I Just want to share with you the events of a very cool week-end I spent at one of the greatest places in the world, the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame in Amsterdam, NY.

The trip started on a rainy note, as it literally rained BUCKETS when we got to the Horace J Inman Center for the 2CW official PWHF live card. Unfortunately, we got there 30 mins late, which is not my style, but the Montréal traffic was crazy on that holiday weed-end. (Patriots day in Québec monday)

So I missed the opening match, who saw 2cW title holder Captain Nick Ando defeat Kevin Steen by pinfall, following a low blow. I was told it was mainly comedy, but I didn't see it myself, so I won't go into any details here. I was just disappointed to have missed my fellow Quebecer's performance. Lots of Steen shirts and signs  in the crowd, by the way.

Speaking of the crowd, I would estimate it at as a full house of 200. Fortunately, we had bought our tickets (my son & I) a few weeks in advance. With no empty seat in the house, we were lucky that our friends Pat Laprade & Bertrand Hébert were there to sell their book ''Mad Dogs, Midgets & Screw jobs'' and let us sit at their merchandise table. It also gave of a great spot in line to meet Chris Hero, and one of my son's ''all time'' favourite, Chris Sabin. Both were very cordial and willing to chat with fans.

The second match was already underway when we got there, so I can only report that Jay Freddie won it, but I couldn't get the name of his opponent, a big and tall fellow. According the the line-up sheet, it must have been Punisher Van Slyke. Very good match, and Freddie was one of the most over local wrestler on the card.

3rd match was for the 2CW tag-tea championship, and saw the champions, Cook & Cage, retain the belts by beating the team of Electric Dream Machine. Lots of miscues in this one. After it was over, the champions were challenged to an impromptu match by Jason Axe. His partner was revealed to be Kevin Steen, and they won the title in a few seconds when Steen pinned Cook with his patented package piledriver.

Other matches involved local talent like ''Party Peacock'' Dalton Castle, who pinned Hybrid Sean Carr, Cheech (who looks like a cross between Sonjay Dutt & Low Ki) who won his match, and Supercop Dick Justice, who beat Bin Hamin, in a total comedy match. The line-up changed, and unfortunately I couldn't get all the names.

The last 2 matches were very good too, as Chris Sabin pinned Jason Axe with the craddle shock, in a fast-paced match with lost of near falls toward the end. But the main event really stole the show here, as Colin Delaney, who impressed me a lot, went at it with Chris Hero (the former NXT's Kassius Ohno). The worked a ling match, with fascinating scientific wrestling, hard-hitting blows, and some high-flying action as well. Hero finally got the 3 count at the end. He put over the promotion and his opponent before calling it a night.

The building was okay, but sure looked low rent. The beams and lights on the ceiling made it hard for the wrestlers to fly, even tough Delaney used it to his advantage during his match to dive on Hero from an actual beam. He didn't quite connect, but the crowd went nuts for his efforts. For the most part, the fans were into most of the characters and reacted well throughout the evening. They also announced some of the PWHF legends that were in attendance, notably Johnny Mantell, Brian Blair, Ross Hart, Bugsy McGraw, Davey O'Hannon and Don Fargo. I also had the chance of meeting Bob Johnson from Calgary, who has a wrestling radio show in Calgary. He liked my ''Dungeon'' T-Shirt a lot!

The show concluded around the 11 PM mark, and we left for the hotel as the rain poured like crazy.  Indeed, for the second year in a row, the convention aspect of the PWHF week-end is held in Johnstown, while the Amsterdam hotel is being renovated. That is a 25 minute ride, that takes a lot out of the whole PWHF experience. I hope the hotel is fixed in time for next year's event, as it was so easy having everything in the same area.

The following morning it was convention time. A few vendors had set-up tables, along with a few wrestlers, like Mr.Wrestling 2, Masked Superstar, JJ Dillon, The Destroyer, Smith Hart & Paul Vachon. If I compare with the first time I attended back in 2011,  convention attendance is going downhill since the relocation. It is sad because I really want this event to succeed. I hope it will get back to past years level in 2015. I had a great time with JJ Dillon, as we struck a 4 Horsemen pose with my friend and son. We also had the privilege of holding BOTH his WWE & PWHF rings in our hand. Now how cool is that ? His name in engraved inside, and the PWHF ring is a lot heavier then the other.

