WWE has canceled the planned February 9 show in Edmonton, Canada after the city banned all combat sports from the city for a year. Wrestling, along with mixed martial arts and boxing fall under that category according to the city.
The ban came on the heels of the death of former UFC fighter Tim Hague, who passed away in June after a boxing match which was held at the Shaw Conference Centre. The ban is expected to last through 2018.
Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson said that while he understands that peoples’ livelihoods may be affected, it was time to put a halt on these events for the time being. “Doesn’t mean we won’t allow them on the future,” Iveson said.
Meanwhile, WWE issued a statement regarding the ban and canceled event that reads, “Following new guidelines established by Edmonton’s city council, WWE’s event on Friday, February 9 at Rogers Place, has been postponed. We are working closely with the local Commission, and we hope to return with our sports entertainment events to Edmonton in the near future.”
