The weekend is here, and so is World Wrestling Entertainment.
Last night in Toronto, Friday Night Smackdown set up tonight’s Money in the Bank event. On Sunday, WWE’s developmental brand, NXT, will take centre stage with Heatwave. On Monday, WWE will be in Ottawa with Monday Night Raw.
In addition to the highly entertaining wrestling events, WWE excels at local community events.
On Friday, the WWE took time away from the squared circle to visit MLSE LaunchPad. This community-based organisation combines sport and youth development programming for inner-city kids in Toronto. Their sport-for-development approach helps kids be better prepared for school and, ultimately, work.
WWE superstars Carmelo Hayes, Tiffany Stratton, L.A. Knight, and Canada’s own Chelsea Green took time from their schedules to participate in fun activities with the kids. There were obstacle courses and relay races, and Tiffany Statton and L.A. Knight took part in something that looked like a version of Red Light, Green Light, which was made famous by Squid Game. The two superstars turned their backs on the kids, who would then run towards them, and when the superstars turned around, the kids had to stop. Note: No child was hurt in this version of the game!
When my fascination with the WWE started, I was about the same age as some of these kids. WWE’s work in the community is priceless, and they just might have earned a few new fans!
But that was not all; before leaving, the WWE donated $20,000 to the MLSE LaunchPad.
When asked what it meant to be with the kids and give back, Carmelo Hayes said it best: ‘I was once one of these kids!’
The superstars won’t be so nice when they compete tonight in Money in the Bank, which will be at Scotiabank Arena and available live via pay-per-view or on the WWE Network.
Tickets can be purchased from Ticketmaster using this link: www.ticketmaster.ca/wwe-tickets/
