 Logo of the Great Canadian Wrestling | |
| Acronym | GCW |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2005 |
| Style | Professional wrestling |
| Headquarters | Oshawa |
| Website | http://gcwe.ca/ |
Great Canadian Wrestling (GCW) is anindependentprofessional wrestlingpromotion company based inOshawa,Ontario.[1] GCW was founded in 2005 and promotes shows throughoutSouthern Ontario.[1][2] The company also hosts since 2005 an annualGreat Canadian Wrestling Expo that takes place over several days and brings together a large group of wrestlers. Currently, fourchampionships are defended at GCW events.
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.
GCW gives out theOntario Indy Wrestling Awards annually, which is eligible to all wrestling promotions and wrestlers who perform in Ontario.[4][5][6][7][8]
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 theSick Kids Foundation.[10] In 2006, the event was combined with the10th 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 thePower Rangers, as well as an encounter between TeamSailor 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]
Although GCW promotes matches with many wrestlers who have not appeared in major promotions, the organization also has an agreement withTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) that facilitates events titled TNmAyhem, in which wrestlers from TNA compete. The first of thesecards took place on May 24, 2007, and features appearances by such wrestlers asRaven,Christopher Daniels, andA.J. Styles.[15] GCW events also feature wrestlers who have gained fame in major American promotions, such asBilly Gunn,[16]The Honky Tonk Man,[17] andKoko B. Ware.[18]
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).
GCW's regular roster consisted of wrestlers who competed for the promotion on a regular basis:[19]
The W.I.L.D. Division consisted of GCW's female wrestlers:[20]
| Notable active promotions | |
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| Defunct promotions |
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| Governing bodies and interpromotional alliances |
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| Television and streaming channels | |
| Other | |
