WWE (formerly World Wrestling Federation), an American professional wrestling promotion based in Stamford, Connecticut in the United States owned by TKO, previously the McMahon family, has been promoting events in Canada since its founding in 1980.
History On January 24, 1963, Toots Mondt of the Capitol Wrestling Corporation (CWC) got into a dispute with the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) over "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers losing the NWA World Heavyweight Championship to Lou Thesz in a one-fall match in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This disagreement led to Mondt, McMahon, and the CWC leaving the NWA in protest, creating the World Wide Wrestling Federation (the predecessor to the WWE) in the process.
In 1984 Vince McMahon purchased Stampede Wrestling, before selling it back the following year. Also in 1984, WWF acquired Maple Leaf Wrestling, and continued to run it for a couple of years. In 1986 Maple Leaf Wrestling was shut down, and the name was used for the Canadian broadcasts of WWF Superstars of Wrestling.
In 1985 WWF created the WWF Canadian Championship, which was given to Dino Bravo. Bravo was the Canadian International Heavyweight Championship for many years for Lutte Internationale. Due to his previous success, Bravo was billed as the WWF Canadian Champion in some Canadian cities until January 1986, when the title was abandoned.
In 1986 WWF hosted The Big Event in Toronto which drew over 74,000 fans.Canoe – Slam! Wrestling – the Big Event 21 years later Ten years later, the WWF held an anniversary show of The Big Event, WWF Xperience, which drew over 21,000 fans.
In 1988, the inaugural Royal Rumble was held at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton.
In 1997 Survivor Series was broadcast from Montreal and is infamous for the Montreal Screwjob.
WrestleMania X8 in 2002 set the attendance record for an indoor event in Canada, that being 68,236 people at the SkyDome.
In 2019, Montreal hosted the 2019 WWE Superstar Shake-up.
Broadcast
Starting in the mid to late 1990s, WWF/E programming was shown on TSN for Monday Night Raw and The Score for SmackDown! broadcasts. The programs were also aired on CHCH Hamilton, CJNT Montreal, CKMI Quebec and CKVR Barrie. ECW and NXT were seen on Global Television Network until 2010.
Beginning in 2014, WWE content is distributed exclusively via Rogers Media. As part of this agreement, Rogers distributes WWE's weekly television shows, Raw, SmackDown, NXT, Main Event, and This Week in WWE on Sportsnet 360. This deal excludes reality series, such as Total Divas (which is produced for E! and shown on its Canadian counterpart owned by Bell Media).
As part of this deal, the WWE Network's live stream was offered as a traditional TV channel for subscribers to cable providers, instead of a standalone service.
On September 7, 2017, WWE and TVA Sports announced a multi-year agreement to air a weekly recap of Raw in French.
Beginning January 1, 2025, all the Canadian rights to its weekly series Raw, and rights to all other programming (including content currently associated with the WWE Network), would move to Netflix in stages. Netflix and WWE confirmed on January 23, 2024 that the Canadian rights to Raw would move in January 2025—aligning with Rogers' contract having been previously announced as ending in 2024, and suggesting that other Canadian rights would move at the same time.
From 2019 to 2024, SmackDown aired on Fox which is available to Canadian providers. Since 2024, NXT also airs on The CW, that is also available for distribution in Canada. In addition, Saturday Night's Main Event aired on NBC which is also available to Canadian providers, but during its first revived run from 2006 to 2008, it was simulcasted on Global and Citytv while A&E (also available in Canada) airs a two-hour reality and documentary-based programming part of the seasonal WWE Superstar Sundays: LFG and Rivals, which also appears on the USA Network (formerly Discovery Channel); as this channel airs Collision, produced by rival promotion All Elite Wrestling.
