Ontario_Indy_Wrestling_Awards

Great Canadian Wrestling

Great Canadian Wrestling

Canadian professional wrestling promotion


Great Canadian Wrestling (GCW) is an independent professional wrestling promotion company based in Oshawa, Ontario.[1] GCW was founded in 2005 and promotes shows throughout Southern Ontario.[1][2] The company also hosts since 2005 an annual Great Canadian Wrestling Expo that takes place over several days and brings together a large group of wrestlers. Currently, four championships are defended at GCW events.

Quick Facts Acronym, Founded ...

GCW events featured a roster of wrestlers who compete regularly for the promotion as well as occasional appearances by wrestlers currently signed with major promotions. In addition, a group of "legends", or veteran wrestlers from other promotions, also would compete on occasion for GCW.

On February 18, 2009, GCW began an online broadcast titled GCWtv.[3]

In November 2015, GCW rebranded itself as Infinity Wrestling.

History

GCW gives out the Ontario Indy Wrestling Awards annually, which is eligible to all wrestling promotions and wrestlers who perform in Ontario.[4][5][6][7][8]

Wrestling Expo

Beginning in 2005, the promotion's first year, GCW has assembled a group of wrestlers from various promotions to compete in a multi-day event known as the Great Canadian Wrestling Expo.[9] The first Expo attracted 600 visitors and included merchandise sales from a wide variety of vendors, an auction, and opportunities to meet with the wrestlers for autographs and photographs. Ed the Sock was named commissioner for the event and proceeds from the weekend were donated to the Sick Kids Foundation.[10] In 2006, the event was combined with the 10th Annual Anime North Convention.[11] The event featured primarily traditional wrestling matches but also included gimmick matches such as one between wrestlers competing as the Green Power Ranger and the Red Power Ranger for leadership of the Power Rangers, as well as an encounter between Team Sailor Moon and Team Rocket.[11] This cross-promotional event attracted 11,286 paid attendees.[12] Since 2006, GCW has continued to promote a series of shows along with Anime North.[13][14]

Wrestlers

WWE wrestler A.J. Styles made appearances for GCW.

Although GCW promotes matches with many wrestlers who have not appeared in major promotions, the organization also has an agreement with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) that facilitates events titled TNmAyhem, in which wrestlers from TNA compete. The first of these cards took place on May 24, 2007, and features appearances by such wrestlers as Raven, Christopher Daniels, and A.J. Styles.[15] GCW events also feature wrestlers who have gained fame in major American promotions, such as Billy Gunn,[16] The Honky Tonk Man,[17] and Koko B. Ware.[18]

Roster

GCW had a regular group of wrestlers that competed for the promotion; this includes both male and female wrestlers. In addition, many wrestlers made sporadic appearances for the company. On the company roster, GCW divides these occasional performers into two groups: legends (longtime wrestlers, many of whom are semi-retired) and superstars (wrestlers who currently compete, or have recently competed, for major promotions).

Regular roster

GCW's regular roster consisted of wrestlers who competed for the promotion on a regular basis:[19]

  • Akira Raijin
  • Andrew Davis
  • Asylum
  • Black Serpent
  • Brad Freakin Martin
  • Bruno Davis
  • Bryan Youngblood
  • Cody 45
  • Rico Montana
  • Sebastian Suave
  • Sombra
  • Steve Brown
  • Tiger Star
  • Tyler Tirva
  • Xtremo

W.I.L.D. Division

The W.I.L.D. Division consisted of GCW's female wrestlers:[20]

Championships

GCW National Championship

The GCW National Championship was a professional wrestling championship that serves as the major championship for Great Canadian Wrestling.

More information Wrestler:, Times: ...

GCW Interim Heavyweight Championship

In 2007, GCW National Champion Jake O'Reilly was injured but unwilling to vacate his title. As a result, an eight-man tournament was held to determine the first holder of the newly created GCW Interim Heavyweight Championship. O'Reilly, still holding his National Championship, returned in February 2008, and the two titles were unified when Otis Idol defeated O'Reilly in October 2008.[22]

More information Wrestler:, Times: ...

GCW Ontario Independent Championship

The GCW Ontario Independent Championship is a secondary title in the Great Canadian Wrestling promotion. It was created in May 2006, and a four-man tournament was held to determine the initial champion.[23]

More information Wrestler:, Times: ...

