North of the Border Pro Wrestling was founded in 1985 by legendary Canadian wrestler Dan Stone. Over the previous decade, the Canadian Wrestling Federation held a monopoly on professional wrestling in the country, with Stone as the promotion's figurehead. After retiring in 1985, Stone bought the Alberta and Ontario territories from CWF promoter Ed "Strangler" Henson, who agreed to the arrangement to pay Stone back for his years of hard work and dedication, as well as to keep a talent flow between the two companies so as to keep both promotions fresh.