It was a difficult week for the Albertan wrestling scene last week. The unfortunate losses of both Bobby Kay and Steve Gillespie cast a shadow over the province’s independent wrestlers, promoters, and fans alike. However, even with the unfortunate news of the duo’s passings looming large over the past seven days, there was still plenty of breaking news throughout the province!
Not caught up on all the action? Now you can be! It’s the latest edition of Last Week in Alberta Wrestling, your source for the most up-to-date information across the Albertan wrestling scene!
Gillespie, Kay Pass Away
The past seven days certainly haven’t been kind to the Albertan wrestling community.
Last week saw the passings of two Canadian wrestling icons in Bobby Kay (70) and Steve Gillespie (56)
Both men were well-known throughout Alberta as pioneers of the province’s wrestling industry. Kay, a member of the legendary Cormier family, was the younger brother of fellow Canadian wrestling icons The Beast, Rudy Kay and Leo Burke. Throughout his decorated career, Kay captured the Central States version of the NWA North American Tag Team Championships, two reigns with the Stampede Wrestling Tag Team Championships, five with the ESA International Tag Team Championships, and, in 1974, the NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship.
Gillespie, who passed away on January 18th, was a graduate of the famous Hart Dungeon in Calgary, Alberta and made his in-ring debut in 1989. Over his 25-year career, Gillespie wrestled for a number of Alberta’s premier wrestling promotions, including Stampede Wrestling, Cam-Am Wrestling, and Real Canadian Wrestling.
The WCSN sends its condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of both men.
Ethan Page Alberta-Bound
Another one of Impact Wrestling’s top stars is heading to Alberta in the near future.
Last week, Real Canadian Wrestling announced a pair of February appearances by one-half of the current Impact Tag Team Champions the North, “All Ego” Ethan Page.
The appearances are scheduled for May 1st and 2nd in Calgary and Edmonton, respectively.
Since making his debut in 2006, Page has captured not only the Impact Tag Team Championships, but titles across PWG, AAW, and over 15 other promotions. In early 2019, Page joined forces with Josh Alexander in forming the North. On July 5th of 2019, the North became the Impact Wrestling Tag Team Championships after defeating LAX, now known as Santana & Ortiz in All Elite Wrestling.
Force Pro Wrestling Shines in Return Event
Friday night saw Force Pro Wrestling back in action with their first event of 2020, the Return. The event marked the promotion’s official relaunch following a pair of highly-acclaimed events to close out 2019, and Friday night saw the promotion looking to build on the considerable momentum it had built to close out the decade. Over 200 people braved the frigid Edmonton cold on January 17th, and all were treated to another banner night of Albertan professional wrestling. Not only did the in-ring action deliver as expected, but the promotion did an excellent job of building towards their soon-to-be-announced next show.
Angelica, Von Heez Set to Square Off
The phrase “Alberta Indy Dream Match” may have been beaten to death throughout 2019, but there’s simply no other way to describe what Pure Power Wrestling has in store for Saturday night.
On January 25th, Angelica will face off with Kat Von Heez at PPW’s Snow Way Out event.
There perhaps isn’t a more anticipated women’s matchup in the province than the impending battle between Von Heez and Angelica. Over the past year, “the Bombshell” has established herself as not only one of the province’s top females but one of its top competitors overall. In fact, her recent success had inspired her to lay claim to being the “biggest, strongest and best women’s wrestler in the history of PPW.”
However, last month, Angelica was interrupted by a video promo from none other than Von Heez herself, who not only disputed the Bombshell’s claims but challenged her to a singles match at Snow Way Out.
There are few who can rival Angelica’s PPW resume; however, Kat Von Heez would be one of the first to be able to. The first - and only - woman to win the PPW Cruiserweight Championships has long been regarded as Alberta’s most imposing female talent, holding victories over nearly every one of the province’s top stars.
Who will stand tall on Saturday night? Only one way to find out!
Tickets for the show are available in advance through any of the promotion’s social media channels. Additional tickets are also available at King Of Trade / Serious Music Centre (Lethbridge) and www.purepowerwrestling.ca.
Results:
Force Pro Wrestling Results
The Return • Edmonton, Alberta • January 17
- “The Thickness” Reid Matthews def. Shotgun Syd Greed
- “Spaceman” Beri Grayson def. Sheik Akbar Shabaz, Kato
- Zoë Sager def. Taryn From Accounting
- Jack Pride vs. Colton Kelly - No Contest
- Andriy def. Chris Perish
- Michael Allen Richard Clark def. Kayla Jaye
- Michael Richard Blais def. Davey O’Doyle
Real Canadian Wrestling Results
New Year’s Stampede • Ponoka, Alberta • January 17
- Son of Irish/”The Cheetahbear” Jude Dawkins def. The Wrecking Crew (“Headline” Shaun Martens/Dean Richtor)
- Big Jesse Youngblood def. “Mad Dog” Marty Sugar
- Viking Rage (Vince Austin/Dante) def. KOTA/Giant Orion
- Blake Kannon def. KB6
- Stampede Rumble Match Winner: Giant Orion
- RCW British Commonwealth Championship Match: Matt Hart© def. “Nasty” Nate Nixon
- RCW Canadian Heavyweight Championship Match: Heavy Metal© def. Lumberjack Larry Woods
Coming Up:
Real Canadian Wrestling • New Year’s Rampage • Radway, Alberta • January 24
Prairie Wrestling Alliance • New Year’s Revolution • Edmonton, Alberta • January 25
Pure Power Wrestling • Snow Way Out • Lethbridge, Alberta • January 25
Latest Wrestling Content:
- Force Pro Wrestling Recap & Reactions: The Return, Edmonton, Jan. 17
- Canadian Wrestling Icon Bobby Kay Passes Away at 70
- Steve Gillespie, Former Stampede Wrestling Star, Passes Away at 56
- WWE Legend The Godfather Scheduled for RCW Appearances
- BREAKING: Ethan Page Real Canadian Wrestling Bound