GCW Tag Team Championship

The GCW Tag Team Championship was a championship that serves as the major tag team championship in the Great Canadian Wrestling promotion.

More information No., Wrestler ...

GCW WILD Championship

The GCW WILD Championship is a professional wrestling championship that serves as the major women's championship in the Great Canadian Wrestling promotion.

More information #, Wrestler ...

References

  1. "Company Overview". Great Canadian Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-04-01.
  2. "Press Room". Great Canadian Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-04-01.
  3. Martin, Adam (2009-02-10). "Indy News #1: February 10". WrestleView. Retrieved 2009-04-02.
  4. "The 2009 Ontario Indy Wrestling Awards - OWW". January 20, 2010. Archived from the original on 26 August 2017.
  5. "Best in Ontario to be honoured this Saturday". canoe.com. Archived from the original on August 12, 2018.
  6. Martin, Adam (January 7, 2010). "Indy News #5: January 7 (Awards)". Archived from the original on 12 August 2018.
  7. Martin, Adam (January 4, 2010). "Indy News #2: January 4 (Indy award)". Archived from the original on 12 August 2018.
  8. Devine, Johnny (2005-11-11). "A great Canadian wrestling weekend!". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved 2009-04-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  9. McNamara, Andy (2005-11-05). "Oshawa Expo off and running". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012. Retrieved 2009-04-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  10. McNamara, Andy (2006-05-29). "Elmo, Power Rangers, Sailor Moon: An animated show". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved 2009-04-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  11. "Anime North 2006 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2009-04-01.
  12. "Extreme Anime 2007: May 25, 2007". Great Canadian Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-04-02.
  13. "Anime North: Day 1". Great Canadian Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-04-02.
  14. "TNmAyhem: May 24, 2007". Great Canadian Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-04-02.
  15. Martin, Adam (2008-03-17). "Pure Wrestling Association/All Canadian Wrestling reports + 3/20 GCW". WrestleView. Retrieved 2009-04-01.
  16. "Honky Tonk Man to shake, rattle and roll into Lindsay". The Lindsay Post. Retrieved 2009-04-02.
  17. Donaldson, Wally. "Koko B Ware puts on a show". The Oshawa Express. Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2009-04-03.
  18. "Singles Division". Great Canadian Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  19. "W.I.L.D. Division". Great Canadian Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  20. "GCW National Championship". Great Canadian Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  21. "GCW Interim Heavyweight Championship". Great Canadian Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-04-02.
  22. "GCW Ontario Independent Championship". Great Canadian Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-04-02.
  23. "GCW Tag Team Championship". Great Canadian Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  24. Kreikenbohm, Philip (August 30, 2006). "GCW - Event @ Oshawa, Ontario, Canada". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  25. Kreikenbohm, Philip (September 15, 2006). "GCW Last Chance - Event @ Oshawa, Ontario, Canada". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  26. Kreikenbohm, Philip (December 28, 2006). "GCW Season's Beatings - Event @ Canadian Legion Hall in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  27. Kreikenbohm, Philip (March 23, 2007). "GCW Canadian Invasion - Event @ Oshawa, Ontario, Canada". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  28. Kreikenbohm, Philip (April 14, 2007). "GCW Anarchy In Angus - Event @ Essa Recreational Complex in Angus, Ontario, Canada". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  29. Kreikenbohm, Philip (July 13, 2007). "GCW Beyond The Limit - Event @ Royal Canadian Legion in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  30. Kreikenbohm, Philip (November 25, 2007). "GCW Genesis - Event @ Royal Canadian Legion in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  31. Kreikenbohm, Philip (April 10, 2008). "GCW 2nd Anniversary Show: Game Over - Event @ Royal Canadian Legion in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  32. Kreikenbohm, Philip (June 13, 2008). "GCW Random Acts Of Violence 2008 - Event @ Royal Canadian Legion in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  33. Kreikenbohm, Philip (April 19, 2009). "GCW Veni! Vidi! Vici! - Event @ Oshawa, Ontario, Canada". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  34. Kreikenbohm, Philip (September 18, 2009). "GCW Final War - Event @ Royal Canadian Legion Hall in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  35. "GCW W.I.L.D. Championship". Great Canadian Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-04-04.

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