Examining WrestleCon 2016

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The annual WrestleCon weekend begins Friday, April 1st, from Dallas, Texas (Photo Credit: Wrestlecon.com)

In what has become an annual tradition, WrestleCon is held during WrestleMania weekend and is conveniently near the venue of the biggest wrestling Pay-Per-View of the year. Thousands of fans travel from all over the world to attend WrestleMania, so having a convention on that very weekend is incredibly ingenious.

WrestleCon is a big, big deal. And while I won’t be flying to Dallas to attend ‘Mania or WrestleCon, I thought I would examine the strength of its guest list. Specifically, would this guest list force me to drop hundreds on just airfare and lodging alone? I’m going to go through every name and state whether I would pass on meeting them or not.

Guest List

  • Bob “Hardcore” Holly – I’ve met him twice this in 2015 (Big Event VIII & Legends of the Ring XX). While both encounters went well, I would most likely pass on meeting him for a third time. Amazingly enough, I do need one more autograph from him (forgot his signature in the JOB Squad Entry) but still…Pass
  • Bart Gunn – This is exactly like Holly’s case, except I have zero need for anymore of his autographs. I’ve got him covered in the Encyclopedia. Pass
  • Stacy Carter – I just met her at Big Event IX. While she was a sweetheart, I just don’t have anything else for her to sign. Pass
  • Scott Putski – Finally! A name I haven’t met yet. While I’m not particular eager to meet him, I would probably get a combo if I were in attendance so…Meet
  • Scott Steiner – We’re on a roll! I’ve yet to meet “Big Poppa Pump” and he’s definitely on my radar. Easy… Meet
  • Raven – I met Raven back at Big Event VIII. I do need his signature in the Johnny Polo entry, something I’m not sure he’d sign anyway. Plus, he’s a frequent guest at North East cons. So…Pass
  • Justin Credible: While I need him in several entries in the Encyclopedia, Credible is always around the convention scene. However, since I’m only two meets in…I might get him. So…Maybe
  • Debra – I met her at Legends of the Ring XXI and got her covered in the Encyclopedia. So…Pass
  • Bobby Heenan – I could use his autograph in the Heenan Family entry and maybe a photo op. So…Maybe. 
  • Lex Luger – I met him at Legends of the Ring XX & should get him done at Big Event X so…Pass
  • Kurt Angle – Slam dunk, 100% would…Meet
  • Marty Jannetty – Still need those autographs after he was in “no condition” to sign at Big Event IX. That experience definitely left me sour on Jannetty but I would love to complete The Rockers entry in the Encyclopedia so…Maybe
  • Paul Ellering – 100% would…Meet
  • Road Warrior Animal – I think I’m covered but a dual photo op (if offered) with Ellering would be cool. If not…Pass
  • Nikolai Volkoff – I completed his entries at Legends of the Ring XXI so…Pass
  • Barbarian – I’m looking to get him done at Legends of the Ring XXII in June so…Pass
  • Warlord – See Barbarian…Pass
  • Missy Hyatt – I got her at Big Event IX. Easy…Pass
  • Ivan Putski – I got him back at Big Event VIII…Pass
  • Honky Tonk Man – Completed his entries at a Wrestling Universe Signing…Pass
  • Melina Perez – I need her in one more entry in the Encyclopedia. She’s not a slam dunk, though, so let’s put her as…Maybe
  • Kelly Kelly – Same as Melina…Maybe
  • Vampiro – Passed on meeting him at Legends of the Ring XXI and I regret so…Meet
  • Shawn Michaels – I still need him in the D-X entry but I wouldn’t be spending the coin or time to meet him…Pass
  • Lance Storm – 100% would…Meet
  • Bushwhacker Luke – I got him at Legends of the Ring XX…Pass
  • Tommy Dreamer – 100% would…Meet
  • Maryase – I would 100&…Meet
  • Bill Apter – Wonderful man but I got his booked signed at Legends of the Ring XXI…Pass
  • Bobby Fulton – 100% would…Meet
  • Rick Steiner – 100% would…Meet
  • Tully Blanchard – I got him at Big Event IX so…Pass
  • Catrina – Intriguing name. She’s…Maybe
  • Ivelisse – Same as Catrina…Maybe
  • Melissa Santos – See above…Maybe
  • Justin Roberts – If he’s not with RF Video, I’d meet him. So right now he’s…Maybe
  • Marty Scrull – He’s definitely a…Maybe
  • Ricochet – He’s 100% would…Meet
  • Trevor Lee – He’s a…Maybe
  • Andrew Everett – See above…Maybe
  • Terri Runnels – Met her twice. She’s a…Pass
  • Ashley Massaro – Still need her autograph but she does frequent conventions so…Maybe
  • Cheerleader Melissa – She’s a…Maybe
  • Scott Norton – I would 100%…Meet
  • Magnus – I think I need him in a TNA Program, so…Maybe
  • Mickie James – See above…Maybe
  • Scott Hall – All done with the Bad Guy…Pass
  • Shane Douglas – I need one more autograph so…Maybe
  • Kevin Sullivan – Missed him at Legends of the Ring XX and regretted it so…Meet
  • Amanda Rodriguez – Definitely a…Pass
  • Jasmine St. Claire – lol…Pass
  • Amber O’Neal Gallows – She’s a…Maybe
  • Four Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders – Pass

