dumba55
New Member, Must Send First
Most of you don't know my rambling ways. I ramble. A lot. Stories, in our trading card hobby and otherwise, rule my world. I love to hear a good story. A success. A hunt. A friendship that blossomed. Lifetime movie ? No, but I just like there to be substance behind things I enjoy, instead of money that seemingly rules the "hobby" these days.
With that, I'll get onto my experiences (stories to be added 4/27/2016) :
Kota
Mr. Kennedy
With Kota, Mr. Kennedy & Demolition, this was at a Indy show in Granite Falls, MN this past February. Demolition was down in the Twin Cities like a month previous, but the weather (as a lot of you know) dictates travel. I knew with them being at another show, a month later, that, no matter what the weather conditions were, that I was going to be making the nearly 6 hour trek from Ely to the show. I have met Kennedy before, at the National Sports Convention in Chicago in 2011. He was really cool and down to earth. Kota is an Indy fella, who is green, but at least has a good attitude. Plus, my daughter wanted her pic w/him, so, for $5, an 8x10 & pic with him was more than worth it for her smile.
Now, Demolition. This was THE tag team in the 80's for me. I know there's Road Warrior's fans that won't like that statement, but I didn't start watching (because our cable only had 13 channels then and one wasn't TBS) NWA/WCW until late '89 / early '90. Demolition was THE tag team for me. Their style in the ring. Clubbing blows. Double ax handles from the middle rope. Clotheslines. Fuj the stooge. Facepaint. Sticking out their tongues. "SHUT YOUR STINKIN' MOUTH !!!" Ax & Smash were the best tag team on every conceivable level, for me, then.
Knowing that guys in our favorite 'sport' are more than likely not going to be around past the age of 55 or so, this was a must to get down there. We were among the first few in line (yes, this was an event with maybe 600 people at it) but getting up there, before many folks even started filing in was a must. This allowed me to thank Bill and Barry for what they've done, that a was a huge fan, that I traveled basically 6 hours for them and they were beyond appreciative that we were there. Two of the absolute nicest guys I've met in the business, so, the wrestlers matched the experience of meeting them.
Adam Cole
Matt Sydal FKA Evan Bourne
Met Adam & Matt in Hopkins at a ROH event in November, 2015. Adam is a nice guy, didn't have a ton to say though. Told Matt, though, that I had been in Toronto for Global Wars, earlier in the year, for both nights, and told him his SSP into a dual superkick from the Kingdom literally killed me. I told him I had a "kid moment" where I jumped swore and couldn't believe what I was seeing. His face lit up. Super cool guy. Super chill.
In the words of Zeus, "Hulk Hogan ... BEEFCAKE BARBER"
This was my emergence into live events. About a week before the event in Duluth, MN, a friend approached me at the grocery store about a free ticket for the event. Wrestling ? Free ? Nothing better then that ! So, went there, met Trevor Murdoch, Bob Holly & Brutus. Got auto's from Trevor & Brutus, but not Bob (got him a couple months later, in his book and a 5x7). Brutus was out there. Like, legit just zoning out. So focused on writing my daughter's name, which isn't like some of these newer names that read better off of something Rand McNally would print. He's still a big dude, though.
Luke Hawx
Luke is easily a top 5 guy for me, of all time. He was on Wrestling Society X on MTV back in '07. He's been an 'Indy Darling' for nearly a decade. Had several dark matches with WWE. Solid on the mic and super solid in the ring. One of my fave guys, because when I had my Facebook account, I'd message him a few times a month, just to see what's on his agenda and when he thought he'd be back up this way, for one of the various independent promotions in the Upper Midwest. Just an all around great guy, IMO.
