By Chris Vetter, ProWrestling.net Contributor (@chrisvetter73)
Maple Leaf Pro “Northern Rising”
Toronto, Ontario, at Maple Leaf Gardens
Streamed live October 3, 2026, on MyAEW.com pay-per-view
I know I’m redundant, but this is Scott D’Amore’s promotion and it feels like a TNA show with a Canadian flavor. Mauro Ranallo and Don Callis provided commentary.
* The lighting is good. The ramp is at grade-level with the ring, so someone needs to only step through the ropes to enter.
Northern Rising Pre-Show
1. Vaughn Vertigo vs. Tarik vs. Jonathan Gresham in a three-way. They all traded blows, and Gresham was thrown to the floor. Vaughn hit a running kick and a standing moonsault on Tarik. Gresham knocked Vaughn to the floor at 1:30. All three traded more offense. Gresham hit some chops on Tarik, but Tarik hit his own chops. Tarik hit a pop-up kick. Vertigo hit a shoulder-breaker over his knee on Tarik at 3:30. Tarik hit an enzuigiri in the corner on Gresham, then a Backpack Stunner on Vaughn for a nearfall. Vaughn got a rollup for a nearfall on Tarik. Vaughn hit a Swanton Bomb to Tarik’s back, then a Shining Wizard for a nearfall, but Gresham made the save. Gresham hit the ref! He poked Vaughn in the eyes, rolled him up, and got the tainted pin.
Jonathan Gresham defeated Vaughn Vertigo and Tarik at 5:18.
2. Rudra vs. Johnny Deluca. Again, Rudra is the former Bhupinder Gujjar. Deluca is a regular in nearby C*4 Wrestling. A clean lockup to open, and Rudra hit a huracanrana and a dropkick. Deluca avoided a powerslam and hit his own dropkick. He stomped on Rudra and was booed. Deluca hit a second-rope missile dropkick at 2:00. Rudra hit a headbutt. He hit a top-rope twisting clothesline, then a Bulldog Powerslam for a believable nearfall; I thought that was it. He hit a running knee to the chest, then the second-rope spear for the pin. Solid.
Rudra defeated Johnny Deluca at 4:03.
3. Luigi Primo, El Reverso, and Mo Jabari vs. Johnny (Swinger) Parisi, Michael Allen Richard Clark, and Gama Singh Jr. (w/Johnny Bradford). I doubt I’ve seen Johnny Swinger wrestle in the past year! Luigi is the pizza dough spinner; he’s a good juggler but not much of a wrestler. Clark and Jabari opened, and Mauro reminded us of Jabari’s story of moving to Canada from Africa as a kid, and now being mentored by Bret Hart. Johnny entered, so Primo entered at 1:00, still spinning his pizza dough. Primo threw the dough in Johnny’s face and dropkicked him.
Singh pulled Primo to the floor, but Singh accidentally punched Parisi! Reverso hit a dive to the floor at 2:30. In the ring, Singh hit a back suplex on Jabari, then a backbreaker over his knee. He stomped on the pizza dough, and that earned some boos! Clark entered and did some push-ups on Mo’s back at 4:00, and that earned some boos, too. Reverso entered and hit a double missile dropkick. He hit a tornado DDT on Clark. Singh hit a Burning Hammer on Reverso. Jabari entered and put Singh in a Sharpshooter, but Clark made the save. Parisi got a pickleball racket, but Primo threw his dough at Johnny, rolled him up, and pinned Parisi. I just don’t have the funny bone to enjoy Primo’s antics.
Luigi Primo, El Reverso, and Mo Jabari defeated Johnny (Swinger) Parisi, Michael Allen Richard Clark, and Gama Singh Jr. at 6:13.
MLP Norhern Rising Main Show:
1. TJP and Johnny TV and Gabriel Fuerza vs. Mascara Dorada and “Subculture” Mark Andrews and Flash Morgan Webster. This should be really good. Mauro noted this match has lucha tag rules. Mauro noted it’s Johnny’s birthday, and he’s 47! Mauro and Andrews opened. Andrews flipped Flash onto Fuerza, then Andrews hit a standing moonsault on Fuerza! Dorada entered at 1:30 and tied up with TJP, and they traded quick lucha reversals. TJP hit a headscissors takedown. Dorada hit a springboard twisting armdrag. Andrews hit a dive Johnny TV hit a dive. Flash hit a dive! “It’s lucha-mania!” Mauro shouted.
