A TALE OF TWO SHOWS
- 08/27/2007 (11:06:06 pm)
- NYC Mike
….
A Tale of 2 Shows
Warning, this is a long one.
Here are my thoughts regarding the two big shows this weekend in New York/ Jersey, Turnbuckle Promotions and LOTR.
I will start with LOTR, since that is an easier show to analyze. I have been a loyal LOTR fan since Terence Brennan's first show. As a result, I have a great VIP number. I always enjoy Terence's shows because you always get what you expect. He lines you up by your VIP #, he run a smooth line, the signings start on time, he offers for sale great quality 8x10s of all talent appearing. It is a worry free type of show for me.
No different this time. I arrived around 8:30 a.m. (my only complaint is that parking is a little tight in the Radisson parking lot so you have to get there early). By 9:00ish, they began selling great quality 8x10s of all wrestlers appearing for $ 3.00 each. Unlike some other shows that I have been to, you can count on being able to purchase an 8x10 by all wrestlers appearing. I walked in to the convention room, quickly purchased a photo opp and autograph (and received a free 8x10 to be signed) with Giant Silva. Definitely a sweet photo opp, how could it not be when you are under 6 feet tall and and you stand next to Giant Silva. Props to Ward for bringing him in.
At just about 9:15 am, they lined us up for the first block, which started just about 9:30. It was a long weekend so I may mix up who was in what block but I think the 1st block was Tatanka, Beverly Brothers, Nord, Luger, Bass, Heenan and Poffo. All the guys were very cool with me, I have no complaints about their attitudes or anything else. I was through with the block by 9:45 ish. I then got on Mombo's line for the Garea/ Martel signing. I am a big fan of Mombo's and had a great time at his show in June. I got numerous things signed by both Tony and Rick, as well as a photo opp with them. Mombo cut me a little bit of a break price wise which is always appreciated (Thanks Mombo). I then walked the floor, eventually getting a photo opp and 8x10 of Francine (courtesy of Bill Paley, another great guy to deal with). After grabbing a quick sandwich in the bar, I got ready for signing panel #2. First, I waited a while for Ivory, who's line was definitely on the slow side, since she was ultra friendly with everyone. After waiting for guys who presented her with flowers and other presents to finally move along, I got my photo opp and 8x10 with her.
Time to line up for panel #2, around 1:00 ish. The signing started promptly and consisted of Bret, Davis, Goldust, Brandi, Orton, Vader and Traci Brooks. Another great panel, all of who was very friendly and had great attitudes. Bret was not listening to an ipod when I went through the line.
I cannot compliment enough the way LOTR runs their shows. They show loyalty and awesome customer service to the VIPs. The GA's can moan and complain all they want (although I don't think there were any real complaints about this show, other than Anvil missing his flights) but we pay more as a VIP and we are taken care of because of that. I appreciate the loyalty that is shown to me by LOTR and in return, I am always very fast to buy my ticket for the next show.
Everything moved swiftly, the guests were really friendly, great vendor guests, 8x10s to purchase- just a really smooth show. I wholeheartedly recommend an LOTR show to anyone. Those that cannot put aside their petty gripes or grievances with the promotor wind up missing out on what might be the most enjoyable wrestling conventions in this area.
Which brings us to Turnbuckle. I have read some of the posts regarding this show and aside from a few issues I have with the show, I will not going to come down hard on Jason Blaustein. Keep reading the post and you will see why.
I attended Turnbuckle on Friday. Arrived early, at approximately 8:15 am, and there were already about 20 people there. At the registration desk, they began lining us up close to 9:00 by VIP number. I was a VIP Plus # in the top 20 so I had a decent spot on line. I had already received my pass in the mail, however, I needed to pick up all the 8x10s that were included.
Here is a major problem that I have and I had it with NWA Fanfest as well. Poor Jason Blaustein's father had to individually pick out every 8x10 for each person as they approached the registration desk. He had to pick out 30 8x10s for VIP Plus #1, then another 30 8x10s for VIP Plus #2, then so on and so on. What have we learned from these shows? The registration time can so easily be cut down if packages of the 8x10s were prepared ahead of time. When I show up, I should be able to say VIP #15 or whatever, and receive an envelope or packet filled with all of the 8x10s as well as additional autograph tickets or non VIP materials that I ordered. Placing the 8x10s in an envelope is mindless work that could have done far in advance. It would really make the registration process so much easier and quicker for everyone. No one learns from this though and I don't know why.
Rather than go step by step through my day at Turnbuckle, I will summarize the situation. Here are my problems with the show.
