WWE Niagara Falls
| File:Wwfniagarafalls.png | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | July 2002 |
| Defunct | March 2011 |
| Fate | Closed |
| Headquarters | , |
Area served | United States Canada |
| Products | Apparel, accessories, and media |
Number of employees | 20 |
| Parent | Canadian Niagara Hotels Inc. |
WWE Niagara Falls was a retail establishment situated in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Operated by Canadian Niagara Hotels Inc., the store utilized WWE’s branding and trademarks under license.[1] This location marked the second WWE-branded venue following the launch of WWF New York/The World in 1999, and it was the first WWE facility established outside the borders of the United States.[2] Following the closure of The World in 2003, WWE Niagara Falls became the sole official WWE retail store globally.
History
The announcement for this venue was made during the press conference for fan access at WrestleMania X8 in early 2002. The store officially opened its doors in July 2002[3] along the Clifton Hill entertainment district in Niagara Falls. Owned by Canadian Niagara Hotels Inc., which also manages the Falls Entertainment Avenue Resort, the venue primarily functioned as a gift shop offering WWE memorabilia and exhibits on display. Merchandise included action figures, t-shirts, books, DVDs, autographed items, and exclusive WWE Niagara Falls branded products.[2] One of its standout features was a drop tower ride named The Pile Driver, inspired by a wrestling maneuver, reaching a height of approximately 220 feet (67 m).[2] This attraction operated seasonally from mid-May through mid-November due to weather considerations.
Visitors were entertained with video games and continuous pay-per-view broadcasts while listening to numerous WWE entrance themes and event soundtracks predominantly composed by Jim Johnston. During its initial years, a one-hour video loop played throughout the store and was also broadcast on a dedicated WWE channel available at all hotels owned by Canadian Niagara Hotels Inc., promoting the retail location to tourists.[4] The upper floor of the store initially featured a complimentary indoor light show.
To commemorate its opening, wrestlers such as Trish Stratus, Chris Benoit, and Val Venis participated in autograph sessions and officially inaugurated the store.[5] Trish Stratus’ signing event is featured on her 2003 DVD titled Trish Stratus: 100% Stratusfaction Guaranteed. Over time, numerous other wrestlers made appearances at the store including John Cena, Batista, Rey Mysterio, Randy Orton, Edge, Rob Van Dam, Mr Kennedy, Booker T, Torrie Wilson, Roddy Piper, Lita, Maven, Gene Okerlund, Stacy Keibler and Bobby Heenan. Additionally, the venue hosted a special barbecue event featuring announcer Jim Ross. The final autograph session occurred in October 2009 with appearances by Gail Kim and Evan Bourne.
Legacy
WWE Niagara Falls officially closed its doors on March 31, 2011. Later that year, the location was reopened as a general gift shop catering to Niagara Falls visitors, though it continued to offer a limited selection of wrestling merchandise such as action figures and apparel. By 2015, this gift shop ceased operations, and the premises were transformed into the Niagara Brewing Company. The building underwent extensive renovation, including the removal of the rooftop piledriver ride, which was replaced by an outdoor dining terrace.
In March 2017, the iconic piledriver ride was relocated to Magic Land Theme Park in Amman, Jordan, where it remains operational.
Subsequently, WWE launched the WWE Experience theme park in Riyadh on February 16, 2024.
See also
- WWF New York (later rebranded as The World)
References
- ↑ "WWE Retail Store and Themed Drop Ride Opens in Niagara Falls, Canada". corporate.wwe.com. Retrieved 2019-02-23.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "WWE Retail Store and Attraction Coming to Niagara Falls, Canada in Spring 2002". WWE Corporate. March 20, 2002. Archived from the original on May 16, 2008. Retrieved May 23, 2008.
- ↑ YourTV Niagara (2019-04-01), Opening of WWE Niagara Falls, archived from the original on 2021-12-13, retrieved 2019-04-01
- ↑ "WWE Niagara Falls". Brock Plaza Hotel. Archived from the original on 2008-11-20. Retrieved 2008-05-23.
- ↑ "WWE opens store in Niagara Falls". CBC Arts. August 1, 2002. Archived from the original on December 23, 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-23.
- Buildings and structures in Niagara Falls, Ontario
- Retail companies established in 2002
- Retail companies disestablished in 2011
- Defunct retail companies of the United States
- Defunct retail companies of Canada
- Sport in Niagara Falls, Ontario
- WWE
- 2002 establishments in Ontario
- 2011 disestablishments in Ontario