FAN REPORT FROM LOTR 10
- 05/17/2010 (11:33:09 am)
- Bob Mulrenin
with photos….
Let me first start by clearing up the wheel chair. Short story, about 12 years ago I had a horrible accident where I injured my back. Over time the several discs in my back began to deteriorate and punched a nerve. L4, L5, L6 and S1....S1 being the nerve, I guess. The pain is tremendous, worse than any bone I have ever had broken. Usually after a few weeks of pain killers, rest, massage and heat therapy, the pain will subside a bit and there are no issues. Unfortunately, it is reoccurring and comes about around twice a year....spring and fall. Not sure why those times, but it is what it is. Less than a week ago, it came. I would have skipped out on LOTR this year, even though I am glad I did not, but since I had preordered several things, I did not want to bail. One of the reasons, I am not a big preordering kind of guy, but certainly loved the presale deals, vendors and LOTR offered, so again...it is what it is. So, the wheel chair was MORE than essential for me to be at LOTR. I cant thank my good friend and marking out partner DJKnightRida enough for taking care of me and rolling me around all day long. Dont know too many people who would put up with that BS.
Now that my short story has gone long, onto the report. Got to LOTR a little later than I wanted too b/c my back was troubling me in the morning. But got there and was able to secure a ga ticket asap without issue. Once inside, we went into the main room and scoped it out. Most of the guests we were in need of were not going to be there till later. So we figured we would get the few that were there. Hit Bobby The Brain up first. Bobby has been one of my all time top wants. Growing up as a kid, I loved and hated Bobby. He helped make superstars superstars and continued to do so for many years. His witty banter is untouched and his ability to manipulate words still marvel me to this day. We got into the line for Heenan and had a very small wait. Once it was my turn, I thanked him for coming out and making many dreams come true today. Bobby was in great spirits. Talk about the power of being positive. Bobby epitomizes it and his wife too. She thanked me for coming out and said Bobby was really looking forward to meeting everyone. I had explained how I had tried to meet him at several shows of recent times and unfortunately he was unable to make it and that this is such a gift for his fans. I was pleasantly surprised that Bobby spoke so well with his reconstruction to his jaw and I had no issues hearing nor understanding what he said. I got just an autograph, as I did not want to try and get a photo with my injury, the tight quarters and a small fear of falling over and into Bobby. I'll probably come to miss this photo later on, but I think it was the right decision.
Once done with Bobby, my layover began. DJKnightRida was nice enough to get the ST guests I needed in Ivory from the first block and iwantthatsig got me Kurrgan in my WWE E. Around 11:30 the waiting was over, as more and more guests arrived. Saw several come into the front door, like Jeff Hardy. In typical Jeff fashion, always trying to make his fans happy, he signed and took photos on the way in. But next up for me turned out to be my longest wait of the day, Paul London and Brian Kendrick. I have never had the pleasure to meet these two guys, but have admired their work for SO MANY years. London and Kendrick were so friendly with their fans, that the line was taking even longer. So I hopped out of the chair for a quick second and headed over to Tommy Dreamer, who had no line at all. A big thank you to Brian Keenan, who did such a fantastic job with all his guests. Nice guy to speak with. Tommy signed 2 programs for me and I told him I was glad to see him working Chikara. Tommy seemed disinterested and didnt say much. I have been told that that is just how Tommy is. Oh well. Got back in the chair just in time for London and Kendrick. London, dressed in full Intreprid Traveler gear, minus the ray gun, was awesome an did not dissappoint. I noticed he had tshirts for sale, but sadly no Hybrid Dolphins shirts. He laughed. I told him how I wanted his new shoot interview from Highspots, but HS would not have them for sale till next week. Paul reached into his bag and whipped out a copy for me. He and Brian signed it for me. Very cool. I watched the first disc so far and laughed my ass off. Fan [img]https://wrestlingfigs.com/images/wfcensored.gif[/img]ing tastic! Must watch. I got my picture with both London and Kendrick, but it turned out a tad blurry. Oh well. Thats what I get for not inspecting it before I leave.
I moved down to Jimmy Wang Yang, who I also needed a few autos in my programs. But as soon as I got there, Jimmy went to the other side of the table and started signing. Wrestlingmarx was very cool to help out and went and had Jimmy sign my programs, without requiring me to turn around or get back into line. Wrestling marx did a fine job and helped me out.
Moved onto one of the heavier TNA sections with Angelina Love, Alissa Flash, So Cal Val, Sonjay, Chris Harris and The Beautiful People. First and foremost......Velvet was WOW! I mean wow! Isnt she always? But wow! So Cal was dressed to impress and was looking amazing as well. And one of my personal favorites, Alissa Flash was looking gorgeous as well. My back was acting up at the moment, so I kind of kept everything short here....regrettably. Chris Harris was hardly recognizable. Alissa was quiet. Angelina was ok. Stopped at the IVP booth, before I went to try and relax in the lobby for a bit and got Ken Doane. Kenny was damn cool. He signed my WWE E and we chatted about Seducing Cindy. He said he had NO interest in winning it. He was 4th to last to be eliminated. He did say he was starting to think he might have a chance to be in the finals and was plotting out this heel turn he was going to make, if he did. He was gonna cut a heel promo on the show and turn Cindy Margolis down, saying this and that and getting some major pub. Sucks for Cindy, but was still a cool story.
