southern Ontario.[1][2] The company also hosts since 2005 an annual Great Canadian Wrestling Expo that takes place over several days and brings together a large group of wrestlers. Currently, four championships are defended at GCW events.

Great Canadian Wrestling
AcronymGCW
Founded2005
StyleProfessional wrestling
HeadquartersOshawa
Websitehttp://gcwe.ca/

GCW events featured a roster of wrestlers who compete regularly for the promotion as well as occasional appearances by wrestlers currently signed with major promotions. In addition, a group of "legends", or veteran wrestlers from other promotions, also would compete on occasion for GCW.

On February 18, 2009, GCW began an online broadcast titled GCWtv.[3]

In November 2015, GCW rebranded itself as Infinity Wrestling.

History

edit

GCW gives out the Ontario Indy Wrestling Awards annually, which is eligible to all wrestling promotions and wrestlers who perform in Ontario.[4][5][6][7][8]

Wrestling Expo

edit

Beginning in 2005, the promotion's first year, GCW has assembled a group of wrestlers from various promotions to compete in a multi-day event known as the Great Canadian Wrestling Expo.[9] The first Expo attracted 600 visitors and included merchandise sales from a wide variety of vendors, an auction, and opportunities to meet with the wrestlers for autographs and photographs. Ed the Sock was named commissioner for the event and proceeds from the weekend were donated to the Sick Kids Foundation.[10] In 2006, the event was combined with the 10th Annual Anime North Convention.[11] The event featured primarily traditional wrestling matches but also included gimmick matches such as one between wrestlers competing as the Green Power Ranger and the Red Power Ranger for leadership of the Power Rangers, as well as an encounter between Team Sailor Moon and Team Rocket.[11] This cross-promotional event attracted 11,286 paid attendees.[12] Since 2006, GCW has continued to promote a series of shows along with Anime North.[13][14]

Wrestlers

edit
 
WWE wrestler A.J. Styles made appearances for GCW.

Although GCW promotes matches with many wrestlers who have not appeared in major promotions, the organization also has an agreement with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) that facilitates events titled TNmAyhem, in which wrestlers from TNA compete. The first of these cards took place on May 24, 2007, and features appearances by such wrestlers as Raven, Christopher Daniels, and A.J. Styles.[15] GCW events also feature wrestlers who have gained fame in major American promotions, such as Billy Gunn,[16] The Honky Tonk Man,[17] and Koko B. Ware.[18]

Roster

edit

GCW had a regular group of wrestlers that competed for the promotion; this includes both male and female wrestlers. In addition, many wrestlers made sporadic appearances for the company. On the company roster, GCW divides these occasional performers into two groups: legends (longtime wrestlers, many of whom are semi-retired) and superstars (wrestlers who currently compete, or have recently competed, for major promotions).

Regular roster

edit

GCW's regular roster consisted of wrestlers who competed for the promotion on a regular basis:[19]

  • Akira Raijin
  • Andrew Davis
  • Asylum
  • Black Serpent
  • Brad Freakin Martin
  • Bruno Davis
  • Bryan Youngblood
  • Cody 45
  • Rico Montana
  • Sebastian Suave
  • Sombra
  • Steve Brown
  • Tiger Star
  • Tyler Tirva
  • Xtremo

W.I.L.D. Division

edit

The W.I.L.D. Division consisted of GCW's female wrestlers:[20]

Championships

edit

GCW National Championship

edit

The GCW National Championship was a professional wrestling championship that serves as the major championship for Great Canadian Wrestling.

