Adam Copeland defeated Steve Maclin in the main event of Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling’s Northern Rising pay-per-view on Saturday in Toronto.
The event took place at the Mattamy Athletic Centre, located inside the former Maple Leaf Gardens, where Copeland had long wanted to wrestle.
His match with Maclin became a Street Fight and incorporated tables, ladders and other weapons. Maclin also used a goalie mask during the match and at one stage hit Copeland with John Cena’s Five Knuckle Shuffle and Attitude Adjustment.
Deonna Purrazzo later interfered on behalf of her husband, spraying both Copeland and the referee with pepper spray.
Maclin and Purrazzo then attempted a Con-Chair-To before Rhino came out to make the save, hitting Purrazzo with a Gore.
Copeland ultimately ran down the aisle and delivered a spear through the ropes before following with another spear for the victory.
The appearance marked Copeland’s first match outside WWE or AEW since 2001. It was also his first singles match since August 2025.
Copeland had made no secret of his desire to wrestle at the former Maple Leaf Gardens. MLP President Scott D’Amore told POST on Friday that Copeland regarded the appearance as one of the major remaining items on his career bucket list.
Following the match, Copeland praised Maclin and reflected on finally getting to compete in the building. He then paid tribute to Junkyard Dog, who headlined the first wrestling show Copeland attended there, by inviting children into the ring to dance as the event came to an end.
Elsewhere, Josh Alexander defeated Stu Grayson to become the undisputed MLP Canadian Champion.
Alexander entered as the recognized champion after returning from knee surgery, while Grayson had carried the interim championship during his absence.
Don Callis became involved in the closing stages, throwing a screwdriver to Alexander as Grayson attempted Nightfall. Alexander used the weapon to escape and then connected with two C4 Spikes to secure the victory.
Alexander had targeted Northern Rising throughout his rehabilitation despite initially being told he might not return until November or December. He told POST before the event that October 3 had been marked on his calendar from the outset.
The other championship change saw Grizzled Young Veterans’ James Drake & Zack Gibson win the MLP Canadian Tag Team Championship in a three-way match against champions Brent Banks & Sheldon Jean and Sinner & Saint.
John Pollock and Jack Wannan will present a Northern Rising review on Sunday for POST Wrestling Café patrons.
Full Results
- Street Fight: Adam Copeland def. Steve Maclin
- MLP Canadian Championship unification: Josh Alexander def. Stu Grayson
- MLP Women’s Canadian Championship: Priscilla Kelly (c) def. Nikki Storm
- MLP Canadian Tag Team Championship: Grizzled Young Veterans def. 1st Faction (c) and Sinner & Saint
- Andrade El Idolo def. Rohan Raja
- Monster’s Mayhem: Psycho Mike def. Dan Maff and Crazzy Steve
- Alice Crowley & Jody Threat def. Kingsley & Alexia Nicole
- Máscara Dorada & Subculture (Flash Morgan Webster & Mark Andrews) def. Johnny TV, TJP & Gabriel Fuerza
- Pre-show: Rudra def. Jonny DeLuca
- Pre-show: Jonathan Gresham def. Tarik and Vaughn Vertigo