So, let’s recap:

Our of the 56 guests announced, I would definitely meet 11 over that 3 day period. So, the chances of meet flying and staying in Dallas for just 11 definite meets is slim to none.

If I decided to include some of the maybes, it would be from the Lucha Underground roster. That brings my total to 15. Still a below average number of guests I get at a con.

Verdict: This con is an easy pass for me

ODB Is Coming to Big Event X; Pre-Sales for Booker T Available Now!

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The Big Event X is coming! (Photo Credit: Big Event NY)

Hey now.

First, another guest announcement:

ODB joins Bob Orton, the Killer Bees, Nyla Rose, & Barbie Hayden as Damage Radio’s guest for Big Event X.

Also:

Wrestling Ink has begun Pre-Sales for Booker T. Autograph & photo op will run you $25 each while a combo is a very reasonable $40.00.

I’ve updated the Big Event X Guest List w/Pre-Sale info. Click Here to check it out.

Booker T Is Coming to Big Event X!

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The Big Event X is coming! (Photo Credit: Big Event NY)

Hey now.

We have ourselves yet another HUGE guest announcement:

Booker T was scheduled for Big Event VIII & Legends of the Ring XX(along with Stevie Ray) and cancelled both times. Hopefully he won’t do that again. He’s being brought in by Wrestling Ink.

Brodus Clay Is Coming to Big Event X!

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The Big Event X is coming! (Photo Credit: Big Event NY)

Hey now.

Big Event promised a big guest had been booked…and that person has been revealed:

I’m not sure Clay constitutes as a big guest but he’s a solid addition nonetheless. I’m hesitant because I’ve heard HORROR stories about Clay’s attitude during appearances. I guess we’ll see.

Snitsky & Rebel Are Coming to Big Event X!

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The Big Event X is coming! (Photo Credit: Big Event NY)

Hey now.

Two more guest announcements:

Snitsky (K&s) was scheduled to appear at the last Big Event but had to cancel day-of. Rebel (RDP Promotions) last appeared at Big Event VIII and will be in her Dollhouse ring gear. That’ll get a lot of people’s attention for sure.

There appears to be a new trend: get the Divas/Knockouts in their ring gear instead of bikinis. The whole bikini gimmick was a little…creepy.

Brad Maddox, Jillian Hall, Sgt. Slaughter, & Tony Atlas Are Coming to Big Event X!

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The Big Event X is coming! (Photo Credit: Big Event NY)

Hey now.

Some big updates to the Big Event Guest List this past weekend:

Maddox – now going by the great ringname of Mad Braddox – was recently released by the WWE & figures to make the rounds on the convention scene.

Hall is the “free” autograph with V.I.P. admission. Terri Runnels and Cherry were the last two “free” autograph talent.

Slaughter & Atlas do conventions semi-regularly. Slaughter was great when I met him at LOTR XXI.

Guest list to be updated.

WOOO! Ric Flair Is Coming to Big Event X!

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The Big Event X is coming! (Photo Credit: Big Event NY)

Hey now.

Huge guest announcement for Big Event X:

Flair appeared at Big Event VIII – nearly a year from Big Event X – and, obviously, had one of the most congested lines of the day. I don’t think that’s going to change. I wonder if they’ll consider bringing back the other Four Horsemen for that much desired photo op but…probably not. Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Barry Windham, & J.J. Dillon are four valuable spots to feature talent who didn’t appear at the last show or two.

The Big Event X Guest List has been updated.