IF YOU’RE GOING TO SAN FRANCISCO

MAKE SURE TO WEAR FLOWERS IN YOUR HAIR……….

IF YOU’RE GOING TO SAN FRANCISCO,

COME TO THE COW PALACE IF YOU DARE……….

THE REAL DEAL AT WRESTLEFANFEST

I am going to make this as brief as possible from my insider’s viewpoint on what has happened to this mega convention of combo MMA and wrestling autograph signings and PPV’s and , and, and…………….first to squash the serious rumors… NO LEX did not have a stroke, no illegal substances or anything you smart marks all are reporting.  A simple infection which went unnoticed became a difficult mess between two vertebrae and caused a slight malfunction of the central nervous system.  Lex is tucked away getting antibiotic treatment and doing quite well.

No, there were not a zillion NO SHOWS…only a handful of sorts and some with reasons that may be worthy of forgiveness.  It is my personal opinion from my running shot gun for the promoter with talent that Nash and Hall were, in spite of any rep they may have, had concerns over not getting the required up front money.  Running my interference,  I actually was able to smooth things over and for the same deal as they had before, as long as the half of the money was overnighted or wired to them I am confident they would have appeared.  The promoter was informed and told me he was going to do that within the next two hours.  I spent hours of back and forth phone talk with Kev and Scott.  Out of nowhere the promoter, Chris Salisbury has a stooge phone Nash and tell him he’s a big, big, fan and would do anything to make it right to have them come and sign.  It seems the stooge wouldn’t have known either Scott or Kev, if he fell over them…nor would have the promoter………..is that a bad thing…..I didn’t know the MMA people that are incredibly infamous.. altho I learn kinda quick when looking upwards at a huge guy as big as Kev in a black cowboy hat and a 1970’s Superstar BG chest with a name of Imes.

I also squared away the deal with Sid who was very humble.  There apparently was a problem with his travel and they had him going all around the world to get there and back.  I acted upon instinct and walked the promoter thru changing the air, saved him money as Sid used his air miles to bump it up to the needed first class…then Voila… the promoter tells me quietly that night that Sid isn’t coming because he wanted other people flown in with him.  It turns out, although I did not speak to Sid again, I am not taking the word of the promoter as gospel , since Mike Lano, my west coast partner in “fixing” the “House that Cow Built” have found that Mr. Chris was so smooth he may have worked each and every talent there who usually gets there’s up front.  My only difference with the Turnbuckle event was that at Turnbuckle I was the booker for many of the talent and when it was apparent for whatever reasons the promoter there was saying he had no money it was my job to make sure all of the boys were taken care of,  including the printer to the tune of 10K..   BTW, speaking of air travel trouble…it seems I’m learning more and more that talent had problems with air due to travel to Oakland and Sacramento in lieu of SFO.  These airports are further away and cost minimally 100 bucks by cab.  There was not too many proper arrangements made for pick ups, except for those made by Nick, the energy drink sponsor who tried his best.

Yes, the all new trimmed down Bill Goldberg did show up to the Sheraton with his wife .  She is not only Drop Dead Gorgeous but equally lovely in personality.  Bill is fan friendly and certainly seemed to enjoy a reunion with the boys.  Upon his arrival at the Cow Palace, the rather sparse crowd for an event as big as this mostly lined up for him to sign, along with Hot Rod, both Steiners, Rikishi and other Samoans

Tonight there was a lot of drama.  The MMA commission came to inspect the ring and found it not acceptable thus closing down the fight.  The MMA boys who flew in from everywhere still wanted there payday.  They got that individual promoter, a man by the name of Phil Flatters in the small conference room where they waited patiently for their payoffs.  Apparently during an argument, Don Frye, a SF guy with a huge rep stood up and asked the guys to chill out.  A Hawaiian manager got in his face and before you know it they are brawling. and do I mean brawling.  If you’ve ever seen pro wrestlers fighting for real, and I have, it’s freaking scary, and needless to say I had to call 911.  Five police cars arrived sirens in tow…………….

Next rumor………..Chris the overall promoter skipped town.  We don’t know this to be true but we then find out the limo driver we’ve been utilizing is his Dad, so Lano and I question him.  He had spoken to his son who swears up and down the checks are good on Monday AM……..hence I meet an Austin assistant who is speaking to Stone Cold right then and find out he is paid in full and coming however if he feels threatened by fans will immediately leave.  I also know Vince Russo is coming in the morning along with Cryme Tyme and Animal.

Next drama…………….upon entering the Sheraton it seems that this Don Frye gets sucker punched by the bodyguard for Leland, the son of Dog the Bounty Hunter, then he just runs away with a very pissed off  Don Frye and 50 other MMA guys in tow…..911— one more time……………

To be continued

Special thanks to DDP, Brutus Beefcake, Greg Valentine, Scott Norton….too many to list for having mine and Lano’s back and for trusting in us in the first place to get them through this all.  I know I have left out a bunch of the boys but I am falling asleep and gotta be up early.  What an honor for Chavo Guerrero, Sr. to ask me to take a picture together with him for his website…………

From Scott Epstein

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I just want to add, that I told Scott before he left for S.F. to be careful, it sounds like this event will be as bad as Long Island and Indiana, if not worse, because there is even more talent.

Scott and Mike Lano didn't want to listen, just felt, them being there would help the boys.

It's getting to a point, that I won't want to list anymore Conventions with lots of talent, for fear this will only happen again, and again, and again.  As a matter of fact, as of now, I don't think I will.  If there are more than 20 wrestlers on any signing or Convention, I will not be listing it on my Wrestlers Autograph Session Pages. 

How can these promoters expect to make their money back, or even break even, when they don't even have enough staff to control the tables.  Fans who just paid general admission into the event were getting pictures with the wrestlers, autographs, etc, without purchasing special tickets for talent like Goldberg, Roddy, etc.

And I heard that 300 staff members were hired for this event, I would love to know where they were?  When the wrestlers arrived at the building, they basically set up their own stuff.  Nobody was there to help them or control a situation.

I also spoke to one of the ladies there and she told me she only made Lunch money which is sad.

I guess the fans stayed away, thinking it would be a clusterf**k.

Hopefully today will be better with Stone Cold Steve Austin and Ring Of Honor show.  We will be back later with more reports.

BTW:  I am also told that there was NO LOCAL advertising at all, so how the hell can you have fans come to an event, if you don't advertise locally.  And I am told that Chris's uncle runs Milo's Collectibles.

Georgie  [email protected]

PS   I've already heard from Todd, who sent figures for Hall and Nash to sign, and is just praying he gets his money and figures back, since Hall and Nash weren't there.  I will keep you updated on that news as it happens.  This is an abortion, an Earthquake.....