Eugene Autograph Signing Report (05/04/2024)

I almost went to that event last night in Toronto. I'm a bit jealous haha. Looks like a good time

The Reena Rumble took place in Toronto this evening.



This event was the usual charity event hosted by the Reena and the Magen Boys that I have attended several times before. The promoter has always taken care of me at every event so I always try to make it a point to attend. They started rolling out names of their headliners a month ago, starting with Matt Riddle, followed shortly by Ted DiBiase. I usually reach out to the promoter to make arrangements regarding autographs. Usually, they offer a meet and greet ticket which includes one autograph per headliner, but to no one’s surprise, I’d be interested in more than one per. Before reaching out, I waited to see if they would announce more names so as to minimize the back and forth. They eventually also announced The Mountie, Colt Cabana, and Brandon Cutler.

Now knowing the names that would be headlining, I put together a list of items to get signed. Usually the promoter will give me a good deal on the autographs because of the quantity of items I bring and because we’ve been working together for a while. I dug through my collection keeping in mind that this was for charity and so I wanted to support by bringing even more items than I usually would. I reached out to the promoter a couple of weeks ago and we agreed on a deal. He also told me to message him once I arrive (and asking if I can be earlier than the posted time) and that he will come find me. I explained to him as to the earliest I could make it because of work and he was cool with it.

Fast forward to today, I show up half an hour earlier than when the doors were to open. Shortly after I arrive, Ryan does so also. He had also made arrangements with the promoter for extra autographs. As he parked, I texted the promoter to let him know that I arrived such that Ryan and I could get our stuff done together. We go inside the main doors and wait in the waiting area with some other fans. A few minutes later, the promoter comes and finds me in the waiting area and escorts Ryan and I backstage. We exchange pleasantries and thank him for accommodating us. I tell him that I appreciate him doing this for us and he replies “I know you do. That’s why I keep doing it.” Can’t say enough good things here - they always pull through for us. As we make our way to the back, one of the guys that works the Greektown Wrestling shows (the guy that does social media who I’ve mentioned before) is also in the back. He recognizes me and we say a quick hello. Once in the back, the promoter asks who I want to meet first. I tell him that we can do whatever is easiest. He first brings us to Ted DiBiase who is seated in an office and signing photos.

Once we enter the office, I extend my hand to shake his and tell him it is nice to see him again. He asks, “where have we seen each other before?”. I tell him, “WrestleCon Detroit for Summerslam Weekend”, as he begins signing my stuff. We first start with the items I wanted done in paint: the Superstars figure, a VHS tape, a DVD, and a cup. The figure I wanted done in green, with the latter in blue. He was cool with making the changes.



Next, we move on to his LJN bio card, as well as a stack of magazines, all of which I wanted done in a regular blue sharpie to keep things simple and quick. Before he signed some of the covers, he hesitated with the blue I provided, eventually changing to a gold marker for a darker cover, then pivoting to a broader black sharpie he had. I didn’t mind these changes at all - I just wanted to keep it simple since I was getting so many items done. As he signed, I tell him “I didn’t realize you were on so many magazine covers”. He doesn’t hear me well so he asks me to repeat what I said, which I did. Once he understood, he replied “neither did I!”. I continue: “Yeah I was going through my collection and you were everywhere. I love flipping through these”



After he signed, we posed for a picture and I thank him. He thanks me as well, calling me “pal”. Ryan then meets him and gets his stuff signed. One of the items he got signed was a photo-op from a previous meet and greet (one I attended as well from 6-7 years ago). The three of us talked about that particular event, which was his one-man show where he told stories about his career. It doesn’t seem he has plans to do those in the future.

Once we get our stuff done, we gather everything and find a place to let them dry. Once they were dry we put them in our bags. By this point, the official meet and greet had started, which meant that my other wants (Mountie and Matt Riddle) were no longer backstage and were signing autographs in the main area. The promoter told me I could get my items done out there with no issue. Ryan and I then make our way back out and join the line which hadn’t yet grown too much. All headliners were out signing and you would get to meet them one-by-one, starting with Matt Riddle.

