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It's Time... Time for the Vader story

Posted: Apr 16th 2013 By: mikeiles

A giant thank you to everyone who came out and supported CWE's "It's Time" in Winnipeg today.

Anyone who attended or may have heard by now, Big Van Vader did not appear on today's event as scheduled.

It is a very bizarre situation I still don't quite understand myself and hope to have some answers to if I can hopefully get an actual person on the phone tomorrow at Canada Customs.

Vader touched down this afternoon in Winnipeg as scheduled. After a very lengthy delay I received word from Vader they were denying him entry into Canada siting he required a permit. I requested to speak with a customs agent to discuss the situation and see what the problem could be. Vader informed me no one in customs would take the call which is very unusual to the similar situations I've dealt with before.

CWE has ran over 100 events in 4 and a half years and over 3 provinces and almost all of them have featured a headliner that is brought in from the United States. We know the system, the legality involved, and are very familiar with the procedure.

Professional wrestlers are legally able to enter Canada to perform on an entertainment event without a "permit" unless they are considered a high risk to the country from past behaviors ie. Criminal record.

To my knowledge and from my conversations with Vader he does not have a criminal record and therefore does not require a "work permit".

CWE has had dozens of US imports in, plenty on multiple occasions and for lengthy stays. Since day one on January 23rd, 2009 until today I have provided American talent the exact same letter of intent to present to customs when crossing into Canada. Never with an issue.

We have not once had a talent denied at the border and I am still beyond baffled on why it happened today. If you aren't familiar with some of the imports we've had some weren't what you would call a "good boy" early in their lives which could have been reason for concern but not once have any of them been denied.

There have been many talents that have had prior charges and have even spent jail time that were allowed through to perform for the 24 hour period they were scheduled to be here for.

There was one instance where one talent had a pretty long and serious "history" and customs called me and explained the situation and said they are more then fine with letting him through, I just need to buy a one year permit to "assure his good behavior". It was a cash grab on their part as if someone was going to commit a crime I'm sure an inexpensive permit wouldn't be stopping them but we gladly paid it to get the talent in.

One talent had his prescription pills with him without his prescription. They held him for ages but went through the trouble of tracking down his doctor, confirming the prescription and letting him through.

On another instance a talent was deemed such a high risk Canada Customs held his passport and said they were keeping it and that if he wasn't back at 7am there would be a warrant for their arrest issued. Let through, no permit.

Like many fans and wrestlers, I want some answers! Personally in my travels I have had some terrible experiences with Canada Customs. With all my travel I have always said getting back into this country has always been harder then leaving it. Customs was well aware of why he was here and that it would have an affect on the community who had paid and expected to see him. In all the situations talked about before and in some others they always make the effort to call you or take your call to resolve or explain the situation. Not this time.

Canada Customs has a Monday-Friday phone line. I will be calling it and hoping to receive some answers I can pass along.

Thank you to everyone for their understanding and support in this situation. Our crew is always awesome and works hard but they had extra passion and fire and a point to prove and they did just that today. The amount of people who made a point to stop me at the event to express their support and understanding and that the show was a home run even without Vader was beyond overwhelming. We truly have the strongest and most loyal fans a company could ask for.

CWE will continue to strive to present fans the best wrestling it can and give fans the opportunity to see the biggest and best free agents available. Just a bump on the highway to greatness!

Sincerely,

Danny Warren