Maple Leaf Pro announces partnership with Santino Marella’s Battle Arts Academy

  • Ian Carey
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Scott D’Amore’s Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling has announced a partnership with Santino Marella’s Battle Arts Academy in Mississauga.

The partnership will see Marella’s school and the Can-Am Dojo in Windsor, run by Josh Alexander, combine efforts to scout, train, and build a pipeline for Canadian wrestlers to gain greater opportunities in the industry.

“This partnership underlines our commitment to the future of Canadian wrestling,” said Scott D’Amore, President of MAPLE LEAF PRO. “Battle Arts Academy has been producing elite talent for years, and by combining our resources—including the Can-Am Dojo and its head coach Josh Alexander—we’re creating the premier pipeline for Canadian wrestlers to develop and thrive both nationally and globally.”

“Battle Arts Academy was founded to create world-class performers with a strong foundation in both sport and entertainment,” said Anthony Carelli, founder of Battle Arts Academy. “This partnership gives our talent a direct pipeline to the biggest stage in Canada. It’s a game-changer for young wrestlers nationwide.”

Battle Arts and MLP plan on holding regular tryouts, scouting combines, and training camps. They also say co-branded developmental showcases will be held.

Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling

MLP is coming off its May 10 show at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto, where Josh Alexander was crowned the first MLP Canadian Heavyweight Champion and Gisele Shaw became the inaugural Canadian Women’s Champion.

Up next for the promotion is MLP Resurrection on July 5 in Montreal. After PCO was hit with a fireball by Dan Maff during the 20-man Gauntlet match at Northern Rising, MLP has announced that the two will face off at the upcoming show. Also advertised for the event are Stu Grayson, Matt Cardona, Thom Latimer, The Good Brothers, Billy Gunn, Kylie Rae, along with Alexander and Shaw.