WWE Niagara Falls
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| Former type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Fate | Closed |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Defunct | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada |
| Area served | United States Canada |
| Key people | Vince McMahon (Owner) |
| Products | Professional wrestling merchandise |
| Employees | 20 |
| Website | wweniagara.moonfruit.com |
WWE Niagara Falls was a wrestling-related retail establishment that was part of the Falls Avenue Entertainment Complex, which is located in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada and owned by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It was the world's first WWE retail and attraction site.[1]
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[edit] History
The facility opened on August 1, 2002 as part of the Clifton Hill strip in Niagara Falls. It is partly owned by Canadian Niagara Hotels and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It was designed by Forrec of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Fans began arriving to the grand opening the day before.[2] Several wrestlers arrived for the opening to sign autographs for fans, including Trish Stratus, Chris Benoit, and Val Venis.[2] The building featured a gift shop with WWE memorabilia and exhibitions on display, selling everything from action figures and t-shirts to books, DVDs, and autographs.[1] WWE Niagara Falls also featured video games and pay-per-views playing to entertain the visitors.[3]
[edit] Rides
It also featured a drop tower attraction called The Pile Driver spanning 220 feet (67 m).[1] The attraction was named after a professional wrestling move known as the piledriver. This particular attraction was open from mid-May to mid-November due to seasonal demand and climate reasons.
[edit] Closure
On March 31, 2011, WWE Niagara Falls was scheduled to close down and cease operations.[4] The store now stands as a tourist shop selling various items. It should be noted that inside there is still a section of wrestling merchandise inside on the bottom floor and the WWE title belt still stands over the entrance for visitors to enter. The pictures of the superstars that used to stand over the store are now as advertisement panels for Clifton Hill.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c "WWE Retail Store and Attraction Coming to Niagara Falls, Canada in Spring 2002". WWE Corporate. March 20, 2002. http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_03_20.jsp. Retrieved 2008-05-23.
- ^ a b "WWE opens store in Niagara Falls". CBC Arts. August 1, 2002. http://www.cbc.ca/arts/story/2002/08/01/wrestling010802.html. Retrieved 2008-05-23.
- ^ "WWE Niagara Falls". Brock Plaza Hotel. http://www.crowneplazaniagarafalls.com/attractions-fallsave.php. Retrieved 2008-05-23.
- ^ http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/179135/WWE-News:-WWE-Niagara-Falls-Closing-Down,-Bill-DeMott-Interview,-WWE-Signs-New-Video-Content-Deal,-More.htm
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Coordinates: 43°05′29″N 79°04′27″W / 43.09129°N 79.074193°W
