This report brought me to an area I’ve never been to for an autograph signing, Kingston, ON, which is about 2.5 hours east of Toronto. Chinlock Wrestling hosted a Legends of Wrestling Convention in the morning/afternoon, while also hosting an indy wrestling show the same evening. This was done in collaboration with Tommy Dreamer’s House of Hardcore and was done for charity.
Most of these names were names I have met before, but despite that, most were names I still needed. Prices for this event were solid. You could get a VIP ticket for about $180 after taxes and fees, which included a photo and autograph with all of the legends appearing at the convention plus a ticket to the show that evening. If you were to choose individual wrestlers, you would pay $15 for a combo regardless of who it was (with the exception of Bret Hart who was $60). $15 per autograph isn’t bad at all, especially considering that the Niagara convention charges $40 per. I decided to do the VIP route and then pay individually for extras. I needed everyone on the legends list except for Jimmy Korderas and Tommy Dreamer. Of the list of legends, the only fresh name for me would be Arn Anderson, but he would cancel his appearance the day before due to injuring his back. Arn Anderson would be replaced with Lex Luger, a suitable replacement, but one I have met before. This replacement turned out to be a good thing because I did find some stuff for Lex to sign and ended up having a good talk with him. More on that later in the report when it comes, of course.
Fast forward to the morning of the event, we leave Toronto at about 7am, and get there at about 9:45. I go to the box office to collect my VIP ticket and buy extra autographs. I normally wouldn’t buy so many extras, but at $15, I thought that I might as well – plus, it’s for charity. Once I get all my tickets, I join the line at the door which had about thirty people in it. The line behind me started to grow quite quickly, and not too long after I joined the line,
josecalderon arrives and greets me before getting his tickets sorted out as well. Doors were to open at 10am for this event; however, they opened at ten minutes past. Once you got in, you would go the event organizers to get your autograph tickets. The initial ticket purchase at the box office simply gets you an unspecified autograph, but at this second booth, you decide who’s autograph you want, and they give you a ticket with their name on it. The idea was to keep the entire autograph handling cash-free to make it simple. I get my (rather large) stack of autograph tickets and venture into the arena. Each wrestler has their own booth just like at a comic con but set up inside an arena instead.
Billy Gunn had no line yet, so I went up to him first. I redeemed my Billy Gunn ticket, shook his hand and asked him to sign the encyclopedia. I opened up to the Rockabilly entry and he asks: “you want me to sign this?!” and makes a jokingly annoyed look as if to say he didn't like this particular part of his career. I laugh and say: “that’s the only entry left that I need you to sign!”. He laughs and I tell him that I saw him at Destiny a while ago. After he signs, we take a photo and he tells me that it is nice to see me again and thanked me for coming.
I next went up to Fred Ottman, who had a few people in his line. I needed three Fred Ottman autographs and redeemed those three tickets. Last week, I had messaged Fred on Instagram asking him about the encyclopedia and how many entries he has (I had a hunch I was missing one). Turns out that I had them all accounted for and just needed one more entry for him to sign in the book. As I turn to the page, I tell him about messaging him on Instagram. He says: “oh yes! You said you were going to bring your book!”. Before I got the page opened, he knew that I wanted him to sign his Big Man Steel entry, which he does. When I got home to take pictures of the autographs, I couldn’t help but notice he signed “Big Steel Man” rather than “Big Man Steel” lol.
I then have him sign his two elites, personalized. I tell him that I had met him a few years ago at the Hamilton Comic Con. In response, he says “I love comic cons! There’s on in St. Louis next weekend and I’ll be there!”. He also said: “too bad there isn’t many toys at this convention! I’m looking for LJN rings because I like getting them signed!”.
After he signs, we take the picture and thank each other. He asks me if I had the figure protectors, to which I respond that I don’t. He then plugged wrestlingfigures.com and said that I can find them there lol.
The next wrestler I went up to was Lex Luger, who had about ten people in line. I brought along 8 magazines to get signed by him (if it weren’t for the combination of the low price plus proceeds going to charity, I probably wouldn’t have gotten as many signed). Once it was my turn, I present the stack of magazines and the handler tells him: “he’s got 8!”. I also take out my blue sharpie, to which Lex comments “even has his own marker!”. He begins running through the magazines.
