news
A Look at Toronto’s Rival Wrestling Leagues
By now most of you are probably familiar with Toronto’s homespun Pillow Fight League and its roster of lovely looking and colorfully named pillow pugilists. Its campy girl-on-girl smackdowns have earned it a good deal of attention in the media and a loyal following of fans. The PFL isn’t the only pseudo-sport in town worthy of attention, though. Toronto is also home to two rival leagues that are both redefining pro-wrestling in their own unique and interesting ways. One is BSE, or “Blood Sweat and Ears,” and combines traditional pro-wrestling with a live rock show (hence the “ears”). The other is “UWA Hardcore,” which is staging a show tonight at St. John’s Hall in Mississauga at 7:00 sharp.
As the “Hardcore” part of its name suggests, you likely won’t be seeing any pillows at a UWA show unless there’s a brick hidden inside. UWA shows often fall into the “extreme” side of the pro-wrestling spectrum with all the barbed wire and bloodletting you might expect. This aspect to the UWA, while popular among many of its testosterone-fuelled teenage fans, also tends to turn off those who don’t have the stomach or interest in that sort of thing. This is unfortunate as the UWA is also home to some of the most exciting lucha libre style high flying action you’re liable to see anywhere in the world.
The UWA has a close relationship with famed Japanese luchador Ultimo Dragon, whose gym in Mexico has turned out many of Japan’s hottest young wrestling stars. While pro-wrestling has been on a steady decline in North America for the past ten years or so, it has instead seen a huge popularity explosion across the Pacific. This pro-wrestling renaissance in Japan can largely be attributed to the talented graduates of Ultimo’s Toryumon Gym who were all trained in Mexico’s fast-paced lucha libre wrestling style. Now it looks like the next generation of high flying luchadors might very well come from our fair city. The UWA recently announced a partnership that will soon bring a branch of Ultimo Dragon’s gym to Toronto, with instructions given to wannabe luchadors by Ultimo himself. What better place to learn Mexican lucha libre from a Japanese wrestling legend than in the world’s most multicultural city?
While UWA prides itself on being “Hardcore” and looks toward Japan’s notorious death matches for inspiration, Blood Sweat and Ears tends to take a more lighthearted and family-friendly approach to sports entertainment. In addition to regular matches, BSE shows feature lots of comedic wrestling and campy characters, such as the much beloved Dancing Pete. BSE’s next show will take place at 3 p.m. on February 25 at the Humber College Athletic Center. The main event will see an epic clash between “The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels and TNA superstar “The Samoan Submission Machine” Samoa Joe. Both UWA and BSE put on great shows and are worth checking out if you have even the least bit of interest in wrestling.
Tonight’s UWA show looks like a good one as The UWA Canadian Championship will be on the line with Josh Prohibition taking on Ruckus and MDogg 20. Additionally, the Zero One Max Japan Tag Team Championship will be up for grabs when Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin tangle with Bishop & Lionel Knight. Keep in mind this is a UWA Hardcore show, so if you are the least bit squeamish, then it might be in your interest to check the UWA website to make sure that no “death matches” have been added to the card at the last minute.
Venue: St. John’s Hall
Address: 2185 Stavebank Road, Mississauga
Time: 7:00pm Price: $15.00
Illustration courtesy The UWA