Tag: scott d’amore

Scott D’Amore: Tony Khan has ‘changed wrestling for the better’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Working with AEW and Tony Khan has been an enjoyable experience for Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling boss Scott D’Amore.

At the end of March, D’Amore and Khan worked together as ROH and MLP co-promoted their Global Wars Canada event. D’Amore spoke with Late Night Grin about the experience and praised Khan for how he’s made a positive impact on the wrestling industry. He described Khan as being a fun and happy guy, which balances well with D’Amore’s more analytical approach.

“I think it’s been really enjoyable. One of the things is — Tony Khan has a love and a passion for professional wrestling that is near-unmatched,” D’Amore said. “He is a superfan, and he’s very proud of that fact. And the enjoyment he gets out of being around wrestling, creating wrestling, and really making a difference in the business is huge for him.

“I mean, he’s a good guy. You know, people complained about this and that and anything else. And that’s cool. But when you look at it, here’s somebody who has changed wrestling for the better. People make more money in wrestling because of what he’s done and what AEW has done. More people are getting opportunities. And people genuinely get treated extremely well. You’ve got someone who’s taken the pro sports approach to how you treat your athletes and applied that to professional wrestling — and that’s an amazing step forward in our industry.”

It was announced during Global Wars weekend that MLP has agreed to a television deal with TSN in Canada. D’Amore told Late Night Grin that, when launching the promotion, his goal was to create something that would make a difference in pro wrestling and shine a spotlight on Canadian talent. Getting this TV deal is a big step toward that.

“For people that don’t know, in Canada, TSN — that’s The Sports Network. That’s what TSN stands for. It’s basically our ESPN,” D’Amore said. “It was the very first all-sports network in Canada. It’s legendary here. It’s the equivalent for American fans of being on ESPN or UK fans back in the day, the equivalent of being on Sky Sports. So It’s huge.”

D’Amore noted that, like NJPW caters toward the Japanese market, MLP is geared toward Canadian fans but welcomes viewers from all around the world. The promotion is holding an event in Las Vegas during WrestleMania week as part of Palms Slam Fest.

Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling announces TV deal

Posted on by Vincent Verhei

The weekly wrestling schedule is about to get even more crowded.

Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling has announced a deal with The Sports Network to air a new show entitled Mayhem every week throughout Canada starting in July.

The announcement was released during the Global Wars event, a cross-promotional show put on by MLP and Ring of Honor. The announcement video shows legends such as Ric Flair, Andre the Giant, and Roddy Piper appearing in Canada, then features stars from some of MLP’s recent shows. Those names include Josh Alexander, Speedball Bailey, the Dark Order, and Billy Gunn, suggesting that MLP’s relationship with AEW and ROH will continue.

MLP was founded in 2024 by Scott D’Amore, who had purchased the intellectual property of the classic Maple Leaf Wrestling promotion. They ran two events in 2024 and seven in 2025; Global Wars is their first show of 2026.

MLP’s defining trait in their young history is their willingness and ability to work with other promotions. Contracted wrestlers from AEW, ROH, TNA, New Japan, MLW, and Pro Wrestling NOAH, among other promotions, have faced off in MLP rings. The WWE ID Women’s Championship has also been defended in MLP.

Daily Update: Seth Rollins update, MJF, Scott D’Amore

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the news covered in this issue:

  • Coverage of the Tokyo Dome show
  • How did the show accomplish what should have been its key goals
  • Thoughts on Aaron Wolf
  • Business notes on the show
  • Yota Tsuji and the title name change
  • The end of the Bullet Club
  • Shinsuke Nakamura and his thoughts
  • Angle with Will Ospreay
  • Records that Tanahashi set during his career
  • Tanahashi’s background
  • Notes on his last IWGP title win that wasn’t supposed to happen
  • The unique way he became a mainstream figure in a news story
  • How his career exploded from there
  • How Tanahashi differed from prior IWGP champions and how that changed who could hold that title
  • The Tanahashi era that turned around New Japan
  • A look at his record setting 13 Tokyo Dome career main events
  • Various title wins and career awards
  • 2025 Business Year in Review
  • A look at all the shows that drew 15,000 fans
  • Biggest individual draws of the year
  • Crowds of 15,000 or more by promotion and how the main companies did
  • How UFC PPV gates were
  • The biggest pro wrestling drawing card every year from 1916 to 2025
  • What wrestlers were No. 1 for the year the most years in their career
  • The 50 biggest arena draws in pro wrestling history based on the standards of their era
  • New Year Dash coverage
  • The year in matches, who had the most great matches in 2025, most over the course of a career, top ten arenas of all-time and new records set in 2025 by a promotion for a year as well as for a city
  • A look at the life of Johnny Legend, a cult celebrity wrestling fan, his work with Freddie Blassie and Andy Kaufman, and his promotion, Incredibly Strange Wrestling.
  • The most detailed look at the ratings of the pro wrestling TV shows and details regarding who watches
  • Advanced ticket sales for WWE, AEW and TNA events
  • AEW stars headed to CMLL next week
  • Another Arena Mexico sellout
  • Legendary pro wrestling promoter turns 101
  • Old living wrestling personalities
  • Ted DiBiase files lawsuit
  • The Ted DiBiase Jr. case
  • A look at the career of Bob Boyer/Bobby Bold Eagle, who wrestled from 1955 to 1987
  • Documentary planned on 80s tag team
  • Notes on WrestleMania week shows
  • Update on the WBD sale
  • Former UFC champion goes for boxing world title
  • Update on the home for WWE’s library
  • Plans for TV shows this month
  • How much Dwayne Johnson has made from the WWE contract he signed two years ago
  • Those added to WWE, those leaving, those injured and those they are interested in
  • How the Holiday week house shows did
  • Why WWE’s weekly  audience on Netflix should go up close to 12 percent over the next three months.

This Week’s Back Issue

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Wednesday Update

WWE

  • While speaking with Complex News, Seth Rollins gave an update on his recovery from shoulder surgery:
    • It’s coming along. Yeah, it’s coming along. I had surgery almost three months ago now. I can do most normal things like wash my hair and scratch my armpit and all those things. So, it’s good. Still got time. I don’t know exactly when we’re going to come back, but I’m making progress in the right direction.
  • R-Truth told TV Insider that he thinks the existence of “WWE: Unreal” shows how much the industry is adapting to the times:
    • I know everyone has different takes and different views on it. My thought, like everything else, was, like, cool. I wasn’t pro Unreal or anti-Unreal. I wasn’t against it or for it. I think it shows how much the business is growing, adapting, and excelling into things we’ve never seen before. That’s a good thing. We have to adapt. It’s about trying new and different things, whether it’s inside or outside the box. I’m just here to play the hand.
  • BBC Scotland briefly interviewed new WWE Champion Drew McIntyre.
  • Jade Cargill attended the premiere of Netflix’s movie “The Rip” in New York City.
  • Kendal Grey appeared on Busted Open After Dark following NXT last night.
  • Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada had a meeting with WWE President Nick Khan: “It was a pleasure meeting with @WWE President Nick Khan who happens to be a former student of mine @UNLV.”

