Post by King Bálor (CM)™ on Apr 17, 2012 16:13:24 GMT -5
Let me start by saying the reason for the late report is b/c the photo ops were done by Wizard World's professional photographer and my digitals took a week or so to get put up for download. SOOOOOOOOO......
From all accounts from Edge in Miami during Mania, his new DVD, etc. it seemed that Edge was not going to be doing much in the form of appearances, autograph signings or really coming down from his home in mountains of Asheville. Since he is my all time favorite wrestler, and the person that launched my interest into independent wrestling......it was a no brainer to head to Toronto....8.5hrs away. Not to mention I scored a fantastic deal on Megabus for $21 round trip. Yes, let me repeat the price.....$21 ROUND TRIP!!! After a few initial time changes to departure times......the 2:25am departure time from Harrisburg was upon us. The bus pulled up 10 mins. late, but we were aboard and ready to take on our adventure into hostile territory. Ok....thats an exaggeration. LOL!!! The first thing I learned upon entering the bus.....if you are a tall guy like me, Megabus can be your worse nightmare. We selected seats on top floor of the bus and I found I could not get my legs in. Partially b/c the person in front of me had lounged their seat so far back, their head was in my lap. Very uncomfortable to have another man's head in your lap. :crazysmile: So I had no choice but to extend my legs into the aisle and for the next 4 hours was extremely uncomfortable. I was planning on sleeping on the bus, but that wasnt going to happen. Nothing I did, no position, etc was alleviating the annoyance.
Second thing I learned about Megabus.....just b/c you say you have Wifi does not mean you have Wifi. It NEVER connected after 8.5hrs of searching. Absurd. So now very uncomfortable, very tired and very annoyed....the trip is off to a horrid and rocky start. After 4 hrs, we arrived in Bath, NY for the only scheduled stop outside of customs. It was a relief for the stop, so we could get off the bus and stretch our legs. I waited until most had vacated the bus before getting up. I then reached to the seat in front of me and returned the seat into the most upright position it would go. I would make sure I was on the bus before them and there would be NO putting your head in my lap again dude. :damn:
Off the bus I went and spent 20 of the 30min. break waiting to use the john. Ugh! I returned to the bus and was one of the first back on. Found that I got myself about an additional 3 inches of room. Still not comfortable, but at least my legs could slide in now, jammed up against the seat and my knees slammed into the back of the seat in front of me. The person in front of me returned, sat down and never said or tried to lean the seat back. Perhaps they were annoyed by how far it was leaned back. So we were onto Buffalo for a drop off/pickup. Evidently, Buffalo is a major drop off point on this route. Half the bus vacated and my buddy Nate and I decided to move to the front where we believed to be more room. HOLY CRAP!!!! There was a good foot more leg room in the first row of seats. We now knew where we had to sit next time. This nice lady from Toronto told us these were the best seats and said when we get on the return bus to make sure we get to the station an hour early to ensure we are one of the first few on. We would make sure to take that advice to heart. The last 2 hours was MUCH MORE enjoyable.
Finally we arrived in Toronto. We caught a cab to our hotel, which was just a mile away from the station and 2 miles from the Convention Center. Paid $120 for a night at the Holiday Inn on Carlson St. and it was worth every single penny. Never had I had a more enjoyable stay and felt I get more than my dollars worth. AMAZING!! I cannot say enough good things about the hotel. So we got in and hoped to check in early. They did have a room for us and waved the early check in fee, which was appreciated b/c we were exhausted. The room was immaculate, had fantastic and super fast Wifi and fridge in the room. The shower was awesome, strong water pressure and the beds comfy. We laid down for a bit after getting situated and formulated our plan for sight seeing for the day. We took a look at the Stratusphere Yoga Center in hopes of finding Trish Stratus there. Unfortunately, eventhough she advertises it as being in Toronto...its not and was almost an hour away. A cab ride was about $70 one way. So....Trish was out. Next up was Sully's Gym for Ron Hutchinson's Pro Wrestling Academy that is now being run by Zack Wylde....one of Edge's former training partners in his training days at Sully's. We googled the address and found Sully's on Dupont. The hotel has a tour guide that provides you a map and directions for where you want to go. Gave him the address and we were off. We headed for the subway, followed the trains, etc. and then had a LONG 20 block or so walk to the address on Dupont. We arrived and found this delapadated building looking like it was going to fall apart. This has to be the place, right. We went upstairs and headed inside. TONS of boxing photos, posters, etc. hung. This didnt look like Sully's....not the Sully's I have seen video and pics of though. It was called Sully's, but there was no sign of Edge, Christian or anything wrestling related. Spoke to the gentlemen working there and he told us he did not know what we were talking about till I mentioned Ron Hutchinson and he told me that I wanted 300 Coxwell Ave. He gave us directions and we headed out. Another 20 blocks till we found the subway and we were back on riding to Coxwell Ave.