As he starts, I tell him about seeing him at the church in Western New York last July. In response, he says: “wow! You get around!”. I laugh and say: “I listened to your story back in July and it is a story I haven’t forgotten, and the message still resonates with me”.
His eyes immediately lit up and he told Tully, who was seated at the same table (remember that Lex was replacing Arn), “he came for pictures and autographs, and ended up listening to my testimony and word of God”. Tully, who I believe is also religious, judging by his autograph, says: “that’s amazing!”. I say: “you signed about a dozen items for me that morning, which I appreciated and have treasured as part of my collection.” Lex says: “I remember you got your pictures and autographs and ended up sticking around to hear the word of God!”. I tell him that it was a great experience, to which he says: “you came from the Toronto area, right?”. I tell him that he’s right and am shocked at that fact he remembered me.
After that part of the conversation, he flips to the Dusty Rhodes cover, says “wow!” and stares at it for a few seconds. He then sees the one with him and Ricky Steamboat, then makes a joke at Ricky’s: “look at Ricky, he’s crying! I’m standing in glory, while he’s crying!”. Then, when he sees the cover of him with Ric Flair, he comments: “ohh.. look at Flair, begging!”. Lastly, when he saw the last magazine, he commented on the fact that it was his rookie cover for The Wrestler magazine line. All of comments regarding Flair and Steamboat were all in good fun.
After he finishes signings, we take the picture. I continue: “I emailed the pastor at the church and asked him to send a message of thanks to you for me. I’m happy they brought you in today because not only do I get to see you again, but I also get to thank you again!”. He smiles hugely, shakes my hand and thanks me sincerely as well. I could tell that he genuinely appreciates the fans.
Once I was done with Lex, I went over to join Tully’s line that had a few people. I needed three magazines and an entry in the encyclopedia done. I first give him the three magazines to sign. The very first one, he comments: “wow! A magazine with me on the cover.. winning?!”. I laugh and say: “why do you sound so surprised?”, to which he smiles at. I tell him that I was outside the Impact Rebellion show two months ago and he signed an autograph for me that night, which I appreciated. I also tell him that I’m a big fan of Tessa Blanchard, which he thanks me for. After he signs everything, we take the picture.
Jimmy Korderas has no line, so I get him out of the way next. I didn’t need him, but he was included in the VIP purchase and you couldn’t make substitutions. I had him sign the 8x10 they provided if you don’t have your own item to sign. I ask him to make it out to Alex, and he does so. I tell him: “I used to see you at Smash and at Destiny”. He replies: “yeah I don’t go to as many shows as often anymore, but Anthony [Santino] will be having a show in… July.. I think” Me: “yeah, July 13. I’ll be there” (I won’t), Jimmy: “that’s right, July 13. I gotta support the Aftermath guys!”. (Aftermath is a wrestling talk show in Canada hosted by Jimmy Korderas, Santino, among others).
After Jimmy, I realize that it is past 11am, which meant that the General Admission ticketholders have been let in. I notice that Bret’s line is consequently growing, so I join his line. When I join his line, the show promoters are selling Bret Hart shades for $25 and you would be able to get them signed at no additional charge. $25 for a signed pair of Hitman shades? Deal. I bought one of the last ones. Bret’s line was taking forever to move as he was taking his time with everyone and the handlers weren’t rushing anyone. Fast forward an hour later, Bret leaves for a quick twenty minute lunch, then returns. It was finally 1pm when I get Bret. My meet with Bret starts off with a handshake, and telling him that it is nice to meet him again. Bret is usually quiet, and I’ve met him several times, so all I didn’t intend to converse too much. However, he begins talking about the DM figure and says: “this is probably my favourite doll”, to which I saw that I had it on display for a while. Just a little side note, the DM was already signed, but in black sharpie. It was driving me nuts because I have quite a few DMs signed, but all in paint pen. I decided to take the black sharpie autograph off and have it resigned in pink paint, and I’m glad with the result. Before signing the shades, he asks if I want it personalized, to which I say yes to.