Other Wrestling

  • MJF named Steve Austin as the greatest wrestler of all time (besides himself): “In my opinion. After me of course. When people talk about the greatest of all time. They should be saying Steve Austin.”
  • Limitless Wrestling promoter Randy Carver spoke to Undisputed about booking MJF vs. Alec Price for the AEW World Championship at this Friday’s Limitless Rumble event:
    • I try to never take anything off the table, but this one always felt unrealistic. Yet every year, without fail, the number one vote for the wrestler our fans wanted to see return was the same: MJF. There was a constant heartbeat among the fans that this could happen.
    • Nights like this don’t happen often, but the goalposts continue to move. There’s a beauty to the landscape of 2026 independent wrestling where nights like this can exist.
    • We’re less than 200 tickets away from selling out The Colisee in Lewiston, something that would’ve sounded ludicrous when we took this gamble for the first time. We have a dedicated team committed to making Maine a professional wrestling destination. This Friday is a major step forward for Maine professional wrestling. The possibilities are truly limitless.
  • Alex Windsor reflected on her first Stardom tour: 
    • Had the absolute time of my life, shared the ring with the greatest talent there is and saw firsthand the highest level every one of these girls work at. The kind of wrestling that I feel most at home and lights that spark. Thank you @wwr_stardom
  • Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling President Scott D’Amore has added on another wrestling role with him joining One Fall Wrestling as a co-executive producer and creative consultant. The indie promotion is owned by QT Marshall.
  • TV Insider asked Mike Santana if he could see himself crossing over into “The Walking Dead” universe now that TNA Impact is on AMC:
    • Absolutely. I read the graphic novel two years before it came out. I have been following The Walking Dead for a long time. So if I got the opportunity to do something with them it would be a huge deal. I followed Breaking Bad, that was an amazing show. There are opportunities for a lot of integration. I think it will be great for everyone involved. As far as I’ve heard, AMC executives are very happy with the reaction everything has gotten so far. This is the first time they are in the sports entertainment business and offering a platform for wrestling. It’s a good time overall. We’re excited.
  • Minoru Suzuki is taking bookings for WrestleMania week in Las Vegas this April: “Any promotions that need me at Mania Week this year please get in touch. KAZE NI NAREeee [email protected]”
  • Kurt Angle is set to appear at WrestleCon’s convention on the Friday of Mania week.
  • The “You Know I’m Right” podcast had Kacy Catanzaro (former WWE wrestler Katana Chance) on as a guest.
  • “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan is celebrating his 72nd birthday today.

Scott D’Amore comments on TNA/AMC TV rights deal

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: TNA Wrestling

The former head of TNA Wrestling has publicly commented on the new domestic TV rights deal his old company announced with AMC this week.

In his weekly column for Uncrowned, Scott D’Amore wrote that he gets asked about TNA a lot and that it doesn’t feel right for him to discuss the day-to-day happenings within the company.

“But I also want to be clear: I will always have a lot of love in my heart for those three initials, and I am happy for the people there. To everyone at TNA today (people I know and people who are new) and to all the people who contributed to the rebirth of TNA over the years: TNA Wrestling — we are f***ing back!”

D’Amore championed the rebranding from Impact Wrestling back to TNA in January 2024 and was relieved of his duties a month later. He now heads up Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling, a Canadian-based wrestling reboot of the former Maple Leaf Wrestling that existed for 60 years.

The TNA/AMC deal begins in January and marks the company’s return to a major cable network in the United States.

Maple Leaf Pro raises $110K for people living with developmental disabilities

Posted on by Ian Carey

Scott D’Amore’s Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling has raised over $110,000 for charity.

The promotion ran The Reena Rumble on Monday night in Toronto’s NewAge Experience Centre. The event was a fundraiser for The Reena Foundation, which works to improve the lives of people living with developmental disabilities in the Greater Toronto Area.

MLP posted to X on Wednesday:

“Monday night’s MLP Reena Rumble was truly special. We loved partnering with @TheMagenGroup and @ReenaFoundation to raise $110,386 for a spectacular cause! A huge thank you to presenting sponsor @TributeCommunitiesCentre and all the amazing sponsor’s, special guest @MattHardyBrand, all the talent and crew and of course the awesome fans!”

The show featured several wrestlers from TNA. This followed a recent controversy after Moose said in an interview that he was not able to work for D’Amore’s promotion because of his ties to TNA. TNA Champion Mike Santana wrestled on the show, and Matt Hardy made a special appearance as well.

Hardy posted the following after the show:

“What a time at the Reena Rumble in Toronto tonight. Over $110,000 was raised for charity. Posed with a couple new friends I made tonight, Kenny & MicroMan!”

The annual event, now under the MLP banner, has been produced by the Magen Brothers, Jian and Page since 2019. In addition to promoting local wrestling events, the brothers were longtime managers of The Iron Sheik and produced the award-winning 2014 documentary The Sheik.

