I'm having some iPad issues and internet issues here in New Orleans, but I wanted to update you on our Wrestlemania weekend. We actually drove to New Orleans, leaving southern Illinois Wednesday evening and making a stop in Tunica, Mississippi. That's the site of the Jerry "The King" Lawler Museum. It's filled with lots of great memorabilia including old costumes, crowns, artwork, belts, and photos. We'll post pics on the Facebook page soon. We arrived in New Orleans Thursday night. Chad has a friend who works with WWE and we were able to hang out with her and some of the NXT guys on Bourbon Street. For me the highlight was Drew McIntyre coming up to me and shaking my hand. Friday afternoon we met Jake "The Snake" Roberts. He was doing a meet and greet at a restaurant here. That night we went to the Legends of MidSouth show where we met Mickie James. I had interviewed her back in 2011. Thanks to Burt Prentice for the hookup. The show was pretty good. The Rock n Roll Express won the TCW tag team titles. I also got to see an old friend in "Golden Boy" Greg Anthony wrestle and win. "The Pope" Elijah Burke won the Junkyard Dog Memorial Battle Royal, which was cool too. Burt also hooked us up with WrestleCon tickets for Saturday morning. We didn't do any wrestling photos, but we talked with a few of the guys. It was fun and I love seeing the wrestlers up close like that. They're all pretty cordial, and yes I realize they're hoping you'll buy something. Tonight is Hall of Fame, I'm hoping we're able to do a video update for the YouTube channel then. Thanks for reading. We've run into several readers already, which has even very cool!
Each year, Chad and I come up with what we think is a fun costume theme for Wrestlemania. The very first year, we went as the Spirit Squad (they were around at the time) and people actually thought we were members of the cheerleading team as we walked around the parking lot of the All State Arena and the neighboring Target store. I'd like to think I was mistaken for Nicky who is now known as Dolph Ziggler. I kid, I kid.
The originals... Photo by WWE
Anyway, we've had fun with it each year and always get a lot of compliments (and stares) from fans and even wrestlers. This year, we decided to pay homage to great wrestling managers. Chad went for the obscure Grand Wizard. For those who don't know, the Grand Wizard managed the likes of "Superstar" Billy Graham, Mister Fuji, and Sgt. Slaughter. He was around in the 1970's, before either of us had even started watching wrestling. In fact, the Grand Wizard died in 1983, just as I was becoming a fan of the sport. I went with the more recognizable "Classy" Freddie Blassie. Of course, he wrestled in the early days of his career, but went on to manage the Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff and George "the Animal" Steele when I really got into wrestling. It wasn't long after that though that Blassie retired and turned his men over to Slick.
Chad and I both worried that fans would not remember The Grand Wizard, but we were surprised at how any people at Axxess and Wrestlemania got it. Even before we left the hotel, fans identified both of us. I'll admit, the white hair spray I used didn't cover my hair like I'd hoped, but I think people still understood who I was trying to be.
Wrestlemania selfy
I need to thank my mom once again for helping create my costume this year. For the last several Wrestlemanias, I've gone as someone who needs a specific sports coat. Each year, my search a the thrift stores in town turn up short. So my mom covers one of my old jackets with the proper material. This year she did it as she's battling bladder cancer. That's the kind of woman she is, dedicated to helping her son achieve a high level of dorkiness at Wrestlemania.
Thanks to everyone who "got" us this year and posed for photographs. We ran into several great costumed fans this year, including the Ultimate Warrior, Doink the Clown, and Paul Bearer.
The weekend marked my seventh live Wrestlemania and all the activities associated with the biggest event of the year. The weekend actually turned into a week for my posse this year, and it was much bigger than just Wrestlemania itself. Several wrestling companies worked in collaboration to put on WrestleCon, a convention and series of wrestling shows. Luckily, we were able to attend many of the events, so here are my personal favorites from our time spent on the East Coast. (These are in no particular order) By the way, Chad was dressed like the Grand Wizard and I was "Classy" Freddie Blassie on Sunday.
Outside WWE HQ in Stamford
Visiting WWE HQ: Our group arrived in New Jersey Wednesday. I had always promised myself if I was ever within driving distance of WWE Headquarters I was going to make the trek. Since Stamford, Connecticut is only about an hour a way, we rented a car and made the drive. You can see the enormous building from Interstate 95. We pulled off the highway, parked and walked to the facility and posed from some pictures outside. It was awesome seeing the place in person, even if only for a few minutes. It made the trip worth it.
