The main post got too long and the forum would not allow me to update it because updating it would exceed the maximum number of characters allowed in a single post.
This thread wouldn't have gone this far without you guys reading these, so thanks everyone! From now on, I will post updates in the form of a bump, just like this one. Of course, I will update the title of the thread accordingly so that no one misses an update. Hopefully this system works!
Jinder Mahal Autograph Signing Report (4/13/2018)The Modern Day Maharaja was in Brampton, ON today. Brampton is a city northwest of Toronto and was celebrating Sikh Heritage Month. They had Jinder Mahal come in to do a Fireside Chat. After messaging the people running the event, I learned that Jinder would be signing autographs after the show.
With April being final exam month in university, I was doubtful that I would be able to attend the event. I ended up doing so and got there around 6:30, half an hour before the show was scheduled to start. The event took place at the Brampton City Hall, and once I walked in, I see that there was already a decent turnout. All of the seats were already taken (about 100), and there were a few dozen standing. Soon after, they bring out benches for people to sit on; however, I stayed standing such that I could get a better view.
7 o’clock comes, and of course, things are running late. 5 minutes later, someone comes on the microphone and says that the show still start in 5 minutes. 25 minutes later, and the show finally starts. It starts off by introducing the moderator of the chat, who then introduced Jinder. Jinder’s music hits and he walks out with his US title. The show finally begins and Jinder talks (based on prompts from the moderator and questions for the audience) for about 45 minutes. Jinder definitely came off as humble. He had the typical message of 'working hard and follow your dreams’ thing, but it was still cool to hear. By the time the show started, about 150 people were there, with a few more trickling in.
A few things I remember from what he said:
- His parents were fully supportive of his career choice. They addressed the stereotype of parents of that background wanting their children to become lawyers or doctors, but Jinder’s parents were very supportive of him becoming a wrestler. Also, a week after he won the WWE title, he ran out of pages in his passport so WWE sent him back home to Calgary so that he could get a new one. Because of that, he was able to take the WWE title back home to his parents. He explained how good that made him feel because he was able to make his parents proud.
- He said that as a kid, he was a massive fan growing up. He collected the figures and had posters in his room. He chose to go to university as a backup plan and felt lucky that he was signed soon after finishing school.
- Jinder admitted that his 2014 release was due to his own fault. He said that he was lazy and unmotivated, which led to his release. He said that he wasn’t happy with his first run because he didn’t win any championships; felt like he failed.
- After he left, he started to invest in real estate and planned to open a franchise like Subway. However, he still wanted to be wrestling, so he started working hard and training seriously again. Two months after he started to become more serious, WWE called him and signed him again. Jinder believes that this was more than just a coincidence and that working hard will lead you to good things.
- His favourite wrestler of all-time is Bret Hart. His favourite wrestler that he has ever competed against is John Cena. He praised Cena for being a great person, both inside and outside of the ring. He praised Cena for all the stuff he does, and said that he does a lot backstage and is a great mentor. Jinder says that you’ll never hear a bad word about Cena.
- Jinder’s dream match would be a match against Mr. WrestleMania at WrestleMania.
- Ranjin Singh came up with the name “Jinder Mahal”. Reason being is that when people hear the name “Mahal”, they would associate it with the Taj Mahal, and therefore, associate the name with something amazing and big. He joked that he wanted a cool name like “The Rock”, but learned to embrace and like the name.
- A kid in the audience told Jinder that he wants to become a WWE superstar. Jinder brought him on stage and told him to work hard and you can achieve anything. He also told the kid to make sure to finish school.
Jinder was definitely great. This part of the event ended at about 8:15. The show wasn’t long, but it also wasn’t short. I thought it was a perfect length because while interesting, these shows can sometimes drag on too long. After the show, candidate for Prime Minister, Jagmeet Singh, presented Jinder with presents.
After that, they announced that there is a meet and greet, and had us line up. They didn’t do too good of a job organizing the line as everyone tried to join the line at the same time. The line initially took forever to move, but thankfully, the volunteers started organizing the line and had people moving along. I was about 60th in line and while waiting, one member of the staff went around to everyone in line to say a personal thank you, which was a nice gesture. Fast forward to 9 o’clock, I am a few people away from meeting Jinder. The handler asks for my camera, to then give to the photographer to use. I realize that I forgot to turn the flash back on and ask for the camera back. They tell me to do it quickly and luckily, it wasn’t my turn yet. 30 seconds later, it is my turn to meet Jinder.
He didn’t have a proper marker (they only provided him with a pen!), so he asked if I had one. I give him my marker, we shake hands and I tell him “nice to meet you, sir!”. It was rushed so I couldn’t say much. Jinder replies: “thank you, brother!”. I open up the first program and he says “oh that’s old school! that’s the first one!”. It seemed genuinely excited to see that one. I then flip to a second program, and he says “ah! The 3MB one!”.
