JBL and Aliyah Autograph Signing Report (11/03/2024)

Attended the ROH show in Toronto today at the Maple Leaf Gardens with the main purpose being to meet Tenille Dashwood fka Emma.



I don’t follow ROH (yeah yeah, I know I’m missing out) and so I wasn’t willing to pay their ticket prices, especially with how much I’ve been spending on events. My intention was to try and get autographs at the arena and if that failed, I would hopefully find a discounted ticket on stubhub. That’s exactly what happened. I was at the arena a few hours before the doors were to open. I saw guys like the Youngbucks, Christopher Daniels, Kazarian, among others come into the venue. These are guys I have met before and didn’t need, so I didn’t approach them. Trent Barreta arrived soon after. I needed him to complete my Battle Pack, so I approached him politely and asked him to sign. He saw what I had and said “oh wow!”, and happily signed. I told him that I’ve had this set in my collection for a long time. I also joked: “you came on a cold day!”, and he replied “yeah and it was scary too! I didn’t have cell reception so I wasn’t sure where I was!”. I then asked him for a selfie while apologizing for bothering him. He said that it was no problem and we took the picture. I then thanked him for his time, after which he proceeded to the arena.



Trent and Emma were my biggest wants and with me not being to get Emma before the show, I quickly went home and ordered a discounted ticket off Stubhub, and went back to the arena. I made it to the arena 15 minutes before the doors were to open and found the doors at which my section at. Thankfully, it was a hidden entrance and so I was the only person in line at that gate. Doors opened at 5, and I was let in really easily. I go down to the floor, look at the merch, then head to the meet and greet area. At ROH meet and greets, you first need to line up and buy autograph tickets before going to the wrestler you want to meet. I line up and get a Tenille Dashwood ticket and find her table.

She actually shared a table with Juice Robinson (WWE’s CJ Parker) who was already out signing. Most of the wrestlers slated to participate in the meet and greet were already out, but Tenille wasn’t. By this time, there was only me and one other person in line for Tenille (more would come after) and it was already about 5:20. Juice looks at the two of us and jokes: “are you guys waiting for Tenille? She thinks she a BIG superstar!”, because of the fact that she wasn’t out yet. I joke back: “yeah she is! That’s where there’s TWO of us here to meet her!”. A few minutes later she comes out, with a sling around her shoulder. The person in front of me goes first and then it is my turn. I shake her hand (awkwardly, I used my right hand when she couldn’t so she had to use her left) and tell her it is nice to meet her. Juice sees that I had the action figure and asked Tenille: “is that you? Is that a dancing Emma doll?” and started to mimic the dance she would do back when she was with WWE. She laughed and said something (couldn’t really hear) and also mentioned something to him about the Emmalina character. As a result, she asks me: “did you ever call me Emmalina?” I told her that at one point, I briefly did. She then begins to sign my figure and I asked her to personalize it. She asks: “on the front?”, before she signs and I tell her “yes please”. I also tell her that I was disappointed because back in the summer, she was suppose to be appearing for Destiny in Wasaga Beach, Ontario, but the promotion cancelled the event. She remembered that event and said that she was disappointed too and that she hopes to appear for that promotion soon. I tell her that Destiny always puts on a good show, and she asks: “does Santino go to those shows?”, and I tell her “yes and he is involved with them too.” We then take a selfie.



After the selfie, she repeats that she was disappointed in not being able to appear for Destiny and I told her that because of missing out earlier, it was nice to have the opportunity to meet her here at ROH. We then thank each other to end off the encounter. Tenille/Emma was really friendly and personable. I then went to find my seat for the show, which was quite enjoyable.

After the show, I waited around the arena hoping to meet a few of the wrestlers. I could have met most of them, but only decided to approach Juice Robinson. I know that he is no longer a fan of WWE, so I was a bit hesitant to ask him to sign some WWE programs. Still, I approached him and asked him to sign. He smiled and yelled: "damn it!", before laughing. I apologize and tell him that I'm a big fan. He says that it's cool and that he'll sign as CJ Parker. He signs the one program, and then I flip to a second program, to which he said "oh that's a cool one!". I then ask him for a selfie. It was obvious he was in a rush, but stopped to make sure I got my stuff signed and a selfie, which was really cool of him. After, the selfie, I thank him and he sped walked to catchup to the other wrestlers he was travelling with. Juice was really nice.




And that ends my autograph experience at my first ROH show. Thanks for reading!

Quick report today. Sabu and the Honky Tonk Man were in a city about 75 minutes west of Toronto this evening for SKM Promotions.



This particular city is called Ohsweken and is in the middle of nowhere! Getting there was a bit scary as it was pitch black in the area and you could barely see anything. Any stores, restaurants, etc. were few and far between. I’ve been in the area before, so it was not surprising, but as a city person, it’s nothing something I’m used to. Because the venue was in the middle of nowhere, I did not expect a big turnout, but a couple hundred people actually came to the show. As I arrived at the venue, josecalderon did as well. We get in line and chat while we wait for the doors to be opened, which was slated to be at 7:30. I’ve never done a show with this promotion before, so I did not know what to expect in terms of lateness and other potential issues that typically arise with indy shows. However, doors opened right on time. They first let in VIPs and front row people. This took longer than it should have and it felt like it took forever. The preshow match had already started (and ended!) and general admission ticketholders were still waiting to be let in. Finally, just before 8, josecalderon and I are in the venue and let in to the hall with the wrestling.