Wrestler: Times: Date: Location: Notes:
Michael Elgin 1 April 13, 2006 Oshawa, Ontario Won a Ladder Match at Reach for the Gold[21]
TJ Wilson 1 May 25, 2006 Oshawa, Ontario Defeated Michael Elgin and Shark Boy in a Triple Threat at Battleground Zero[21]
Michael Elgin 2 May 27, 2006 Oshawa, Ontario Defeated TJ Wilson in a Tag Match at Anime North
Johnny Devine defeated Jake O'Reilly in a Lumberjack match at Breaking Point but it was ruled a DQ by CEO Jamie Virtue.[21]
Johnny Devine 1 September 15, 2006 Oshawa, Ontario Defeated Michael Elgin in a Cage Match at Last Chance[21]
Jake O'Reilly 1 July 13, 2007 Oshawa, Ontario Defeated Havok in a Dog Collar Match at Beyond the Limit
Jake O'Reilly is seriously injured in September 2007 but refuses to vacate. In February 2008 Jake O'Reilly returned to competition, still holding the title.[21]
Otis Idol 1 October 9, 2008 Oshawa, Ontario Defeated Jake O'Reilly in a No-Holds-Barred Bunkhouse Brawl at Hair vs. Hair![21]
Jake O'Reilly 2 April 19, 2009 Oshawa, Ontario As the masked Sterling Silver, defeated Otis Idol at Veni! Vidi! Vici![21]
Hayden Avery 1 February 20, 2010 Oshawa, Ontario
RJ City 1 September 10, 2010 Oshawa, Ontario
Jaxon Jarvis 1 ? Oshawa, Ontario
Zakk Atticus 1 January 8, 2015 Oshawa, Ontario
Jaxon Jarvis 2 January 8, 2015 Oshawa, Ontario
Steve Brown 1 ?? Oshawa, Ontario
Deactivated Oshawa, Ontario

GCW Interim Heavyweight Championship

edit

In 2007, GCW National Champion Jake O'Reilly was injured but unwilling to vacate his title. As a result, an eight-man tournament was held to determine the first holder of the newly created GCW Interim Heavyweight Championship. O'Reilly, still holding his National Championship, returned in February 2008, and the two titles were unified when Otis Idol defeated O'Reilly in October 2008.[22]

Wrestler: Times: Date: Location: Notes:
Phil Atlas 1 December 28, 2007 Oshawa, Ontario Defeated Cody Deaner in the finals of an 8-Man Tournament at Season's Beatings[22]
Otis Idol 1 February 21, 2008 Oshawa, Ontario Defeated Phil Atlas in a Last Man Standing match at Cabin Fever; title unified with the National Championship in October 2008[22]
Deactivated Oshawa, Ontario title unified with the National Championship in October 2008[22]

GCW Ontario Independent Championship

edit

The GCW Ontario Independent Championship is a secondary title in the Great Canadian Wrestling promotion. It was created in May 2006, and a four-man tournament was held to determine the initial champion.[23]

Wrestler: Times: Date: Location: Notes:
Jimmy Jacobs 1 May 25, 2006 Oshawa, Ontario Defeated Ash in the finals of a 4-man Tournament at Battleground Zero[23]
Kris Chambers 1 June 8, 2006 Oshawa, Ontario Defeated Jimmy Jacobs at Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal[23]
Jake O'Reilly 1 August 30, 2006 Oshawa, Ontario Defeated Kris Chambers at Final War'[23]
Hayden Avery 1 November 18, 2006 Oshawa, Ontario Defeated Michael Elgin (substitute for Jake O'Reilly) at Stampede Showdown[23]
Cody Deaner 1 November 18, 2006 Oshawa, Ontario Defeated Hayden Avery at Stampede Showdown[23]
Hayden the Destroyer
(Hayden Avery)
2 March 23, 2007 Oshawa, Ontario Defeated Cody Deaner at Ugandan Invasion[23]
Cody 45 1 June 22, 2007 Oshawa, Ontario Defeated Hayden the Destroyer at Random Acts of Violence[23]
Xtremo 1 October 19, 2007 Oshawa, Ontario Defeated Cody 45 in a 'Loser Leaves GCW' match at Fright Nite[23]
Phil Atlas 1 March 20, 2008 Oshawa, Ontario Won a 5-way match at TNmAyhem[23]
Brad 'Freakin' Martin 1 April 10, 2008 Oshawa, Ontario Defeated Phil Atlas and Xtremo in a 3-Way match at Game Over[23]
Tiger Star 1 January 7, 2009 Oshawa, Ontario Defeated Brad 'Freakin' Martin and Hayden Avery in a 3-Way match at New Year's Evil[23]
RJ City 1 April 19, 2009 Oshawa, Ontario Defeated Tiger Star at Veni! Vidi! Vici![23]
Rico Montana 1 May 17, 2009 Oshawa, Ontario cashed in his title shot he earned in 2008's GCW Holiday Rumble and defeated RJ City[23]
Vacated December 27, 2010 Oshawa, Ontario Title was held up
Cody Deaner 2 December 27, 2010 Oshawa, Ontario

GCW Tag Team Championship

edit

The GCW Tag Team Championship was a championship that serves as the major tag team championship in the Great Canadian Wrestling promotion.

