Danny Duggan gets the upper leg on Mentallo at a 2018 show in Prince Albert. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Opening the curtain

Professional wrestling announces return to Sask.

Jun 13, 2021 | 1:00 PM

The COVID pandemic has in many ways applied a choke hold on companies who rely on touring and live audiences to make money, but there are signs of a comeback.

With restrictions now easing, Winnipeg based Canadian Wrestling’s Elite (CWE) has announced dates next month for Prince Albert, Saskatoon, Regina and Weyburn. The company’s general manager Danny Duggan can’t wait to see a live crowd.

“That first time coming through the curtain is going to be such a rush and is long overdue,” he said.

Technically, it’s been 17 months since CWE set foot in Saskatchewan, making its last stop in Prince Albert back in February 2020. Duggan explained before things shut down last year, the company was en route to do the biggest tour in Canadian wrestling history, with 38 events from Vancouver to Montreal.

“That all came to a screeching halt and now, we are going to be starting from square one in doing some smaller regional tours,” he said.

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Former WWE/WCW Lucha Libre starJuventud Guerrera has been among the international stars to make stops in Prince Albert as part of the CWE tour. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

Traditionally, each CWE tour features a high profile international star and has included the likes of Jake “the Snake” Roberts, Juventud Guerrera, Psychosis, Ron Simmons, and Paul Orndorff. Duggan said due to COVID restrictons at the borders, they are unable at this time to bring in any international headliners but added they do have a very healthy roster of Canadian wrestlers, chomping at the bit to step into the ring.

“I often said Canadian wrestling is often overlooked in today’s wrestling landscape but we do have the very best professional wrestlers in the world,” Duggan said.

Among the more famous Canadian wrestlers still active are Kevin Owens, Chris Jericho, Kenny Omega, Edge (Adam Copeland), and Natalia Neidhart. Past legends of course include the likes of Bret Hart and Roddy Piper.

Noting how CWE have been very active on its social media presence live-streaming events, Duggan said the company has just launched its own weekly television show.

“We’ve been having a great response to that and luckily with us dipping our toes back into touring waters with these smaller events coming up, we are going to be able to maintain doing both again,” he said, adding the company is also in talks with TV stations in Saskatchewan.

The dates for the Saskatchewan shows are July 21 to 24, starting in Prince Albert and ending in Weyburn. Venue locations and ticket sales information have yet to be announced but will be posted through the CWE Facebook page.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell