Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling (MLP) is a Canadian professional wrestling promotion owned by Scott D'Amore.
 | |
| Founded | 1930 (Original), 2024 (Revival) |
|---|---|
| Headquarters |  Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Founder(s) | Jack Corcoran (Original) Scott D'Amore (Revival) |
| Owner(s) | Jack Corcoran (1930-1939) John Tunney (1939) Frank Tunney (1939-1983) Jack Tunney (1983-1986) Eddie Tunney (1983-1984) Scott D'Amore (2024–present) |
| Parent | National Wrestling Alliance (1948–1984) World Wrestling Federation (1984–1986) |
| Formerly | Queensbury Athletic Club Maple Leaf Wrestling |
| Website | https://mlpwrestling.com/ |
It is the successor of the entity known as Maple Leaf Wrestling, which was the unofficial name of the professional wrestling promotion run by Frank Tunney in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in the 1970s and 1980s. D'Amore (owner of Border City Wrestling, and former president of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA)) acquired the trademarks in 2024, and formally announced its revival on August 8 of that year.
History
editBackground
editThe promotion traces its roots back to 1930, when the Queensbury Athletic Club was launched by Jack Corcoran, who had previously promoted boxing in Toronto under the Queensbury name. Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario served as the home base for the promotion's events. After Corcoran stepped down, he was bought out by his assistants, John and Frank Tunney in 1939. In 1978, Tunney began a partnership with Jim Crockett, Jr. and his Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling promotion in the Carolinas.
After Frank's death in 1983, John's son Jack Tunney, and Frank's son, Eddie Tunney, would take over. The Tunneys hosted National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and Mid-Atlantic Wrestling matches until 1984, when Jack Tunney signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF; now known as WWE). Jack would serve as a figurehead on-air president of the WWF from 1984–1995, while also serving as the legitimate president of Titan Sports Canada - the local arm of the WWF's parent company. Maple Leaf Wrestling would become the name of WWF's Canadian TV program until the promotion ceased TV tapings in 1986.
Revival
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, 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", is scheduled to take place between October 19 and 20 at St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, and will stream live on Triller TV.[3] The promotion has plans to upload archival footage of Maple Leaf Wrestling on its new YouTube and social media platforms.[4]
On August 19, 2024, MLP announced the formation of the "Pro Wrestling Alliance" with Qatar Pro Wrestling (QPW) and Oceania Pro Wrestling (OPW).[5]
On August 22, 2024, Mauro Ranallo was announced as the "The Voice" of MLP; handling announcing, promotional vignettes, commercials and match previews.[6]
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.