1) The lines moved extra slow, but I think that was because people were spending too much time talking with the wrestlers and getting extra items signed which they did not pay for. I pre-ordered numerous extra items however I did not really have to, since no one ever checked. I am sure that people took advantage of this.
2) The quality of the 8x10s included with the VIP pass were not the greatest of quality-definitely usable but some of the 8x10s seemed blurred a little- not the stellar quality I had hoped for.
3) I already discussed how they could have improved registration.
4) The venue was obviously a problem, with their limits on the # of people that could enter. That caused serious problems with lines to get into rooms, the fire inspectors, etc. At one point, after the first signing, I wanted to go to the car to get my stuff for the 2nd signing, only to be told I could not get back in. Instead, I would have to wait on a line of about 30 people and they would let in 1 person for every one person who left the building. I was also told no VIP preference, I had to get to the end of the line.
1) The lines moved extra slow, but I think that was because people were spending too much time talking with the wrestlers and getting extra items signed which they did not pay for. I pre-ordered numerous extra items however I did not really have to, since no one ever checked. I am sure that people took advantage of this.
2) The quality of the 8x10s included with the VIP pass were not the greatest of quality-definitely usable but some of the 8x10s seemed blurred a little- not the stellar quality I had hoped for.
3) I already discussed how they could have improved registration.
4) The venue was obviously a problem, with their limits on the # of people that could enter. That caused serious problems with lines to get into rooms, the fire inspectors, etc. At one point, after the first signing, I wanted to go to the car to get my stuff for the 2nd signing, only to be told I could not get back in. Instead, I would have to wait on a line of about 30 people and they would let in 1 person for every one person who left the building. I was also told no VIP preference, I had to get to the end of the line.
This caused great concern for me, since I had a lot of figs, books, magazines and posters for the 2nd and 3rd signing and needed to get to the car but if I did, I might never get back in. I took the chance though, went out to the car, got my stuff for both signings, since I was not going to leave the building again, and waited on line. At this point, I called Jason on his cell phone to explain the situation (I left a message). Whether it was ever received I don't know, however, they did start to move VIP's outside to the front of the line so my wait outside was minimal.
Of course, this meant that I now had to lug around 3 bags plus worth of stuff for the rest of the day, and it is not easy to go through these panels with so much stuff. This also clogs the line, no question. There was just nothing you could do about it.
I felt bad for some of the vendors, since the lines moved so slow and you only had 20 or so people in the room most of the times, they did not get the traffic I am sure they hoped for.
5) Security was horrible. They were not on the same page with Steve from K&S, who was trying to run this thing.
Those issues aside, I have no other problems with the show. I got every item that I wanted signed, and I got photos with every wrestler that I wanted. Was it a long day? Absolutely. I didn't finish the day until about 9:30 p.m. But can you really expect to meet 45- 50 wrestlers and think you are going to breeze your way through the lines. Did the GA's really think they could run in, meet Bruno, take a photo opp with Billy Graham and get right out? If you did, you are delusional. Even the shows with minimal talent appearaing move slowly. What would you expect from a show of this magnitude?
Let me describe some of the many positives of the day:
1) As far as I was concerned, Jason Blaustein was very accessible throughout the entire day. He absolutely did right by me throughout the day. Whether it was by phone (which he answered at least 2x) or in person, if I needed something, I tracked him down and he took care of it for me. He attended to everything I brought to his attention. For example, signing panel #2, I got my autographs and photo opps, and me and my 2 friends were hesitant to leave the room because Scott had repeatedly told me for the last hour that Dory Funk was due to arrive in the signing room in 5 minutes. We didn't want to miss Dory but felt bad that we were keeping other people from entering the room. We knew that once we left the room, we were not getting back in. So, of course, as soon as we left the room, within 5 minutes, Dory Funk entered the room for signing. Although Scott assured me that Dory would sign into the 2nd session, I believed that he would take off when his brother left. So I tracked down Jason, explained that that we really needed him to get us into that room, and he did. We got our autographs and photo opps with Dory, which we very well might have missed out on.
Here is an example to a lot of you. Rather than sit back and complain that you did not get your autos or photo opps after the fact, try to do something about it at the time. If you were a VIP, Jason would have done his best to take care of you if you had approached him. If you did not approach him, you very well would have missed out and that could have probably been avoided.
