'Fans have been clamouring for this': IMPACT Wrestling returns to Windsor this week
Impact Wrestling’s new President Scott D’Amore, is eager for the return of live shows to his hometown of Windsor, Ont., later this week.
Last fall, officials announced the stars of Impact Wrestling will “sacrifice” it all live from St. Clair College on March 24, 2023, with the first of two back-to-back nights of high-energy action.
“Yeah, excited,” D’Amore told CTV News. “This is our return to Canada and the fact that it's here in Windsor, Ontario, I think is very fitting because Windsor, it's got such a long wrestling history for Impact Wrestling and for the wrestling world in general.”
The upcoming shows will be Impact’s first in Windsor since the fall of 2019.
D’Amore explained that Impact has not held an event outside of the United States since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, noting this will be the first time in history a pay per view will emanate from the Rose City.
“Windsor has hosted so many amazing wrestling events over the years but it's never had a live pay-per view,” D’Amore said.
“It's exciting. I think it's exciting for Windsor. I think Windsor fans have been clamoring for this for a long time. Every time we would come here for televised events they’d be like when are we getting a pay per view? When are we getting a live pay per-view and that's what they got that Friday night and no rest for the wicked,” D’Amore said. “We’ll turn around and come right back Saturday and we'll have an exciting night of action shot to air on Game TV and Fight Network here in Canada, access over in the U.S. and 180 countries around the world,” he said.
D’Amore suggested it’s obvious to see the local talent that take part each week with Impact Wrestling, noting Border City Wrestling and the Can-Am Wrestling School are well represented in the company.
“You've got people like the Motor City Machine Guns, Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley who are near legends at this point. You've got Rhino who was the first massive graduate we had here out of the Can-Am Wrestling School and a BCW original. We have Giselle Shaw, who has been making a lot of waves in the media and that these days. She likes to say she's a Windsorite, I'm not sure it's official yet. We might have to take a vote on that. But yes, she's here living, training in Windsor.”
D’Amore continued, “We’ve got Bhupinder Gujjar, he attended St. Clair College, got his degree there. And you know, lo and behold made his dream come true, signed with Impact Wrestling, and he's now a part of our weekly program and he’s as Windsor as Windsor can be now and the perfect example I think when you start to look at our roster, of the fact that Windsor, much like Canada, it's not just people that are here generation after generation. Immigration is a big thing here and I think our diversity in the vastness of cultures that we have represented is apropos for when you look at what the makeup of Windsor is.”
LaSalle’s Bhupinder Gujjar was voted by fans of the promotion as the One to Watch in 2023.
Gisele Shaw first appeared with Impact Wrestling in 2018 and is known as “The Quintessential Diva.”
Born in The Philippines, Shaw now resides in Windsor.
“I am super excited, obviously,” Shaw exclaimed. “The Quintessential Diva is someone who's strong, confident, beautiful, smart. You know, more than just a pretty face and that can do it all and that's me.”
Shaw is also the first Trans wrestler contracted by Impact Wrestling and is eager to achieve her goal of winning the Knockouts World Championship and Knockouts World Tag Team Championship.
“I'm just really, really excited and happy that I'm able to tell my story finally and feel authentic with myself,” Shaw said. “And hopefully I can inspire the people now and the next generation as well.”
Shaw will face Deonna Purrazzo on Friday.
Officials say limited tickets for Sacrifice and Sacrifice Fallout are still available.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.