Last Saturday (May 19^th) I took the drive up to Amsterdam, New York to visit the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum for its yearly Fan Fest. I arrived just after 9am to the hotel where the convention was being held. As I walked into the hotel lobby the first people I saw was the real living legend Bruno Sammartino and Domenic Denucci. They were sitting and talking with different fans. Both were more than happy to sign autographs with the fans. I then took a look at the vendors, but most were just setting up so I took a walk over to the Museum which is just a short walk around the corner.

The Museum is great full of photos, ring worn gear, displays and almost anything a true wrestling fan would want to look at. It has been a few years since I had been there and the only change I did not like was on the second floor there was at one time a “library” full of books, magazines and wrestling video /DVDs that fans could look through or put on a wrestling video on their television, now it is more displays. But the Museum is great and everyone should stop by there just to check out. I will say that Amsterdam, NY does have a true “small town America” feel (some may say boring). There is not much around the Pro Wrestling Museum.

I stayed at the Museum for awhile before heading back to the convention. Amsterdam had a street fair going on with a motorcycle and classic car show going on the same day so there was stuff going on to check out.

The convention was in full swing when I returned. It was in a small room with vendors selling old action figures, t-shirts, magazines, and other related stuff. With conventions like Legends of the Ring and K&S Wrestlefest this had a more tight feel and less “mainstream” vendors but they had great things for sale at good prices.

Many of the wrestlers also set up shop. Jimmy Snuka, Bruno Sammartino, Tony Atlas, Nikolai Volkoff, Paul Vachon, and indy wrestlers from the movie “The Wrestler” Andrew Anderson and Judas Young. 3B Wrestling (http://3bwrestling.weebly.com) had former WWE Divas Champion Jillian Hall. Jillian looks like she did when she was in the WWE and is a wonderful person. Wandering around the hotel talking with fans was Johnny Rodz and JJ Dillion. The Destroyer had his book, photos, shirts and statue for sale.

After a while I went back over to the Museum and saw Mae Young, Larry Sharpe and Wendi Richter checking out the displays.

The line started to form around 12noon for the main Hall of Fame meet and greet. Most of the wrestlers that were in the convention took part in the meet and greet. Also many other wrestlers that were not seen most of the day took part. The meet and greet ticket was $30 and you got either a photo with or an autograph with each of the wrestlers. I had a Raw is War display that I wanted Doink the Clown to sign. He said that fans have stuff he has never seen before. It was a speedy meet and greet that went smooth. As we were leaving Frenchie Martin was in the hotel lobby talking with the fans. He said that he came down late and did not make it to the line but he was glad to sign whatever fans had. A friend of mine makes custom Jakks Classic figures and made one of Frenchie Martin. He loved the figure and took photos with it and of it.

The Hall of Fame was a great time and I look forward to seeing what plans they have coming up.

Check out there site at: http://www.pwhf.org/ for more information on the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum.

Thank you

Chris Sullivan

Boston, MA