Scott D’Amore provides update on Maple Leaf Pro’s future after debut shows
Scott D’Amore has big plans for Maple Leaf Pro in 2025.
D’Amore spoke with SI.com’s Steven Muelhausen ahead of the promotion’s debut event, Forged in Excellence, in Windsor tonight and tomorrow. When asked about MPL’s future beyond this weekend, D’Amore explained that Forged in Excellence will serve as a proof of concept, setting the stage for the company to expand next year.
D’Amore said:
“These are our marquee shows in 2024. It’s our proof of concept. This is us showing you what we’re going to be about. Then, our plan is really a 2025 plan. You will see some announcements coming out soon, both domestically and internationally with our partnerships and collaborations.”
He continued:
“I think our Q1 2025, plan is you’re going to see a few events domestically. You will see us outside of Windsor, which has been a big question. We’ve been contacted from everybody in BC (British Columbia) to the Maritimes. Obviously, Ontario’s going to be our base. But we’re looking to expand and grow Toronto, a key market in Canada that we want to get back into. Then I think we have some really exciting stuff internationally planned for Q1 of 2025. If fans tune in, see what we got, and then sit back and watch the ride as we gear up for what I think will be a really awesome 2025 season.”
Konosuke Takeshita will defend his AEW International Championship on night two against Josh Alexander. D’Amore says AEW reached out to him about the title being defended on the show.
“AEW reached out to me about Takeshita and making this International title truly international,” he said. Takeshita will also wrestle Mike Bailey on night one with the stipulation that if Bailey wins he’ll earn a future title shot.
Raj Dhesi (FKA Jinder Mahal) will wrestle Bully Ray in a Tables Match on night one of Forged in Excellence. He spoke with SI.com on Wednesday about working with D’Amore and MLP.
“This is huge opportunity for wrestling, and especially Canadian wrestling,” Dhesi said. “This would be incredible, if somehow we can maybe make this a monthly, weekly, semi-monthly type of event. And, you know, all across Canada? I think that’s the goal. That would be an amazing that would be an amazing thing for the wrestling business, especially in Canada.”
“I’ve always wanted to work with Scott (D’Amore),” he continued. “I’ve never got a chance to work with him ever in the in the past, but I’m very familiar with everything that he’s done in the business, the wrestlers that he’s trained, and Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling, kind of resurrecting it, is a huge achievement.”
Both nights of Forged In Excellence will air live as pay-per-views on Triller TV. Mauro Ranallo and Don Callis will be on commentary for the shows.
Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling Forged in Excellence —
Night one (Saturday, October 19):
- Konosuke Takeshita vs. Mike Bailey (if Bailey wins, he gets a future shot at Takeshita’s AEW International Championship)
- Tables match: Bully Ray vs. Raj Dhesi (former WWE wrestler Jinder Mahal)
- Gisele Shaw vs. Miyu Yamashita (If Yamashita wins, she’ll be added to the ROH Women’s title match on night two)
- Rohan Raja vs. Jake Something for the inaugural PWA Champion’s Grail Championship
- Four-way tag team match: IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight defend against Sheldon Jean & Rohit Raju, El Reverso & Aiden Prince, and Brent Banks & Johnny Swinger
- Laynie Luck vs. Taylor Rising vs. Kylie Rae vs. Aurora Teves
- Bhupinder Gujjar vs. QT Marshall (w/ Harley Cameron)
- Josh Alexander, Stu Grayson & El Phantasmo vs. Trevor Lee, Rocky Romero & Alex Zayne
Night two (Sunday, October 20):
- AEW International Champion Konosuke Takeshita defends against Josh Alexander
- ROH Women’s World Champion Athena defends against Gisele Shaw
- QPW Qatar Champion Classy Ali defends against El Reverso
- Mike Bailey vs. El Phantasmo
- Six-way scramble match: Jake Something vs. Trevor Lee vs. Stu Grayson vs. Sheldon Jean vs. Mike Rollins vs. Alex Zayne