That being said, all the people involved had a great time, there were still many treasures to be found, and all the wrestlers were gracious with their time. I found some old 8x10s,the Roddy Piper DVD, trading cards and magazines. That relax, take all the time you need atmosphere is what I like the most about the PWHF events. But what really made my day this year is that I got to spend time with my very first wrestling Idol, the Masked Superstar Bill Eadie. His mysterious aura, intense interviews, violent attacks and incredible bump taking (for a man his size)  is the reason I got hooked 31 years ago. I had met him 3 time before, but in the usual ''hurry-up'' set up. This time I was alone with him for a good 5 minutes, so I could explain to him what his antics meant to me when I was a teenager discovering professional wrestling. We spoke among other things about the Montréal territory and all the talented guys who were on the roster. He also told me that scary story about what happened when he got ill at the end of his career with Demolition.

I didn't come empty handed, as I hade a special 20'' x 30 ''inches giant photo framed on wood, especially made for the occasion for him to sign. He seemed moved by the sight of it, and so was I. After he autographed it, we took a picture, and I gave him some money as he collected for the make-a-wish foundation. I also had the pleasure of meeting his daughter, who was very nice to us.

Needless to say, as you can tell, I had a magic and unforgettable moment last Saturday morning. This is for these little, but intense moments, that I am still a fan after all these years, and this is why I still go through all the meaningless quibbles, the bad matches, the never ending TV shows and the headaches that this business brings to all of us.

After the convention, it was time for the meet and greet, held in the same venue. Thanks to John (hope he's reading this)  I was third in line. It started 15 mins late, since they were waiting for mr. Fargo. I sure can live with that. What bothered me however, is that no less than 5 announced names no-showed: Valentine, Wendi Richter, Orndorff, Finkel and Ron Simmons, whom I wanted to see the most. Since the ticket is only 50$, and that PWHF is a non-profit organisation, it's hard to make a big fuss about it, but it is still disappointing. Muraco was not there either, but he was not announced as he had hip surgery and couldn't fly. Then again, it is a sad situation, since it is possible that fans who made a long trip to meet those people will think twice before they come in the future. But no-shows happen all the time in wrestling, and sadly, us fans are used to it. But then again this year, all tickets were sold days before the event.

But let's focus on the guys who were there if you don't mind. First was B.Brian Blair, he was nice and chatted a bit. Paul Vachon, JJ Dillon, Dom DeNucci, Davey O'Hannon, Doink and The Destroyer, all regulars, were real nice and funny. Destroyer is not getting any younger, but still has a hell of a sense of humour. One funny story is I showed Joyce Grable an old B&W picture for her to sign, but it wasn't her on it! It was Penny Banner instead, and I was embarrassed, but Miss Grable was a good sport about it. I was misled by a friend who said it was her on the photo, but I won't name him here...

One person that was very interesting to meet was Barbara Goodish, Brody's widow. What other chance will I ever get of meeting her ?  She was super nice, and signed all my Bruiser Brody memorabilia, noting it was a nice touch that my name was also Frank. She was touched to see all these people remembering her husband after all these years. Cowboy Johnny Mantell gave away picture for free, and recognized me from 2 years ago, which was so nice.

3 gentlemen, old-timers we can say, real characters, were really interesting to meet. There was Don Fargo, who still sports long, bleached hair, and is covered with tatoos, Bugzy McGraw, who has now a completely white head and beard (and made fun of my receding hairline!)  and Mr.Wrestling 2, who's now 79 and still going strong.

It ended with Bil Eadie, who said his family spent the morning talking about me and my giant framed photo, which made me feel so proud. And he gave me a scoop: Superstar fans, make sure to look for his upcoming biography !  He said it will be out there when he retires from teaching and gets more free time.

Then, before the banquet, we made the drive back from Johnstown to Amsterdam, for what is to me one a the few places in the world that really ''Smells wrestling'' : the PWHF museum. Since I hadn't come last year, I really missed the place. Some new items were added, and I was so proud to show this wonderful place to my son Mathieu, and to introduce him to the founder Tony Vellano, as well as museum handler John Soto, who once again went out of his was to made us feel right at home. Thanks to you both, and to all the volunteers over there. Let me tell you that if you never been there, make sure to go soon. With 2 floors of memorabilia, you can spend hours without seeing it all.

