Maple Leaf Wrestling (NWA)

Maple Leaf Wrestling (NWA) was a Territory pro wrestling promotion based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The MAPLE LEAF WRESTLING NWA promotion was founded on March 12, 1930 by Jack Corcoran, and it ceased operations on September 17, 1995.

Born out of the early Toronto wrestling scene of the 1910s and 20s, Maple Leaf Wrestling (MLW) first began as Queensbury Athletic Club (QAC), centered around the city’s iconic Maple Leaf Gardens arena. In the midst of a promotional war to gain control of the city’s wrestling audience, Jack Corcoran bowed out of promoting in 1939, selling QAC to his assistants John and Frank Tunney. 

When John died shortly thereafter, Frank would become promoter, operating one of Canada’s most profitable territories, featuring stars such as “Whipper” Billy Watson, and Gene Kiniski. Upon Frank’s death in 1983, his family members Jack and Eddie Tunney would gain ownership, aligning away from the NWA in favor of Vince McMahon’s growing empire. Eddie would be pushed out, and the company would de facto be taken over in 1984, with the WWF promoting Jack Tunney as on-screen president. The WWF would continue running shows under the MLW name on Canadian broadcasts of WWF Superstars, and once Jack retired from the business, the remnant of MLW quietly faded from memory.

In 2024, a spiritual successor promotion to the original MLW was launched by Scott D’Amore, named Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling (MLP).

Maple Leaf Wrestling (NWA): Info