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Post by TheChamp617 on Jan 19, 2024 1:03:26 GMT -5
Glad to see you posting. I was about to come on here asking when you would be posting again but you beat me to it with this report. Thanks for noticing and for reading! Hopefully 2024 is another year full of reports. Very cool. Very jealous that you got to spend nearly a month in Europe! Thanks! Europe was quite the experience.
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Post by K5 on Jan 19, 2024 12:08:12 GMT -5
I almost went to that event last night in Toronto. I'm a bit jealous haha. Looks like a good time
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Post by ASR (therockisback) on Jan 22, 2024 1:48:17 GMT -5
Ali is the man
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Post by TheChamp617 on Feb 7, 2024 0:50:14 GMT -5
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!
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Post by A-Rob on Feb 8, 2024 0:40:01 GMT -5
Another excellent report Champ! I didn't know this event was happening. I might have gone if Matt Riddle's prices were fair.
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Post by ASR (therockisback) on Feb 10, 2024 19:38:49 GMT -5
Riddle is the man
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Post by TheChamp617 on Feb 25, 2024 1:45:21 GMT -5
Quick report tonight. Lince Dorado and Matt Cardona were in Oshawa, ON for Destiny Wrestling tonight. Steph Delander was also advertised but it seems she wasn’t able to make it. Doors for General Admission ticket holders were to open at 6PM. I get there a few minutes before and there was no line as they apparently had opened the doors early. My plan was to get my autographs then leave to do some figure hunting as I wasn’t too crazy about the card. Once I got into the venue, I looked around at the gimmick tables and Zack Ryder wasn’t yet set up, to my surprise. He preaches being out selling his merch before the show, during intermission, and after the show, so him not yet being out was a surprise to me. Lince, however, was out signing for VIP ticket holders. Although I was GA, they typically allow GA fans to meet the talent but at an extra charge. I ask the handler if I could meet Lince as a GA ticket holder and was turned away. I mentioned that at the last event, I was able to meet the talent as a GA ticket holder but the handler said that he wasn’t aware if they were doing that and asked me to come back at intermission at which point Zack would be out too. With Lince not signing for GA and Zack Ryder not yet out, I left for a couple of hours to grab some food and to check out a Walmart. The show was to start at 7, so I did not expect intermission to be until some time past 8. I returned at 8PM to see that the show was well underway. The crowd was also a decent size which they later announced was a record-breaking crowd for their Oshawa shows. They typically run out of Santino’s gym in Mississauga. 8:15PM comes and so does intermission. Lince and Zack are still not out. At the end of intermission, it is announced that they would be signing after the show. Zack suffers a defeat in the main event. It is now 9:40PM and the show is over. Lince makes his way over to the VIP table. The promoter soon follows and I ask if I’m able to get an autograph as a GA ticket holder. He tells me it would be $20 which I pay. A few minute after doing so, it is my turn to meet Lince. With a smile, Lince asks “what do we have here?” and shakes my hand. I present him my figure and ask, “can you make this out to Alex, please?” and he is happy to do so. As he signs, I tell him “I met you at Demand Lucha in Toronto last year. You were so nice to me, I had to come out and support you again”. He replies, “thank you, and thank you for supporting Destiny!” After he signed the figure, he asks if I want to take a picture with him and I reply by telling him I only paid for an autograph. We then thank each other and I join the line at Zack’s table. There was a few people in front of me when I joined the line and the line grew to about 15 people by the time I was able to meet him. We start off with a handshake and exchange pleasantries. I ask him how much an autograph would be and he asks for $40, then says “I haven’t seen that before!”, referencing how I set up the headband I was having him sign. I wrapped the headband around a comic board such that it’s stretched out. I replied, “I tried to make it easier!”. He replies back, “this makes it MUCH easier!” I pay him the $40, then converse with him a bit more. Me: “How long are you in the city for?” Zack: “Until 3AM tomorrow morning!” Me: “Oh, so no time for Toys R Us?” Zack: “I went today and it SUCKED!” Me: “Right, I went too! There was nothing there!” Once he finished signing, I tell him that I met him at Silver Snail last year and I mentioned to him then that I had the headband but couldn’t find it. Zack replies, “well, there it is now!” and smiles. He shakes my hand and thanks me again. Another great experience with both guys. Destiny will be having Mustafa Ali next week, so watch out for that report. Thanks for reading!
