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WWE in Canada

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For The television channel, see WWE Network (Canada).
WWE in Canada
Created byVince McMahon
PromotionsWWE
BrandsRaw
SmackDown
NXT

WWE (formerly World Wrestling Federation and World Wrestling Entertainment), an American professional wrestling promotion based in Stamford, Connecticut in the United States owned by the McMahon family, has been promoting events in Canada since its founding in 1980.

History

On January 24, 1963, Toots Mondt of the Capitol Wrestling Corporation (CWC) got into a dispute with the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) over "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers losing the NWA World Heavyweight Championship to Lou Thesz in a one-fall match in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This disagree led to Mondt, McMahon, and the CWC leaving the NWA in protest, creating the World Wide Wrestling Federation (the predecessor to the WWE) in the process.[1][2]

In 1984 Vince McMahon purchased Stampede Wrestling, before selling it back the following year.[3] Also in 1984, WWF acquired Maple Leaf Wrestling, and continued to run it for a couple of years. In 1986 Maple Leaf Wrestling was shut down, and the name was used for the Canadian broadcasts of WWF Superstars of Wrestling.

In 1985 WWF created the WWF Canadian Championship, which was given to Dino Bravo. Bravo was the Canadian International Heavyweight Championship for many years for Lutte Internationale. Due to his previous success, Bravo was billed as the WWF Canadian Champion in some Canadian cities until January 1986, when the title was abandoned.[4]

In 1986 WWF hosted The Big Event in Toronto which drew over 74,000 fans.[5] Ten years later, the WWF held an anniversary show of The Big Event, WWF Xperience, which drew over 21,000 fans.[6]

In 1997 Survivor Series was broadcast from Montreal and is infamous for the Montreal Screwjob.[7]

WrestleMania X8 in 2002 set the attendance record for an indoor event in Canada, at the Rogers Centre 68,236 people.[8]

In 2019, Montreal hosted the 2019 WWE Superstar Shake-up.[9]

Broadcast

Beginning in 2014, WWE content is distributed exclusively via Rogers Media.[10] As part of this agreement, Rogers distributes WWE's weekly television shows, Raw and SmackDown, on Sportsnet 360, while continuing to produce a local version of The Experience. [10] This deal excludes reality series, such as Total Divas (which is produced for E! and shown on its Canadian counterpart owned by Bell Media).

As part of this deal, the WWE Network's live stream was offered as a traditional TV channel for subscribers to cable providers, instead of a standalone service.[11][12][13]

On September 7, 2017, WWE and TVA Sports announced a multi-year agreement to air a weekly recap of Raw in French.[14]

Pay-per-view/WWE Network events

Date Event Venue Location Ref
April 1, 1990 WrestleMania VI SkyDome Toronto, Ontario [15]
October 22, 1995 In Your House 4 Winnipeg Arena Winnipeg, Manitoba [16]
July 21, 1996 In Your House 9: International Incident General Motors Place Vancouver, British Columbia [17]
July 6, 1997 In Your House 16: Canadian Stampede Canadian Airlines Saddledome Calgary, Alberta [18]
November 9, 1997 Survivor Series Molson Centre Montreal, Quebec [19]
September 27, 1998 Breakdown: In Your House Copps Coliseum Hamilton, Ontario [20][21]
December 13, 1998 Rock Bottom: In Your House General Motors Place Vancouver, British Columbia [22]
March 17, 2002 WrestleMania X8 SkyDome Toronto, Ontario [23]
February 23, 2003 No Way Out Bell Centre Montreal, Quebec [24]
April 18, 2004 Backlash Rexall Place Edmonton, Alberta [25][26]
August 15, 2004 SummerSlam Air Canada Centre Toronto, Ontario [27]
September 17, 2006 Unforgiven Air Canada Centre Toronto, Ontario [28]
September 13, 2009 Breaking Point Bell Centre Montreal, Quebec [29]
March 12, 2016 Roadblock Ricoh Coliseum Toronto, Ontario [30]
November 19, 2016 NXT TakeOver: Toronto Air Canada Centre Toronto, Ontario [31]
November 20, 2016 Survivor Series Air Canada Centre Toronto, Ontario [32]
August 10, 2019 NXT TakeOver: Toronto Scotiabank Arena Toronto, Ontario [33][34]
August 11, 2019 SummerSlam Scotiabank Arena Toronto, Ontario [33]

