Even after hundreds of bodyslams, clotheslines, and top-rope splashes, Danny Warren is still stunned by his company鈥檚 near-decade of wrestling action.
鈥淚t鈥檚 surreal,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t seems like just yesterday we started.鈥�
Warren is the general manager for Canadian Wrestling鈥檚 Elite (CWE). The professional wrestling company is celebrating nine years of business this May. It鈥檚 transformed from a simple show in Winnipeg to a cross-Canada touring company.
鈥淚t鈥檚 growing leaps and bounds,鈥� Warren said.
To honour the anniversary, CWE is hosting a 鈥�9 Damn! Years鈥� tour across Canada. They kickstart the tour in Gimli, Manitoba, on May 10. They鈥檒l visit Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia before finishing in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, on Jun. 3 for a total of 25 shows.
鈥淸It鈥檚] one giant lap around the country,鈥� Warren said.
CWE will stop in Yorkton on May 15 at Yorkdale Central School. There will be a V.I.P meet and greet at 6 p.m., with the main show starting at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $17 in advance and $20 at the door.
Warren thinks it鈥檚 important for CWE to visit Yorkton during tours, particularly for this anniversary event. When CWE began to expand its reach, Yorkton hosted one of the company鈥檚 first shows outside of Manitoba.
鈥淸Yorkton] was our first out-of-province leap of faith,鈥� Warren said. 鈥淵orkton鈥檚 our home away from home.
鈥淭hey鈥檝e been such a stable base.鈥�
Warren promises a spectacular show for CWE鈥檚 die-hard and new fans.
鈥淲e鈥檙e appreciative of our Yorkton fans,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檒l bring our A-game.
鈥淸It鈥檚] a great show from top to bottom.鈥�
One of the main attractions for the anniversary tour is celebrity professional wrestler Ron Simmons. A 30-year wrestling veteran, Simmons achieved fame and world titles with World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment. He is perhaps best known for his work with groups such as the Nation of Domination and the Acolytes Protection Agency.
Simmons worked with CWE at their Legends of Wrestling and Pro Sports Convention in Winnipeg last February. Warren said Simmons was a popular figure at the event, which encouraged him to sign Simmons on for the anniversary tour.
鈥淗e was a natural fit,鈥� Warren said.
CWE has hosted dozens of famous wrestlers over the years, including Daniel Bryan, Ted DiBiase, and Kenny Omega. Warren, reflecting on his nine years of business, considers Jake 鈥淭he Snake鈥� Roberts to be their best guest celebrity to date.
鈥淗e was our best headliner,鈥� Warren said. 鈥淸Pick Your Poison] was our most successful tour.
鈥淸He] got us to the next level.鈥�
Warren鈥檚 impressed with CWE鈥檚 growth, especially considering the huge distance its tours cover.
鈥淭he hardest part is the geography and getting out to the towns,鈥� he said.
Warren plans to return to Yorkton in October with another show. He wants to continue growing CWE and drawing crowds.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a unique thing how wrestling brings people together,鈥� he said.
Advance tickets for the May show are available at Dig 鈥榥鈥� Dre鈥檚, Pumphouse Athletic Club, and online at www.cwetickets.com.