Dorada hit a second-rope Shooting Star Press onto everyone on the floor. In the ring, TJP caught Dorada coming off the ropes and hit a stunner at 3:30. TV hit a twisting neckbreaker on Dorada. Fuerza hit a back suplex on Flash for a nearfall. Johnny TV hit an Alabama Slam at 5:30. Dorada got the hot tag and hit a crossbody block. He hit a springboard armdrag on Johnny TV that got a pop. Fuerza hit some armdrags on Dorada. Those two traded reversals and shook hands.
Dorada hit a running Shooting Star Press, but Gabriel hit a mid-ring Spanish Fly at 8:00! Dorada hit a huracanrana. Andrews got in and hit a double Pele Kick. Morgan hit a Falcon Arrow on TJP for a nearfall. Fuerza hit a Lethal Injection! Dorada hit a modified One-Winged Angel. TJP hit a tornado DDT. Andrews hit a double stomp on TJP’s chest. Johnny hit a twisting neckbreaker. Andrews hit a shotgun dropkick, and suddenly everyone was down at 10:00, and we got a loud “MLP!” chant.
They all got up and traded punches. Flash hit a Swanton Bomb, but TJP hit a Mamba Splash on Flash to break up a pin. Johnny TV hit Starship Pain on Andrews for a nearfall at 11:30. This has been every bit as insanely fast-paced as expected. TJP accidentally sprayed red mist into Fuerza’s eyes! Dorada hit a Lethal Injection. Dorada and Andrews hit stereo Shooting Star Presses! Mascara Dorada got the pin on Fuerza. Awesome opener.
Mascara Dorada and “Subculture” Mark Andrews and Flash Morgan Webster defeated TJP and Johnny TV and Gabriel Fuerza at 12:12.
* We saw Ranallo and Callis. Mauro listed off all the matches on the card, and we saw the wrestlers arriving at the building during this video montage.
2. Jody Threat and Alice Crowley vs. Kingsley and Alexia Nicole. Jody and Kingsley opened, and Kingsley danced. Nicole (all of about 4’11”) entered to fight Crowley. Big Al hit a Saito Suplex for a nearfall. Jody hit a hard clothesline on Kingsley for a nearfall at 1:30, then a senton. Alice hit a guillotine leg drop for a nearfall. Kingsley hit a clothesline on Alice for a nearfall, then some Yes Kicks. Kingsley and Nicole hit a team snap suplex at 4:00. Crowley hit a DVD on Nicole, but she couldn’t tag out.
Crowley slammed both opponents. Jody hit a Swanton Bomb on both opponents. (Mauro wished PCO the best in his recovery. He got injured at an MLP taping.) Jody hit a delayed vertical suplex on Nicole for a nearfall at 6:00, but Kingsley made the save. Big Al hit an Air Raid Crash. Nicole hit a Widow’s Peak on Crowley. Jody hit the Samoan Drop-and-fallaway slam combo, and that popped the crowd. She hit an F5 on Kingsley for the pin. Bravo to all four — that was nonstop action.
Jody Threat and Alice Crowley defeated Kingsley and Alexia Nicole at 7:13.
* A man interviewed Nikki Storm backstage. Nikki said, “Everyone loves me, and everyone loves me.” She said she’s “the Princess Diana of Canada.”
* A vignette aired for the Monster’s Mayhem match. It included the humorous pictures of Psycho Mike as a kid that were altered to make his eyes bug out of his head.
3. Psycho Mike vs. Crazzy Steve vs. Danny Maff in a Monster’s Mayhem match. Maff came out first, and Ranallo noted his incredible weight loss. Steve came out second (I always admire that Mauro isn’t afraid to reference Steve’s time in TNA. He doesn’t hesitate to list someone’s credentials/background in WWE/NXT either.) The crowd was 100% behind Mike. Maff stomped on Mike; Steve just stood in the background and cheered Danny on. Steve wedged chairs in opposite corners. He put a garbage can in the other. Mike hit some shoulder blocks on Maff.
