Windsor, Ontario’s Border City Wrestling (Windsor is the Canadian city right across the river from Detroit, Michigan) has been a hot bed of indie talent for decades now. Headed by Impact Creative Director Scott D’Amore, it’s also an outlet for D’Amore’s heralded wrestling School, The Can-Am Wrestling School, which has produced such current talent as WWE/NXT Superstars Bobby Roode, Eric Young, Impact stars like Rosemary and been early career homes for talent like Tye Dillinger, Gail Kim, Sienna, Kongo Kong and more. This weekend sees the arrival of BCW’s annual mega-event, BCW Excellence, held at the St. Clair College Sportsplex in Windsor.
Doug Chevalier Memorial Gauntlet
One of BCW’s original founders, “The Canadian Destroyer” Doug Chevalier was a Canadian indie wrestler throughout the 80’s and early 90s. Along with Scott D’Amore and Chuck Fader, he founded BCW in 1993. Sadly, Chevalier passed away in 2000. BCW holds an annual Doug Chevalier Memorial Gauntlet every BCW Excellence, which sees veteran Michigan and Ontario indie wrestlers compete against up-and-comers in a 20-man gauntlet matchup to win the prestigious trophy at the end of the match. Past winners have included Amazing N8 Mattson (2016), John E. Bravo (2015), Bobby Clancy (2014), Mike Legacy (2005), and more. Like every year, the 20 entrants are a mystery until bell time.
“The Canadian Destroyer” Petey Williams vs. Idris Ibrahim vs. ?? vs. ??
Windsor’s own Petey Williams made his triumphant return to pro wrestling this year after several years off and the man who launched the Canadian Destroyer move is back with a vengeance. He returns to his home promotion in a cruiserweight showcase, but they were still finalizing all participants. One who is confirmed is another new Impact Wrestling face, Iris Ibrahim, who has also worked for BCW and Smash Wrestling in the past as well as other Michigan indies.
Impact Tag Team Championship Match: OvE (Dave & Jake Crist) vs. Phil Atlas & Brent Banks
OvE – better known to many as OI4K or The Irish Airborne – are brothers Jake and Dave Crist and the current defending Impact World Tag Team Champions. Being from Ohio, they’re well known in the Michigan/Southern Ontario region. They’re facing off in a champions vs. champions match-up, facing BCW’s reigning tag team champions consisting of Phil Atlas and Brent Banks. Atlas is a BCW veteran, who also spent time with All-Japan and Pro-Wrestling NOAH, while his partner Brent Banks has become a dominant member of Smash Wrestling, representing Canada in WCPW‘s Pro Wrestling World Cup for the Canadian Qualifier (his match vs. Mike “Speedball” Bailey was one of the tournament’s highlights).
Knockouts Match: Rosemary, Sienna and Allie
The details are not final on this match up, but three of Impact’s top Knockouts – including Knockouts Champion Sienna (aka Allysin Kay in the indies), plus Rosemary and Allie – will be competing this night. Final negotiations are underway with the three involved and the final match-up for these three should be finalized and released later this week. Unfortunately, Taryn Terrell – originally advertised to attend – has had to pull out.
Pete Dunne vs. Aidan Prince
The current WWE UK Champion Pete Dunne has become an international superstar in the past year, with his work in PROGRESS and the UK indie scene, plus his stellar work with the WWE United Kingdom division and it’s showcases in NXT. “The Bruiserweight” will be in town to face off against one of Canada’s emerging high flyers, in Windsor’s own Aidan Prince. He’s been gaining a lot of traction in Southern Ontario and Michigan and just began performing for Smash Wrestling, including a fantastic match against Space Monkey last month. This is most likely the Match of the Night.
Impact World Championship Match: Eli Drake vs. A1
Impact World Champion Eli Drake is making a rare title defence outside of the Impact Zone when he brings his World championship to BCW to square off against a former Impact star in A1 (originally part of TNA’s Team Canada alongside Bobby Roode, Johnny Devine, Eric Young and Petey Williams). A1 is still in top shape and will surely bring a strong athletic game of power and agility to Impact’s current Champion.
Rey Mysterio Jr. & Cody Deaner w/ Santino Marella vs. Kongo Kong & RJ City w/ Scott D’Amore
The main event sees one of the greatest lucha libre stars of all time, former WWE World champion Rey Mysterio Jr., teaming up with former BCW Champion and ex-Impact star Cody Deaner, in a showdown with Impact star and current BCW Champion Kongo Kong and current ESW Champion RJ City. City is also a regular with Superkick’d and Destiny, and has made appearances for House of Hardcore and House of Glory (HOG). Kongo Kong will have longtime “advocate” Scott D’Amore in their corner, with Mysterio and Deaner enlisting former WWE Superstar Santino Marella to watch over in their corner.
For those in attendance, WWE Hall of Famer and 2x WWE Intercontinental Champion Tito Santana will also be appearing for a meet-and-greet. There are still limited tickets left, so if you’re in the Southern Ontario, Michigan or Ohio area, head to their website for more info.