We got off the subway and had another 10 block walk. Couldnt believe how much walking around we were doing and have already spent 4 hours looking for this one place. But finally we were here. Cept this didnt look right. The building was too nice. So we headed to the door and found it to be an expensive high rise condo. We couldnt even get inside, as you have to be buzzed in. This couldnt be it. I went to the gym that was 2 doors down and the lady there was very helpful, but had no idea what I was looking for. She googled the address and it said 300 Coxwell for the Pro Wrestling Academy. There was a number, so she wrote it down and let me use her phone. I called the # and got a recording "this number does not accept incoming calls". :facepalm: You have got to be kidding me. Beaten and dejected, we ended this trek, caught a bus to the subway and headed home. We had lost.
We soon discovered that in Toronto you only pay $3 fare heading out and not returning back. Now exhaustion was playing a tole, not to mention dejection. We got out of the train station and should have turned left for the hotel, but instead turned right....walking another 20 blocks round trip, right into the heart of downtown Toronto. We basically made a big circle before we found our hotel. Once back the tour guide asked us how our sight seeing went and we told him how lovely the subway is. To the room we went for a minute break.
Since neither was hungry yet, we decided to head to the pool to relax. Got in our trunks and headed down. We had the heated pool all to ourselves...no diving, as the deep end was 5ft. 9in. But it was relaxing....for a little bit, till trouble came. We swam around, relaxed...chit chatted and enjoyed ourselves for about 20 mins. Then a strange man came in wearing a suit and carrying a brief case. He began to disrobe right at the pool into a pair of sweats and this long sleeve tshirt. He then picked up his brief case and headed to the gym. WTF?! Strange. About 15mins later he returned and changed into a pair of swim trunks and then jumped into the pool. He didnt do anything weird from there....just swam from one end to the other. But the briefcase in the gym seemed off. Besides, dude had legit date rape face.
5 mins. later a mom and her son came in. The son decided to do nothing but cannonballs into the pool, which only served to annoy us. We packed our crapand left. Went upstairs, got showered in a great, very large shower and headed for dinner downstairs. Earlier in the day, in the hotel room and in the elevator, there was this burger being advertised. It looked deliscious, so we wanted to dine on that. Not to mention we were tired from the trip and all the walking around...we wanted to be somewhere close. We found out the burger was in our hotel and proceeded to the restaurant. Unfortunately, $40 later for a burger, fries, soda and a beer......we somewhat regretted the decision. Decent burger, but not $40 worth. We returned to our room and passed out.
The morning seem to come so quickly. WW would open at 10am, so we wanted to ensure we were there by 9am. All did not go as planned, but nothing too horrible. We left the hotel at 9am, checking out and checking our bags in with the hotel. Another major prop to the hotel in checking our bags, was a big help. We jumped in the cab and got to WW by 9:10am. We got our VIP lanyards and Edge lithographs and headed upstairs for WW. When we got to the top, we saw a line about 300-400 deep. OH NO!!! Luckily with the VIP, we skipped that humongous GA line and took our place no more than about 50 deep. A few mins. after 10am, they let the VIPs in.
We headed for the ATM machine, so Nate could draw out some cash. 2 ATMS, from the same bank side by side and we chose the left one. Nate stuck his card in and attempted to draw cash and the authorization was declined saying unauthorized transaction. I tried mine and same thing. I suggested Nate try the right one before we attempted to find another machine and then it worked. The right machine dished out the cash for Nate. WTF?!?!?! We pressed on.