Stevie Richards
I take credit for Stevie being at this show, where I got the pic, and, when the promoter comes up to you, as you enter the hall where all the guys were signing and says, "You got Stevie, are you happy ?" with a huge **** eating grin and shakes your hand, well, I will take all that credit that I can. As you see, I'm wearing a b.W.o. shirt. I see Luke next to Stevie. Luke sees me, hits Stevie on the arm and points my way. So, I pass the Steiners and X-Pac, just to go over to meet Stevie. First thing he says is, "Get closer, I'm signing that shirt" (for free). Luke says, "Well, he's here (smiling, ear to ear). What are you gonna say to him ?" I just said, "Thank you for coming. It's a ****ing honor to meet you and absolutely thank you for everything you've given for this business. You were and still are one of my absolute favorites, especially with Right to Censor". He laughed and said most folks hated him as that character. I just said, "I love the hateable (well, minus Cena / Roman Reigns) characters". I said, "Next time you come, you gotta bring a couple of your friends (Meanie & Nova)." He said, "If I don't stink it up out there and they invite me back." I said, "The first won't happen and the latter ... well, we'll make something happen." By the end of the weekend, I'll get a pic up of the photo he signed for me. Big Stevie Cool is a ****ing outstanding fella. Bar none.
Greg Gagne, Vern's son
I'll put Greg & Hennig in together, as we traveled to Robbinsdale, MN (wrestling fans should just get chills hearing that location. It will ALWAYS trump parts unknown.) for the opening of the Minnesota Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame. First two inductees were Larry Hennig and Vern Gagne. Of course, Vern had passed away, so Greg was there with the Gagne troop to accept on Vern's behalf. Larry was very quiet, but had a wonderful speech. I got super emotional when he talked about Curt, because, Curt and Rick Rude are my two favorite wrestlers of all time, by far. Greg recapped Vern's career ... and what a career it was. The ending of his life leaves little to be shed in a positive light but nobody can deny Vern's place in the pantheon of wrestling's history. It was an absolutely incredible time, where there weren't more than maybe 100 folks there, but I'm proud I can say that I was one of them and got to meet an icon and Greg Gagne.
O.D.B.
Met her, Jake, Booker, Stevie, the Steiners, Piper & ODB at Heavy on Wrestling Legendary in August of 2014. She always seems in a good mood and was a pleasure to meet.
Dalton Castle
Met Dalton, A.J. Styles & Jay Lethal last July, in Hopkins, at my 4th R.O.H. show of the year. Yes, he caressed my beard. That was my facial reaction, on purpose. Great guy, who is a slight bit odd, but I absolutely enjoy what he brings to the table.
ROH Champion Jay Lethal
Larry "The Ax" Hennig
Booker T
It was a pleasure meeting King Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooookah ! Not super talkative. The only thing I wish I would've got was his book, as well as the 8x10 we got.
A.J. Styles
Scott Steiner
In late 90's / dying days WCW, nothing was more entertaining, including the Natural Born Thrillers, than Big Poppa Pump on the mic. I was semi excited to meet Scott (not as much Rick) at the event. $20 photo AND $20 auto ... not thrilled about that, but, it's Scotty Steiner, and nothing's finer. Told him how much I loved watching him (I even gave him symphy
and didn't mention the match vs. Test where he tried a double ax handle a missed by a country mile, because he slipped on the ring apron jumping off the side of the ring. Barely any reaction from him at all. As you can see from the pic, that was basically his demeanor the whole evening.
Demolition
Jake "The Snake" Roberts
Jake was another guy I really wanted to meet, due to never knowing if he'd wake up the next day, since his demon's are all well known. He got there late, but still was in good spirits and chatting up with everyone. He didn't seem thrilled to see me, not sure why, but, when he saw my daughter in tow, that Cheshire cat grin came over his face. An absolute pleasure to meet, as I thanked him and said I was very proud of how far he's come. He then seemed genuinely appreciative.
Rowdy Roddy Piper
This was a huge get for me. Piper's in-ring wrestling work, never got me to be a fan. His mic work was ****ing phenomenal. Absolute magic, especially in his absolutely loathed heel days of the mid 80's. So, for $50, it was 3 auto's + a photo with him. Too great of a value to pass up. We were the last to get up there. He was just getting served supper as we were waiting. He saw me, bleh. But then he saw my wife & daughter (one guy my wife actually liked). Piper got a smile on his face and signed the photo's (to my daughter, where he misspells 'beautiful'
). Took the pic and my wife kissed him on the cheek. Sadly, less than a year later, we'd lose Piper.