Live from New York!: I'm focusing just on the wrestling aspects of the trip, which included a trip into New York City and the Ring of Honor iPPV. Friday night the company presented SuperCard of Honor VII. The famed Hammerstein Ballroom at the Manhattan Center hosted the event. Two decades ago, Monday Night Raw was taped in this facility. RD Evans stole the show early on, revealing himself as the mystery partner of QT Marshall. The two went down in defeat to ACH and Tadarius Thomas, but really all four men put on an excellent match and set the tone for a great night of wrestling. Jay Briscoe realized his dream in becoming the ROH champion with a victory over Kevin Steen, and even though some people hate him, I enjoy the work Shelton Benjamin does as he battled Mike Bennett. The former WWE Intercontinental champion lost to Bennett in a fast paced match up.
Saraya Knight vs. Cheerleader Melissa
Ladies Night: I've heard plenty about Shimmer, but never had a chance to see it live. I'm glad I made the decision to get a ticket to Saturday's iPPV 53. These ladies all proved it takes more than a pretty face to be a wrestling star. We sat in the second row, which put us close to the action, which included my current favorite women's wrestler Awesome Kong. She put a beating on Mia Yim, who fought hard against the monstrous Kia Stevens. There was also a four way tag match for the titles which saw the champs, the Canadian Ninjas retaining against Allyson Danger & Taylor Made, Kellie Skater & Tomoko Nakagawa, and Lufisto & Kana. Lufisto hit a moonsault onto the other competitors outside the ring and with our view obstructed, all we heard was a loud thud as she crashed to the floor. Cheerleader Melissa captured the Shimmer title by beating Saraya Knight in a cage match. That was a first for me too.
Chikara Sets a Record: WrestleCon marked my third live Chikara event. I always have fun at these shows. This one was no exception. More than a thousand fans attended this event, setting a new record for the company. It was great to be a part of the crowd, which as always is entertaining. Highlights include the Batiri winning a four team elimination match, which included a hilarious Tebow pose by Mr. Touchdown. By the way, the ultra jock called me a nerd during intermission and asked for a pen to sign someone's autograph. Jushin "Thunder" Liger and Mike Quackenbush beat Jigsaw and the Shard, and Marty Jannetty returned to action in an eight man tag. Another fun/markish point during this show is I ran into Hulk Hogan, the Iron Sheik, and Liger in the bathroom at various times. Hogan and Sheik were on the other side of the building doing autographs for WrestleCon. Talk about a surreal pee break...
Bruno Sells Out MSG...Again: When he was wrestling as the WWWF Champion, Bruno Sammartino sold out Madison Square Garden 187 times. Saturday night, you could say he did it for the 188th time, as Bruno was the headline inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame. The Class of 2013 is without a doubt the best class to ever be inducted. Bruno, Mick Foley, Booker T, Bob Backlund, and Trish Stratus all held the heavyweight title at least twice. Celebrity inductee Donald Trump adds some start power and hate him or not, the WWE made the decision years ago for the celebrity wing, and I have no problem with his admission to the wing. This was my first time at the Garden, and although I had hoped to see a wrestling match there, the Hall of Fame ceremony was a special night. Wrestling fans need to continue to work on the jeering and cat calls during speeches, in particular Maria Menounos. Also, the Hall of Fame is a special occasion, trade in the wrestling shirt, jeans, and replica belt for a button up shirt and khakis as the very least.
Welcome to Wrestlemania!: Every year the card seems a bit lackluster heading into the event, but there's something about being in the crowd live for Wrestlemania. This year being in New Jersey and outside, it was quite chilly. Early into the show it started to rain, but luckily it only lasted a few minutes. I had a great time Sunday night. CM Punk and the Undertaker stole the show in a match that seesawed like any Undertaker Wrestlemania encounter. There were points when it looked as though the streak might come to an end, but once again, 'Taker picked up the win and went 21 and 0. There's wasn't a match on the card that disappointed me, but I will say I didn't real feel that "Wrestlemania Moment". Oddly enough, that would come 24 hours later...
Finally... Dolph is the champ Photo courtesy: WWE
Dolph Steals the Show: Since Dolph Ziggler won the Money in the Bank briefcase fans have speculated on when he was going to cash it in. Finally, on the Raw after Mania, the Showoff did just that. He took advantage of an injured Alberto Del Rio to win the belt. There were a few times I thought Del Rio would come back and win, but in the end, Ziggler won the gold. The crowd that night was the most entertaining I've ever been a part of. Chants for ECW, "Macho Man" Randy Savage, and Fandango's theme music were just a few of the things that were heard. Of course many of these happened during Randy Orton and Sheamus' match, which I would imagine didn't sit well with the superstars. Even after the show had ended people continued to hum Fandango's music. So not only on April 8 did we see Dolph Ziggler step to the next level, I think we also saw the official launch of Fandango. I'm curious to see where WWE goes from here, as Wrestlemania is typically a reset for a new "season." Ryback and John Cena seemed destined to feud and I like where things seem to be headed with the Shield, Team Hell No, and the Undertaker.
It was a great weekend. This of course is the condensed version. We hope to have all the pics posted on Facebook in the coming days.
