WRESTLE FAN FEST, WE ENJOYED IT A LOT
- 10/24/2007 (3:21:33 pm)
- Georgiann Makropoulos
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Hi Georgie,
Taylor and I attended the three day event in San Francisco this past weekend. We left JFK on Thursday morning and arrived at the host hotel early Thursday afternoon. We had to switch our room due to someone smoking next door to us and our room became a smoke filled mess. This was a no smoking hotel btw. When we made our way back to the front desk we ran into Scott Epstein who introduced us to one of the show organizers Rob who was with him. We chatted for a while and explained our situation when Rob asked if we had a preferred room with a new tv in it and I said no. Rob mentioned we were supposed to have one of those and walked us over to the desk and got us what they called a preferred room. I thanked him and asked where registration for the convention was going to be as I wanted to pick up my convention packets. After unpacking in our new room we headed to registration and picked up our convention badges and stuff. I noticed that we were the only ones around and felt kinda funny at the lack of patrons. But then again this was only Thursday so maybee people would be coming later on for their registration materials. Thursday night we hung out with Scott Epstein a bit in the hotel lobby chatting as wrestlers began to filter in. We saw Larry Zybysko, Sunny, DDP, Brian Knobbs, along with a bunch of others. Again, besides me Taylor and Scott there were a hand full of fans hanging around the lobby which kinda had me wondering what the convention crowd was going to be like as at any wrestling convention tons of fans usually hang out the night before. As Friday came around we headed over to the Cow Palace. I had rented a car because I don't trust shuttles and can't depend on them. Turns out I was right to rent a car as the Cow Palace shuttle became a disaster for those who relied on that form of transportation. We get to the Cow Palace which is an awesome site driving up to it and are told to head over to the south hall so we can get in with our passes. We get in and head over to the autograph section. The crowd is very dismal, maybee 100 fans or less at this point. Larry Zybysko, Scott Norton are signing. Mean Gene who was a headliner and supposed to be in another area is led in and begins to sign. There are two barriers set up, one for GA and one for the various passes. We head in and get those three to sign our items. You could just walk up to who you wanted once in which I like a lot instead of one by one at a long table. Larry and Scott were wonderful, Mean Gene seemed to be in a fog or something. After that we headed over to see the area where the Great Muta and other headliners were to be signing and nadda, not a soul just a few staff members who didn't have a clue to what was going on which sucked. So we go back to the main exhibit room and more wrestlers are arriving. James Mitchell, Sunny, OMG, Slick are now signing in the autograph area. James Mitchell was very cool and seemed happy to be there. Sunny was pretty pissed but signed our items, OMG and Slick were very gracious and signed our items and we took a Polaroid with both as we had brought our own Polaroid camera. Thank God we did as the picture taking system took forever to get done. The photo printers were very slow to print. After one or two photos we decided to take our own photos. We decided after this visit with this group of wrestlers we would see if Muta was signing yet, again no Muta or anyone just a few staff members setting up some posters. We again headed back to the main auto area and got more signatures as more wrestlers had arrived. I started to notice that some talent were setting up their own tables away from the main autograph area. Beefcake, Valentine, Brian Knobbs, Demolition, DDP (who was a vendor guest) Dr Death, April Hunter, Lance Hoyt. I asked one of the wrestlers what had happened and why they were setting up in private tables and they told me that they had not been paid so they were going to sell their own stuff and try and make some money. Each wrestler that did sell their own items did honor me and Taylors weekend warrior convention passes and signed our items free of charge. I also purchased a photo from most of the wrestlers as I felt rotten about what had happened to them. An announcement came over the speaker at 6pm that the Eric Bischoff dinner was about to begin so we headed over to the Sky Box lounge for that. Upon getting to the lounge a line had formed and we were informed that the food for the dinner had not arrived but we would be seated for the Q+A. Bischoff was introduced to a loud applause from everyone in the lounge and the session was on. Many questions were asked about his WCW days from dealing with Hulk Hogan to Brett Hart. Eric was very friendly and answered everyone's questions. After the Q+A session it was time for the autograph session. Eric again was very friendly and signed everyone's items. After getting my autographs I managed to grab Chris the promoter who was in the room and expressed my unhappiness over not meeting the Great Muta and getting my items signed. I had paid for a bunch of extra tickets and wasn't going to leave without the signatures. Chris told me after the Bischoff dinner I should find him and that he would take care of everything. The food was just arriving as I chatted with Chris so we sat down and ate. After eating we headed off to find Chris which we eventually did back stage at the wrestling show. Chris told us to hang out back stage and enjoy our selves with the boys and after Mutas match everything would be signed. Chris introduced me to Mutas manager so he would know who I was and what our intentions were. I felt pretty good at that point. Being back stage was a blast. Got to hang out with the