Once we got to Edge's booth the GAs were in and lined up and there were a lot of people here. We found the VIP line, putting us only about 40-50 deep. I was going to need to go through the line twice. With Nate getting some of his own stuff done, his hands would not be free to keep my Bending The Rules Poster and my 18 foot Summer Slam banner from rolling back up and my hands would be full with the 2 Judgment Day chair seats (yes I figured out how to safely remove the seat so I dont have to take the entire chair) and my WCW US Title. Edge arrived around 12:30pm to a huge cheer. He headed right towards me, as I was standing in the back of his booth on the other side of the curtain waiting in line. He was high fiving fans left and right. High fived me as he was going in, then stopped and turned back around. He came right over to me and was like...you made it...awesome, remembering I told him in Miami I would make the 8.5hr trip. I had both posters in my hand, as I made my way through the line. Edge seemed to be really awesome with everyone. Huge ups to WW for not shoving us through like cattle. For both Paul and Edge, they never tried to move the line along. They gave everyone a few mins. to talk to the person. Was really happy about this. Highly recommend Toronto WW for that. Once it was my turn, I made sure it was alright for me to return to the VIP line once I finished the round. They had several photo files and then I saw it.....THE ULTRA RARE WHITE BACKGROUND WWE PROMO!!!!! Figuring it was like Axxess and they were simple reprints on photo paper, I picked one up and examined it. NOPE!!! IT WAS LEGIT!!! I snagged it and put it in my bag. Got up to Edge and the WWE handler saw the Summer Slam banner and asked where I got it. I told him some elaborate story of how I went to SS, ripped it off the wall, was chased down by security before being caught, tazered several times and arrested.....never relinquishing my hold on this banner. LOL!! The WWE guy said....FINALLY!! I always wanted to see the face of that nut job. :WOAHS: He laughed and said he was kidding. Edge then asked if this was the Beth Phoenix banner. I was like huh?! Then I remembered DJKnightRida got the Beth one done in Baltimore and I told Beth I had the Edge one and was planning on getting it done. I told him that the Beth banner was DJ's and not mine, and he said he was told it was me that had them. So Edge unrolled his banner and then Edge said look at the size of my head....as we kept unrolling it. Picked a spot right in the center of his chest and asked him to sign there. Edge then commented to look at the size of his nipples. WOW my nipples are big. Take a good look at them. Then he said his chest hair looked like shrubbery blown up this big. Edge asked me what I was planning on hanging this and I told him I wasnt quite sure considering the size. My bedroom has 12 foot drop ceilings, but still not large enough for the banner. Edge then asked how big I wanted this signed....I told him to feel free to goto town. He had this big smile on his face and was excited to start painting. He wrote REALLY BIG on it. Started the personalization and then asked to have it unrolled some more. He signed it. He asked for us to unroll it some more. He wrote Rated R Superstar. By the time he was done, the auto starts at his neckline and finishes at his waist....on an 18ft. banner. The auto must be near 3 feet tall. LOL!! Might be the world's largest autograph. The handler asked if it would be ok if we moved the banner to behind Edge on the floor. He noticed that the paint needed time to dry and didnt want it to smudge on me. I was amazed that they would be that courteous and took him up on the offer. So myself, Edge and handler moved the banner to the floor and then we went to my next item. He signed my Bending The Rules poster right on shirt, which may not have been the best spot. Oh well. I started to tell him about my adventure from the day before trying to find Sully's. I told him how I went to Dupont, where he said thats where it used to be before they moved it b/c the building was falling apart. I told him there is a boxing gym there called Sully's and he said he did not know about that. Then tried to recount where the Pro Wrestling School is now.....I mentioned Coxwell and he said that was it. Corner of Coxwell and King if I wanted to try again. So it seems I might have been no more than a half a block from it. :killme:
I told him I would be back around with my next round of items and left the line. So we circled back, allowing my poster time to dry. Once it was, back it went into the tube and we hit the tail end of the VIP line around 1:05pm. Once we got into the first person in the GA line went ape crapand told me this was BS that I got to cut in front of her, etc etc. She started hooting and hollering at me. I told her I had a VIP pass. She said she didnt give a crapwhat I had, it wasnt right. It should be first come, first serve and this was just unfair. So I turned off the "nice guy" and turned on my normal bunghole self. I told her that this VIP pass allows me to cut her off all day long and I just might come back around again and cut her off if she kept bitching. She screamed for WW employees...demanding a refund and said how unfair it is. I chimed in and told her it was unfair I gotta listen to ramblings of a lunatic. WW tried to explain what a VIP pass was, but she was having none of it. WW told her she could go down stairs and attempt to get a refund. She told WW she wasnt leaving her spot and demanded they go downstairs and get a refund for her. Sadly, WW actually did leave and came back offering her a full refund or a free extra auto for her patience. She took the free auto and then shut up. She saw my US Title and actually had the audacity to come up to me and ask if she could hold it. I told her no. She told me it wasnt very Canadian of me and I told her I was an American....EEEEHHHHHHHH!!!! That did not go over well with the rest of the crowd. LOL!!! We were only a few away from getting back to Edge but 1:30pm came around and it was time for the Q and A. They handed everyone numbers and I got #15. We were told to be back at 2pm and he would start signing again. So we went to the Q and A, which then got turned into more A and no Qs. It became more of Edge just talking and moderator asking stupid questions we have heard the answers too and then selecting 3 emailed questions that were lousy mark questions. "Since you and Christian broke up, are you guys still friends in real life or do you guys still dont like one another?" CMON!!!! You can catch the full interview at this link: www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbiffbampop.com%2F2012%2F04%2F15%2Fwwe-interview-edge-at-toronto-comic-con%2F&h=yAQHJDstKAQFJ9Z0YsRiS_Lb6SO5XndigIAY3UvLYlpKmyQ&enc=AZPUyfmTI_ms0xtfBCKO7jBLrRjQ_gAD-U9RV8_h9ipImBVqzcV9legWlYNmCkxBCDRzZ5Ke5Btwv6VgfRnT7B4I
Now you definitely want to take a listen right around the 19:00 mark. But before 19:00 mark....Edge did crush some old guy in the audience, playfully....but funny nonetheless with a grandpa joke. Probably the highlight of the video....but personally 19:00 is my highlight. Edge also mentions how the Edge character is dead and that he is just Adam now. If you see him later tonight....call him Adam. Edge is gone.
