| WWE Niagara Falls | |
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Headquarters | Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada |
| Area served |
United States Canada |
| Key people | Vince McMahon (Owner) |
| Products | Professional wrestling merchandise |
| Employees | 20 |
| Website | Niagara Falls WWE |
WWE Niagara Falls is a wrestling-related retail establishment that is a part of the Falls Avenue Entertainment Complex, which is located in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada and owned by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It is the world's first WWE retail and attraction site.[1]
History[]
The facility opened on August 1, 2002 as part of the Clifton Hill strip in Niagara Falls. It is partly owned by Canadian Niagara Hotels and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It was designed by Forrec of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Fans began arriving to the grand opening the day before.[2] Several wrestlers arrived for the opening to sign autographs for fans, including Trish Stratus, Chris Benoit, and Val Venis.[2] Other wrestlers who have made appearances for autographs as well. The building features a gift shop with WWE memorabilia and exhibitions on display, selling everything from action figures and t-shirts to books, DVDs, and autographs.[1] WWE Niagara Falls also features video games and pay-per-views playing to entertain the visitors.[3]
It also has a drop tower attraction called The Pile Driver that spans 220 feet (67 m).[1] The attraction is named after a move in professional wrestling known as the piledriver. This particular attraction is open from mid-May to mid-November due to seasonal demand and climate reasons. While the WWE prohibited their entire lineup of wrestlers in 2000 from using the piledriver[4] (with special exceptions given to The Undertaker, Jerry Lawler, and Kane due to their grandfathered status as piledriver experts),[5] people still associate the piledriver strongly with the WWE.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "WWE Retail Store and Attraction Coming to Niagara Falls, Canada in Spring 2002". WWE Corporate. March 20, 2002. http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_03_20.jsp. Retrieved 2008-05-23.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "WWE opens store in Niagara Falls". CBC Arts. August 1, 2002. http://www.cbc.ca/arts/story/2002/08/01/wrestling010802.html. Retrieved 2008-05-23.
- ↑ "WWE Niagara Falls". Brock Plaza Hotel. http://www.crowneplazaniagarafalls.com/attractions-fallsave.php. Retrieved 2008-05-23.
- ↑ Powell, John (July 20, 2000). "Piledriver ban handicaps everyone". SLAM! Wrestling. http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingEditorial/jul20_powell.html. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
- ↑ "Committee on Oversight and Government Reform interview of Stephanie McMahon". http://oversight.house.gov/documents/20081231140942.pdf. Retrieved 2009-01-04.[dead link]