The About Us section of The Reena Foundation’s website reads:

“Reena was established in 1973 by parents of children with developmental disabilities as a practical alternative to institutions. Since that time Reena has grown to provide support for 1,000 individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Reena offers a variety of services including: residential support, respite programs, counselling, therapy and advocacy. These services are offered in 32 Group Homes and over 60 Supported Independent Living Apartments across the Greater Toronto Area.”

Maple Leaf Pro often uploads shows to YouTube in the days following each event. The advertised lineup for Monday’s show is below:

Maple Leaf Pro Reena Rumble non-spoiler advertised match listing:

  • TNA World Champion Mike Santana vs. Sheldon Jean
  • Carlito vs. Richard Holliday
  • Josh Alexander & Gisele Shaw vs. Kris Chambers & Taylor Rising
  • Champions Grail Champion Rohan Raja defends against Rhino
  • Brent Banks vs. Tarik
  • Colt Cabana vs. Tye Clodd for the Jewish Heavyweight Championship
  • D-Man Parker vs. Evil Uno
  • Jesse Bieber vs. El Reverso vs. Del Bruno


Scott D’Amore confirms Brock Lesnar TNA story

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: WWE

Former TNA head Scott D’Amore has confirmed that Brock Lesnar was interested in signing with the company back in 2007.

This past week, Kurt Angle revealed the news on his podcast, saying Lesnar (then a free agent) called and asked Angle if he could get him into TNA. Angle said Lesnar asked him what he was making and that if Angle could get Lesnar the same deal, he was in. Angle said he then asked TNA management and was told no, speculating it was a budget issue due to the amount of talent they were already paying high salaries to.

In his weekly column for Uncrowned, D’Amore, no longer with TNA, confirmed part of that story as “absolutely true” and that Angle approached him about it.

“Kurt was very excited about this and, obviously, it would have been a huge, maybe trajectory-altering signing for TNA. I passed it on to Dixie Carter, who owned TNA at the time. But, as you already know, it didn’t happen.

“It’s a huge what-if, not just for TNA, but for Lesnar. If he came to TNA on a big contract in 2007, would he have still debuted in MMA that year? Would he have felt the need to go fight in the UFC in 2008 and help usher in a legion of new fans for the UFC? I suppose we’ll never know.”

Lesnar left WWE in 2004 due to burnout and the travel schedule among other reasons. After several matches for NJPW and a memorable run in UFC that saw him become one of their biggest stars and their heavyweight champion, Lesnar returned to WWE in 2012 and has been there in some form or fashion ever since. He competes against John Cena at Saturday’s WWE Wrestlepalooza in his first match back in more than two years.

Scott D’Amore recalls signing Christian Cage to TNA in 2005

Posted on by Ian Carey

Scott D’Amore recently detailed signing Christian Cage to TNA Wrestling in 2005.

In the latest edition of his D’Amore Drop for Yahoo Sports, D’Amore spoke about the former Edge and Christian reuniting at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door. He recalled how he and Christian would talk from time to time during D’Amore’s first stint with TNA, and D’Amore would always joke about taking his call by answering, “How’s my future NWA World Heavyweight Champion doing?”

D’Amore said:

“He’d laugh and then I’d continue in a very ‘TV lawyer’ voice: ‘If you completed all obligations to your current employer — and were free and clear of any other obligations to third parties — we’d be interested in exploring a mutually beneficial contractual relationship.’ I’d go on like that and Jay would laugh. Only, one day, he didn’t laugh.”

D’Amore said that Christian told him he had something to prove. He wanted to show he could be a legit main-eventer and someone a promotion could build a pay-per-view around rather than just “someone who went out and had to steal the show in the co-main.”

D’Amore says that Christian proved not only could he be a main eventer in TNA, but he also showed other wrestlers that TNA was a legitimate career alternative.

“Christian Cage’s TNA run — with feuds against Kurt Angle and Samoa Joe — is legendary. Jay coming to TNA, and having the run of his career up to that point, showed other talent in WWE there was somewhere else to go. Kurt Angle arrived less than a year later, and that whole never-to-be-forgotten TNA golden era arrived.”