Weekly Television shows

1995-2000

Date Name Brand Venue City Notes
October 23, 1995 Raw Brandon, Manitoba
October 23, 1995
Aired October 30, 1995 		Raw Brandon, Manitoba
October 23, 1995
Aired November 6, 1995 		Raw Brandon, Manitoba
October 23, 1995
Aired November 13, 1995 		Raw Brandon, Manitoba
February 3, 1997 Raw SkyDome Toronto, Ontario This was the first 2-hour Raw
July 7, 1997 Raw Northlands Coliseum Edmonton, Alberta
July 21, 1997 Raw Halifax Metro Centre Halifax, Nova Scotia
November 10, 1997 Raw Corel Centre Ottawa, Ontario
November 11, 1997
Aired November 17, 1997 		Raw Cornwall Civic Complex Cornwall, Ontario
February 8, 1999
Aired February 13, 1999 		Raw SkyDome Toronto, Ontario
May 29, 2000 Raw General Motors Place Vancouver, British Columbia

2001-2010

Date Name Brand Venue City Notes
May 28, 2001 Raw Pengrowth Saddledome Calgary, Alberta
May 29, 2001
Aired May 31, 2001 		SmackDown Skyreach Centre Edmonton, Alberta
September 3, 2001 Raw Air Canada Centre Toronto, Ontario
September 4, 2001 SmackDown Air Canada Centre Toronto, Ontario Special Tuesday live broadcast
October 15, 2001 Raw Corel Centre Ottawa, Ontario
October 16, 2001
Aired October 18, 2001 		SmackDown Molson Centre Montreal, Quebec
March 18, 2002 Raw Bell Centre Montreal, Quebec
March 19, 2002
Aired March 21, 2002 		SmackDown Corel Centre Ottawa, Ontario
May 13, 2002 Raw Raw Air Canada Centre Toronto, Ontario
May 14, 2002
Aired May 16, 2002 		SmackDown SmackDown Bell Centre Montreal, Quebec
May 27, 2002 Raw Raw Skyreach Centre Edmonton, Alberta
May 29, 2002
Aired May 30, 2002 		SmackDown SmackDown Pengrowth Saddledome Calgary, Alberta
October 14, 2002 Raw Raw Bell Centre Montreal, Quebec
October 15, 2002
Aired October 17, 2002 		SmackDown SmackDown Air Canada Centre Toronto, Ontario
February 24, 2003 Raw Raw Air Canada Centre Toronto, Ontario
February 25, 2003
Aired February 27, 2003 		SmackDown SmackDown John Labatt Centre London, Ontario
May 5, 2003 Raw Raw Halifax Metro Centre Halifax, Nova Scotia
May 6, 2003
Aired May 8, 2003 		SmackDown SmackDown Halifax Metro Centre Halifax, Nova Scotia
July 7, 2003 Raw Raw Bell Centre Montreal, Quebec
July 8, 2003
Aired July 10, 2003 		SmackDown SmackDown Air Canada Centre Toronto, Ontario
August 4, 2003 Raw Raw PNE Coliseum Vancouver, British Columbia
August 5, 2003
Aired August 7, 2003 		SmackDown SmackDown Skyreach Centre Edmonton, Alberta
April 19, 2004 Raw Raw Pengrowth Saddledome Calgary, Alberta
