Today is Canada Day, a day observed for our neighbors of the Great White North. Canada has a very rich history in professional wrestling, and while Canadians are not currently as pronounced as usual, there influence remains significant.
The current TNA Heavyweight champion, and the longest reigning TNA Champion of all-time, Bobby Roode, is Canadian. The talented heel character looks to be one of many pieces that TNA needs to be remotely competitive with WWE as a power in the monopolistic mainstream wrestling scene.
Chris Jericho will go down as one of the greatest Canadian imports of all time, and the multiple-time world champion recently returned to the WWE after a much-publicized 30-day suspension. Jericho is on borrowed time during his recent run with his rock band, Fozzy, set to enter a summer tour of Europe.
Also recently returning was underrated star Christian, who currently reigns as the Intercontinental Champion.
WWE celebrated Canada day a bit early on Smackdown, as Hart Dungeon Disciple Tyson Kidd defeated Jack Swagger in what was easily the most important win of his singles career, as he has earned a spot in the world heavyweight championship Money in the Bank match.
Big names in Canadian wrestling such as the aforementioned Chris Jericho and Bret "the Hitman" Hart congratulated Kidd on Twitter for his major accomplishment.
Canada is far less represented in the WWE Divas division with the primarily Canadian star being Natalya, whose immense talent has been smothered over the past several months in favor of sophomoric farting gimmicks and unenviable enhancement assignments.
Hard work and technically skilled work rate seems to be a staple in Canadian wrestling as the legacy of the perfectionist, yet frightening Hart Dungeon lives vicariously through its select few graduates while seemingly serving as a source of pride for Canadians lucky enough to avert that path to the big stage.
Canadian wrestling is as good as it gets and has given us technically sound classics between all time greats. As the tradition of Canadian wrestling continues, so does the evolution of professional wrestling.
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