A Legacy That Lasts Forever
The names may change, but a legacy lasts forever. And so, it is with both the Maple Leaf Gardens and Maple Leaf Wrestling. The former is now Toronto Metropolitan University's Mattamy Athletic Centre, but no one will forget it was originally home to the NHL's Maple Leafs hockey team and was known as the "cathedral of hockey." The building held the NHL's first All-Star Game in 1947 and is where the Leafs (one of the Original Six) won their 11 Stanley Cups.
The latter, now called Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling, is carrying on the rich tradition that started in the ‘30s and would explode onto the scene in the ‘70s and early ‘80s. And on May 11, 2025, the two will come together once again in spectacular fashion. MAPLE LEAF PRO NORTHERN UPRISING features classic matchups, and is the biggest independent event in 2025. And the buildup to this epic night, is the equally epic MAYHEM at St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario on March 14 & 15, 2025. You can buy tickets to see all the events in person, or watch them all via the livestreaming PPV on TrillerTV.
From Jack Corcoran to the Tunney Family
In 1931, Jack Corcoran brought wrestling to the new Maple Leaf Gardens under the promotion The Queensbury Athletic Club. This would be the start of wrestling's 50+ year run at the historic venue. In 1939 he passed control to John and Frank Tunney. Sadly, John passed away only a few months later, but Frank built the enterprise into something special.
Throughout the ‘40s and ‘50s local hero and two-time world champion Whipper Billy Watson was highlighted. Then in 1969, and for more than eight years, The Sheik became the headliner, bringing his hardcore wrestling style into the ring. But it was in the ‘70s that "Frank Tunney's promotion began to be affectionately referred to as Maple Leaf Wrestling, a moniker that would stick with the company for the rest of its run."
The Stars Come Out – Maple Leaf Wrestling Takes Full Hold
From 1969 to 1978, Maple Leaf Wrestling became the "battleground of the infamous Original Sheik from Detroit, as well as WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino, NWA World Champions Harley Race and Terry Funk, and Maple Leaf Wrestling heroes like Angelo "King Kong" Mosca, Dewey Robertson, Billy Red Lyons, and many more!"
In 1978, MLW partnered with Jim Crockett's Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, and Toronto would welcome new stars like NWA World Champion Ric Flair, Ricky Steamboat, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, Andre the Giant, The Iron Sheik, Big John Studd, Greg "The Hammer" Valentine and Sgt. Slaughter. And of course, the debut of a young Bret Hart as Buddy "The Hearthrob" Hart. Frank and Jim's strong partnership lasted until the death of Frank Tunney in 1983.
Back in the Ring – The MLPW Legacy Lives On
Oh Canada, indeed! All the pro wrestling promotions at the Gardens helped popularize the sport throughout Canada, and created a strong and devoted fan base. And now they have even more to look forward to as wrestling has returned home.
In 2024, wrestling came back to Canada with a fury, a slightly new name (Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling) and a bold new leader, former wrestler and homegrown talent Scott D'Amore. Scott literally knows the sport inside and out, having spent 11 years inside the ring as a pro wrestler, and then working for World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation.
It was in the Maple Leaf Gardens that Scott and generations of wrestling fans fell in love with the sport. According to Scott, "One of the major ambitions of relaunching MLP was to reforge that legacy and bring wrestling back to the Gardens."
There's Good Fortune and Future in the MLPW Cards
As the match cards for MAYHEM and NORTHERN UPRISING are set, one thing is clear. Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling is alive and well and rocking the ring. With that rich and raucous history firmly in place, and the present looking bright, here's to the future. Check out TrillerTV for live streaming, special PPV bundles and cool content for both epic events.
