Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling (MLP) is a Canadian professional wrestling promotion owned by Scott D'Amore. MLP is the spiritual successor to Maple Leaf Wrestling, a promotion run by Frank Tunney in Toronto, Ontario, Canada during the 1970s and 1980s. D'Amore (owner of Border City Wrestling (BCW), and former president of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA)) acquired the trademarks in 2024, and formally announced a revival of the brand on August 8 of that year.
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| Founded | August 8, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Founder(s) | Scott D'Amore |
| Owner(s) | Scott D'Amore |
| Website | https://mlpwrestling.com/ |
History
editOn April 14, 2024, Michael E. Dockins filed a trademark for "Maple Leaf Wrestling". The address listed on the filing was for Border City Wrestling (BCW), owned by former Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) president Scott D’Amore.[1][2]
On August 8, D’Amore announced a relaunch of the Maple Leaf Wrestling brand dubbed Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling (MLP). Its inaugural two-night event, "Forged in Excellence", scheduled to take place on October 19 and 20 at St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, and will stream live on Triller TV.[3] The promotion has since began uploading archival footage of the original Maple Leaf Wrestling, as well as classic content from BCW, on its new YouTube and social media platforms.[4]
On August 19, 2024, MLP announced the formation of the Pro Wrestling Alliance (PWA) with Qatar Pro Wrestling (QPW) and Oceania Pro Wrestling (OPW).[5]
On August 22, 2024, Mauro Ranallo was announced as "The Voice" of MLP; handling announcing, promotional vignettes, commercials and match previews.[6]
On September 4, 2024, MLP announced in a press release that All Elite Wrestling (AEW) personality, and former TNA co-executive vice president, Don Callis would be the promotion's colour commentator. The promotion also revealed its production crew; including former WWE director Timothy J. Walbert, producer Kevin M. Sullivan, and former World Championship Wrestling (WCW), TNA, and AEW executive producer Keith Mitchell.[7]
On October 7, 2024, MLP and the PWA announced former NXT UK star Rohan Raja and Jake Something would compete on night one of "Forged in Excellence" for the inaugural Champion’s Grail, a title to be defended across all PWA members. The PWA Champion's Grail combines the lineage of Rikidozan and Toyonobori's 1962 Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance trophy from Toyonaka, Japan with Kenny Omega's 2011 Wrestling Retribution Project trophy from Hollywood. [8]
Championships
editCurrent Champions:
| Championship: | Current champion(s): | Held since: |
|---|---|---|
| PWA Champion’s Grail | Rohan Raja | October 19, 2024 |
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ "Trademark Filed For 'Maple Leaf Wrestling'".
- ^ "WWE News". Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ Currier, Joseph (August 8, 2024). "Former TNA executive Scott D'Amore announces revival of Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
- ^ "Legendary Canadian wrestling brand gets a reboot thanks to this former grappler". CBC News. August 17, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
- ^ "Maple Leaf Pro, Qatar Pro Wrestling and Oceania Pro Wrestling Form Pro Wrestling Alliance". Wrestlezone. August 19, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
- ^ "Scott D'Amore: Mauro Ranallo Has Agreed To Be The Voice Of Maple Leaf Pro". Wrestlezone. August 22, 2024.
- ^ "Top AEW Performer Joins Scott D'Amore's Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling As Commentator". eWrestling. September 4, 2024.
- ^ "Jake Something To Face Rohan Raja To Crown Inaugural Champion's Grail At Maple Leaf Pro Forged In Excellence". Fightul. October 7, 2024.