Honky is there signing autographs in a corner with a line of a few people. I look around for Sabu, but he was not yet out. A few minutes later, I stand near Honky’s table and get my marker ready. I had a few markers with me and so I was shuffling through them to make sure I got the right one. This would end up being a way Honky jokes around with me later on. Once I got the right marker, I go up to the table. Honky sees the figure and says: “you got the new one!”. I then pay the handler $20 for one autograph, but with a $50 bill.
Honky jokes: “we’ll keep the rest. He doesn’t need the change!”.
I laugh and reply: “I’m on a budget! I definitely need it!”.
Honky replies: “you’re a collector! I saw all your markers!”.
Me: “I’m a collector on a budget! I’m also a student, so I need to stretch my money!”
Honky, jokes again: “I saw the markers! You’re a collector!”
The handler then asks me if I want to get a combo instead, to which I say no to. Honky then proceeds to sign.
Me: “Can you please make it out to Alex?”
Honky, jokingly: “Real collectors don’t get their autographs personalized!”
Me, laughing: “This is my fourth time meeting you and it’s always a pleasure!”
Honky: “I probably give you sh*t every time, don’t I?”
Me: “oh yeah (I stressed the ‘yeah’), but that’s what makes it memorable!”
Honky then lets out a huge laugh.
Once he signs, he says: “here, take a picture” and poses with the figure. My iPhone likes to not work when it needs to, so it freezes. Honky says: “looks like you don’t know what you’re doing with that!”. I finally get the camera to work and Honky smiles for a picture.



After that, I shake his hand and we thank each other. Before I leave, Honky takes another jab and jokes: “next time, make sure I don’t see those markers!”. I reply: “now I know!”. Honky was in a really great mood and was awesome to meet. Sabu was not out signing, which meant I’d have to get him at intermission.

The show officially started 20 minutes late. During the show, Honky came out, cut a promo, and sang his theme song. At around 9:45, intermission is announced, and I quickly make my way to Sabu’s table. Sabu is accompanied by Super Genie who is his valet or something. I’m second in line, and the line quickly grew. Definitely didn’t expect Sabu to have this big of a demand, but it was definitely nice to see. Because of the size of the line and the short duration of intermission, meeting him was rushed. I first shake their hands, then ask for six autographs and a photo. They ask for $50, which I thought was solid. I first have Sabu sign my encyclopedia. He was given a crappy Sharpie by one of the staff members, so the autograph isn’t great. I made sure to give him my blue sharpie once I realized the black wasn’t good.



Next, I had him sign three DVD covers. The first one he signed was the Blood Sport DVD cover. He asked me where I wanted the signature, and I told him that anywhere would be fine. He then signed the Extreme Rules DVD, then the Rise and Fall of ECW DVD. Unfortunately, he signed over Tommy Dreamer’s autograph on the Extreme Rules DVD. It was dark in the venue, so he didn’t notice at first, but once he did, he apologized quickly.



After, I had him sign an original ECW magazine, personalized to me, and then I had him sign my ECW belt.



Once he signed all those items, we took a picture. He then helped me gather all my stuff and that was the end of the meet. My meet was Sabu was really rushed, but it was still a good one. Though I didn’t get much time with him, he seemed like a nice guy.

Thanks for reading! Check back Sunday night for another update!

Nice report, I never heared of that town but if they drew well I guess they'll run again. I'm surprised that ECW had a magazine.

Thanks ARUN!



Thanks! The ECW magazine run didn't last long. I think they only had about six issues lol.



Don't have it, unfortunately.

Sweet gets Champ!!!

Awesome! I feel like I was there reading your report! Thanks for the rundown.

I love that Sheiky story. Someone (it might have been Tito, but it's been a while) recounts that one on his documentary, and it never fails to make me laugh.

That Honky write-up was fantastic, as well. From my own experiences, he can be a bit of a pill, but it seems like you got him on a good day, which is always a win.

As I read this report, I remembered hearing Marty Jannetty tell it. Don't know if the clip's still on YouTube, but his delivery definitely makes it funny. Along with the other Iron Shiek tale he tells.

Back on topic... I remember Tito worked a show at my HS gym my senior year (1998). We were doing a class fundraiser. He was one of our big names, along with King Kong Bundy and Johnny Grunge (WCW star at the time). Tito was the only one you had to pay to meet, as he was doing in-ring photos. He was a cool guy, nonetheless.

Thanks! I've heard mixed experiences in regards to Honky, but he was great to me every time.




I'm surprised he had negative things to say about people too, but it was his honest nature that made his seem genuine. A fan even asked him what he thought about Hulk Hogan as a wrestler and Tito said: "he was the sh*its", but was good at captivating the audience which is important.



He called Shawn a scumbag, but it was in reference to an incident during the 90's. Not sure what happened in later years.