No. Wrestler Reign Date Days
held
Location Event Notes Ref.
1 The Beverly Hills Gangstas
(Cody 45 & Tarantula Gomez)
1 August 30, 2006 16 Oshawa, Ontario GCW Defeated The Lunatics (Crazzy Steve & Gutter) in the finals of an eight-team tournament at Final War. [24][25]
2 The Lunatics
(Crazzy Steve & Gutter)
1 September 15, 2006 104 Oshawa, Ontario GCW Last Chance Crazzy Steve defeated Cody 45 in a one-on-one title match at Last Chance [26]
3 Jake O'Reilly & Michael Elgin 1 December 28, 2006 15 Oshawa, Ontario GCW Season's Beatings Defeated Lunatics (Crazzy Steve and Gutter) at Season's Beatings; on January 12, 2007, Jake O'Reilly attacked Michael Eligin, thus vacating the title. [27]
Vacated January 12, 2007 Oshawa, Ontario Title was held up
4 Michael Elgin (2) & Havok 1 March 23, 2007 21 Oshawa, Ontario GCW Canadian Invasion Defeated Jake O'Reilly & Joe Doering, but Havok dropped the title at Ugandan Invasion [28]
5 Michael Elgin (3) & Derek Wylde 1 April 13, 2007 91 Oshawa, Ontario Derek Wylde accepted Michael Elgin's invitation to become co-holder of the Tag Team Championships at Veni! Vidi! Vici! Jake O'Reilly & Crazzy Steve defeated Michael Elgin & Derek Wylde at Anarchy in Angus but the decision was reversed [29]
6 Hayden Avery & Cody Deaner 1 July 13, 2007 135 Oshawa, Ontario GCW Beyond The Limit Defeated Derek Wylde & Andrew Davis (substituting in for the injured Michael Elgin) at Beyond the Limit [30]
7 The Flatliners
(Asylum & Matt Burns)
1 November 25, 2007 137 Oshawa, Ontario GCW Genesis Defeated Hayden Avery & Cody Deaner at Genesis 11:25:07 [31]
8 Hayden Avery (2) & Cody Deaner (2) 2 April 10, 2008 64 Oshawa, Ontario GCW 2nd Anniversary Show: Game Over Defeated The Flatliners in a Tag Team Cage Match at Game Over [32]
9 The House of Virtue
(Andrew Davis & Sebastian Suave)
1 June 13, 2008 310 Oshawa, Ontario GCW Random Acts Of Violence 2008 Defeated Hayden Avery & Cody Deaner at Random Acts of Violence [33]
10 The ProStars
(Josh Alexander & Tyler Tirva)
1 April 19, 2009 152 Oshawa, Ontario GCW Veni! Vidi! Vici! Defeated The House of Virtue at Veni! Vidi! Vici! [34]
11 Cody 45 (2) & Ashley Six 1 September 18, 2009 386 Oshawa, Ontario GCW Final War Defeated The ProStars, Josh Alexander and Tyler Tirva at Final War 09 [35]
12 Michael Elgin (4) & Ashley Six (2) 1 October 9, 2010 Oshawa, Ontario
Deactivated Oshawa, Ontario

GCW WILD Championship

edit

The GCW WILD Championship is a professional wrestling championship that serves as the major women's championship in the Great Canadian Wrestling promotion.

# Wrestler Reign Date Days
held
Location Event Notes
1 Sirelda 1 November 18, 2006 125 Oshawa, Ontario W.I.L.D. Tournament 2006 Sirelda defeated Nattie Neidhart in the finals of an 8–woman tournament to become the inaugural champion.[36]
2 Miss Danyah 1 March 23, 2007 17 Oshawa, Ontario Ugandan Invasion [36]
3 April Hunter 1 April 13, 2007 1 Oshawa, Ontario Veni! Vidi! Vici! [36]
4 Cherry Bomb 1 April 14, 2007 69 Oshawa, Ontario Anarchy in Angus This was a fatal four–way, also involving Hailey Rogers and Miss Danyah.[36]
5 Miss Danyah 2 June 22, 2007 120 Oshawa, Ontario Random Acts of Violence [36]
6 Portia Perez 1 October 20, 2007 103 Oshawa, Ontario W.I.L.D. Tournament 2007 Portia Perez defeated LuFisto in the finals of an 8–woman tournament.[36]
7 Miss Danyah 3 January 31, 2008 304 Oshawa, Ontario Final Night [36]
8 Deanna Conda 1 November 30, 2008 363 Oshawa, Ontario W.I.L.D. '08 - Supershow Deanna Conda defeated Jamie D in the finals of an 8–woman tournament.[36]
9 PJ Tyler 1 November 28, 2009 117 Oshawa, Ontario W.I.L.D. '09 - Showdown PJ Tyler defeated Deanna Conda in the finals of an 8–woman tournament.[36]
10 Anthony Darko 1 March 25, 2010 Oshawa, Ontario GCW 100
11 Skylar Rose 1 ? Oshawa, Ontario
12 Kaitlin Diemond 1 May 2, 2014 Oshawa, Ontario
13 Skylar Rose 2 ? Oshawa, Ontario
14 Beautiful Beaa 1 February 7, 2015 Oshawa, Ontario

