ICW takes a trip to the Andromeda Galaxy
Oct 4, 2021 16:15:08 GMT -5
Zincdust, k5, and 4 more like this
Post by ICW on Oct 4, 2021 16:15:08 GMT -5
The 30th Legends of the Ring saw an improved yet still messy execution of their world’s famous Superticket. This was also my first Legends of the Ring away from the infamous Ramada Inn, as the APA hotel in Woodbridge serves as the convention’s new home. My immediate takeaway: this venue blows away the Ramada Inn but that’s not exactly a high bar to clear, is it?
My main goal for this show: collect signatures on my beautiful AEW Grand Slam ringside chair. While yours truly was in attendance, I did not sit at ringside and looked to buy a chair off someone after the show (something I’ve successfully done in the past). To my utter shock, someone gave me their chair for free. I’m still in shock over it, honestly. A friend urged me to take advantage of this opportunity to start a new autograph project and, I'm happy to say, it got off to a great start at Legends.
Onto the report:
----
We arrived at the APA Hotel just before 8:40 AM (the entire drive was about a half-hour, a big improvement over the hour-long trip to Monore). The hotel had a very spacious parking lot, too, which is always a plus. We walked into the lobby and I immediately spotted the IIconics, who appeared to be headed to the gym (more on that later). I didn’t see any signs for where the convention was being held and was told by the concierge it would be on the 2nd floor.
We stepped off the elevator and into a very cramped hallway. To the left of the elevator was the entrance to some sort of Buddhist conference while Legends seemingly occupied every other room on the floor.
I was directed down the hall and to the left where I picked up my tickets. As usual, they urged everyone to check if they received everything they paid for and it was a good thing that I did as Jenna’s G.A. bracelet was missing. There was an overall frantic vibe from the staff, who didn't have all the answers to other people's questions and I would end up hearing throughout the day that staff would give conflicting information/instructions, which caused nothing but confusion. Rough.
They opened the doors to the vendor room just after 9:00 AM and Terrence ran down the day’s schedule via microphone: male super tickets numbered 1-25 would go first followed by unnumbered Super Tickets with GA ticket holders to follow (more on that at the end of the report). I had some time to kill, so I banged out a few pre-orders.
Up first was AEW’s Serpentico, a regular of AEW Dark. I was hoping that his partner, JAPANESE DEATHMATCH LEGEND Dr. Luther would be booked for the show but, alas, he was not. Serpentico was incredibly nice and took the time to chat with everyone, which I always appreciate. I had him sign an 8x10.
It was around this time when Tony Atlas complimented Jenna on her shoes. I promptly filled Jenna in on Atlas’ shoe/foot fetish and we wondered if he was going to ask a lady to step on his face (as Holidead did to him at Big Event).
AEW’s Sonny Kiss arrived soon thereafter and he was quiet but polite. I had him sign an 8x10.
Next was the newest AEW signee Kiera Hogan, someone I’ve been keeping an eye on for a few years. She was also quiet but polite and signed an 8x10.
Up next was Anthony Greene, F.K.A. WWE’s August Grey. Greene is a very talented dude and recently appeared on AEW programming, so it shouldn’t shock me if we see more of him. He was incredibly nice and someone I will especially root for. Great guy.
I waited about 20 minutes until my next pre-order guest arrived: AEW referee Aubrey Edwards, who would be the first signature on my Grand Slam chair. Aubrey was incredibly nice and engaging with everyone and she really liked the chair. Again: someone really easy to root for.
It was time to line up for the male Superticket (I had an unnumbered S.T.) and that’s when I heard chatter that Kalisto, Buddy Murphy, and Malaki Black were all MIA. I believe Legends had updated Black’s pro-photo op time prior to the convention starting but it was worrying that two additional Super Ticket talent were so delayed. Thankfully, I spotted Kalisto and Murphy just before I was admitted into the room.
The process inside the S.T. room was different: you did not have to go station-to-station to meet talent but, instead, you were permitted to go up to whomever you wanted. Up first:
I hopped on the very short line for Matt Hardy, who was very nice and engaging with friends (though did seem to be very tired, the poor guy). Hardy and I chatted about how great AEW has been and he feels Grand Slam will be looked back on with great historical significance. He signed his photo on the seat of the chair.