So at 19:00 Edge begins to tell the tale of my adventure to find Sully's yesterday. I mark out and then Edge, calls out to me by name and recognizes me in the crowd. Like a 12 year old girl Cena fan, I almost wept. LOL!!! No seriously. :likewhatsee: The session was over and off we went, back to the Edge line. Once we got up there they asked me my number and I handed them 15.....they moved me right towards the front, as Edge had already banged out 1-10. I cant imagine what the crazy bitch said when they told her Edge had to leave for the VIP Q and A. LOL!!! Anyway, was back at the front...snagged a photofile and put that in my bag and then got to Edge again. He said long time no see and laughed. He said I got the shout out during the Q and A and I told him I was marking out like a little girl. He signed both my Judgment Day seats....one for DJKnightRida, who could not come. I also got my WCW US Title signed, my favorite designed belt. Edge saw it and said finally....a real cool title belt to sign. He said he despised the spinner title and also hated the Rated R Spinner. Thought the idea was hokey and doesnt like it. Wants nothing to do with either belt. He looked over the signatures I had and showed him where I wanted him to sign it. He was amazed at the names I had and asked who I was missing. I named the few names I could think of and he wished me luck in getting them all. I told him this was my favorite designed belt and he said it was his too.....well co favorite. WCW US Title and classic IC are his 2 favorite designs. He began to point out reasons he liked it from the embossed center plate, the ridges along the side, and the US flag with the great classic eagle on it. He said THATS what a championship belt is supposed to look like and was one of the few things WCW did do right. I told him I hope this wasnt the last of him and that he wasnt going to go up to the mountains....never to return. He said it wasnt going to be never, but it was going to be a VERY long time before you see him making any types of appearances barring some sort of major change. Ugh!! He is definitely more at peace with his retirement than I am.
3:30pm sharp and Edge is coming in. I had 2 photos planned for this. One regular, since I dont have one with the short hair and one 5 second pose with blinking sunglasses. My props in my back pocket and a kazoo in my mouth....we headed inside the booth. When I was 2 away, I began to play You Think You Know Me on kazoo, which Edge responded with "Kazoos and streamers rule!" Yeah they do! I got up to him, lost the kazoo and got a great regular picture with him. Big smile from both of us. WW made sure the photographer knew 2 for this one too and the photographer waited until I could explain what I wanted to do. I pulled out the sunglasses and asked Edge for the 5 second pose and then turned the glasses on. He said....absolutely not. Do you know how ridiculous we will look? I was stunned. My favorite wrestler of all time....the man I have put so much countless time, money and energy into, supported throughout the years like no one else was gonna deny me this simple request. I couldnt believe it. I thought I was gonna cry. Really? He smiled really big and said of course not. Looking like idiots rule! So he put on his glasses and I put mine on. Edge then said aw man and said the glasses didnt fit. HUH!?!? He said his head is too big and the glasses lip wont go over his ears. He turned to the side and sure enough....THEY DONT!!!! They barely touch the front of his ears. My head is big....8 3/4in. But mine safely fit over my ears with room to spare. His head must be 11in. He got them on best he could and posed ridiculously for 5 seconds. Everyone got a big kick out of it and it prompted others to want the 5 second pose as well. Edge thanked me for coming to see him again and all the support throughout the years. He said he loved the idea for the photo op and cant wait to see how it turned out. Wished us a safe travel home and we were gone.
WW was over. I loved the convention. Loved how we were never rushed through. Wonderful job. We waited for our photos to be printed out and was told about a week for the digital downloads. Once we got our photos we headed out back to the hotel to get our bags and begin the long trek home. We did get to Megabus over an hour early, but sadly found ourselves 25 or so back from the front of line, denying us the seats at the front. Did find that the bottom has more room and was able to sleep 90% of the way home. This will be a trip I will NEVER forget. Thank you Edge!
