Hey now.
A few important announces in regards to Legends of the Ring XXI:
And:
The Q&A is a nice touch to what looks to be a relatively lackluster vendor’s lineup.
Tag: Autograph Signings
Meeting ECIII & Matt Striker at The Wrestling Universe
Hey now.
This past Saturday, I made the short trip from Penn Station to Auburndale to attend the ECIII/Matt Striker signing at The Wrestling Universe. The signing was scheduled for 11:00 AM; I arrived at around 10:50 AM and found a small line of three or four people waiting outside the store.
Turns out, Matt Striker was running late. He showed up exactly 10 minutes later and they started letting people into the store…but the line came to a halt. Why? Matt ran back to his car to retrieve his luggage.
Matt quickly came back and the signing continued. The three or four people in front of me where in and out and, before I knew it, I was up next. ECIII and Striker were situated together – not separated – in the back room. That room is unbelievably small and the lighting is not very good (as my photo op will show). Plus, three employees were in there too (one collectiing tickets, one taking photo with my camera, & one taking photo with their camera).
Anyways, both guys were very cool. Striker signed his entry in the WWE Encyclopedia and was selling Lucha Underground t-shirts. We also discussed the Yankees tanking at the worst possible time. Ugh.
ECIII signed his profile in the TNA Program, Vol. 7 (2014). He then signed his entry in the WWE Encyclopedia as Derrick Bateman. When I presented it to him he said, “Ahh…Bateman.” He signed it, albeit a little reluctantly. Striker commented, “It’s nice of you to sign as that. What are you writing?” Turns out, ECIII signed “Derrick Bateman USA.”
After that, it was photo op time. I couldn’t get behind the table and there was really nowhere to go other than standin the middle. I’m a tall guy (6’5) and I kinda blocked Matt Striker (he said, “Let me get around because you won’t be able to see me”).
The photo was okay. It would’ve been better with better lighting. ECIII posed with the TNA World Heavyweight Title, which was originally slung on top of his gym bag.
Good guys, good autographs, meh photo. I can’t complain, especially for their prices ($20.00 combos).
Madison Rayne Cancels LOTR XXI Appearance; Replaced by Jazz
Hey now.
Another cancellation, this time for Legends of the Ring XXI.
She has been replaced by Jazz, who is making an appearance at the Big Event IX as well.
Big Event IX Cancelations: Bob Orton & Jimmy Snuka
Hey now.
K&S WrestleFest advertised quite the lineup for Big Event IX featuring Bret “The Hitman” Hart, “Cowboy” Bob Orton, “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka, Ken Patera, and Gene Snitsky.
Now? It’s just Hart, Patera, and Snitksy (it wasn’t his fault!).
Bummer for sure.
As reported last night, Ricky Steamboat is still scheduled to appear at Big Event IX thanks to the folks at Game Changer Wrestling.
Snuka’s reasoning is obvious – the dude is being charged with murder. I don’t think attending his billionth convention is high on his priority list.
Orton’s cancelation, however, has gone unexplained. He’s still penciled in for Legends of the Ring XXI in Monroe, NJ, on October 3rd.
I’m definitely curious why Steamboat distanced himself from K&S…
Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat To Appear at Chiller!
Hey now.
It looks like “The 9th Wonder of the World” will have some company at the Chiller Theatre convention this October:
Steamboat is also scheduled to appear at Big Event IX on November 14th. “The Dragon” is always a welcome addition to any convention.
LOTR Brings Shawn Michaels to WrestleCon!
Hey now.
WrestleCon is months away but that hasn’t stopped the folks at Legends of the Ring from announcing their headlining guest:
Michaels was the headlining guest at Legends of the Ring XX and will serve as headlining guest for Big Event IX in November.
WrestleCon will take place in Dallas during WrestleMania weekend.
DMJ Promotions Brings Bobby Lashley to Big Event IX!
Hey now.
Another big name added to Big Event IX:
Great add.
Pro Wrestling Syndicate Brings Vampiro to LOTR XXI!
Hey now.
Some breaking news from the folks over at Legends of the Ring:
I figured Vampiro would make an appearance given his re-introduction to American television via Lucha Underground. Awesome add!
Field of Honor ’15 Pre-Show Meet & Greet!
Hey now.
August 22nd Field of Honor ’15 Pre-Show Meet and Greet at MCU Park; Brooklyn, NY
I was VERY anxious to see who Ring of Honor would feature during their pre-show meet and greet. I was praying they would include Shinsuke Nakamura, who I consider to be the best wrestler in the world today. A few days before the show, ROH announced that Nakamura and the rest of the NJPW talent booked for this show would be signing!