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mad2009
Main Eventer
Joined on: Feb 12, 2009 20:10:22 GMT -5
Posts: 1,676
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Post by mad2009 on Feb 25, 2024 4:34:54 GMT -5
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
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Post by Grumpyoldman on Feb 25, 2024 9:13:44 GMT -5
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 Right?! If I'm going to pay more than $50 for an autograph, I'd expect some nice penmanship. Not a squiggle, a backwards 7 & a bunch of circles. Glad you had a nice time, Alex. I always enjoy reading these.
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Post by TheChamp617 on Feb 25, 2024 13:46:06 GMT -5
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 Right?! If I'm going to pay more than $50 for an autograph, I'd expect some nice penmanship. Not a squiggle, a backwards 7 & a bunch of circles. Glad you had a nice time, Alex. I always enjoy reading these. 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!
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Post by Scott! on Feb 29, 2024 13:16:31 GMT -5
The autograph on the Lince figure looks great, really looks like he went all out and that's so good to see. I understand about Cardona's autograph, it's like when I get my football tops signed, same kinda material and it makes it hard to autograph on so I can see how it didn't come out as good as you'd hope if that makes sense.
Another great signing though, and always a positive when the guys you meet are nice and friendly.
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Post by TheChamp617 on Mar 3, 2024 21:57:19 GMT -5
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!
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Post by TheChamp617 on Apr 14, 2024 20:20:29 GMT -5
Quick report for some new names today. KENTA/Hideo Itami and Subculture were in Toronto today for Destiny. This time around, they offered a pre show meet and greet ticket as an add on to your admission ticket. This would be the only way to meet Kenta. The meet and greet was to start at 6PM with doors opening 15 minutes beforehand. This venue had a small hall/room upon entering, with doors leading to the main hall where the wrestling took place. The Kenta meet and greet took place in this small room and once I got in, he was already out signing. I joined the line of about a dozen people and it did not take too long for me to get to him. We start off with a handshake and exchange pleasantries. I was wearing an NXT Hideo Itami shirt and he smiles, saying “oh you got the shirt!”. I tell him I’m a huge fan and he thanks me for the comment. He first signs an 8x10 for me, then signs my figure in yellow. I ask him to personalize to Alex and he asks if Alex is me, to which I tell him that I am and that I collect the wrestling figures. He thanks me again and signs it. After he signed, he stood up to take a photo. Once the photo was taken, we shake hands and I wish him luck in his match. I then made my way to the main room. A wrestling figure vendor was set up but I did not purchase anything. I was looking for Subculture’s merch table as I wanted to get some cards signed. The merch tables were set up along a particular wall which had a small stage in the middle of it where the commentary table was set up. This meant that some merch tables were set up to the left of the stage and some were set up to the right. I didn’t realize this was the case upon my first walkaround. It took me a few minutes to realize I had missed some merch tables as a result, including Subculture’s. Once I find their table, I make my way there. Flash Morgan Webster and Mark Andrews were there but Dani Luna was not yet. They were conversing with another fan so I wait until they finish their conversation. After the fan was done, they see me and are all smiles, shaking my hand. I ask if they can sign some cards for me and they are happy to do so. They see the Dani Luna card and Mark tells me she’ll be out soon. Once they signed, I ask if we can take a picture. Their table was set up by the wall and it was a bit awkward for photos but they made sure to come out from behind their tables for a proper photo. After the photo is taken, I thank them while wishing Flash a happy belated birthday which he thanked me for. As Dani wasn’t out yet, I find a place to sit with the merch table in view. A few minutes later, the guy helping Subculture sell their merch walks up to me, letting me know that Dani is out now. I make my way back to the table and Mark tells Dani “he wants you to sign something”. Dani was also pleasant, shaking my hand as I approached the table. She signs my card and we pose for a photo. I thank the trio again, wishing them luck in their match. They thank me as well to end tonight’s meet and greets. Thanks for reading!