From all accounts from Edge in Miami during Mania, his new DVD, etc. it seemed that Edge was not going to be doing much in the form of appearances, autograph signings or really coming down from his home in mountains of Asheville. Since he is my all time favorite wrestler, and the person that launched my interest into independent wrestling......it was a no brainer to head to Toronto....8.5hrs away. Not to mention I scored a fantastic deal on Megabus for $21 round trip. Yes, let me repeat the price.....$21 ROUND TRIP!!! After a few initial time changes to departure times......the 2:25am departure time from Harrisburg was upon us. The bus pulled up 10 mins. late, but we were aboard and ready to take on our adventure into hostile territory. Ok....thats an exaggeration. LOL!!! The first thing I learned upon entering the bus.....if you are a tall guy like me, Megabus can be your worse nightmare. We selected seats on top floor of the bus and I found I could not get my legs in. Partially b/c the person in front of me had lounged their seat so far back, their head was in my lap. Very uncomfortable to have another man's head in your lap. :crazysmile: So I had no choice but to extend my legs into the aisle and for the next 4 hours was extremely uncomfortable. I was planning on sleeping on the bus, but that wasnt going to happen. Nothing I did, no position, etc was alleviating the annoyance.
Second thing I learned about Megabus.....just b/c you say you have Wifi does not mean you have Wifi. It NEVER connected after 8.5hrs of searching. Absurd. So now very uncomfortable, very tired and very annoyed....the trip is off to a horrid and rocky start. After 4 hrs, we arrived in Bath, NY for the only scheduled stop outside of customs. It was a relief for the stop, so we could get off the bus and stretch our legs. I waited until most had vacated the bus before getting up. I then reached to the seat in front of me and returned the seat into the most upright position it would go. I would make sure I was on the bus before them and there would be NO putting your head in my lap again dude. :damn:
Off the bus I went and spent 20 of the 30min. break waiting to use the john. Ugh! I returned to the bus and was one of the first back on. Found that I got myself about an additional 3 inches of room. Still not comfortable, but at least my legs could slide in now, jammed up against the seat and my knees slammed into the back of the seat in front of me. The person in front of me returned, sat down and never said or tried to lean the seat back. Perhaps they were annoyed by how far it was leaned back. So we were onto Buffalo for a drop off/pickup. Evidently, Buffalo is a major drop off point on this route. Half the bus vacated and my buddy Nate and I decided to move to the front where we believed to be more room. HOLY CRAP!!!! There was a good foot more leg room in the first row of seats. We now knew where we had to sit next time. This nice lady from Toronto told us these were the best seats and said when we get on the return bus to make sure we get to the station an hour early to ensure we are one of the first few on. We would make sure to take that advice to heart. The last 2 hours was MUCH MORE enjoyable.
Finally we arrived in Toronto. We caught a cab to our hotel, which was just a mile away from the station and 2 miles from the Convention Center. Paid $120 for a night at the Holiday Inn on Carlson St. and it was worth every single penny. Never had I had a more enjoyable stay and felt I get more than my dollars worth. AMAZING!! I cannot say enough good things about the hotel. So we got in and hoped to check in early. They did have a room for us and waved the early check in fee, which was appreciated b/c we were exhausted. The room was immaculate, had fantastic and super fast Wifi and fridge in the room. The shower was awesome, strong water pressure and the beds comfy. We laid down for a bit after getting situated and formulated our plan for sight seeing for the day. We took a look at the Stratusphere Yoga Center in hopes of finding Trish Stratus there. Unfortunately, eventhough she advertises it as being in Toronto...its not and was almost an hour away. A cab ride was about $70 one way. So....Trish was out. Next up was Sully's Gym for Ron Hutchinson's Pro Wrestling Academy that is now being run by Zack Wylde....one of Edge's former training partners in his training days at Sully's. We googled the address and found Sully's on Dupont. The hotel has a tour guide that provides you a map and directions for where you want to go. Gave him the address and we were off. We headed for the subway, followed the trains, etc. and then had a LONG 20 block or so walk to the address on Dupont. We arrived and found this delapadated building looking like it was going to fall apart. This has to be the place, right. We went upstairs and headed inside. TONS of boxing photos, posters, etc. hung. This didnt look like Sully's....not the Sully's I have seen video and pics of though. It was called Sully's, but there was no sign of Edge, Christian or anything wrestling related. Spoke to the gentlemen working there and he told us he did not know what we were talking about till I mentioned Ron Hutchinson and he told me that I wanted 300 Coxwell Ave. He gave us directions and we headed out. Another 20 blocks till we found the subway and we were back on riding to Coxwell Ave.