I have some more pics to get on the computer (Flair, Angle, Jeff Hardy, Victoria) and my daughter's autographed 8x10 collection. Stories, like I said, will be added tomorrow. The pics together are just an appetizer !
With that, I'll get onto my experiences (stories to be added 4/27/2016) :
Kota
Mr. Kennedy
With Kota, Mr. Kennedy & Demolition, this was at a Indy show in Granite Falls, MN this past February. Demolition was down in the Twin Cities like a month previous, but the weather (as a lot of you know) dictates travel. I knew with them being at another show, a month later, that, no matter what the weather conditions were, that I was going to be making the nearly 6 hour trek from Ely to the show. I have met Kennedy before, at the National Sports Convention in Chicago in 2011. He was really cool and down to earth. Kota is an Indy fella, who is green, but at least has a good attitude. Plus, my daughter wanted her pic w/him, so, for $5, an 8x10 & pic with him was more than worth it for her smile.
Now, Demolition. This was THE tag team in the 80's for me. I know there's Road Warrior's fans that won't like that statement, but I didn't start watching (because our cable only had 13 channels then and one wasn't TBS) NWA/WCW until late '89 / early '90. Demolition was THE tag team for me. Their style in the ring. Clubbing blows. Double ax handles from the middle rope. Clotheslines. Fuj the stooge. Facepaint. Sticking out their tongues. "SHUT YOUR STINKIN' MOUTH !!!" Ax & Smash were the best tag team on every conceivable level, for me, then.
Knowing that guys in our favorite 'sport' are more than likely not going to be around past the age of 55 or so, this was a must to get down there. We were among the first few in line (yes, this was an event with maybe 600 people at it) but getting up there, before many folks even started filing in was a must. This allowed me to thank Bill and Barry for what they've done, that a was a huge fan, that I traveled basically 6 hours for them and they were beyond appreciative that we were there. Two of the absolute nicest guys I've met in the business, so, the wrestlers matched the experience of meeting them.
Adam Cole
Matt Sydal FKA Evan Bourne
Met Adam & Matt in Hopkins at a ROH event in November, 2015. Adam is a nice guy, didn't have a ton to say though. Told Matt, though, that I had been in Toronto for Global Wars, earlier in the year, for both nights, and told him his SSP into a dual superkick from the Kingdom literally killed me. I told him I had a "kid moment" where I jumped swore and couldn't believe what I was seeing. His face lit up. Super cool guy. Super chill.
In the words of Zeus, "Hulk Hogan ... BEEFCAKE BARBER"
This was my emergence into live events. About a week before the event in Duluth, MN, a friend approached me at the grocery store about a free ticket for the event. Wrestling ? Free ? Nothing better then that ! So, went there, met Trevor Murdoch, Bob Holly & Brutus. Got auto's from Trevor & Brutus, but not Bob (got him a couple months later, in his book and a 5x7). Brutus was out there. Like, legit just zoning out. So focused on writing my daughter's name, which isn't like some of these newer names that read better off of something Rand McNally would print. He's still a big dude, though.
Luke Hawx
Luke is easily a top 5 guy for me, of all time. He was on Wrestling Society X on MTV back in '07. He's been an 'Indy Darling' for nearly a decade. Had several dark matches with WWE. Solid on the mic and super solid in the ring. One of my fave guys, because when I had my Facebook account, I'd message him a few times a month, just to see what's on his agenda and when he thought he'd be back up this way, for one of the various independent promotions in the Upper Midwest. Just an all around great guy, IMO.
Stevie Richards
I take credit for Stevie being at this show, where I got the pic, and, when the promoter comes up to you, as you enter the hall where all the guys were signing and says, "You got Stevie, are you happy ?" with a huge **** eating grin and shakes your hand, well, I will take all that credit that I can. As you see, I'm wearing a b.W.o. shirt. I see Luke next to Stevie. Luke sees me, hits Stevie on the arm and points my way. So, I pass the Steiners and X-Pac, just to go over to meet Stevie. First thing he says is, "Get closer, I'm signing that shirt" (for free). Luke says, "Well, he's here (smiling, ear to ear). What are you gonna say to him ?" I just said, "Thank you for coming. It's a ****ing honor to meet you and absolutely thank you for everything you've given for this business. You were and still are one of my absolute favorites, especially with Right to Censor". He laughed and said most folks hated him as that character. I just said, "I love the hateable (well, minus Cena / Roman Reigns) characters". I said, "Next time you come, you gotta bring a couple of your friends (Meanie & Nova)." He said, "If I don't stink it up out there and they invite me back." I said, "The first won't happen and the latter ... well, we'll make something happen." By the end of the weekend, I'll get a pic up of the photo he signed for me. Big Stevie Cool is a ****ing outstanding fella. Bar none.
