LOCKDOWN WEEKEND IN ST. LOUIS
- 04/18/2007 (11:17:32 pm)
- Georgiann Makropoulos
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Hi Georgie
I attended the TNA Lockdown Fan Fest and Pay Per view last weekend in St Louis, and had a great time. Definitely worth the flight from NY. Lots and lots of people at the fest but the autograph lines were pretty manageable. There were two auto blocks which was great so that help manage what you got signed and in which block. At the first block we got on Stings line first and waited for an hour and a half. The Fest opened at 11 am for ticket pickup and the first block started at one. With your ticket you were given a map of were everyone was sitting which was very helpful. Longest wait for us after the fest opened was Team 3D probably an 45 minute wait. All the wrestlers were very cool and signed tons of stuff for all in attendance. The TNA staff was pretty cordial in getting everyone through the lines. My personal three favorites were Sting, Kevin Nash, and Jim Coronet. These three of the fifty stars at the fest made the biggest impressions on me. When we went to take a Polaroid with Nash he got up and got a chair for my daughter to sit in next to him so the photo would come out good which was a very nice thing to do. He spent a while chatting with us too as he signed my items talking about the WWE, WCW, and TNA.. Nash is tops in my book. I couldn't believe how tall he is. I was looking for Bob Backlund but didn't spot him at the Fest but did see him on Sunday in the hotel lobby as the wrestlers were heading over to the arena. Kinda wished I missed him. I had my red book in hand as always and sat down in a chair in the lobby. My daughter who is ten went over to Backlund with the red book as she wanted to meet him and asked him for an autograph. From a distance I could see Backlund on one knee kneeling down with one arm around my daughter talking to her and my daughters face turning red. I quickly got up and headed over to see what was going on and asked Backlund what the problem was. Backlund asked me if I was Taylor's father and I responded yes. He began to explain to me that he has a new autograph policy in effect and that in order for Taylor to receive and autograph from him she would have to recite all the Presidents of the USA. I laughed and said your joking right??? He said no he was not. I explained to him that Taylor was only ten and didn't learn about them all yet. He said we could get a computer print out off the INTERNET at the hotel and that way she could learn them and Sunday night after Lockdown we could meet him in the lobby and she could recite them. I told Backlund thanks but no thanks and that we would pass and we walked away. Backlund was insulting to fans all weekend long and wouldn't give anyone the time of day. No photos, autographs nadda which is his priority. However, when you are paid by TNA ( Dixie Carter a very nice lady btw met her at Fan Fest) for a fan interaction weekend I think you should be nice to the fans. At least the kids if anyone. Why attend if you dislike the fans??? Amazing how a guy like Konan who has been sick lately went out of his way to sign in the hotel lobby and during the auto session for everyone. Not only that but he stood up the whole time during his auto block with LBill Eadiefor Polaroids and Backlund who is very healthy doesn't want to sign autos. I have met Backlund many times in the 70's and 80's and I never saw him refuse an autograph. I guess things change. IMHO, I think that Backlund is pretty bitter at us the fans. I don't know why as many of us have supported him through the years. Getting back to Lockdown we had a great time in St Louis last weekend. TNA is definitely gathering steam now and will be a force to reckon with in the near future. It was a fun event and I hope to attend Slammiversary this June in Nashville. Many thanks to Dixie Carter and all the TNA stars as they made last weekend something this fan will remember for a long time to come.
Ray Dutczak
Ray Dutczak
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