Pay-per-view and livestreaming events DateEventVenueLocationFinal matchRefApril 1, 1990WrestleMania VISkyDomeToronto, OntarioHulk Hogan (World-c) vs. The Ultimate Warrior (IC-c) in a Winner Takes All match for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship and WWF Intercontinental ChampionshipOctober 22, 1995In Your House 4Winnipeg ArenaWinnipeg, ManitobaDiesel (c) vs. The British Bulldog for the WWF World Heavyweight ChampionshipJuly 21, 1996In Your House 9: International IncidentGeneral Motors PlaceVancouver, British ColumbiaShawn Michaels, Sycho Sid, and Ahmed Johnson vs. Camp Cornette (Vader, The British Bulldog (2), and Owen Hart) in a six-man tag team matchJuly 6, 1997In Your House 16: Canadian StampedeCanadian Airlines SaddledomeCalgary, AlbertaStone Cold Steve Austin, Ken Shamrock, Goldust, and The Legion Of Doom (Hawk and Animal) vs. The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart, Owen Hart (2), The British Bulldog (3), Jim Neidhart, and Brian Pillman) in a ten-man tag team matchNovember 9, 1997Survivor SeriesMolson CentreMontreal, QuebecBret Hart (2) (c) vs. Shawn Michaels (2) for the WWF World Heavyweight ChampionshipSeptember 27, 1998Breakdown: In Your HouseCopps ColiseumHamilton, OntarioStone Cold Steve Austin (2) (c) vs. The Undertaker vs. Kane in a triple threat match for the WWF ChampionshipDecember 13, 1998Rock Bottom: In Your HouseGeneral Motors PlaceVancouver, British ColumbiaStone Cold Steve Austin (3) vs. The Undertaker (2) in a Buried Alive matchMarch 17, 2002WrestleMania X8SkyDomeToronto, OntarioChris Jericho (c) vs. Triple H for the Undisputed WWF ChampionshipFebruary 23, 2003No Way OutBell CentreMontreal, QuebecHulk Hogan (2) vs. The RockApril 18, 2004BacklashRexall PlaceEdmonton, AlbertaChris Benoit (c) vs. Shawn Michaels (3) vs. Triple H (2) in a triple threat match for the World Heavyweight ChampionshipAugust 15, 2004SummerSlamAir Canada CentreToronto, OntarioChris Benoit (2) (c) vs. Randy Orton for the World Heavyweight ChampionshipSeptember 17, 2006UnforgivenEdge (c) vs. John Cena in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match for the WWE ChampionshipSeptember 13, 2009Breaking PointBell CentreMontreal, QuebecCM Punk (c) vs. The Undertaker (3) in a submission match for the World Heavyweight ChampionshipMarch 12, 2016RoadblockRicoh ColiseumToronto, OntarioTriple H (3) (c) vs. Dean Ambrose for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, 2016NXT TakeOver: TorontoAir Canada CentreShinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. Samoa Joe for the NXT Championship, 2016Survivor SeriesGoldberg vs. Brock Lesnar, 2019NXT TakeOver: TorontoScotiabank ArenaAdam Cole (c) vs. Johnny Gargano in a Three Stages of Hell match (singles match, street fight, and barbed wire steel cage match) for the NXT Championship, 2019SummerSlamBrock Lesnar (2) (c) vs. Seth Rollins for the WWE Universal Championship, 2023Elimination ChamberBell CentreMontreal, QuebecRoman Reigns (c) vs. Sami Zayn for the Undisputed WWE Universal ChampionshipJuly 6, 2024Money in the BankScotiabank ArenaToronto, OntarioCody Rhodes, Randy Orton (2), and Kevin Owens vs. The Bloodline/MFT (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, and Jacob Fatu) in a six-man tag team matchJuly 7, 2024NXT HeatwaveTrick Williams (c) vs. Je'Von Evans vs. Ethan Page vs. Shawn Spears in a fatal four-way match for the NXT ChampionshipNovember 30, 2024Survivor Series: WarGamesRogers ArenaVancouver, British Columbia The OG Bloodline (Roman Reigns (2), The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso), Sami Zayn (2)), and CM Punk (2) vs. The Bloodline/MFT (Solo Sikoa (2), Jacob Fatu (2), Tama Tonga (2), and Tonga Loa), and Bronson Reed in a WarGames matchMarch 1, 2025Elimination ChamberRogers CentreToronto, OntarioJohn Cena (2) vs. CM Punk (3) vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Logan Paul vs. Damian Priest vs. Seth "Freakin" Rollins (2) in a six-man Elimination Chamber match for an Undisputed WWE Championship match at WrestleMania 41January 24, 2026Saturday Night's Main Event XLIIIBell CentreMontreal, QuebecRandy Orton (3) vs. Trick Williams (2) vs. Damian Priest (2) vs. Sami Zayn (3) in a Fatal four-way match to determine the #1 contender for the Undisputed WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble
Weekly Television shows 1995–2000 DateNameBrandVenueCityNotesOctober 23, 1995RawBrandon, ManitobaOctober 23, 1995RawBrandon, ManitobaOctober 23, 1995RawBrandon, ManitobaOctober 23, 1995RawBrandon, ManitobaJanuary 31, 1997RawSkyDomeToronto, OntarioThis was the first 2-hour RawJuly 7, 1997RawEdmonton ColiseumEdmonton, AlbertaJuly 21, 1997RawHalifax Metro CentreHalifax, Nova ScotiaHart Foundation (Bret Hart, Owen Hart and The British Bulldog VS "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Dude Love and The Undertaker in a six-man tag Flag matchNovember 10, 1997RawCorel CentreOttawa, OntarioNovember 11, 1997RawCornwall Civic ComplexCornwall, OntarioFebruary 8, 1999RawSkyDomeToronto, OntarioMay 29, 2000RawGeneral Motors PlaceVancouver, British Columbia
2001–2010 DateNameBrandVenueCityNotesMay 28, 2001Raw-Pengrowth SaddledomeCalgary, AlbertaMay 29, 2001SmackDown!Skyreach CentreEdmonton, AlbertaSeptember 3, 2001RawAir Canada CentreToronto, OntarioSeptember 4, 2001SmackDown!Special Tuesday live broadcastOctober 15, 2001RawCorel CentreOttawa, OntarioOctober 16, 2001SmackDown!Molson CentreMontreal, QuebecMarch 18, 2002RawMarch 19, 2002SmackDown!Corel CentreOttawa, OntarioMay 13, 2002RawRawAir Canada CentreToronto, OntarioMay 14, 2002SmackDown!SmackDown!Bell CentreMontreal, QuebecMay 27, 2002RawRawSkyreach CentreEdmonton, AlbertaMay 28, 2002SmackDown!SmackDown!Pengrowth SaddledomeCalgary, AlbertaOctober 14, 2002RawRawBell CentreMontreal, QuebecOctober 15, 2002SmackDown!SmackDown!Air Canada CentreToronto, OntarioFebruary 24, 2003RawRawFebruary 25, 2003SmackDown!SmackDown!John Labatt CentreLondon, OntarioMay 5, 2003RawRawHalifax Metro CentreHalifax, Nova ScotiaMay 6, 2003SmackDown!SmackDown!July 7, 2003RawRawBell CentreMontreal, QuebecJuly 8, 2003SmackDown!SmackDown!Air Canada CentreToronto, OntarioAugust 4, 2003RawRawPNE ColiseumVancouver, British ColumbiaAugust 5, 2003SmackDown!SmackDown!Prospera PlaceKelowna, British ColumbiaApril 19, 2004RawRawPengrowth SaddledomeCalgary, AlbertaApril 20, 2004SmackDown!SmackDown!Prospera PlaceKelowna, British ColumbiaMay 31, 2004RawRawBell CentreMontreal, QuebecJune 1, 2004SmackDown!SmackDown!Air Canada CentreToronto, OntarioJuly 5, 2004RawRawWinnipeg ArenaWinnipeg, ManitobaJuly 6, 2004SmackDown!SmackDown!August 16, 2004RawRawJohn Labatt CentreLondon, OntarioAugust 17, 2004SmackDown!SmackDown!Copps ColiseumHamilton, OntarioJanuary 17, 2005RawRawAir Canada CentreToronto, OntarioJanuary 18, 2005SmackDown!SmackDown!Bell CentreMontreal, QuebecMay 30, 2005RawRawPengrowth SaddledomeCalgary, AlbertaMay 31, 2005SmackDown!SmackDown!Rexall PlaceEdmonton, AlbertaAugust 15, 2005RawRawBell CentreMontreal, QuebecAugust 16, 2005SmackDown!SmackDown!Air Canada CentreToronto, OntarioSeptember 18, 2006RawRawBell CentreMontreal, QuebecSeptember 18, 2006SmackDown!SmackDown!First episode to air on The CWMay 28, 2007RawRawAir Canada CentreToronto, OntarioMay 29, 2007ECWECWJohn Labatt CentreLondon, OntarioMay 29, 2007SmackDown!SmackDown!May 5, 2008RawRawAir Canada CentreToronto, OntarioMay 6, 2008ECWECWJohn Labatt CentreLondon, OntarioMay 6, 2008SmackDownSmackDownDecember 22, 2008RawRawAir Canada CentreToronto, OntarioDecember 22, 2008SmackDownSmackDownAugust 10, 2009RawRawPengrowth SaddledomeCalgary, AlbertaAugust 11, 2009ECWECWRexall PlaceEdmonton, AlbertaAugust 11, 2009SmackDownSmackDownSeptember 14, 2009RawRawAir Canada CentreToronto, OntarioSeptember 15, 2009ECWECWCopps ColiseumHamilton, OntarioSeptember 15, 2009SmackDownSmackDownMay 17, 2010RawRawAir Canada CentreToronto, OntarioMay 18, 2010SmackDownSmackDownScotiabank PlaceOttawa, OntarioOctober 18, 2010RawRawScotiabank SaddledomeCalgary, AlbertaOctober 19, 2010SmackDownSmackDownRexall PlaceEdmonton, Alberta
2011–2020