Mike was setting up for a bodyslam — his signature move! — but Steve attacked from behind at 3:00. Steve hit a cookie sheet over Mike’s head. (This has really been a handicap match thus far.) Maff whipped Mike into the garbage can in the corner, and he hit Mike repeatedly with the garbage can. The heels took turns striking Mike with kendo sticks, and it made Callis laugh. Maff hit a senton at 6:30. Mike fired up and clotheslined Maff, then Steve. Steve finally got a kendo stick, and he repeatedly struck Maff with it.
Mike grabbed the other one, and he used both sticks repeatedly on Steve, looking like he was using Steve as a drum. Maff dove through the ropes onto Mike at 9:00. Maff pulled out a staple gun and used it on Steve! “Right in the perineum!” Callis said. He also used it on Steve’s forehead. Maff applied a standing sleeper on Mike at 12:00. Mike used the staple gun in Maff’s groin. He threw Maff into a chair wedged in the corner. He walked to the ropes and bodyslammed Maff through a table set up on the floor at 13:30!
Meanwhile, Steve dumped thumbtacks all over the mat! They fought on the ropes above the tacks, and the ref put on his gloves! Steve nailed a Sunset Flip Bomb onto the thumbtacks at 15:00, earning a “Holy Shit!” chant, and Steve got a nearfall. Steve pushed a barbed-wire board to the center of the ring. However, Mike bodyslammed Steve onto the barbed-wire board for the pin! Not my preferred style, but this really entertained and kept the crowd engaged.
Psycho Mike defeated Crazzy Steve and Danny Maff in a Monster’s Mayhem match at 16:22.
* MLP paid tribute to the late Dewey Robertson, better known as “The Missing Link.” A lengthy video package aired for the next match.
* Mauro spoke about Pac and noted that Raja just teamed up with Pac on a recent tour in Mexico, and he noted that Andrade faced Pac just a day before he died. Mauro got a bit choked up talking about Pac. Well done.
4. Andrade El Idolo vs. Rohan Raja (w/Aurora Teves). Six women in evening gowns joined Andrade out of the back. Seleziya Sparx was one of them, and I’m pretty sure that’s Dreya Mitchell. (Not used to seeing them in regular clothes!) Mauro thanked Tony Khan for what he’s done for MLP and for making this match possible. Of course, we got a loud “How you know?” chant before the bell. The camera zoomed in on the black “Pac” armband on Andrade. They shoved each other. I never heard the bell, so I started the stopwatch at first contact. Teves tried to trip Andrade. They locked up, but Rohan rolled to the floor to regroup with Teves.
In the ring, Andrade hit a German Suplex and a one-legged dropkick, then a plancha at 1:30. Andrade went to the floor, but he posed for selfies with two women. In the ring, Andrade hit a top-rope crossbody block for a nearfall. He hit a snap suplex at 3:00, then a headscissors takedown, and Raja again rolled to the floor. The crowd chanted, “Take your pants off!” Aurora got in the ring and flirted with him, but then she slapped Andrade in the face. The ref ejected Teves at 5:30.
Raja took control, and he started stomping on Andrade. He hit a Rude Awakening for a nearfall. Raja applied a top hammerlock on the mat. Andrade hit a hard clothesline and a flying forearm at 8:30. (Mauro called it a Flying Burrito — I thought we didn’t say that anymore?) Andrade teased removing his pants, but Raja attacked him. Andrade hit the Three Amigos rolling suplexes and got a nearfall at 10:00. He clotheslined Raja to the floor and removed his pants.
Andrade set up for a dive, but Raja hit a forearm strike to cut him off. Andrade hit a powerslam on the ring apron at 12:00, and Raja collapsed to the floor. Andrade pushed Raja back into the ring, and he hit a Meteora into the corner for a nearfall. Raja hit a leaping Flatliner for a nearfall at 13:30; Mauro thought that was it! Raja tied him up on the mat. Andrade hit his hard back elbow, then his double-underhook twisting neckbreaker for the pin. Good action. They shook hands.
Andrade El Idolo defeated Rohan Raja at 14:19.