At this point, one of the handlers tells me that he can’t sign any more because they need to accommodate more people. Jinder was cool with signing the two more items I had, though was rushed. He signed the next program which also had the same 3MB picture as the one above, as well as the most recent program.
After, we take a picture together. Meanwhile, the handler was nice enough to close my programs and stack them neatly in order to give them to me with ease. After the picture, I thank Jinder and I get my programs back. Before I take even one step, someone (who I think knows Jinder), greets him. Jinder then tells me to stop and asks “can you show me that old one again?”. I take the program and open it to his page. He shows his friend and his friend replies “whoa, that’s you?!”. Again, Jinder seemed enthused to see that program. Overall, Jinder was very friendly. I couldn’t speak much to him due to the turnout and time constraint; however, he gladly signed my four programs and took a picture with me. It was also really interesting to hear him speak. All in all, a great event.
Thanks for reading! I plan on attending an indy show with Simon Gotch on Sunday.. there’s an ice storm forecasted for Toronto this weekend, so hopefully the plan doesn’t get affected. If all goes well, watch out for an update on Sunday. Thanks again!
Update: Due to the weather, I could not make it to the Simon Gotch show. Next report should be in two weeks with Tyler Bate.
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British Strong Style and Marty Scurll Autograph Signing Report (4/29/2018)Quick report tonight. Tyler Bate, Pete Dunne, Trent Seven, and Marty Scurll were in Mississauga for Destiny Wrestling.
Destiny normally hosts shows at Santino’s gym, but due to the demand of this particular show, they used a banquet hall. There was a really big turnout.
Show was supposed to start at 7:30. I get there at 7:35 and the show hadn’t started yet. Less than 10 minutes later, the show is under way. There were no seats left so I stood, and stood by the table where British Strong Style would be signing. The main reason I went to the show was to meet Tyler Bate and get his elite signed. I would have to wait until intermission for that. During the show, Don Callis, also known as The Jackyl, would be presented with an award to thank him for his contributions to wrestling. I wanted to get him in my encyclopedia, but he unfortunately wasn’t signing. Also during the show, the team of Josh Alexander and Sami Callahan defeated Tyler Bate and Trent Seven. Intermission came after that tag match. Because I was standing close to their table, I was about tenth in line for Tyler Bate and Trent Seven. Pete Dunne would sign after the show. They were asking $20 for an 8x10 that featured the three of them, as well as a photo-op. When it is my turn to meet them, I pay the 20 for a photo. Tyler asks me for my name and personalIzes the photo. Trent then signs it.
After, I have Tyler sign two figures. Tyler signs the two elites I brought him, one for me and one for
ARUN . He was cool with personalizations. He didn’t say much but seemed like a nice guy. I then have him sign an 8x10 of him wrestling TJ Perkins. The reason I have this photo printed is because TJ Perkins normally signs autographs outside the arena at wwe shows. I figured it would be cool to have both TJ and Tyler on one photo. He signed the three items I brought at no additional cost. The autograph on the TJ photo is hard to see, unfortunately.
Once I get my autographs, they let me go behind the table for a photo. After the photo was taken, I shake Tyler’s hand, and try to shake Trent’s hand, but he opted for a fist bump instead. Reason being is that he had some rash on his hand. When I finish with those two, I go outside to catch up with
A-Rob . Nice seeing you, as always! Not too long after, we head back inside and the show resumes. In the main event, Pete Dunne and Marty Scurll fought for the Destiny Wrestling championship. The match ended in a double DQ. Marty wants the referee to restart the match, but the referee doesn’t change his decision. Because of this, Marty says that he will come back "with two friends", and fight British Strong Style. This ends the show.
After the show, I go back to the British Strong Style’s line to add Pete Dunne onto the 8x10. I do so and get another photo-op. Trent Seven was taking phones to take selfies. When I go for my photo, I accidentally stand it front of Tyler. Trent says: “everyone always stands in front of him! Stand there, and don’t move!” As he says that, he positions me for a proper photo. He said that in a joking manner and was not upset at all. Thought it was funny. My picture with the three was taken, and I was then off to meet Marty Scurll. He had a decent-sized line, and it took me about 20 minutes to get to him. He was charging $20 for a photo and autograph, which I thought was fair. He was very friendly, asked how I was doing, and asked if I enjoyed the show. I told him that I enjoyed the show and had him personalize the photo to me. He was happy to do so. After he signed, I went for the picture and once it was taken he thanked me for coming. Marty seemed to genuinely appreciate the fans.
And that’s it for tonight. Thanks for reading!
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