When was the last time a trade war turned into a wrestling match? Well, in 2025, that’s exactly what’s happening. Along with TNA Wrestling, Zoneify has set up ‘The Border Brawl’, a pro-wrestling spectacle where trade wars will be waged not with policy papers, but pile drivers! Set to take place at the Niagara Falls Convention Centre on May 25, this international slugfest aims to bring America and Canada face to face to settle their differences in a different arena.
But just before the big event, one of Team USA’s loudest voices was silenced, not in the ring, but at the border. And let’s just say, he’s not taking it quietly. So, what exactly happened?
Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson goes off on Canada after being denied entry to attend ‘The Border Brawl’
In a recent update on his Instagram account, legendary MMA fighter Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson shared, “I got turned away at the Canadian border. So I’ll have to watch the Border brawl live on @zoneify at 5pm ET. With you guys”
Turns out, the fight outside the ring is just as real. ‘Rampage’ was supposed to coach Team USA in this larger-than-life showdown against Canada, but officials at the border had other plans. No reason was given, but in the middle of a white-hot trade war? The writing’s on the wall.
In the video shared on social media, Jackson further revealed, “This US vs Canada trade war is really heating up. They won’t let me across the border to coach Team USA vs Canada in the Zoneify Border Brawl.”
And just in case border officials were listening, he added a warning with, “Next time I come to this border, y’all better let me cross.” After all, ‘The Border Brawl’ isn’t just a spectacle. It’s a political theater. Tensions between the U.S. and Canada have been building since President Trump reignited tariff wars earlier this year, slapping taxes on everything from Canadian timber to Mexican steel.
Canada retaliated, hard. And while lawmakers talk sanctions, Zoneify, and TNA Wrestling decided to turn it into entertainment. According to a statement by Zoneify president, Doug Edwards, “At Zone·ify, we figured if trade negotiations are going to be a circus, we might as well sell tickets, ‘The Border Brawl’ is what happens when you give international policy a kick in the a– and let it settle things in the ring. It’s absurd, over-the-top, and somehow still makes more sense than real-world diplomacy.”
As mentioned above, the event will be held on the Canadian side of the Niagara Falls, often billed cheekily as “the prettier side”. Fans can expect to watch legends like Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake, ‘The Mountie’ Jacques Rougeau, and Kelly Kelly tear it up inside the ring, with all the over-the-top drama you’d expect. The stakes? Bragging rights. National pride. And maybe a few bruised egos, both literal and political.
But Quinton Jackson’s absence leaves a noticeable gap in Team USA’s corner. Still, even from afar, he’s rallying fans as he ended his video with, “Let’s go Team USA, and all y’all from US better be watching this too on Zoneify. 5 PM eastern, tune in, stand up, rep your country.”
However, while one MMA legend got turned away at the border, another prominent figure in the mixed martial arts world had already decided that visiting ‘The Great White North’ is no longer worth it!
Joe Rogan dropped a bombshell about how he’d “rather go to Russia” than Canada!
Joe Rogan made it clear that when he found out that UFC 315 was going to be held in Montreal, he would not be making the trip across the border. Why? Well, during the JRE (Joe Rogan Experience) Fight Companion on March 22nd, the host of the podcast was asked whether he’d be there for the promotion’s first visit to Montreal since UFC 186 in 2015.
His response? Rogan bluntly stated, “Wow, I won’t be there. I don’t go to Canada anymore, I’d rather go to Russia”. Why the cold shoulder? Turns out, his issue isn’t with the people, it’s with the powers that be as he shared, “I think it’s stupid that we hate Canada … They have a terrible government but the Canadian people are awesome.” But things took a different turn when Rogan claimed he once spoke with President Donald Trump about Canada.
When talking about the US President’s comments about Canada becoming the 51st US state, Rogan revealed, “I had a conversation with Trump about it. He goes, ‘I started calling him Governor Trudeau just for fun, but a lot of people are saying it’s a good idea. Like, maybe it is a good idea. A lot of people say it.”
So here we are, caught between suplexes and sanctions. What started as political posturing has spilled over into the ring, and now even voices like Quinton Jackson and Joe Rogan are being drawn into the crossfire. One got blocked at the border, the other flat-out refuses to cross it. The question now becomes, do you think the tensions are going to ease anytime soon? Why or why not? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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