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NWA heading to Winnipeg for convention
By
JON WALDMAN -- SLAM! Wrestling
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WINNIPEG - Come October, Winnipeg will become the wrestling capital of North America,
as the National Wrestling Alliance will converge on the River City for its
56th annual convention.
The convention, slated for October 15th-17th, will be held at the Ramada Malbourough
Hotel in downtown Winnipeg. The convention is a history-making event for NWA,
as it will be north of the 49th for the first time in the modern era. "This
marks the first time the event will be held outside of the United States since
the NWA made it's comeback," says convention organizer and CWF Owner Ernie
Todd.
Todd's work putting together the convention has been phenomenal. Primarily
a solo effort, Todd's work has been all-encompassing. "Organizing an event
of this magnitude is very challenging. Arranging a venue, hotel discounts, the
AGM, the fan fare, sponsors, advertising. It is a major commitment on my part
to bring to my hometown & the CWF fans, some of the best independent talent
from around the world. Now organizing the shows will be an shows themselves
will be huge challenge, as some talent I have never seen."
Among the highlights of the convention will be some of the hottest wrestling
action from across the Alliance. At the top of the card will be a convention-long
tournament to crown a new NWA North American champion. The four-man tournament
will include two semi-final matches that will be held on the 15th, with the
final match on the 17th.
Other matches announced on nwa-wrestling.com are NWA National Champion Ricky
Murdoch going against Winnipeg's own Spyder for the title and New Jersey State
tag team champions One in a Million taking on TJ Bratt and former NWA Canadian
Champion Rob Stardom. Also slated for the convention are Texas Heavyweight Champion
Tejas and representatives from NWA-TNA, including Jerry Jarrett.
The convention, however, will not just be featuring North American grapplers.
At the top of the international portion of the show is a bout for the NWA British
Commonwealth Title between NWA UK's Drux Onyx and NWA Australia's Will Phoenix.
Also announced for the show will be a tag bout from NWA Ireland, featuring Paddy
"Suicide Machine" Morrow and Carl "Shooter" O'Rourke against
Fergal Devitt and Paul Tracey, while NWA-UK Hammerlock will have former Heavyweight
Champion "Vigilante" Johnny Moss battling Byron Black. As well, Zero
One referee Mr. Fred will be the head referee for the event.
Todd's goal for the convention is not only to put on a successful show for
the industry, but also to raise awareness and funds for a local charity. "I
am hoping that everyone who buys a ticket to this event will get their money's
worth," he says. "I also am hoping this will raise some awareness
for Aboriginal Diabetes, as a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the
National Aboriginal Diabetes Association."
For more information on the 56th annual NWA Convention, please click here.
PREVIOUS NWA CONVENTION STORIES:
50th Anniversary, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, 1998
51th Convention, Charlotte, NC, 1999
52nd Convention, Nashville, TN, 2000
53rd Convention, Tampa, FL, 2001
Jon Waldman has been with SLAM! since 2000.