5. “First Faction” Sheldon Jean and Brent Banks (w/Bryce Hansen) vs. “Grizzled Young Veterans” James Drake and Zack Gibson vs. “Sinner and Saint” Judas Icarus and Travis Williams in a three-way for the MLP Tag Team Titles. Drake and Williams opened while the other four were on the apron. Gibson tagged in and hit a hard back elbow on Travis. Hansen accidentally tripped Jean! GYV stomped on the tag champs. Mauro noted there are issues within First Faction. Sinner and Saint hit stereo baseball slide dropkicks. In the ring, Sinner and Saint battled Gibson, with Icarus hitting some chops at 3:30.
Drake flipped Williams to the floor, and GYV celebrated. Gibson kept Icarus grounded on the mat. Jean made a blind tag on Gibson at 5:00, and he also tied up Icarus. Williams tagged in and hit some clotheslines on GYV. He hit a Thesz Press on Gibson, then a Flatliner on him. He hit a Dragonscrew Legwhip on Sheldon. SandS hit some team moves on Banks. Williams hit a double clothesline on GYV at 7:00. First Faction hit stereo dives to the floor on the other four. In the ring, Jean hit a powerslam on Icarus, and Banks hit a frog splash on Icarus for a nearfall.
Williams got a hot tag at 9:00, and he hit an STO uranage on Gibson. Drake hit a dropkick into the corner and a Michinoku Driver for a nearfall. Gibson hit a baseball slide dropkick to the floor. Icarus hit a frog splash on Gibson at 10:30. Icarus hit a senton, and Williams hit a Brainbuster on Jean for a nearfall, but Bryce pulled the ref from the ring! Bryce got in the ring and celebrated with his teammates, but Sheldon shoved him! Banks tried to be a peacemaker, but he was shoved aside, too! Sinner and Saint attacked.
Williams hit a German Suplex. He hit a corner moonsault, sending Banks from the apron to the floor at 12:30. In the ring, Williams hit an X-Factor. However, Drake made a blind tag. Drake hit a dive through the ropes to nail a Doomsday Device on the floor, earning a “Mama Mia!!!” from Mauro. In the ring, GYV hit their team Lungblowers to Sheldon’s chin for the pin! New champions! Good action.
“Grizzled Young Veterans” James Drake and Zack Gibson defeated “First Faction” Sheldon Jean and Brent Banks, and “Sinner and Saint” Judas Icarus and Travis Williams in a three-way to win the MLP Tag Team Titles at 13:34.
* Backstage, a man interviewed Priscilla Kelly. Priscilla is sick of women like Nikki Storm, who have been spoon-fed their whole lives.
6. Priscilla Kelly vs. Nikki Storm for the MLP Women’s Title. They locked up, and Kelly hit a hard Penalty Kick to the chest for a one-count. She hit a shoulder tackle, then another. Nikki rolled to the floor and called for a timeout. In the ring, Kelly hit a shotgun dropkick and a Facewash Kick in the corner, then a basement dropkick as a seated Storm was against the ropes at 2:30! Ouch! Storm hit a Magic Screw twisting neckbreaker from the apron to the floor! In the ring, Storm stomped on Kelly and choked her in the ropes, and she told the ref, “I have til five!”
Nikki repeatedly slammed the back of Priscilla’s head into the mat and remained in charge. Storm applied a half-nelson on the mat at 6:30, and the crowd rallied for Priscilla. Nikki remained in control. Kelly hit a short-arm clothesline for a nearfall at 9:00, then some Kawada Kicks to the forehead. Storm hit a back suplex, then a Michinoku Driver for a nearfall. They traded forearm strikes on their knees, and chops once standing. Priscilla hit a clothesline from the corner, then a running Penalty Kick on the apron, then a somersault flip to the floor at 11:30. In the ring, Kelly hit a Dragon Suplex, then a diving forearm strike to the side of the head for the pin.
Priscilla Kelly defeated Nikki Storm to retain the MLP Women’s Title at 11:50.
7. Stu Grayson vs. Josh Alexander (w/Don Callis) for the undisputed MLP Canadian Title. The referee held up both belts. (Grayson has been interim champion for the past few months while Alexander was out with a knee injury.) An intense lockup to open. Josh rolled to the floor to confer with Callis. In the ring, they traded standing switches and twisted each other’s left arm. Josh again rolled to the floor at 3:00. In the ring, Josh hit a monkey-flip and a deep armdrag, and he kept Stu grounded. Stu hit a dropkick at 4:30, then an enzuigiri and his slingshot senton onto the apron.
