Happy Canada Day to all! Canada has had tons of contributions to the wrestling world, from stars like Bret Hart and Trish Stratus to promotions like Stampede Wrestling. In celebration of Canada Day, here are five excellent WWE matches that take place on Canadian soil. Get yourself a Tims coffee, a poutine, and settle in for a great slate of wrestling.
The Hart Foundation vs Stone Cold Steve Austin, Ken Shamrock, Goldust & Legion of Doom
In Your House 16: Canadian Stampede – July 6, 1997, Calgary, Alberta
This might be the match most people think of when they think of the WWE in Canada. The Hart Foundation was at their absolute best at this point. Bret Hart led his family against what can only be described as an odd group. Stone Cold was on his way to the top of the company, and teamed with two excellent midcarders and a legendary tag team. When you watch the match, Brian Pillman steals the show whenever he’s in the ring. Check out the match on the WWE Network here.
The Rock vs Hulk Hogan
Wrestlemania X8 – March 17, 2002, Toronto, Ontario
I am on record on the Crossbody of Work podcast as being very anti-Hogan. However, I am very pro-Rock and can’t deny the magnitude of this matchup. These are two wrestlers who are often on people’s wrestling Mount Rushmore, and their meeting was monumental. Toronto was so fond of Hogan that they essentially turned him face during the match. Wrestlemania X8 as a whole is a fun show to go back and watch, but seek this match out if you like big fight feel. Check the match out on the WWE Network here.
Randy Orton (c) vs Mick Foley – Intercontinental Championship Hardcore match
Backlash – April 18, 2004, Edmonton, Alberta
In 2020, Randy Orton has reverted back to a form of his “Legend Killer” gimmick. During his first run, Orton was really established by this match with Mick Foley. The match is bloody and brutal, which we all knew Foley was capable of doing. Heck, it would be weirder if he didn’t get hardcore. It was the performance of Orton that surprised many. He took a thumbtack spot and everything! Check out this classic IC Championship match below.
Lita (c) vs Trish Stratus – Women’s Championship match
Unforgiven – September 17, 2006, Toronto, Ontario
This was Trish Stratus’ final match of her main in-ring run. Of course it had to be against her greatest rival Lita, and of course it had to be in her hometown of Toronto, Ontario. In surprising fashion, Stratus didn’t go out a loser. Instead, she won her record-setting seventh WWE Women’s Championship. This isn’t the greatest match of either of these competitors, but it’s still a heck of a match to sit back and enjoy. Check it out on the WWE Network here.
The Revival (c) vs DIY – NXT Tag Team Championships 2-out-of-3 Falls match
NXT TakeOver: Toronto – November 19, 2016
I am definitely biased (since I saw this match live) but this might be the best tag team match in WWE history. These two teams produced 20-plus minutes of the best tag wrestling you’ll ever see. So much psychology is packed into this match that you could write a wrestling dissertation. The image of the final fall, with stereo submissions locked in, is one of the best of a standout era of NXT wrestling. Check the match out on the WWE Network here.
Evan Gomes is the Managing Editor of FPC Wrestling. He’s also a co-host of the Crossbody of Work podcast. Connect with him on Twitter at @ItsEvanGomes.