Around this time, I was informed that Chris Hero was coming to LOTR as a surprise guest. Oh wow! I was psyched. All kinds of awesome here. Me love Chris Hero. Some of you may have no idea who he is, but for me personally he was a highlight for me and one of the guests I spent the most on. I got a Hero autograph, bummed he had no 8X10s, Hero tshirt and a photo op that he gave me for free. Actually, Chris was doing photos for free for anyone who wanted one. I have met Chris several times before, but was unable to get a photo with him due to him being a heel. The closest I got was taking promo shots of him backstage for Chikara once. It was cool. But I wanted a shot with him. Someone please sign Chris Hero!
As I was in the lobby trying to rest a bit, DJKnightRida and my other buddy with me, JF was able to get my WCW US Title signed by Tajiri. I heard his line was a bit long and was glad I didnt have to sit through that. The second Superticket block of guests started and DJKnightRida and iwantthatsig helped me out with Jarrett, Monte, Rhyno and The Hebners. After they were done with that, I was rolled over to Jeff Hardy's room. Every guest was crammed into the main room, with Jeff having his own space. I heard there was an issue with Jeff b/c TNA wanted everyone to buy this $50 combo which got you a 16X20 photo of Jeff that was photoshopped and not high quality, a Shannon Moore signed 8X10 and Jeff's signature on the poster. No photo, no other items. They were $20 extra. People were unhappy and just wanted a photo or their own item signed. Luckily, a good friend of mine who works for LOTR was there and helped me out and I was able to pay just the $20 to get my WWE autographed magazine, the WM cover where Jeff is smashing a car. There was only 1 person ahead of me and no one behind me. Not sure if whatever line he had had died out or whether it was people just not paying the $50. I got a chance to talk to Shannon and he said the book of DILLIGAF is real and its notes, drawings and ideas from his mind. He is going to have it printed and it will be for sale soon. At least I know what it is now. Jeff said he thought that was cool and wanted to do the same. When I got up to Jeff, he asked me why I was in the chair. I was surprised and told him a shorter version than what you have read and he seemed genuinely concerned. I asked him how did he know I wasnt usually in a chair and he told me he remembered me from the NJ signing a few months ago and that I was the guy that made that kick ass poster for him. I was a bit stunned that he remembered. He said he hung and framed the poster in his living room and is amazed by it, thanking me again. Very cool!
After Jeff, I found out that Maria was running big time late and might not be coming at all. Oh no! Found out later she would not arrive till 4pm, an hour and a half later, some flight problems. So the waiting game began. My friend McBoober helped me out and got my a new photo with London, cuz my last one was blurry. No Intrepid Traveler but oh well. Unfortunately, I did not see Kendrick to get a makeup one with him. No biggie.
Finally, Maria arrived and began to sign. The line was LONG. It went out the door and around the side of building. Not sure on the total number, but there were a good number of people there. But being so organized, Brian was able to move everyone through. The end of line was finished in 45 minutes and never did I feel rushed with Maria. She was very nice, signed all my stuff, asked about the chair and my pain, took the photo and off we went. I was lucky to have so many friends with me to help me get my stuff signed and get me out of line, so I didnt cause a major hold up. Keenan sure knows how to run a signing. One of my best experiences by a promoter.
All in all, it was a long day, but worth it. This LOTR was loaded in amazing vendor guests! Here is my list of pros and cons and then my photos.
Pros:
1. DJKnightRida----thanks for taking care of me......Gaylord. LOL! (inside joke)
2. Brian Kennan---A+ promoter, knows how to be organized and professional.
3. Paul London and Brian Kendrick----being so much damn awesome!
4. Jeff Hardy----always looking out for his fans and just being such a cool down to earth guy, when he happens to be such a big superstar.
5. Velvet Sky---one word... cleavage
6. Bobby Heenan making it to LOTR
Cons:
Cons:
1. Cramming everyone into the main room for LOTR. I know its expensive to get more rooms, but even if they had just one more, it would have helped with the lines. The way it was setup, it was tough to know who's line was what and blocked many vendors who didnt attract many guests. I know poor Ivan Koloff got blocked so bad that a guy who had many photos for Ivan couldnt find him.
2. Wished guests like Hero, Jerry Lynn and Kevin Sullivan were announced. Not sure what happened, but it would have been nice. I could have brought a Hero promo to get signed.
3. Forcing people to buy the $50 Jeff Hardy poster to be signed in order to get your own stuff signed for $20 more.
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