Stu threw Josh into the ring post, then hit a moonsault press onto him at 6:00. In the ring, Stu hit a series of punches. On the floor, Stu pushed him through the guardrail links, then he threw him back into the ring. Stu went to the top turnbuckle, but Josh pushed him, and Stu flipped onto several security guards on the floor. (And that’s why they pushed apart the guardrails. He needed room to make that flip.) Callis hit a cheap shot on Stu! Alexander hit some hard kicks on the apron and got a nearfall in the ring at 8:30. Josh hit a hard European Uppercut and got a nearfall, and the crowd rallied for Stu.
Alexander pulled at Grayson’s mouth and was booed. He hit a forward Finlay Roll at 10:30, then a flying knee strike to the back of the head for a nearfall. They left the ring and fought on the at-grade-level ramp, and Josh dropped him face-first on the ramp! In the ring, Alexander hit a brainbuster for a believable nearfall at 12:00. Josh hit a German Suplex, but in the process, Stu pulled off the top turnbuckle covering, exposing the metal ring. Josh hit a German Suplex on the ring apron at 14:00. Stu hit a belly-to-belly suplex onto the thin mat at ringside, and they were both down.
They got into the ring, and Stu hit some overhand chops, and he repeatedly stomped on Josh in the corner. He hit another belly-to-belly suplex at 15:30, then a third! Josh avoided a fourth. Moments later, Stu hit a belly-to-belly suplex over the ropes, with Josh crashing onto the ramp (again, it’s right next to the ring). In the ring, Stu tried a crossface, then an ankle lock. Alexander escaped and applied his own ankle lock. They hit stereo crossbody blocks and were both down at 18:00, and the crowd chanted, “MLP!”
Grayson hit a top-rope superplex at 19:30, then a running knee to the sternum, and he was fired up! He set up for Nightfall, but Josh escaped and got a rollup. Stu hit a DDT onto the apron, and they again fell to the floor. In the ring, Stu tried a Canadian Destroyer, but Josh blocked it and hit a piledriver along his back! Josh hit the C-4 Spike piledriver for a believable nearfall, and the crowd popped for the kickout! Mauro said he’s never seen anyone kick out of that before!
Alexander got the belt, but the ref confiscated it. Stu hit a piledriver for a nearfall at 22:00, but Callis put Josh’s foot on the ropes! The crowd was livid! Stu hit another flying knee to the sternum. He hit a jumping knee to the chin! He again set up for Nightfall, but Callis hopped on the ring apron, holding a screwdriver! Don passed the screwdriver to Josh. Stu hit another running knee on Alexander. He scooped up Josh for Nightfall (Torture Rack into the backbreaker over his knee), but Alexander repeatedly jabbed him in the head with the screwdriver! Josh hit two C-4 Spike piledrivers and scored the pin. Stu was bleeding from his forehead. That was pretty awesome.
Josh Alexander defeated Stu Grayson to become the Undisputed MLP Canadian champion at 24:17.
* Callis finally returned to commentary, and he gloated about Josh’s win.
8. Adam Copeland vs. Steve Maclin in a street fight. Of course, the crowd sang along to Alter Bridge. Ranallo noted that Copeland will turn 53 in a few weeks. (I again didn’t hear the bell — it must be really quiet, so I started the stopwatch as they started circling each other.) Maclin knocked him down with a shoulder tackle. Adam hit a dropkick that sent Maclin to the floor. They fought at ringside. Maclin dove through the ropes and crashed into Copeland at 1:30. Maclin hit an Angle Slam onto the thin mat at ringside! Copeland got in the ring and clotheslined Maclin back to the floor at 4:30. Copeland slammed Maclin’s face on the ring steps.
Copeland pulled out a ladder from under the ring! He used it as a battering ram on Steve. The ladder was upside down and open, forming a ‘V.’ At 6:30, Adam dropped Steve stomach-first onto the metal links that connect the two halves of the ladder! Ouch! Don and Mauro agreed they hadn’t seen that before. They fought into the crowd and over by the walls. (This was hard to see.) They went up the staircase, and this was much better lit. Maclin sat Copeland in an open seat and repeatedly punched him at 8:30. However, Adam dropped Maclin crotch-first onto the railing on the stairs!