We got off the subway and had another 10 block walk. Couldnt believe how much walking around we were doing and have already spent 4 hours looking for this one place. But finally we were here. Cept this didnt look right. The building was too nice. So we headed to the door and found it to be an expensive high rise condo. We couldnt even get inside, as you have to be buzzed in. This couldnt be it. I went to the gym that was 2 doors down and the lady there was very helpful, but had no idea what I was looking for. She googled the address and it said 300 Coxwell for the Pro Wrestling Academy. There was a number, so she wrote it down and let me use her phone. I called the # and got a recording "this number does not accept incoming calls". :facepalm: You have got to be kidding me. Beaten and dejected, we ended this trek, caught a bus to the subway and headed home. We had lost.
We soon discovered that in Toronto you only pay $3 fare heading out and not returning back. Now exhaustion was playing a tole, not to mention dejection. We got out of the train station and should have turned left for the hotel, but instead turned right....walking another 20 blocks round trip, right into the heart of downtown Toronto. We basically made a big circle before we found our hotel. Once back the tour guide asked us how our sight seeing went and we told him how lovely the subway is. To the room we went for a minute break.
Since neither was hungry yet, we decided to head to the pool to relax. Got in our trunks and headed down. We had the heated pool all to ourselves...no diving, as the deep end was 5ft. 9in. But it was relaxing....for a little bit, till trouble came. We swam around, relaxed...chit chatted and enjoyed ourselves for about 20 mins. Then a strange man came in wearing a suit and carrying a brief case. He began to disrobe right at the pool into a pair of sweats and this long sleeve tshirt. He then picked up his brief case and headed to the gym. WTF?! Strange. About 15mins later he returned and changed into a pair of swim trunks and then jumped into the pool. He didnt do anything weird from there....just swam from one end to the other. But the briefcase in the gym seemed off. Besides, dude had legit date rape face.
5 mins. later a mom and her son came in. The son decided to do nothing but cannonballs into the pool, which only served to annoy us. We packed our crapand left. Went upstairs, got showered in a great, very large shower and headed for dinner downstairs. Earlier in the day, in the hotel room and in the elevator, there was this burger being advertised. It looked deliscious, so we wanted to dine on that. Not to mention we were tired from the trip and all the walking around...we wanted to be somewhere close. We found out the burger was in our hotel and proceeded to the restaurant. Unfortunately, $40 later for a burger, fries, soda and a beer......we somewhat regretted the decision. Decent burger, but not $40 worth. We returned to our room and passed out.
The morning seem to come so quickly. WW would open at 10am, so we wanted to ensure we were there by 9am. All did not go as planned, but nothing too horrible. We left the hotel at 9am, checking out and checking our bags in with the hotel. Another major prop to the hotel in checking our bags, was a big help. We jumped in the cab and got to WW by 9:10am. We got our VIP lanyards and Edge lithographs and headed upstairs for WW. When we got to the top, we saw a line about 300-400 deep. OH NO!!! Luckily with the VIP, we skipped that humongous GA line and took our place no more than about 50 deep. A few mins. after 10am, they let the VIPs in.
We headed for the ATM machine, so Nate could draw out some cash. 2 ATMS, from the same bank side by side and we chose the left one. Nate stuck his card in and attempted to draw cash and the authorization was declined saying unauthorized transaction. I tried mine and same thing. I suggested Nate try the right one before we attempted to find another machine and then it worked. The right machine dished out the cash for Nate. WTF?!?!?! We pressed on.