D’Amore’s article also reviews AAA Triplemania, talks about Naomi and Jimmy Uso’s recent announcement, and more. The full article is available here. Up next for D’Amore’s Maple Leaf Pro promotion is MLP Sacred Ground on September 5 at the Six Nations Sports & Cultural Centre in Ohsweken, Ontario, on the traditional territory of the Six Nations of the Grand River.

Maple Leaf Pro to hold Canadian Championship Gauntlet at Northern Rising

Posted on by Ian Carey

Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling will crown its first-ever Canadian Champion when it presents Northern Rising at the Mattamy Athletic Center on the grounds of the former Maple Leaf Gardens.

A 20-person gauntlet match on the pay-per-view, scheduled for Saturday, May 10, 2025, will determine the inaugural titleholder. While no entrants have been confirmed, former WWE Champion Raj Dhesi (FKA Jinder Mahal) appears to be declaring for the match.

The Championship Gauntlet is the second match confirmed for the show. MLP will also determine its first Women’s Canadian Champion at Northern Rising, with Kylie Rae set to face Gisele Shaw in the finals of a tournament that began at Mayhem in Windsor earlier this month.

Maple Leaf Pro Northern Rising lineup for May 10, 2025, at the Mattamy Athletic Center (formerly Maple Leaf Gardens):

  • Women’s Canadian Championship tournament finals: Gisele Shaw vs. Kylie Rae
  • 20-wrestler Gauntlet match to determine the inaugural Canadian Champion

WOR: Inside John Cena’s heel turn, Scott D’Amore talks Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

Dave Meltzer and I are back with our Friday episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, talking about all the big news from today’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

At the start of the show, Scott D’Amore joined us to talk about Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling, his stints at TNA/Impact, booking The Rock for Border City Wrestling, and more.

Dave and I also talked about the following:

  • Inside John Cena’s heel turn
  • The Rock’s original choice for who should go heel
  • Tanahashi vs. Goto as well as comparing Ace’s final year to Cena’s
  • TKO’s boxing collaboration with Turki Alalshikh
  • AEW Dynamite ratings
  • AEW’s origin story

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube (video sub needed)

Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling announces Toronto debut at historic venue

Posted on by Josh Nason

Scott D’Amore’s Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling will make its anticipated debut in Toronto and at a historic venue as well.

The promotion announced Thursday that on Sunday, May 11th, they will run Toronto Metropolitan University’s Mattamy Athletic Centre which is the former Maple Leaf Gardens. The event, titled Northern Rising, will air on Triller with ticket info yet to be announced. Capacity is listed as between 2600-3000 depending on the event.

The venue is notable as pro wrestling was a staple at the Gardens dating back to the 1930s. Maple Leaf Wrestling was run by the Tunney family in the 1970s and 1980s with D’Amore acquiring the trademark in April 2024.

The news comes days after MLP revealed two March dates for Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

MLP debuted in October 2024 with two shows in Windsor. D’Amore said in an interview that same month that they were “looking to expand and grow Toronto, a key market in Canada that we want to get back into.”

Scott D’Amore’s Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling set for March return

Posted on by Ian Carey

Scott D’Amore’s Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling is set to return in March. 

Maple Leaf Pro Mayhem will take place on March 13 and 14 at St. Clair’s College in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Last October, the same venue hosted MLP’s debut shows, Forged in Excellence. 

Although the promotion has made no official announcement, MLP’s Eventbrite page features information about the upcoming shows, including that tickets will go on sale beginning Monday, February 3, 2025. PWInsider is reporting that D’Amore has confirmed the news. 

In an interview with Sports Illustrated last year, D’Amore said he plans to ramp up production for Maple Leaf Pro in 2025. 

He said:

“I think our Q1 2025, plan is you’re going to see a few events domestically. You will see us outside of Windsor, which has been a big question. We’ve been contacted from everybody in BC (British Columbia) to the Maritimes. Obviously, Ontario’s going to be our base. But we’re looking to expand and grow Toronto, a key market in Canada that we want to get back into. Then I think we have some really exciting stuff internationally planned for Q1 of 2025. If fans tune in, see what we got, and then sit back and watch the ride as we gear up for what I think will be a really awesome 2025 season.”