April 20, 2004
Aired April 22, 2004 		SmackDown SmackDown Prospera Place Kelowna, British Columbia
May 31, 2004 Raw Raw Bell Centre Montreal, Quebec
June 1, 2004
Aired June 3, 2004 		SmackDown SmackDown Air Canada Centre Toronto, Ontario
July 5, 2004 Raw Raw Winnipeg Arena Winnipeg, Manitoba
July 6, 2004
Aired July 8, 2004 		SmackDown SmackDown Winnipeg Arena Winnipeg, Manitoba
August 16, 2004 Raw Raw John Labatt Centre London, Ontario
August 17, 2004
Aired August 19, 2004 		SmackDown SmackDown Copps Coliseum Hamilton, Ontario
January 17, 2005 Raw Raw Air Canada Centre Toronto, Ontario
January 18, 2005
Aired January 20, 2005 		SmackDown SmackDown Bell Centre Montreal, Quebec
May 30, 2005 Raw Raw Pengrowth Saddledome Calgary, Alberta
May 30, 2005
Aired June 2, 2005 		SmackDown SmackDown Rexall Place Edmonton, Alberta
August 15, 2005 Raw Raw Bell Centre Montreal, Quebec
August 16, 2005
Aired August 18, 2005 		SmackDown SmackDown Air Canada Centre Toronto, Ontario
September 18, 2006 Raw Raw Bell Centre Montreal, Quebec
September 18, 2006
Aired September 22, 2006 		SmackDown SmackDown Bell Centre Montreal, Quebec First episode to air on CW
May 28, 2007 Raw Raw Air Canada Centre Toronto, Ontario
May 29, 2007 ECW ECW John Labatt Centre London, Ontario
May 29, 2007
Aired June 1, 2007 		SmackDown SmackDown John Labatt Centre London, Ontario
May 5, 2008 Raw Raw Air Canada Centre Toronto, Ontario
May 7, 2008 ECW ECW John Labatt Centre London, Ontario
May 7, 2008
Aired May 9, 2008 		SmackDown SmackDown John Labatt Centre London, Ontario
December 22, 2008 Raw Raw Air Canada Centre Toronto, Ontario
December 22, 2008
Aired December 26, 2008 		SmackDown SmackDown Air Canada Centre Toronto, Ontario
August 10, 2009 Raw Raw Pengrowth Saddledome Calgary, Alberta
August 11, 2009 ECW ECW Rexall Place Edmonton, Alberta
August 11, 2009
Aired August 14, 2009 		SmackDown SmackDown Rexall Place Edmonton, Alberta
September 14, 2009 Raw Raw Air Canada Centre Toronto, Ontario
September 15, 2009 ECW ECW Copps Coliseum Hamilton, Ontario
September 15, 2009
Aired September 18, 2009 		SmackDown SmackDown Copps Coliseum Hamilton, Ontario
May 17, 2010 Raw Raw Air Canada Centre Toronto, Ontario
May 16, 2010
Aired May 21, 2010 		SmackDown SmackDown Scotiabank Place Ottawa, Ontario
October 18, 2010 Raw Raw Scotiabank Saddledome Calgary, Alberta
October 19, 2010
Aired October 22, 2010 		SmackDown SmackDown Rexall Place Edmonton, Alberta