Once we got to Edge's booth the GAs were in and lined up and there were a lot of people here. We found the VIP line, putting us only about 40-50 deep. I was going to need to go through the line twice. With Nate getting some of his own stuff done, his hands would not be free to keep my Bending The Rules Poster and my 18 foot Summer Slam banner from rolling back up and my hands would be full with the 2 Judgment Day chair seats (yes I figured out how to safely remove the seat so I dont have to take the entire chair) and my WCW US Title. Edge arrived around 12:30pm to a huge cheer. He headed right towards me, as I was standing in the back of his booth on the other side of the curtain waiting in line. He was high fiving fans left and right. High fived me as he was going in, then stopped and turned back around. He came right over to me and was like...you made it...awesome, remembering I told him in Miami I would make the 8.5hr trip. I had both posters in my hand, as I made my way through the line. Edge seemed to be really awesome with everyone. Huge ups to WW for not shoving us through like cattle. For both Paul and Edge, they never tried to move the line along. They gave everyone a few mins. to talk to the person. Was really happy about this. Highly recommend Toronto WW for that. Once it was my turn, I made sure it was alright for me to return to the VIP line once I finished the round. They had several photo files and then I saw it.....THE ULTRA RARE WHITE BACKGROUND WWE PROMO!!!!! Figuring it was like Axxess and they were simple reprints on photo paper, I picked one up and examined it. NOPE!!! IT WAS LEGIT!!! I snagged it and put it in my bag. Got up to Edge and the WWE handler saw the Summer Slam banner and asked where I got it. I told him some elaborate story of how I went to SS, ripped it off the wall, was chased down by security before being caught, tazered several times and arrested.....never relinquishing my hold on this banner. LOL!! The WWE guy said....FINALLY!! I always wanted to see the face of that nut job. :WOAHS: He laughed and said he was kidding. Edge then asked if this was the Beth Phoenix banner. I was like huh?! Then I remembered DJKnightRida got the Beth one done in Baltimore and I told Beth I had the Edge one and was planning on getting it done. I told him that the Beth banner was DJ's and not mine, and he said he was told it was me that had them. So Edge unrolled his banner and then Edge said look at the size of my head....as we kept unrolling it. Picked a spot right in the center of his chest and asked him to sign there. Edge then commented to look at the size of his nipples. WOW my nipples are big. Take a good look at them. Then he said his chest hair looked like shrubbery blown up this big. Edge asked me what I was planning on hanging this and I told him I wasnt quite sure considering the size. My bedroom has 12 foot drop ceilings, but still not large enough for the banner. Edge then asked how big I wanted this signed....I told him to feel free to goto town. He had this big smile on his face and was excited to start painting. He wrote REALLY BIG on it. Started the personalization and then asked to have it unrolled some more. He signed it. He asked for us to unroll it some more. He wrote Rated R Superstar. By the time he was done, the auto starts at his neckline and finishes at his waist....on an 18ft. banner. The auto must be near 3 feet tall. LOL!! Might be the world's largest autograph. The handler asked if it would be ok if we moved the banner to behind Edge on the floor. He noticed that the paint needed time to dry and didnt want it to smudge on me. I was amazed that they would be that courteous and took him up on the offer. So myself, Edge and handler moved the banner to the floor and then we went to my next item. He signed my Bending The Rules poster right on shirt, which may not have been the best spot. Oh well. I started to tell him about my adventure from the day before trying to find Sully's. I told him how I went to Dupont, where he said thats where it used to be before they moved it b/c the building was falling apart. I told him there is a boxing gym there called Sully's and he said he did not know about that. Then tried to recount where the Pro Wrestling School is now.....I mentioned Coxwell and he said that was it. Corner of Coxwell and King if I wanted to try again. So it seems I might have been no more than a half a block from it. :killme:
I told him I would be back around with my next round of items and left the line. So we circled back, allowing my poster time to dry. Once it was, back it went into the tube and we hit the tail end of the VIP line around 1:05pm. Once we got into the first person in the GA line went ape crapand told me this was BS that I got to cut in front of her, etc etc. She started hooting and hollering at me. I told her I had a VIP pass. She said she didnt give a crapwhat I had, it wasnt right. It should be first come, first serve and this was just unfair. So I turned off the "nice guy" and turned on my normal bunghole self. I told her that this VIP pass allows me to cut her off all day long and I just might come back around again and cut her off if she kept bitching. She screamed for WW employees...demanding a refund and said how unfair it is. I chimed in and told her it was unfair I gotta listen to ramblings of a lunatic. WW tried to explain what a VIP pass was, but she was having none of it. WW told her she could go down stairs and attempt to get a refund. She told WW she wasnt leaving her spot and demanded they go downstairs and get a refund for her. Sadly, WW actually did leave and came back offering her a full refund or a free extra auto for her patience. She took the free auto and then shut up. She saw my US Title and actually had the audacity to come up to me and ask if she could hold it. I told her no. She told me it wasnt very Canadian of me and I told her I was an American....EEEEHHHHHHHH!!!! That did not go over well with the rest of the crowd. LOL!!! We were only a few away from getting back to Edge but 1:30pm came around and it was time for the Q and A. They handed everyone numbers and I got #15. We were told to be back at 2pm and he would start signing again. So we went to the Q and A, which then got turned into more A and no Qs. It became more of Edge just talking and moderator asking stupid questions we have heard the answers too and then selecting 3 emailed questions that were lousy mark questions. "Since you and Christian broke up, are you guys still friends in real life or do you guys still dont like one another?" CMON!!!! You can catch the full interview at this link: www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbiffbampop.com%2F2012%2F04%2F15%2Fwwe-interview-edge-at-toronto-comic-con%2F&h=yAQHJDstKAQFJ9Z0YsRiS_Lb6SO5XndigIAY3UvLYlpKmyQ&enc=AZPUyfmTI_ms0xtfBCKO7jBLrRjQ_gAD-U9RV8_h9ipImBVqzcV9legWlYNmCkxBCDRzZ5Ke5Btwv6VgfRnT7B4I
Now you definitely want to take a listen right around the 19:00 mark. But before 19:00 mark....Edge did crush some old guy in the audience, playfully....but funny nonetheless with a grandpa joke. Probably the highlight of the video....but personally 19:00 is my highlight. Edge also mentions how the Edge character is dead and that he is just Adam now. If you see him later tonight....call him Adam. Edge is gone.