I then have him switch to a light blue marker to sign his Classic figure with. I figured the blue with go nicely with the pink attire of the figure, which it does. As Bret signs it, Mark Henry makes his way back to his table, but goes to Bret with a box of donuts. With the biggest smile, Henry approaches Hart’s table while I’m there and asks Bret: “Canadian maple, sir? I know you like 'em”. Henry laughs, Bret smiles, then Henry proceeds to his own table. Bret yells to Henry: “we’ll be having heart attacks together!”. After he signs the figure, Bret and I take a photo and thank each other.
The next line I join is Mark Henry’s line which took about 15 minutes to get through. While in line, I glance over to Jimmy Korderas’ table and see Arda Ocal is there. Arda Ocal had a role with WWE as Kyle Edwards. Knowing that he would be there, I brought along a few programs in which he is in. My plan was to approach him after meeting Henry. However, two minutes later, Arda disappears lol. I get to the front of the Henry line and I have him sign the Fan Central elite in yellow, personalized. I didn’t have much to say to him other than telling him that it was nice to meet him again. After he signed, we took the photo, after which he says: “stay out of trouble!”
I then join Jimmy Hart’s line, which had about 15-20 people. When I did, I noticed that Arda was back at Jimmy Korderas’ table. I hop out of the Jimmy Hart line and approach Arda who is talking to another fan. Jumping out of Jimmy Hart’s line might sound weird, but Arda doesn’t do wrestling shows anymore and lives in the states, so I knew getting him would be a challenge. I let the fan have his conversation with Arda. Once the conversation is over, I then approach Arda, who thinks I’m there to get Jimmy Korderas and moves out of the way. However, I then ask him to sign for me, and he is shocked: “oh! You’re here for me too? Another one [fan]? Let’s change the event name to Kyle Edwards Appreciation Day!” In response, someone working with Jimmy Korderas takes Korderas’ table name tag, flips it to the blank white side and writes “Kyle Edwards” on it, as if to say that Arda/Edwards is now a guest at the con. I have Arda sign two programs, and he is over the moon at the request. I tell him: “everyone is here to see Bret. I came to see you!”, and he laughs. I also ask if we can take a picture together and he ecstatically obliges. I thank him for everything and he replies sincerely: “thank you for asking!” and shakes my hand. I then rejoin Jimmy Hart’s line.
While in Jimmy Hart’s line, I notices Arda joking about pretending to be a part of the legends line up and sits in Jimmy Korderas’ seat with the “Kyle Edwards” nametag in front. However, he gives the bored “Lonely Virgil” look as if to joke that no one came to see him lol. Hart’s line took about 10 minutes to get through, and I have him sign a WWF program. He asks if I want my name on it, and while I wasn’t planning to get it personalized, I ask him to make it out to me anyway. I didn’t have much to say to him. This meet was a quick one. Hart was cool, as always, though.
Minutes before I met Jimmy Hart, Hornswoggle finally arrives. Not sure what the hold-up was, but he was running late and bolted into the convention, found his table, and started signing. A line of about thirty people forms. Half an hour later, I meet Hornswoggle and have him sign a program from 2007.
And finally… the last guest I “needed” (I didn’t need him, but was included in the package) was Tommy Dreamer. Dreamer signs for free at indy shows and I’ve met him several times, so needless to say, anything I need Tommy to sign has already been signed lol. I was conversing with
josecalderon after getting Hornswoggle and before getting Tommy Dreamer. I joke: “I don’t need Tommy, but I might as well go meet him since I paid for him anyway!” I have him sign the provided 8x10 and took a photo with him. I told him that I last saw him at Greektown, and he says: “yeah, some of my friends will be there next week.” I say: “right. Sabu, Shane Douglas, and Blue Meanie will be there!” (Hint: look out for that report next week lol). Tommy and I thank each other, and I am done for the day.
A fun few hours of autograph collecting. The highlight has to be my meet with Lex Luger, who ironically wasn’t part of the original line up. Overall, everyone was pleasant enough and my autographs turned out great.
Thanks for reading!