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Post by ASR (therockisback) on Apr 16, 2024 23:31:28 GMT -5
Hideo & Mustafa, both great talent.
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Post by Grumpyoldman on Apr 17, 2024 8:43:17 GMT -5
I must be old. I don't recognize the names or faces. Glad you had a good time. I'm curious to know how many signatures you have in your collection now.
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Post by TheChamp617 on Apr 28, 2024 0:44:34 GMT -5
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!
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Post by TheChamp617 on Apr 28, 2024 0:45:42 GMT -5
I must be old. I don't recognize the names or faces. Glad you had a good time. I'm curious to know how many signatures you have in your collection now. Thanks! I'm curious to know this too to be honest lol
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Post by Grumpyoldman on Apr 28, 2024 2:36:21 GMT -5
Another great post. Like you said, a bit disorganized on the part of the organizers. Glad you were able to get your signatures.
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Post by TheChamp617 on May 5, 2024 10:21:13 GMT -5
Eugene was in Niagara Falls yesterday for the grand re-opening of the Icon Autographs store. I wasn’t planning on attending this signing due to distance, but there was a concert nearby that I wanted to check out so made a day out of this. He, along with a few other celebs, were signing from 1pm to 4. To promote the store, they were offering one free autograph and selfie per family. Of those appearing, I was only familiar with Eugene. The store is located at the lower level of a hotel. I arrive at almost 2:30 and make my way to the lower level. There were no signs telling you where to go so it was a bit of a challenge. Turns out, you needed to walk through an arcade and it would be at the end. A bit of a strange location for this. Once I get in, I see the row of tables with the celebs as well as a line of several dozen people. The line did not seem like it was for the celebs and I did not know what the purpose of the line was as the front of the line led into another room which I could not see from the room I was in. I spoke to a worker who told me the line is for something else and if I want to meet Eugene, go straight and speak to the handler. I did that and was told if I wanted a second autograph, it would be at an extra cost. I was cool with paying their price considering the first autograph was free and there was no admission fee. Before I put my stuff in front of Eugene, I tell the handler, “let me pay you before I forget!”. Eugene jokes, “oh, he won’t let you forget!”. I say, “it happened once. It looked bad!”. Eugene laughs. Once I pay the handler, I shake Eugene’s hand and tell him it’s a pleasure to meet him again. He returns the thought. He saw I had a couple of markers in my hand and he asks if I want him to use them, to which I say yes then put a program from 2007 in front of him, to which he said “ah, a program!” to. He is about to start signing but sees I pull my camera out and he poses for a quick second before signing. Then, I have him sign a magazine and ask him to switch markers. He jokes to me and the celeb next to him (I think it was Jeremy Miller), pointing at the magazine, “this is when I was a centerfold!”. After he signs, Eugene comes out from behind his table and takes a photo with me. Before we take the photo, he makes sure I put my markers back in my pocket to take a proper photo, asking me to do a big thumbs up. Eugene and I thank each other again to end the meet. Later that day, I saw what was left of The Cowsills and The Buckinghams in concert. Both of them did meet and greets as well. The Cowsills was out at intermission and after the show while The Buckinghams were just out after the show. I won’t go into too many details. All were great, signing anything you had, especially The Cowsills. They learned my name and would call me by my name once they did. During intermission, I wanted to buy a record but because intermission was so short, I didn’t have enough time which is why I went to meet them again after the show. With the way the tables were set up, you would meet The Buckinghams, and then The Cowsills on your way out. By the time I got to the front, The Cowsills were almost wrapping up but they made sure to make some more time for me as I wanted to buy a record from them, again calling me by my name and thanking me for coming. Thanks for reading!
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Post by The Brain on May 5, 2024 13:11:58 GMT -5
Really dig the Buckinghams and Cowsills stuff. Nice to see another 60s era music fan here on the forum
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