After the drive back to Johnstown, the day concluded with the actual induction ceremonies. The banquet was, once again, sold out weeks in advance. As much as I know everybody involve do so much hard work, I was a bit saddened on how some of the inductions went in the first half of the evening. For some of the deceased inductees, like Alfred Hayes and Gary Hart, nobody from their families or close friends came to get their plaques or give an acceptance speech. The MC Brian Blair was pleasant and has a good delivery, but seemed really unprepared, and unfamiliar with the procedures. However, author Greg Oliver had a nice bio on Leroy McGuirk, and Sherri Martel's induction was made by fellow woman wrestler Joyce Grable. Stu Hart sons, Smith and Ross, talked about their famous father Stu, who was inducted as part of the ''pioneers'' era. Then again, Don Muraco wasn't made too look like that big of a deal, and nobody from his family was there. Not a word on his intercontinental reign, or his famous feuds with Steamboat and Snuka.

The best induction of the first half was for Brody, who came in as part of the ''TV Era'' . He was inducted by Stan Hensen, his former tag-team partner, and his award was given to his wife Barbara. It was a beautiful moment, and as much as I hate to criticize, as the PWHF organization want to move forward, I say all inductions should be done like this one.

The second part of the banquet was for the 3 inductees still alive and present at the event. Greg Valentine inducted Don Fargo, and gave the funniest speech of the night, telling road stories. Valentine also said he has a book in the works. Fargo was genuinely touched by the honour, and said he thought it was a rib when he was first contacted. He mentioned that his childhood hero Buddy Rogers once told him that wrestling is like building a house, you can't get to the roof without using a ladder, meaning you need help from people who pout you over. He thanked his opponents, partners, promoters, referees, and all the people needed to make a wrestling event successful. The bad side is that brother Jackie Fargo, who was a bigger star and also inducted, was barely mentioned.

Blair put over Wrestling II's deceased wife Olivia, who was renowned in the wrestling community for designing robes for wrestlers. Then Dick Beyer, the Destroyer, inducted Johnny Walker, Mr. Wrestling II. Beyer speaks slowly, but his delivery and punch lines are still real funny. Downside is, if I'm a young fan and don't know who Mr. Wrestling II is, I don't know much more when it's all said and done. Walker's son Robert also spoke about what it was like to grow up in wrestling, and having no choice in sharing his father with the other wrestlers because ''they all had the same day off''. He was very emotional, and came across very well. Walker then thanked everyone, and clearly was grateful to still be alive today. (He had serious health problems in recent years) JJ Dillon also came on stage, recounting a funny story where Wrestling II lost the Florida title to him because he had to wrestle with a hand tie behind his back. Then, after avoiding the rematch as long as he could, he lost it to II after ''he caved my chest in with that knee lift''. Dillon, who is a memorabilia collector, said he had a replica made of the belt, and had it signed by Walker over the week end.

The last inductee was Bill Eadie, inducted by Doink ''Ray Appolo'' the Clown. Doink said anyone who ever worked with Superstar remembered it, because he was quite rough in the ring. Eadie also mentioned all the people who helped him along the way, as much in the ring than backstage. He mentioned it was a bitter-sweet evening for him, because his grand-son graduated from college that same week-end, so he and his wife couldn't attend. He put over his wife for doing a great job raising his family while he was on the road. He came off really classy and professional, and said when you get into wrestling, your goal is to climb the ladder and get to the main event, and the Hall of Fame is the main event. He concluded quoting Forest Gump: ''I like it, I like it a lot''

After the inductions it was time to reunite all the hall of famers of this year as well as from previous years for some pictures. Valentine had left before the end, so I was once again unable to have him sign anything. However, I was fortunate enough that Bill Eadie's daughter showed me his plaque after the ceremony at his table. They also held the usual draw of a PWHF plaque signed by all the legends, and this year they also had a special picture, drawn by George Gordienko's son for people who bought a special edition T-Shirt of the week-end. I bought the t-shirt, but didn't win the draw...

That concludes my coverage of the 13th edition of the PWHF induction week-end. For those of you who had the courage of staying with me until the end, thank you, and thanks to Bob and Wrestling figs for letting me write those reports. Thanks in closing to Tony Vellano, John Soto and all the good folks in Amsterdam. Long live the PWHF !