Matt Riddle was everything you would expect him to be - very cool and laid back. We started off with a fistbump and I tell him I’m a huge fan, which he thanked me for. I had him sign two elites, both personalized and in different colours, which he was okay with doing. As he signed, I asked “what was it like working with Randy”. To answer me, he stopped, looked at me and said “awwwwwessssomeeeee. He’s like my best friend.” Had he not continued his thought after he said “awesome”, I would have thought he was doing a poor Miz impression lol. I tell him that I met Randy a few years ago and he was really cool. He replies, “yeah bro!”



After he signed, we took a quick photo and thank each other. Riddle was great. I then move onto The Mountie.

Mountie was under the weather so he was masking up when he could and was using hand sanitizer frequently. Despite this, he was very warm and all smiles. I first have him sign a magazine cover. As you can tell by the photo, he only has a small section in the magazine cover. I usually wouldn’t get something like this done but given it was for charity, I did it. I’m glad I did because once he signed the cover, he took a good look at it and nodded his head in approval, even giving a thumbs up. Once he signed the cover, he signed three cards for me. The first one was with him as the Quebecers. He was a bit frustrated with himself as he couldn’t see properly with his gimmick glasses on. He took them off, exclaiming “I can’t see!” as he struggled to sign the cards. Once the glasses were off, everything was smooth.



And like with Riddle, once I got my stuff signed, we took a quick photo and thank each other.

Ted DiBiase would be right after Mountie, but before I proceed, I find a spot to let my stuff dry and I was already juggling a few items. By the time I was done gathering myself, DiBiase was occupied with a few other fans. Given I got him backstage already, I didn’t want to bother him again so I moved onto Colt Cabana and Brandon Cutler. I didn’t have anything for them to sign other than the provided poster, which they signed for me. Ryan and I meet them together, both of them signing our posters.



We then took a photo and I shake their hands. I tell Colt Cabana that I enjoyed his performance in Young Rock where he played the Brooklyn Brawler. He thanks me but then stops midway through his thank you and adjusts his voice and stance to mimic Brawler and thanked me that way.

After we were done with Cabana and Cutler, we wait for the line to die down before returning to Mountie to get our photo-ops redone. Overall, another great night! Super grateful to work with the promoter yet again and get a bunch of items signed while supporting a charity.

Thanks for reading!

Riddle is the man

Good thing you took a pic of Zack signing it cause that is an atrocious autograph. Look at all the effort Lince did & for only $20

Regarding Zack Ryder's autograph - the material isn't the easiest to sign on but I understand the point you guys are making as it isn't the prettiest looking autograph. Definitely got my money's worth with Lince. Thank you both for reading!

Quick report tonight. Mustafa Ali is in Mississauga tonight for Destiny.



If this feels like deja vu, it’s because Ali was in Toronto in January for Demand Lucha. Usually I wouldn’t meet the same name after less than two months but when prepping for that event, I made an oversight which I will explain in my conversation with Ali below. This oversight meant I would need to go and meet Ali again while I still could.

Doors for this event were to open at 6 and I get there ten minutes beforehand. Doors opened slightly early again and Ali was out signing in the merch area. I immediately joined the line which only had a few people. Autographs and photo-ops were $25 each with a combo being $40. My plan was just to get an autograph but seeing as he was in his suit and had the X-Division title with him, I decided to pay the extra for a combo. A few minutes later, it was my turn to meet Ali. With a smile, he shakes my hand and we exchange pleasantries. He sees my post-it note with my name on it and asks “to Alex?”, to which I say “yes please!” After he signed, I went behind the table for the photo-op. He put the X-Division title on my shoulder for the photo.