Hell. Yes.
My girlfriend and I arrived to MCU Park at roughly 5:50 PM with gates opening a little after 6:05 PM. While we were waiting on the line, I overheard a fan saying he was making a beeline to the table that would be selling the meet and greet tickets because last year’s line was incredibly long. I decided I was going to do so the same.
And I’m glad I did.
I ran up the steps and passed the merchandise table – I really wanted a Nakamura t-shirt but that could wait – and was about 5th in line to buy tickets. I decided to buy combos for everyone with the exception of Bushwhacker Luke because I already got him at Legends of the Ring.
I scored my tickets and the first meet was with an unadvertised tag team…The Young Bucks!
I actually met The Young Bucks at the Big Event VIII (along with AJ Styles) but I didn’t score an autograph with either of them. I was quick to remedy that:
They were, as usual, their classy selves. It’s always a pleasure to meet The Young Bucks. Plus, I got a photo with them while sporting my Bullet Club t-shirt:
Too Sweet indeed!
Up next was Alex Shelley of The Time Splitters. Shelley was on the quiet side but also very nice and he gladly signed his profile in the program:
Then we took this solid photo:
Next was KUSHIDA. For some strange reason, ROH decided that The Time Splitters wouldn’t be covered under a “tag team photo op.” I think it’s because KUSHIDA is the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion? Whatever. No big deal. KUSHIDA was very nice! Here he is signing:
And here’s an awesome pic of us w/the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship:
Following KUSHIDA was the IWGP Intercontinental Champion Hirooki Goto! Another awesome guy. The belt, by the way, is MASSIVE and REALLY heavy. Here’s Goto signing:
Here’s our pic w/me holding the IWGP Intercontinental Championship:
Next was Watanabe, who was unadvertised. Very nice guy!
And here’s an awesome photo of Watanabe and I:
Then…it was showtime. The main event of this freaking pre-show meet and greet! The man who I came to see! Shinsuke Nakamura!
Nakamura was incredibly nice and was taking AWESOME photo ops with everyone. Awesome, awesome guy. I decided to spring for a signed 8×10 on top of an autograph in the program. Here’s him signing:
And here’s our awesome photo op:
Star struck. My girlfriend said I was “Fan girling out.” Up next was the current IWGP World Champion “The Rain Maiker” Okada!
Okada was very gracious. I caved in and bought an Okada bill on top of his autograph in the program. Here’s him signing:
Here’s Okada and I:
Yeah, that’s me holding the IWGP World Championship. I worked up the courage and asked him to pose with the belt and he let me! Glad I asked!
—
The meet and greet was over but I would still get three autographs! I spotted Jay Briscoe coming out of a tunnel and quickly asked him for an autograph. He hesitated at first but graciously signed my program once he saw no one else had spotted him. Here’s him signing:
After the show, I saw Nigel McGuinness talking to a fan by the dug out. I couldn’t get close to him but my girlfriend did and managed to get him to sign my ROH trucker hat! Awesome score! Picture at the bottom of this post.
And, finally, my girlfriend and I waited 10 minutes outside the V.I.P. and Media entrance where the wrestlers were sure to exit. She gave me a 10 minute time limit and the only person who came out was Buschwhacker Luke. Boo. BUT…my amazing girlfriend saw a small crowd around a wrestler. I couldn’t tell who it was at first…but I realized it was Mark Briscoe!
I ran over and Briscoe was absolutely AWESOME and EASILY one of the nicest wrestlers I have ever met. He took care of everyone and was so damn nice. Here’s him signing:
Mark Briscoe signing
And here’s our awesome photo op:
Mark Briscoe and I
And here’s everything I had signed:
Meeting King Kong Bundy @ Dutchess Market Place
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August 22 – Autograph Signing @ The Collector’s Realm in Dutchess Market Place; Westchester, NY
The day started with a King Kong Bundy autograph signing about a half hour away from my girlfriend’s house. I arrived at roughly 1:00 PM and was surprised to see that Bundy had a modest line. I asked the handler if Bundy could sign his multiple entries in the Encyclopedia under 1 price and he said yes! So I got four autographs and a picture for $25.00! NICE! Bundy, by the way, is AMAZING! Classy guy – although he did hit on my girlfriend. He saw us approach him and when I introduced myself and asked him how he was doing he replied, “You’re clearly doing better than me, man!” Haha! Here’s a photo of him signing:
Bundy then I took this photo. He made me crouch down for the photo because, “I can’t have anyone taller than me in a photo!” Anyways, here’s the photo:
Here’s what Bundy signed:
Squared Circle Conventions 