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "Company Overview". Great Canadian Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-04-01.
  2. ^ "Press Room". Great Canadian Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-04-01.
  3. ^ Martin, Adam (2009-02-10). "Indy News #1: February 10". WrestleView. Retrieved 2009-04-02.
  4. ^ "Awards Overview « Awards Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
  5. ^ "The 2009 Ontario Indy Wrestling Awards - OWW". January 20, 2010. Archived from the original on 26 August 2017.
  6. ^ "Best in Ontario to be honoured this Saturday". canoe.com. Archived from the original on August 12, 2018.
  7. ^ Martin, Adam (January 7, 2010). "Indy News #5: January 7 (Awards)". Archived from the original on 12 August 2018.
  8. ^ Martin, Adam (January 4, 2010). "Indy News #2: January 4 (Indy award)". Archived from the original on 12 August 2018.
  9. ^ Devine, Johnny (2005-11-11). "A great Canadian wrestling weekend!". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved 2009-04-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  10. ^ McNamara, Andy (2005-11-05). "Oshawa Expo off and running". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012. Retrieved 2009-04-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  11. ^ a b McNamara, Andy (2006-05-29). "Elmo, Power Rangers, Sailor Moon: An animated show". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved 2009-04-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  12. ^ "Anime North 2006 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2009-04-01.
  13. ^ "Extreme Anime 2007: May 25, 2007". Great Canadian Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-04-02.
  14. ^ "Anime North: Day 1". Great Canadian Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-04-02.
  15. ^ "TNmAyhem: May 24, 2007". Great Canadian Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-04-02.
  16. ^ Martin, Adam (2008-03-17). "Pure Wrestling Association/All Canadian Wrestling reports + 3/20 GCW". WrestleView. Retrieved 2009-04-01.
  17. ^ "Honky Tonk Man to shake, rattle and roll into Lindsay". The Lindsay Post. Retrieved 2009-04-02.
  18. ^ Donaldson, Wally. "Koko B Ware puts on a show". The Oshawa Express. Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2009-04-03.
  19. ^ "Singles Division". Great Canadian Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  20. ^ "W.I.L.D. Division". Great Canadian Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g "GCW National Championship". Great Canadian Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  22. ^ a b c d "GCW Interim Heavyweight Championship". Great Canadian Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-04-02.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "GCW Ontario Independent Championship". Great Canadian Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-04-02.
  24. ^ "GCW Tag Team Championship". Great Canadian Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  25. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (August 30, 2006). "GCW - Event @ Oshawa, Ontario, Canada". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  26. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (September 15, 2006). "GCW Last Chance - Event @ Oshawa, Ontario, Canada". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  27. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (December 28, 2006). "GCW Season's Beatings - Event @ Canadian Legion Hall in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  28. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (March 23, 2007). "GCW Canadian Invasion - Event @ Oshawa, Ontario, Canada". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  29. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (April 14, 2007). "GCW Anarchy In Angus - Event @ Essa Recreational Complex in Angus, Ontario, Canada". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  30. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (July 13, 2007). "GCW Beyond The Limit - Event @ Royal Canadian Legion in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  31. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (November 25, 2007). "GCW Genesis - Event @ Royal Canadian Legion in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  32. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (April 10, 2008). "GCW 2nd Anniversary Show: Game Over - Event @ Royal Canadian Legion in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  33. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (June 13, 2008). "GCW Random Acts Of Violence 2008 - Event @ Royal Canadian Legion in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  34. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (April 19, 2009). "GCW Veni! Vidi! Vici! - Event @ Oshawa, Ontario, Canada". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  35. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (September 18, 2009). "GCW Final War - Event @ Royal Canadian Legion Hall in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  36. ^ a b c d e f g h i "GCW W.I.L.D. Championship". Great Canadian Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
edit