MLP Forged In Excellence featured several well-reviewed matches, including the night one main event between Mike Bailey and Konosuke Takeshita for the AEW International title. Our own Dave Meltzer gave the match a five-star rating. The night two main event of Josh Alexander vs. Takeshita received a four and three-quarter star rating. 

Scott D’Amore says Maple Leaf Pro will be ‘the heart of Canadian wrestling’

Posted on by Ian Carey

Scott D’Amore has big plans for Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling in 2025. 

D’Amore revived the classic promotion earlier this year following his release from TNA Wrestling in February. On October 19 and 20, MLP ran back-to-back nights at St. Clair College in Windsor, ON, Canada, with shows that featured Josh Alexander, Konosuke Takeshita, Mike Bailey, and others. 

D’Amore recently sat down for an interview with Justin Barrasso and spoke about what the future holds for MLP. 

“We are going to be the heart of Canadian wrestling and a force in the global wrestling landscape,” D’Amore said. 

“This is a way to honor tradition of the past and forge a new path for Canadian wrestling. I’m proud of my time at TNA, and I hold my head high for what we accomplished there in my time at the helm. We took a company from death’s doorstep and revived it into an exciting and viable alternative. Now we are going to focus that hard work, vision, and passion into Maple Leaf Pro.”

One advantage MLP enjoys is that Canadian laws do not require international talent to obtain a work visa to perform in the country. This will allow Maple Leaf Pro more freedom in the non-Canadian wrestlers they book. 

“The immigration laws in Canada allow non-Canadians to come perform and compete, which allows our Canadian talent to be in the ring with the very best in the world,” D’Amore continued. “This helps both Canadian and other international talent show major United States companies that they can be valuable members of those rosters, as well as build their resume to better qualify for a US work visa when those opportunities present themselves.”

When asked if WWE talent could wind up in Maple Leaf Pro, D’Amore responded:

“We are very happy and excited about our existing partners. But we have an open-door policy. If WWE wants to join the party, we’d be open to exploring it.”

D’Amore teased that October’s Forged in Excellence shows were just the beginning, and Maple Leaf Pro plans to ramp up in 2025. 

“Forged in Excellence was our mission statement, our proof of concept for what Maple Leaf Pro is going to be,” said D’Amore. “The plan all along was to come out and have two nights of an amazing debut to show people what MLP is all about. Now we’ve taken a step back to set up our infrastructure, and we’ll be ready and prepared for an unbelievable 2025.”

The full interview with Scott D’Amore is available on Justin Barrasso’s substack page here. 

JNPO wrestling year in review series: A Rocky road to WrestleMania

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: WWE

In the second installment of my 12-part pro wrestling year in review series, Josh Nason’s Punch-Out takes a stop in, you guessed it, February 2024.

Joining me this month is Jason Powell of ProWrestling.net.

As the headline indicates, this month was dominated by the formation of the WWE WrestleMania 40 main event from The Rock vs. Roman Reigns to Cody Rhodes vs. Reigns instead, made official during a press event during Super Bowl weekend in Las Vegas. We hit on all the key points and happenings including the #WeWantCody movement.

Of course, there was the continued fallout from Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon and his latest fall from grace. Many wrestlers went on the record about Vince. What did they say and why were they so conflicted?

We talk about the surprising firing of Scott D’Amore from TNA Wrestling, the announcement of AEW Big Business, Kazuchika Okada and Will Ospreay both wrapping up in NJPW, Giulia preparing for her immediate future, and lots more from all your favorite groups.

Click here to listen and be sure to check out all the episodes as listed below:

Scott D’Amore provides update on Maple Leaf Pro’s future after debut shows

Posted on by Ian Carey

Scott D’Amore has big plans for Maple Leaf Pro in 2025. 

D’Amore spoke with SI.com’s Steven Muelhausen ahead of the promotion’s debut event, Forged in Excellence, in Windsor tonight and tomorrow. When asked about MPL’s future beyond this weekend, D’Amore explained that Forged in Excellence will serve as a proof of concept, setting the stage for the company to expand next year.