Greg Gagne, Vern's son
I'll put Greg & Hennig in together, as we traveled to Robbinsdale, MN (wrestling fans should just get chills hearing that location. It will ALWAYS trump parts unknown.) for the opening of the Minnesota Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame. First two inductees were Larry Hennig and Vern Gagne. Of course, Vern had passed away, so Greg was there with the Gagne troop to accept on Vern's behalf. Larry was very quiet, but had a wonderful speech. I got super emotional when he talked about Curt, because, Curt and Rick Rude are my two favorite wrestlers of all time, by far. Greg recapped Vern's career ... and what a career it was. The ending of his life leaves little to be shed in a positive light but nobody can deny Vern's place in the pantheon of wrestling's history. It was an absolutely incredible time, where there weren't more than maybe 100 folks there, but I'm proud I can say that I was one of them and got to meet an icon and Greg Gagne.
O.D.B.
Met her, Jake, Booker, Stevie, the Steiners, Piper & ODB at Heavy on Wrestling Legendary in August of 2014. She always seems in a good mood and was a pleasure to meet.
Dalton Castle
Met Dalton, A.J. Styles & Jay Lethal last July, in Hopkins, at my 4th R.O.H. show of the year. Yes, he caressed my beard. That was my facial reaction, on purpose. Great guy, who is a slight bit odd, but I absolutely enjoy what he brings to the table.
ROH Champion Jay Lethal
Larry "The Ax" Hennig
Booker T
It was a pleasure meeting King Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooookah ! Not super talkative. The only thing I wish I would've got was his book, as well as the 8x10 we got.
A.J. Styles
Scott Steiner
In late 90's / dying days WCW, nothing was more entertaining, including the Natural Born Thrillers, than Big Poppa Pump on the mic. I was semi excited to meet Scott (not as much Rick) at the event. $20 photo AND $20 auto ... not thrilled about that, but, it's Scotty Steiner, and nothing's finer. Told him how much I loved watching him (I even gave him symphy
and didn't mention the match vs. Test where he tried a double ax handle a missed by a country mile, because he slipped on the ring apron jumping off the side of the ring. Barely any reaction from him at all. As you can see from the pic, that was basically his demeanor the whole evening.
Demolition
Jake "The Snake" Roberts
Jake was another guy I really wanted to meet, due to never knowing if he'd wake up the next day, since his demon's are all well known. He got there late, but still was in good spirits and chatting up with everyone. He didn't seem thrilled to see me, not sure why, but, when he saw my daughter in tow, that Cheshire cat grin came over his face. An absolute pleasure to meet, as I thanked him and said I was very proud of how far he's come. He then seemed genuinely appreciative.
Rowdy Roddy Piper
This was a huge get for me. Piper's in-ring wrestling work, never got me to be a fan. His mic work was ****ing phenomenal. Absolute magic, especially in his absolutely loathed heel days of the mid 80's. So, for $50, it was 3 auto's + a photo with him. Too great of a value to pass up. We were the last to get up there. He was just getting served supper as we were waiting. He saw me, bleh. But then he saw my wife & daughter (one guy my wife actually liked). Piper got a smile on his face and signed the photo's (to my daughter, where he misspells 'beautiful'
). Took the pic and my wife kissed him on the cheek. Sadly, less than a year later, we'd lose Piper.I have some more pics to get on the computer (Flair, Angle, Jeff Hardy, Victoria) and my daughter's autographed 8x10 collection. Stories, like I said, will be added tomorrow. The pics together are just an appetizer !
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