2024 sadly closed with the wrestling world saying goodbye to a different legend, when Candy Daddy Siki handed away on the age of 91. A thirty 12 months veteran who was one of many first succesful black wrestlers in Canada, Siki was greatest identified for his runs in Toronto’s Maple Leaf Wrestling and Calgary’s Stampede Wrestling, the place he received the Stampede North American Heavyweight Championship. He’d later gained notoriety for coaching present AEW stars Chistian Cage and Cope, aka Edge, the latter whom acknowledged Siki’s affect over him in his WWE Corridor of Fame speech.
Regardless of being extra well-known in Canada than the US, it hasn’t stopped many in wrestling from paying tribute to Siki days after his dying. This consists of each WWE and AEW, who took to X to supply their condolences to Siki’s household and pals. Scott D’Amore’s Maple Leaf Professional Wrestling, a successor to the promotion Siki labored for, known as him “an integral a part of Canadian wrestling historical past,” in addition to certainly one of Canadian’s wrestling’s best entertainers.
WWE is saddened to study that Elkin James, identified to wrestling followers as Candy Daddy Siki, handed away on December 31, 2024, at age 91.
WWE extends its condolences to Siki’s household, pals and followers.
PHOTO: @OfficialPWIhttps://t.co/qxf0oVheAp
— WWE (@WWE) January 1, 2025
AEW and the wrestling world mourn the passing of Candy Daddy Siki.
After his in ring profession got here to an in depth, he grew to become a coach to many professional wrestling hopefuls together with Adam Copeland and Christian Cage.
Our ideas are together with his household, his pals and his followers. pic.twitter.com/kqqPq4lMgW
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) January 1, 2025
MAPLE LEAF PRO sends its condolences to the household, pals, and followers of a real Maple Leaf Wrestling ICON, Candy Daddy Siki, who handed away on December 31 on the age of 91. Siki arrived in Toronto in 1961 and over the following few a long time grew to become an integral a part of Canadian… pic.twitter.com/b6SBPuu7pW
— MAPLE LEAF PRO Wrestling (@MapleLeafPW) January 1, 2025
“Uncooked” GM Adam Pearce had somewhat extra to say, referring to Siki as a “pioneer,” and thanking Siki for his “service to our nation and our business,” ideas echoed by “Wrestling Observer E-newsletter’s” Dave Meltzer. WWE Corridor of Famer and producer Michael Hayes, who met Siki briefly, referred to him as a personality and enjoyable man, whereas former WWE, WCW, and All Japan Girls’s wrestler Leilani Kai merely provided her condolences.
Godspeed, Candy Daddy Siki. Speak about a pioneer. Thanks to your service to our nation and to our business. My coronary heart goes out to all he touched. Relaxation effectively, sir. 🙏 https://t.co/QY5KMrS6xN
— Adam Pearce (@ScrapDaddyAP) January 1, 2025
Need to ship sympathies to these near wrestling icon Candy Daddy Siki, a significant historic identify and pioneer within the enterprise, who handed away on the age of 91.
— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) January 1, 2025
I’m so sorry to listen to of the passing of a real Legend in Candy Daddy Siki.
I solely met him as soon as, however, what a personality and enjoyable man.
Condolences and prayers to his household, pals and followers.— Michael PS Hayes (@MichaelPSHayes1) January 2, 2025
Relaxation In Peace Candy Daddy Siki 🙏🏻🥲
— Leilani Kai (@realLeilaniKai) January 1, 2025
Then there was WWE star Natalya, the grandaughter of Stu Hart, who Siki labored for whereas in Stampede Wrestling. In a touching submit, Natalya included a number of footage of Siki’s run in Stampede, and famous how a lot Siki was revered by her grandfather. She additional thanked Siki for “all he gave” in breaking down limitations throughout his profession.
The primary pic is of Candy Daddy Siki because the North American heavyweight champion working for my grandfather in 1970. The opposite pictures are from extra work he did for my grandfather Stu’s promotion, Stampede Wrestling.
Candy Daddy “broke in” round Toronto in 1961 & wrestled for my… pic.twitter.com/x0T61eMquV
— Nattie (@NatbyNature) January 2, 2025