So at 19:00 Edge begins to tell the tale of my adventure to find Sully's yesterday. I mark out and then Edge, calls out to me by name and recognizes me in the crowd. Like a 12 year old girl Cena fan, I almost wept. LOL!!! No seriously. :likewhatsee: The session was over and off we went, back to the Edge line. Once we got up there they asked me my number and I handed them 15.....they moved me right towards the front, as Edge had already banged out 1-10. I cant imagine what the crazy bitch said when they told her Edge had to leave for the VIP Q and A. LOL!!! Anyway, was back at the front...snagged a photofile and put that in my bag and then got to Edge again. He said long time no see and laughed. He said I got the shout out during the Q and A and I told him I was marking out like a little girl. He signed both my Judgment Day seats....one for DJKnightRida, who could not come. I also got my WCW US Title signed, my favorite designed belt. Edge saw it and said finally....a real cool title belt to sign. He said he despised the spinner title and also hated the Rated R Spinner. Thought the idea was hokey and doesnt like it. Wants nothing to do with either belt. He looked over the signatures I had and showed him where I wanted him to sign it. He was amazed at the names I had and asked who I was missing. I named the few names I could think of and he wished me luck in getting them all. I told him this was my favorite designed belt and he said it was his too.....well co favorite. WCW US Title and classic IC are his 2 favorite designs. He began to point out reasons he liked it from the embossed center plate, the ridges along the side, and the US flag with the great classic eagle on it. He said THATS what a championship belt is supposed to look like and was one of the few things WCW did do right. I told him I hope this wasnt the last of him and that he wasnt going to go up to the mountains....never to return. He said it wasnt going to be never, but it was going to be a VERY long time before you see him making any types of appearances barring some sort of major change. Ugh!! He is definitely more at peace with his retirement than I am.
3:30pm sharp and Edge is coming in. I had 2 photos planned for this. One regular, since I dont have one with the short hair and one 5 second pose with blinking sunglasses. My props in my back pocket and a kazoo in my mouth....we headed inside the booth. When I was 2 away, I began to play You Think You Know Me on kazoo, which Edge responded with "Kazoos and streamers rule!" Yeah they do! I got up to him, lost the kazoo and got a great regular picture with him. Big smile from both of us. WW made sure the photographer knew 2 for this one too and the photographer waited until I could explain what I wanted to do. I pulled out the sunglasses and asked Edge for the 5 second pose and then turned the glasses on. He said....absolutely not. Do you know how ridiculous we will look? I was stunned. My favorite wrestler of all time....the man I have put so much countless time, money and energy into, supported throughout the years like no one else was gonna deny me this simple request. I couldnt believe it. I thought I was gonna cry. Really? He smiled really big and said of course not. Looking like idiots rule! So he put on his glasses and I put mine on. Edge then said aw man and said the glasses didnt fit. HUH!?!? He said his head is too big and the glasses lip wont go over his ears. He turned to the side and sure enough....THEY DONT!!!! They barely touch the front of his ears. My head is big....8 3/4in. But mine safely fit over my ears with room to spare. His head must be 11in. He got them on best he could and posed ridiculously for 5 seconds. Everyone got a big kick out of it and it prompted others to want the 5 second pose as well. Edge thanked me for coming to see him again and all the support throughout the years. He said he loved the idea for the photo op and cant wait to see how it turned out. Wished us a safe travel home and we were gone.
WW was over. I loved the convention. Loved how we were never rushed through. Wonderful job. We waited for our photos to be printed out and was told about a week for the digital downloads. Once we got our photos we headed out back to the hotel to get our bags and begin the long trek home. We did get to Megabus over an hour early, but sadly found ourselves 25 or so back from the front of line, denying us the seats at the front. Did find that the bottom has more room and was able to sleep 90% of the way home. This will be a trip I will NEVER forget. Thank you Edge!