This brings me to another point. Jason for months said buy the VIP Plus, don't buy GA, he couldn't guarantee anything for GA's. He explained the numbering system, that VIP Plus would have better #s than VIPs. Listen, we have all been to these shows. We all know that you need to have a good VIP # for shows that consist of only 10- 20 wrestlers. With a show of 40+, or course there will be line issues. You should have spent the extra $$$ and bought the VIP Plus. If you did, and tracked Jason down throughout the day, he would have made sure you were taken care of. I know he did so with me, I am sure he would have done so with others too.
I also want to note that Jason's parents were extremely nice and helpful to me. His mom spent some time talking with me and Ray D. about ways to improve on the show and the lines. She was very interested in hearing our opinions.
2) Steve from K&S, who was hired to run the show was awesome. Big time props ands thanks to Steve, who made it his job to look out for the VIP's. He made sure to line us up by number and made sure to look out for us during the signings. He was the one most people complained to and he dealt with everyone with respect. He also had to deal with the event's pain in the neck security staff, who had bad attitudes. I personally thank Steve for looking out for me. K and S always seems to do a great job at these signings, as I can attest from Mombo's last show and Greg Price's last show. The K & S signing of Jeff Jarrett and the Killer Bee's went exceptionally smooth, from this fan's point of view. I can't praise enough the job that they do. Ken and the other guy who I didn't know ran a great signing, the line was quick and smooth and you got some great bang for your buck for some rare guests. Thanks again guys.
3) The talent was very fan friendly. It is hard to single out specific wrestlers, although to me, Mick Foley, Al Snow and Ivan Putski seemed the most gregarious. The other wrestlers were great though, I don't mean to imply otherwise. I bought Jimmy Valiant's book from him and it looks to be a great read. All wrestlers signed whatever you put in front of them (except Sid, although that was really my fault and not his). The WolfPack must have been tired when I got to them, as they weren't in the best of moods. I can't blame them because by that time of day, I think everyone was tired.
4) The food they brought in was great.
5) Great event poster which looks awesome with most wrestler's signature on it.
6) The vendors were great. I bought some hard to find figs, got the new Hall/Nash 2 pack from Ringside at a discounted price and it was amazing to have it signed at the show. It apparently won't be released for a few weeks yet. I also bought the Funk/Foley/Sabu 3 pack for $25 and was able to get it signed by the guys during the show. Props again also to TuCold Video, for their great selections.
I know Scott Epstein is being praised as a savior of the show. I can't agree or disagree, because I did not really come into contact with him, and on the occasions that I did, he did not do anything to help me out, only to tell me "Don't worry, this will be taken care of, etc." However, he did not really DO anything to help me out. Example being the Dory Funk signing I mentioned earlier. Scott told me he would extend the signing, but it was Jason who actually personally made sure I got to meet Dory.
In the final signing, when I finished in the Billy Graham room and went into the WolfPack room, security told me we had to get on a very long line. However, Jason made sure that we were brought to the front of the line. Once again, this is another example of Jason looking out for us.
I understand everyone's complaints about the lines moving slowly, not getting certain autographs or photo opportunities. You know what though, at these things, you have to be proactive and not reactive. If you are a GA holder, you had to have expected this. If you were a VIP, you should have made something happen for yourself. And I agree that in some instances, it was impossible to get a Polaroid of a certain wrestler or 2 taken by the staff. However, that is why you bring your own camera, just in case. Again, you have to make thing happen for yourself. Otherwise, you will miss out.
Where else, for any other signing I ever attend, will I be able to say that in 1 day I met, took photos with, and got many things signed by Superstar Graham, Bruno, Rocky Johnson, Atlas, Sid, Dillon, Christian, Al Snow, Mick Foley, Sabu, Dan Severn, Dawn Marie, Talia Madison, Hurricane, Lita, Nash, Hall, X-Pac, Dibiase, Virgil, Putski, Santana, Afa, Samu, Albano, Rikishi, Jimmy and Johnny Valiant, Rosie, Spike, Russo, Jannetty, Tanaka, Beefcake, the Funk Brothers, Hemme, Baby Doll, Luna, Goldilocks, Ariel, the Killer Bees and Jeff Jarrett?
That is a ridiculous number of people to meet in 1 day. Was it a very long day? Yes. Was there some stress involved? Of course. But in the end, I got everything I wanted out of the day. No Jesse? Okay, I didn't expect him to appear anyway. Missing out on Sika and Jasmine, when you look at what was advertised, was not the end of the world. In the end, I feel that Jason delivered what he advertised. I understand that other people feel they got screwed. From my point of view, in the end, I was satisfied with what I got out of the show and I am glad that I attended.
From NYC Mike
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