They walked back down to the arena floor, continued to fight through the crowd, and finally back to ringside. Maclin hit a uranage onto the horizontal ladder at 11:30, and Ranallo reminded us it’s only been a week since Copeland’s last TLC match. Maclin rolled into the ring, and he wiped his butt with the Canadian flag. Callis told Ranallo to thank Maclin for his service, “or you’d be speaking Russian right now.” Adam got into the ring, but Maclin hit some knee drops on him. He hit an Irish Whip at 13:00, drawing more boos.
Maclin hit a backbreaker over his knee for a nearfall. He hit a back suplex at 15:30. Maclin put on a goalie’s helmet and hit a top-rope diving headbutt for a nearfall! Maclin tied him in the Tree of Woe and repeatedly stomped on Copeland’s exposed ribs. He shouted, “I’m going to crush your childhood dream!” He went for a spear, but Copeland sat up, and Maclin crashed through the ropes to the floor. Copeland dove off the top turnbuckle and crashed onto Maclin, with them going through a table on the floor at 18:30!
They started fighting on the ring apron, and the crowd started singing the Canadian National Anthem! (This was pretty awesome!) It certainly fired up Copeland! However, Maclin hit a stunner as Adam re-entered the ring! Maclin made the “you can’t see me” hand motion and hit a Five Knuckle Shuffle, but Adam kicked out at one at 21:30! They traded punches with the crowd cheering for each of Adam’s blows. Adam hit a Hogan-style big boot and a Hogan leg drop for a nearfall. We got a “This is awesome!” chant. Copeland hit the Christian-style Killswitch faceplant!
Maclin went for a slingshot move, but Copeland caught Steve’s head and hit a stunner for a nearfall at 23:30. They fought on the ropes, but Copeland threw him to the mat and applied the Crippler Crossface (yes, Mauro called it that). He cranked back on Steve’s head, and the crowd taunted Maclin to tap out. Deonna Purrazzo marched into the ring at 25:30! She used pepper spray on the ref, then on Copeland! Maclin slammed Copeland. She helped up her husband, then she slid some chairs into the ring, and they set up for a Con-chair-toe!
However, out of the back came Rhino! (Why is he in his ring gear? He doesn’t have a match!) He hit a Gore on Maclin! Deonna immediately hit a chair shot to Rhino’s back! He no-sold it and hit a Gore on Deonna! Copeland rolled onto Maclin and got a nearfall at 28:30. (The ref was slow to get into the ring, selling that pepper spray.) Copeland set up for a spear, but Maclin had a chair in his hands, and Adam crashed into it! They were both down as we reached 30:00.
Maclin got a chair, and they fought on the ramp. Maclin hit a chair shot to the back. Maclin trapped Copeland’s arms in the top and middle ropes and hit some blows. Copeland got a leg up to kick him, sending a chair into Steve’s face. Adam freed himself and went to the top of the ramp. He ran down the ramp, dove through the ropes, and hit a spear! He hit a second spear for the pin! “The childhood dream has come true!” Mauro shouted. That was awesome. Picture-perfect, really.
Adam Copeland defeated Steve Maclin in a street fight at 31:54.
* The crowd sang Alter Bridge again. Adam picked up the mic. He opened by putting over Maclin, saying he’s the best free agent going. He talked about growing up nearby and joining WWE. He noted that WWE stopped booking this building just months before he joined, so he never got to compete here until tonight. He listed some huge wrestling shows and music acts, from Johnny Cash to Madonna, who have performed here. He noted that Junkyard Dog was in that first-ever main event he saw here, and he noted that JYD used to dance after he won. He invited kids to come to the ring and dance with him. Maybe 20 or so kids (mostly boys ages 8-13) jumped in the ring and jumped around with him. What a fun way to end the show.
Final Thoughts: What an awesome main event. I try not to oversell a match because not every show, or every match, can be awesome. But this was awesome. Sure, there was no way Maclin was winning, but they put together a compelling match with some big bumps. The use of Deonna and Rhino was fun. I don’t love seeing them perform a series of spots from other wrestlers (Cena, Hogan, Christian), but they kept it to a minimum and got back to their usual offense.
Stu-Alexander was really sharp and takes second. I loved the six-man tag opener, and that takes third. Nothing bad here at all.