2011-present

Date Name Brand Venue City Notes
August 22, 2011 Raw Raw Rexall Place Edmonton, Alberta
August 23, 2011
Aired August 26, 2011 		SmackDown SmackDown Scotiabank Saddledome Calgary, Alberta
September 12, 2011 Raw Scotiabank Place Ottawa, Ontario
September 13, 2011
Aired September 16, 2011 		SmackDown Air Canada Centre Toronto, Ontario
September 10, 2012 Raw Bell Centre Montreal, Quebec
September 11, 2012
Aired September 14, 2012 		SmackDown Scotiabank Place Ottawa, Ontario
May 27, 2013 Raw Scotiabank Saddledome Calgary, Alberta Bret Hart appreciation night
May 28, 2013
Aired May 31, 2013 		SmackDown Rexall Place Edmonton, Alberta
September 9, 2013 Raw Air Canada Centre Toronto, Ontario
September 10, 2013
Aired September 13, 2013 		SmackDown Canadian Tire Centre Ottawa, Ontario
July 7, 2014 Raw Bell Centre Montreal, Quebec
July 8, 2014
Aired July 11, 2014 		SmackDown Canadian Tire Centre Ottawa, Ontario
May 4, 2015 Raw Bell Centre Montreal, Quebec
May 5, 2015
Aired May 7, 2015 		SmackDown Canadian Tire Centre Ottawa, Ontario
November 21, 2016 Raw Raw Air Canada Centre Toronto, Ontario
November 22, 2016 SmackDown SmackDown Canadian Tire Centre Ottawa, Ontario
August 7, 2017 Raw Raw Air Canada Centre Toronto, Ontario
August 8, 2017 SmackDown SmackDown Air Canada Centre Toronto, Ontario
April 30, 2018 Raw Raw Bell Centre Montreal, Quebec
May 1, 2018 SmackDown SmackDown Bell Centre Montreal, Quebec
August 27, 2018 Raw Raw Scotiabank Arena Toronto, Ontario
August 28, 2018 SmackDown SmackDown Scotiabank Arena Toronto, Ontario
April 15, 2019[35] Raw Raw Bell Centre Montreal, Quebec 2019 WWE Superstar Shake-up
April 16, 2019[36] SmackDown SmackDown Bell Centre Montreal, Quebec 2019 WWE Superstar Shake-up
August 12, 2019[37] Raw Raw Scotiabank Arena Toronto, Ontario
August 13, 2019[38] SmackDown SmackDown Scotiabank Arena Toronto, Ontario
February 14, 2020[39] SmackDown SmackDown Rogers Arena Vancouver, British Columbia First time back since May of 2000 after a reported ban[40]
February 24, 2020[41] Raw Raw Bell MTS Place Winnipeg, Manitoba First time ever hosting at this arena