D’Amore said: 

“These are our marquee shows in 2024. It’s our proof of concept. This is us showing you what we’re going to be about. Then, our plan is really a 2025 plan. You will see some announcements coming out soon, both domestically and internationally with our partnerships and collaborations.” 

He continued:

“I think our Q1 2025, plan is you’re going to see a few events domestically. You will see us outside of Windsor, which has been a big question. We’ve been contacted from everybody in BC (British Columbia) to the Maritimes. Obviously, Ontario’s going to be our base. But we’re looking to expand and grow Toronto, a key market in Canada that we want to get back into. Then I think we have some really exciting stuff internationally planned for Q1 of 2025. If fans tune in, see what we got, and then sit back and watch the ride as we gear up for what I think will be a really awesome 2025 season.”

Konosuke Takeshita will defend his AEW International Championship on night two against Josh Alexander. D’Amore says AEW reached out to him about the title being defended on the show.

“AEW reached out to me about Takeshita and making this International title truly international,” he said. Takeshita will also wrestle Mike Bailey on night one with the stipulation that if Bailey wins he’ll earn a future title shot. 

Raj Dhesi (FKA Jinder Mahal) will wrestle Bully Ray in a Tables Match on night one of Forged in Excellence. He spoke with SI.com on Wednesday about working with D’Amore and MLP.

“This is huge opportunity for wrestling, and especially Canadian wrestling,” Dhesi said. “This would be incredible, if somehow we can maybe make this a monthly, weekly, semi-monthly type of event. And, you know, all across Canada? I think that’s the goal. That would be an amazing that would be an amazing thing for the wrestling business, especially in Canada.”

“I’ve always wanted to work with Scott (D’Amore),” he continued. “I’ve never got a chance to work with him ever in the in the past, but I’m very familiar with everything that he’s done in the business, the wrestlers that he’s trained, and Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling, kind of resurrecting it, is a huge achievement.”

Both nights of Forged In Excellence will air live as pay-per-views on Triller TV. Mauro Ranallo and Don Callis will be on commentary for the shows.

Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling Forged in Excellence —

Night one (Saturday, October 19):

  • Konosuke Takeshita vs. Mike Bailey (if Bailey wins, he gets a future shot at Takeshita’s AEW International Championship)
  • Tables match: Bully Ray vs. Raj Dhesi (former WWE wrestler Jinder Mahal)
  • Gisele Shaw vs. Miyu Yamashita (If Yamashita wins, she’ll be added to the ROH Women’s title match on night two)
  • Rohan Raja vs. Jake Something for the inaugural PWA Champion’s Grail Championship
  • Four-way tag team match: IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight defend against Sheldon Jean & Rohit Raju, El Reverso & Aiden Prince, and Brent Banks & Johnny Swinger
  • Laynie Luck vs. Taylor Rising vs. Kylie Rae vs. Aurora Teves
  • Bhupinder Gujjar vs. QT Marshall (w/ Harley Cameron)
  • Josh Alexander, Stu Grayson & El Phantasmo vs. Trevor Lee, Rocky Romero & Alex Zayne

Night two (Sunday, October 20):

  • AEW International Champion Konosuke Takeshita defends against Josh Alexander
  • ROH Women’s World Champion Athena defends against Gisele Shaw
  • QPW Qatar Champion Classy Ali defends against El Reverso
  • Mike Bailey vs. El Phantasmo
  • Six-way scramble match: Jake Something vs. Trevor Lee vs. Stu Grayson vs. Sheldon Jean vs. Mike Rollins vs. Alex Zayne

Wrestling Observer Live: AEW Dynamite recap, ‘Mr. McMahon’ trailer

Posted on by Mike Sempervive

Image: Netflix

With Bryan out watching 1970s wrestling for research, Mike Sempervive talks about the trailer release for the upcoming Netflix docuseries on Vince McMahon, Scott D’Amore’s new company, an update on the CM Punk cardboard box, last night’s AEW Dynamite, and more!

It’s a fun show as always, so check it out~!

Click Here for the Commercial-free Download (subscription required)