boys and get more autographs and take more photos with everyone. Taylor couldn't believe it. Everyone was so nice to us. We even got to watch the matches from behind the curtain and to see how a wrestling show is run. Muta was on the last match and after his match me and my friend Dave headed to the locker room to get our items signed. After Muta took his shower his manager called us in and the signing was on. Muta signed all of our items and we were on cloud nine as we left the Cow Palace and prepared for Goldberg the next day. Saturday much like Friday was pretty much filled with lots of autographs and meeting the wrestlers. Again, a pretty small crowd of fans. At about twelve thirty we went over to the area where Goldberg was going to sign. Goldberg arrived to a defining cheer. The Goldberg signing was pretty well organized and went well. We lined up according to passes and before we knew it we were NEXT! Goldberg was very friendly to us as he signed our items. What was nice was he stood up for our polaroid and asked "would you like for me to sign that too". I said yes, please to which he did and thanked us for coming out to see him. After we got our Goldberg signatures we headed into the main autograph hall and visited with Ultimo Dragon and Chavo Guerrero SR. Ultimo had his family with him and we took a family shot with Ultimo, his son who put a mask on just like his dad and us. Next we visited with Chavo who was up on my list of wrestlers to meet. We talked about his matches at the Olympic and his MSG debut back in 1976. After visiting with Chavo it was time to head up and visit with Roddy Piper who had begun signing. Roddy definitely was the draw of the convention and had an endless line. Instead of waiting on the long line we gave our items to a friend of ours along with our auto tickets as he was pretty close to Roddy on line. After Piper we decided to call it a day and head back to the hotel for some R+R as tomorrow, Sunday would be the biggest day of all. Sunday we got up and headed down to the restaurant for some breakfast. As soon as we hit the lobby the drama began. I was met by someone telling me that the convention was off and that the Cow Palace was closed. The convention must have been on and off five times. Then I heard about the fights the night before in the lobby. Thank goodness Taylor didn't have to see that crap. Then finally the convention was back on. So after eating breakfast we headed over to the Cow Palace to learn that half the dealers had packed up and headed home. We were getting some eight by tens when all of a sudden Road Warrior Animal came by and began talking to one of the organizers about his fee he was promised and would receive it when he got of the plane. He was going to leave because of non payment and rightfully so when I jumped in and asked him to please stay as I and many others had come long distances to see him. Animal was one of the main reasons I attended this convention. After a little bit of conversation with one of the staff he agreed to stay. As Animal was setting up we paid a visit to Vince Russo, he couldn't have been nicer signing our items and chatting a bit with us about his WCW days. After Russo Animal was set up so we went over to him next, I gave him a stack of our auto tickets and he signed all of our items and took a bunch of photos with us. I asked him if we owed him any $$$ as I felt bad about what happened with him and the promoter and he said nope, you paid already. He had his own photos and I purchased two of those. all was fine. We chatted about NYC a bunch and Animal commented how he just was in NYC last week. I thanked Animal a bunch and off we went to visit Cryme Tyme. I just want to say that Animal is absolutely one of the classiest people I have ever met. He absolutely went out of his way to make meeting him the best experience we could have despite the BS he went through with the promoter. I will never forget the kidness he showed Taylor and myself. Road Warriors 4 Ever! Our visit with Cryme Tyme was very nice, they were very accommodating and look like they were having a good time. Chyna was also at the event, we stoped by her table and purchased a photo and took a Polaroid. Chyna was pretty cool and Taylor liked her a lot. Last but not least it was time for the main event of the weekend Stone Cold Steve Austin. Everyone was called according to passes VIP first. The line was very orderly. We had probably an half hour wait until we got up to Stone Cold. Austin was very nice and greeted us with a warm hello. We chatted about WCW and the Hollywood Blonds characters and he remarked he loved being part of the team. He signed my Hollywood Blonds Jakks two pack Stunning Steve Austin which was very cool along with a bunch of other stuff. We took a polaroid with Austin and he signed that too. He shook our hands and thanked us for coming out to see him and off we went. Our Wrestle Fan Fest weekend was over and a success. Just a few parting thoughts if I may. Taylor and I had a great time at this convention. The promoter made good on everything he said he would. We traded in our extra tickets we purchased for talent that no showed for some tickets of talent that did appear so no money was wasted. After meeting Goldberg, Animal, Austin, Bishoff and so many others in one weekend how could you complain???? We walked away with a ton of autos and Polaroids of every talent there. My advice to anyone is if you have a problem at a convention find the promoter and go to them directly as that will help make your convention visit a better one.
From: Ray and Taylor Dutczak of Yonkers NY
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It's a shame that not all our readers could have had as enjoyable time as you did. Thank you for your report as usual.
Georgie [email protected]
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