References

  1. ^ "Online World of Wrestling". www.onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 2018-12-20.
  2. ^ "World Wide Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Federation". www.kayfabememories.com. Retrieved 2018-12-20.
  3. ^ Jun 30, foxsports; ET, 2017 at 10:28p (2016-11-17). "WWE's 10 Greatest Canadian Wrestlers of All Time". FOX Sports. Retrieved 2019-05-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2006). Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  5. ^ Canoe – Slam! Wrestling – the Big Event 21 years later
  6. ^ "WWF House Show « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  7. ^ Johnson, Mike (November 9, 2015). "11/9 This Day in History: Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels in Montreal". PWInsider. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  8. ^ SUN, Toronto; Sports; Sports, More; Sports, Other; Share Carl Demarco, former WWE Canada president; Tumblr; Pinterest; Plus, Google; Reddit (2014-02-11). "Carl Demarco, former WWE Canada president, developing new TV show | Toronto Sun". Retrieved 2019-05-15. {{cite web}}: |last6= has generic name (help)
  9. ^ "2019 WWE Superstar Shakeup results: Raw and SmackDown roster moves, changes, news, surprises". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
  10. ^ a b Nowak, Peter (2014-08-01). "Working from NHL playbook, Rogers locks down 10-year cable deal with WWE wrestling". Canadian Business. Retrieved 2014-08-06.
  11. ^ Rogers Communications; WWE (2014-07-31). "Rogers and WWE® Announce Landmark Television and WWE® Network Agreement". Retrieved 2014-08-06.
  12. ^ "Eastlink launches WWE Network HD and breaks 200 HD milestone". CNW Group Ltd. Retrieved 2014-12-22.
  13. ^ http://www.wwe.com/wwenetwork/expands-in-canada-27096674
  14. ^ "TVA Sports and WWE Announce Broadcast Agreement". Archived from the original on September 14, 2017.
  15. ^ "WWF WrestleMania VI - "The Ultimate Challenge" « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  16. ^ "WWF In Your House 4: Great White North". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
  17. ^ Martin, Finn (1996-09-15). "Power Slam Magazine, issue 26". International Incident (In Your House 9). SW Publishing. pp. 24–25.
  18. ^ "WWF In Your House 16: Canadian Stampede « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved 2019-05-15.
  19. ^ "WWF Survivor Series 1997 - "Gang Rulz" « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved 2019-05-15.
  20. ^ Powell, John (1998-09-28). "Austin loses title at Breakdown". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2008-04-26.
  21. ^ Dunn, J.D. (2008-02-20). "Dark Pegasus Video Review: In Your House 24 – Breakdown". 411mania. Retrieved 2008-04-26.
  22. ^ "Rock Bottom card". Complete WWE. Retrieved 2008-08-25.
  23. ^ "WrestleMania X8". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  24. ^ "WWE No Way Out 2003". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved 2008-03-13.
  25. ^ "Backlash 2004 results". Pro Wrestling History. Archived from the original on February 13, 2008. Retrieved February 15, 2008.
  26. ^ "Backlash 2004 results". World Wrestling Entertainment. April 18, 2004. Archived from the original on February 19, 2008. Retrieved February 15, 2008.
  27. ^ Clevett, Jason (2004-08-15). "Orton-Benoit, Guerrero-Angle save SummerSlam". SLAM! Sports. Retrieved 2008-02-15.
  28. ^ "Unforgiven 2006". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved December 22, 2007.
  29. ^ "Breaking Point Results". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved 2011-09-12.
  30. ^ "WWE Roadblock « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  31. ^ "NXT: TakeOver added to Survivor Series Weekend in Toronto". WWE. Retrieved September 2, 2016.
  32. ^ "Get tickets to WWE Survivor Series 2016 in Toronto". WWE. July 15, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  33. ^ a b "Toronto to host SummerSlam in 2019". WWE. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  34. ^ H, Triple (2019-05-13). "@WWENXT is prepared to take over #SummerSlam weekend... Get ready for #NXTTakeOver: Toronto LIVE from the @ScotiabankArena on Saturday, August 10th. Tickets go on sale THIS Friday at 10am. #WeAreNXT @WWENXTpic.twitter.com/LjgrLnl6Ow". @TripleH. Retrieved 2019-05-15.
  35. ^ "4/15 Powell's WWE Raw TV Review: The 2019 WWE Superstar Shakeup Night One". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. 2019-04-15. Retrieved 2019-08-13.
  36. ^ "4/16 WWE Smackdown Live Results: Barnett's review of the 2019 WWE Superstar Shakeup Night Two with Vince McMahon introducing the brand's biggest acquisition, Paige introduces her new tag team". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. 2019-04-16. Retrieved 2019-08-13.
  37. ^ "8/12 WWE Raw Results: Powell's review of Seth Rollins appearing after winning the championship at SummerSlam, Steve Austin checks in, Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross vs. The Kabuki Warriors for the WWE Women's Tag Titles, The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler, Drew McIntyre vs. Cederic Alexander". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. 2019-08-12. Retrieved 2019-08-13.
  38. ^ "8/13 WWE Smackdown Live Results: Barnett's review of Roman Reigns vs. Buddy Murphy, Charlotte Flair vs. Ember Moon, SummerSlam fallout". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. 2019-08-13. Retrieved 2019-08-14.
  39. ^ "WWE PRESENTS FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN". Rogers Arena. 2019-12-04. Retrieved 2019-12-13.
  40. ^ "Finally, WWE Has Come Back to Vancouver?". 604 Now. 2017-04-12. Retrieved 2019-12-13.
  41. ^ "WWE Monday Night Raw". Bell MTS Place. Retrieved 2019-12-13.
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