After the photo was taken, he offers his hand again for a handshake and we converse:
Ali: “Thank you, Alex!”
Me: “Thank you as well! I actually saw you at Demand Lucha in Toronto back in January. I forgot I had this figure!”
Ali: “Oh no!”
Me: “Yeah, I got the one in your Retribution gear signed”
Ali: “The black one!”
Me: “A few weeks later, I was dusting my collection, I see this one [pointing at the figure] and realized I forgot I had it, so I came out to see you again”
Ali: “Gotta get the yellow one signed. The yellow one is my favourite!”
Me: “For sure, thank you again!”

This ends the meet and greet. Ali was great to meet once again - it's almost like the indy wrestling gods knew I would make this oversight and so they had Ali booked twice in a short period of time in my area lol. That’s it for tonight. Thanks for reading!

Hideo & Mustafa, both great talent.

Dennis Rodman was in Mississauga today for the Sport Card Expo.



I’m not a basketball fan but given his wrestling history, I wanted to meet him. As soon as the announcement was made, I went on eBay to see if there were any Rodman figures available. I found a pair being sold as a lot available and at a very decent price. My plan was to keep one and sell the other. When they arrived, they were in amazing condition so I ended up keeping both.

He was slated to sign 2-3pm. I arrived at 10:20 with the plan to scour the vendor tables for figures before meeting Rodman. The event was spread out among Halls 3, 4, and 5 of the convention center. Hall 3 was the closest to where I got dropped off so I entered using Hall 3 but was told I needed to go to Hall 5 to redeem my autograph and photo-op combo ticket that I preordered. I do that, but I needed to buy one more autograph ticket which would be available in Hall 4. I had trouble finding where they were selling autograph tickets as there was no signage and multiple lines for different things. I finally found the right line and it took 30 minutes to get through but I did end up getting the second ticket. While there, I asked about photo-ops because although there was an autograph schedule, there was no photo-op schedule. I’m told that they would be about 30 minutes before the autographs and they would be in Hall 3 along with the autographs. I was definitely running around lol.



To kill time, I scoured the vendor tables until noon but didn’t find anything. With still some time to kill, I go to Hall 3 to see how the photo ops and autograph tables were structured. The autograph tables were as expected but I could not find the photo-ops. Some more signage would definitely help. I finally figured it out and at 1, I join the line for the photo-ops.

About 25 minutes later, the line starts moving. It did not take me long to get to Rodman, who despite being seated for the autograph was still quite tall. I approach Rodman, shaking his hand, which engulfed mine, and asked him if we can do the 2 Sweet pose. He let out a little laugh, smiled, and said “ok!” and our photo was taken. I thank him and retrieve my printed copy.

I then go to the autograph tables. They had different guests signing every hour and there was no indication as to where Rodman would sign as they did not put up his placard yet. I happened to be at the autograph table on the far left but it was soon revealed that he would be signing at the far right table as a staffer started to put a sign with his name up. Myself, along with many others, rush to that table. There was 100-150 people there. He came out 15 minutes early and started signing.



While in line, I hear a couple complaining that they missed their photo-op because they didn’t know what time or where they were taking place. The same couple also didn’t know they had to redeem their preorders in exchange for physical tickets. I can’t say I blame them because of the lack of instructions and proper signage. An announcement was later made for those who missed the photo-ops but I wasn’t paying too much attention to it.
Given the turnout and the short signing time, they were going through everyone pretty quickly, starting with those who had purchased a Fast Pass (front of the line) followed by those who didn’t. It only took half an hour for me to get to Rodman who signed two figures for me. He signed his blue-haired figure in blue and his orange one in orange. It was very assembly line like, with little to no conversation with Dennis. Just a quick sign and go. I did thank him and shake his hand again but that was it.



I wish I could have had the time to actually converse with him given how much these tickets cost but I’m happy overall with how everything turned out.
Thanks for reading!

Another great post. Like you said, a bit disorganized on the part of the organizers. Glad you were able to get your signatures.