REPORT & PHOTOS FROM RODDY PIPER AT STEEL CITY CON
- 07/30/2013 (2:18:29 am)
- Bob Mulrenin
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Just thought I'd give a quick report on my meeting with the legend, Rowdy Roddy Piper, at this year's Steel City Convention in Monroe, Pennsylvania.We arrived to the show later than we wanted, but were there around 12 p.m. on Saturday, July 27. When we walked in the line for Piper was stretched to the back of the building almost, but we assumed this was only because he was not currently there.
We decided to browse the vendor tables while the line went down. Before long, we heard everyone erupt in applause so we assumed Piper had arrived. As we looked around, we noticed that Virgil had a vendor table, though he wasn't currently there. We never did see him, but we heard from a few others that he was doing his usual hustle.
When we finally got in line for Piper probably a few hours later, his line had not gone down at all. In fact, it stayed the same length pretty much the entire time we were there, which ended up being an hour wait for us from start to finish. A lot of people were lamenting waiting that long, but I waited 4 1/2 hours to meet Norman Reedus in Detroit in May, so this was NOTHING, but I was still happy for Piper having so many people. This is definitely the longest line I've seen in my 4 or 5 times at this smaller convention.
Piper was AMAZING. I wasn't able to talk to him at length as I was with Honky Tonk Man at the April convention due to the crowd, but I did come up with a corny line: "I have come here to chew bubblegum...and get your autograph. And I'm all about of bubblegum." Piper said, "Oh thank goodness!" and smiled. My wife actually snapped a quick freebie of Piper at this moment. I had him sign my WWE Encyclopedia as well as a "They Live" poster I bought at the show. He personalized the "They Live" poster "To Gary: No bubble gum! - Rowdy Roddy Piper". He asked how my family was and I replied great and introduced him to my wife who was taking the picture. He said, "Oh, you're the one who gets drug along!" He was a very classy dude and seemed very genuinely touched by the admiration he was receiving. I saw a few people getting sleeper holds for their pics, but I didn't want to steal anyone's idea so we just did the standard pose. All in all a great day with a great legend!
P.S. There were flyers at the event for the next show December 6-8, 2013, advertising Kelly Kelly and Maryse (who I met in Detroit). Pics are attached!
Gary
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