All the way back in December, I examined the WrestleCon 2016 lineup based on my own personal needs/preferences and I ultimately came away underwhelmed. At that time, 56 guests were announced and I would only have “definitely” met 11 total guests between Friday & Saturday.

 

Looking back, the number of definite meets was actually reduced to 8. Why? A few of those names made it Big Event X (and I met them) & others have been announced for the upcoming Legends of the Ring XXII (where I plan on meeting them).

Still, a slew of names have been announced the past three months and I wanted to see if these names would be enough to get me there.

• Greg “The Hammer” Valentine – He’s more Virgil than Virgil. I do need him on a few items but I’m saving him for a convention with a light guest list. Pass 

• Evan Ginzburg –  The WrestleCon bio page on Mr. Ginzburg states that he was an associate producer for the movie “The Wrestler.” I suppose I could get my Blu Ray cover of the movie signed but it’s not of high priority. His combo is only $25.00. Let’s put him as a maybe. Maybe 

• Miguel Perez –  One of the members of the Attitude Era faction Los Boricuas. He’s sort of an obscure name, something I actually like. Plus, I want his signature in the Encyclopedia so he’s a…Definitely meet

• Savio Vega – The leader of Los Boricuas! Definitely meet 

• Tessa Blanchard –  She’s been around the wrestling convention circuit and I don’t have a thing for her to sign. I’m not big on getting 8x10s signed. Pass

• Jessica Havok – I do have a TNA program for her to sign but I’m not particularly chomping at the bit to meet her. Maybe

• Sami Callihan – I would love to meet him. Definitely meet 

• Jinder Mahal –  He’s needed in the Encyclopedia so…Definitely meet 

• Brian Christopher – He is completed in the Encyclopedia and I don’t believe I need him anywhere else. Pass

• Scotty 2 Hotty – He’s completed in the Encyclopedia but I do need him in my WrestleMania XX program, which is signed by Rikishi. If I had time, I’d probably get him. Maybe

• Al Snow – I plan on getting Snow’s entries in the Encyclopedia completed at LOTR XXII. Assuming I do, he’s a…Pass

• Billy Gunn – Even though he’s completed in the Encyclopedia, I do need him in my Ultimate Superstars Guide. He’s in the same boat as Scotty 2 Hotty. Maybe

• Kevin Nash – He’s completed in the Encyclopedia but I need him in a TNA Program, the Ultimate Superstars Guide, a GWF Program, and the WCW Superstar Guide book. But, since I’ve already met him and I’d be strapped for time, he’s a…Maybe.

• Gene Okerlund – I plan on meeting “Mean Gene” at LOTR XXII. Pass

• Rob Van Dam – I need RVD in a number of TNA Programs but I’ve met him twice and I need to save time on those I’ve yet to meet. Pass

• Bob Orton, Jr. – I need his signature in the Muraco/Orton entry in the Encyclopedia but “Cowboy” Bob is always around. Pass

• Tito Santana – I need him in the Encyclopedia & Superstars Guide. Definitely meet 

• Koko B. Ware – He’ll be appearing at the Wrestling Universe in May, where I plan on getting him completely done. Pass

• Eddie Edwards – He’ll be appearing at LOTR XXII. Pass

• Davey Richards – See above. Pass

• Abyss – He also seems to be brought in by RF Video, who I will not deal with. It seems like HighSpots is bringing him this time, so I’ll mark him as…Definitely meet 

• Chris Hero – Love Chris Hero. Definitely meet 

• Joey Ryan – Love Joey Ryan, who’s become a viral sensation. Definitely meet 

• Velvet Sky – While I need her on a couple of TNA Programs, she’s always around. Plus I met her already. Pass

• Great Muta – An absolute icon. Definitely meet 

• Brian Cage – He’ll be appearing at the Wrestling Universe in mid-April, where I plan on getting him to sign a Lucha Underground 8×10. Pass

• Rebel – I met her at Big Event X & have nothing else for her to sign. Pass

• Will Ospreay – The newest NJPW signee is super talent. Definitely meet 

• Eve Torres – She’s needed in the Encyclopedia. Definitely meet 

• Chuck Taylor –  Big fan. Definitely meet 

• Sabu – I need his signature on my ECW Barely Legal DVD cover but I’ve met him already. He’s in the”if I have the time and money” category. Maybe

• Ricky Morton – While I did meet him and Gibson at Big Event X, I do need their autographs.  I originally had them as “definitely meet” but I need to save time & money here. Maybe 

• Robert Gibson – See above. Maybe

• Matt Striker – I met him before but would love to get him on a Lucha Underground 8×10. Maybe.

