TWO REPORTS FROM PWHF
- 05/20/2007 (12:41:17 pm)
- Georgiann Makropoulos
……
The PWHF induction was absolutely incredible and so well orchestrated even I was surprised; not to mention the Hall itself is as impressive as Cooperstown !!
In attendance were host JJ DIllon, Moolah, Mae Young, Billy Caputo, Scott Epstein, Evan Ginzburg, Ted DiBiase, Cousin Luke, George Steele, Doink, Spike Dudley, Nick Bockwinkle, Red Bastein, Pat Patterson, Roddy Piper, Davie O'Hannon, Destroyer, Danny Hodge, Ida Mae, Missing Link, Kalua, Butcher Vachon ..........Patterson stole the show by implementing his creative genius and belting out 2 Sinatra hits including an incredible version of "My Way". Viva WWE Idol !!
I may have left out one or 2 of the boys am not sure here.
From Scott Epstein of Long Island....
Hi Georgie,
A little report on yesterday's PWHOF festivities in Amsterdam NY. As we do annually we made our trek up to Amsterdam NY for the PWHOF which is held the weekend of May 18-19. We left Friday morning and made our three hour drive north which was an easy drive. No traffic at all and clear sailing all the way through. We stayed at the Johnstown Holiday Inn where the induction ceremony was to be held. The collectors convention and Meet and Greet was at a different hotel the Best Western which was about twenty minutes away from the Holliday Inn. The Best Western is located about a block away from the PWHOF which is great so you don't have to drive over you can just walk. Friday night featured a wrestling card which was put on by NCW at a local high school. We attended the matches and saw a few legends there. Cousin Luke( sitting with Bud Carson), The Missing Link who was with Smith Hart ( oldest Hart brother of the famed Hart Family), The Patriot, Lord Zoltan, and a few other indy wrestlers were part of a autograph session that was held before the matches. I purchased an autograph from Link and also Smith Hart along with a polaroid opt with Smith. The matches themselves were ok and we left after the fourth match as we wanted to grab a quick bite to eat and to prepare for the big day which would be Saturday. From what I heard after we left Roddy Piper and Pat Patterson showed up and signed autographs for everyone in the crowd. Usually at the matches on induction weekend legends do show up and sign for the fans which is a very nice gesture. On Saturday we woke up and got ready for the big day. Met up with Scott Epstein and Even Ginzburg for some breakfast. We had a great breakfast and chatted about the days of old and how wrestling has changed over the years. After breakfast we went to check out of the hotel because we wouldn't be able to stay for the Induction ceremony. We had to dry back home for a birthday dinner with my wife Silvia. Rule one to staying married for twenty three years and being able to have my wrestling fix is, always compromise and never forget your wife's birthday! When we arrived to the Best Western we were kinda early and met up with a few wrestling buddies and chatted in the lobby for a while. The wrestlers began to arrive and the festivities began. At the convention itself some of the wrestlers sat at tables and others walked around. There was no charge for items you brought to them but charged for items they sold the only exception was Dibiase who did charge for your item. Danny Hodge, Penny Banner, Doink, The Destroyer, Missing Link ( Selling his book Bang Your Head) Butcher Vachon, Spike Dudley, Ted Dibiase ( also selling his book) all sat at tables. JJ Dillion, Nick Bockwinkle, Pat Patterson, Red Bastein, and others walked around signing. George Steele was walking around too but didn't really want to sign things and refused autograph requests. Roddy Piper was not at the convention but everyone was promised he would be at the meet and greet at three. My first visit was with Ted Dibiase as this would be the first time I met him and had a bunch of stuff to get autographed. Ted had a pretty good line and was charging ten bucks a pop which to me was very fair. As we waited in line our turn came and we were greeted by Ted and his manager Bobby Rydell. Bobby is always a gentleman and it was nice seeing him again. Ted began to autograph our items and we conversed a bit about the various areas he worked in especially about his 1979 run in the WWF. After getting our items autographed and spending some time with the Million Dollar Man we thanked him and he posed for a Polaroid photo taken by my daughter Taylor. He had a million dollar belt with him which added nicely to the photo. After Dibiase we moved on to the other legends and got MANY more autographs. We visited with everyone in the room. Danny Hodge was a thrill to meet and had a line at his table at all times. It was great meeting Pat Paterson again after so many years. Last time I saw Patterson was back in 92 at a WWF MSG Christmas Fan Fest. Patterson, Piper and DiBiase were the three legends I really wanted to see this time around. After the convention we made our way to visit the Hall Of Fame. The Hall is simply beautiful. Two floors of great wrestling memorabilia from the past. From ring attire, to programs, clippings, posters, autographs lots of super things. I can't begin to describe all the great stuff in the hall you really have to see it for yourself. We spent two hours at the hall looking at suff. Wrestlers were coming in and out visiting the hall while we were there. George Steele who came in sat down at a table and autographed items for fans which made everyone happy. After the Hall we went back to the hotel for some lunch and to get ready for the meet and greet. The meet and greet was to start at three and usually last for an hour so we lined up at two an hour before it was to begin. In front of us were about 150 people. It was pretty packed. As we waited on line and shared in great conversation with Dan, Dave, and Bud the line built, and built and soon it snaked up to the lobby hotel entrance door. It was a long line with probably 300 people on it. As the line began to move we were informed that each wrestler would be signing only one item which was ok by me as I got everyone's auto except Piper during the day to which there was no limit at the convention. I had run out of stuff to get signed but my buddy Bud Carson gifted me with a photo pack of every wrestler in attendance so I got those signed. As the line went on we got closer to the Rowdy One and then it was our turn. Roddy asked my daughter what her name was and she answered Taylor. JJ Dillion who sat next to Roddy responded " like Elizabeth Taylor" Roddy asked Taylor what can I do for you and began to sign her item. Taylor had three items on the table and Roddy asked would you like those signed too??? Taylor said sure. Roddy told Taylor "they tell me that I am only supposed to sign one item and that if I sign more then one I am going to be put in jail but that's ok because I have been there before. "The donuts and coffee are pretty bad but I will live". Classic Roddy! After the signatures and shaking Roddy's hand and thanking him we ended our visit.We said our goodbyes to our friends and as we left the room there still was a very long line of fans waiting to get in. We had a great time at PWHOF and wish to thank all associated with the HOF especially John Pantozi who always goes out of his way for me and Taylor at these HOF events. If you have never been to the PWHOF plan on attending a future event. You will have a great time. On a side note, Johnny Valiant, Harley Race, Manny Soto were no shows. Best signers over the weekend mostly all of the legends who signed everywhere you saw them but especially, Pat Patterson, Ted DiBiase, JJ Dillion, Nick Bockwinkle, Roddy Piper. George Steele gets the ok but not the most fan friendly award. Isn't George Steele part of the PWHOF committee??? Go figure.
Ray and Taylor Dutczak of Yonkers NY
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