• Shane Helms -He’s done in the Encyclopedia and I don’t believe I need him elsewhere. Pass

• Jeff Jarrett – I need him in every entry in the Encyclopedia. Definitely meet 

• Karen Jarrett – I would like to meet her. Definitely meet 

• Sonjay Dutt – He’s needed in a TNA Program. Definitely meet 

• One Man Gang – He’s bring brought in by RF Video so…Pass

• Brian Myers – He’s completed in the Encyclopedia. Pass

• Jackie Haas – Interesting/obscure name. She’s need in the Encyclopedia. Definitely meet 

• Carlito – He’s done in the Encyclopedia and I don’t believe I need him elsewhere. Pass

• Charlie Haas – Completed in the Encyclopedia. Pass

• DDP – I need him in my WCW Ultimate Guide but his line at Big Event X was painfully slow because he really does take time with everyone. Great guy but I need to be aware of time. Maybe

• Jake “the Snake” Roberts – I need him in the Ultimate Superstars guide and on the cover of his DVD but, again, depends on how much time I have. Maybe

• Vince Russo – Met him although I did not get an autograph, which I’m okay with. Pass

• Ed Ferrara – Sure, why not. Definitely meet 

• James Storm  –  Need him numerous TNA programs but I’ve met him already. Maybe

• Jim Duggan – Need him in the Ultimate Superstars Guide but I’ve met him before. Maybe

• Reby Sky – She’s an awesome heel. Definitely meet 

• Matt Hardy – I need him in the Encyclopedia (all entries). Definitely meet

• Konnan – I would LOVE to meet him. Definitely meet

• Rey Mysterio –  I need him in the Encyclopedia. Definitely meet 

• Victoria – She’s needed in the Encyclopedia & in a TNA Program. Definitely meet 

• Chyna – I do need her in the Encyclopedia but she’s always around. Pass

• Sam Houston – An obscure name to the wrestling convention scene. Definitely meet 

• AR Fox – Sure. Definitely meet 

• Thea Trinidad – I think she’s appearing at the Wrestling Universe in a few months so…Maybe

• Shawn Daivari – I need him the Encyclopedia. Definitely meet 

• Mohamed Hassan – A rare name that’s needed in the Encyclopedia. Definitely meet 

• Jeff Hardy – I need him in every entry in the Encyclopedia. Definitely meet 

• Bull Dempsey – I plan on meeting him at LOTR XXII. Pass

• MVP – Have nothing else for him to sign. Pass

• Torrie Wilson – I need her in the Encyclopedia although I’ve met her already. Plus, she always seems to be around. Maybe.  

• Pentagon Jr. – He’s so awesome. Definitely meet 

• Samantha Starr – I’m not familiar with her although, apparently, she’s big on the Indy scene. Pass

• Dave Penzer – Great ring announcer. Definitely meet 

• Zack Sabre, Jr. – Insanely talented. Definitely meet 

• Paul Orndorff – I need him in the Ultimate Superstars guide but he’s always around. Pass

• Russ Haas – Pass

• Chris Masters – I need him in the Encyclopedia. Definitely meet 

• Fireball – Sure. Definitely meet 

• Drago – Big fan and would definitely get him on a Lucha 8×10. Definitely meet 

• Aerostar – See above. Definitely meet 

• Fenix – See Drago. (x2). Definitely Meet 

• Jack Evans – See Drago. Definitely meet 

• Jim Ross – Don’t have anything else for him to sign. Pass.

• Chelsea Greene – Nothing for her to sign. Pass. 

• Jerry Saggs –  He’s in the Greg Valentine cateogry. Maybe

• Brian Knobbs -See above. Maybe

• Brooke – She’s always around. Pass

• Jimmy Hart –  See above. Pass

• Buff Bagwell – Would love to meet him. Definitely meet 

• Jim Neidhart – I need him elsewhere in the Encyclopedia but I have met him before. Maybe.

• Gorgeous George –  Would love to meet her. Definitely meet 

• Rob Conway – He’s completed in the Encyclopedia. Pass

• Matt Rivera –  I am not familar with him. Pass

• Ted DiBiase – He’s always around. Pass

• Noelle Foley –  I do need her on my Beyond the Mat DVD but she’s always around. Maybe

• Matt Sydal – I need him in the Encyclopedia, so…Definitely meet 

• Blue Pants – She’d be a nice get if I have time. Maybe

• Candice LeRae –  Her and Joey Ryan would make for a cool (and cute) photo op. Definitely meet 

• Mary Dobson – I am not familiar with her. Pass

• LuFisto –  If I had time…Maybe

• Frankie Kazarian – I would love to meet him and he’s needed in the Encyclopedia. Definitely meet 

• X-Pac – I need him in the Ultimate Superstars Guide but I’ve met him twice and he’s always around. Pass

• Davey Boy Smith, Jr. – I need him in the Encyclopedia and I’m a big fan. Definitely meet 

• Lance Hoytt – See above. Definitely meet 

• Taeler Hendrix – She’s always around. Pass

• Hernandez – I would love to meet him. Definitely meet 

• Trina Michaels – Pass

Holy. Moly.

FORTY-FOUR under the “definitely meet” category. Once you add in the previous 8 under that category, that brings the grand total to 52!!!!

Here’s the million dollar question: would it be realistic to get 52 wrestlers over a two day period? Some are only appearing on Friday or Saturday. Hmmm…sounds like a good thing to examine for a future post.