Next was Mark Jindrak, a longtime want of mine. Jindrak was very nice and signed my WWE Encyclopedia, Vol. II and my WrestleMania XX program. He remarked that it was sad looking back at old programs and seeing talent who passed on (he was featured in the Mania XX program with his tag partner at the time, Garrison Cade, who passed away a few years ago). It was a sobering moment and I could tell he was genuinely saddened at the untimely loss of his friends.
Next was Moose, who chuckled as he signed my GFW program. Quiet but nice.
Next was Lars Sullivan, who was nice and signed my WrestleMania 34 program. I asked Sullivan if it was okay if I removed my mask (as I did for every guest as a courtesy) and let’s just say he was very, very okay with it (as many of the guests would tell me). Heh…
Next was Fandango and, to my astonishment, they placed Fandango and Breeze across from one another as opposed to next to each other. I believe they made this move to encourage people to buy a Breezeango pro photo op and I’m pretty torn on how I feel about that. On the one hand, I get it. It’s a business but, on the other hand, I thought it was pretty lame. Tag Team photo ops have been a longtime staple of the Super ticket and this was a big whiff for me. Anyways, Fandango was very quiet but polite and signed my WrestleMania 33 program.
Next was Kalisto, who was awesome and engaging with everyone. I asked him if it was okay for me to remove my mask and I think he misunderstood because he hesitated before taking his mask off (he was wearing one over his lucha mask). I told him he didn’t have to but he said it was cool. Oh well. Kalisto signed my WrestleMania 33 program. A+ dude. Jenna was pissed that his handler wouldn't get out of the photo, which is annoying. Have a clue, lady.
Arturo Ruas was next and he was very nice. I scored him in one of my WrestleMania programs a while back, so I had him sign an 8x10. He commented to Jenna to be careful with my chair hahaha.
Murphy was next and, again, quiet but polite. He signed my WrestleMania 33 program. Murphy is an insanely talented wrestler and I hope he kills it wherever he goes next.
Tyler Breeze was my last male Super Ticket and, like Fandango, he was very quiet but polite.
I decided to skip Brian Cage as I’ve met him a bunch of times and didn’t have or need anything from him.
I left the Superticket room and Jenna offered to hop on Sammy Guevara’s healthy line while I knocked out more pre-orders.
The Varsity Blonds were next and all three were nice. I had them sign a group 8x10 and had Brian Pillman Jr. and Julia Hart add their signatures to the chair (Griff didn’t appear at Grand Slam so I had to exclude him). Pillman Jr. accidentally smudged his autograph so I requested a new 8x10, which was accommodated. They were pricey as hell but when in Rome, I guess.
As I made my way back to the Sammy line, I spotted Malaki Black heading into the Super Ticket room (this was just before 11 AM). One of the LOTR staff members decided to let me into the room to quickly get him, which I was very grateful for. Black has been a long time want of mine and he was so incredibly nice. I told him I was so happy he was in AEW and he replied, “Oh me too, man, me too” (said in a humorous tone). I added his signature to the chair as well.
The line for Guevara didn’t move all that much, so I went back to the vendor room and scored Kizarny. Fun fact: Kizarny appeared at my first ever convention (Big Event VIII) but I didn’t have the cash to meet him, so it was cool to knock off a name six years later. Kizarny was going to insist I remove the mask for the photo so...heh. He signed my WWE Encyclopedia, Vol. II
I finally was able to meet Sammy Guevara but I have to do a mini-rant here: it is extremely aggravating when people decide to pitch their companies/promotions/podcasts to talent in the middle of a signing. PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS AT SHOWS, ESPECIALLY when they’re major guests with big lines. It’s just not very courteous and it doesn’t matter if you take “just a few minutes.” It sucks. Okay. Rant over. Sammy was awesome and I was thrilled he brought his newly won TNT Championship. He told me had the same chair and that this was the first time he’d been featured on a chair. He was terrific.
Jenna hopped on CJ Perry’s long line as I finished out pre-orders. Ricardo Rodriguez was next and he was quiet but polite. He signed my WWE Encyclopedia, Vol. II
I then decided to bite the bullet and add The Bunny and Penelope Ford to the Grand Slam chair. They were so nice, the Bunny in particular, but they were pricey ($30 autographs each!)
It was also around this time when I was told Davey Richards no-showed. I've been in this hobby for 6 years and this guy has canceled on me like at least 60 times. Unreal.
I joined Jenna on the line for CJ Perry and man...we saw some stereotypical convention-goer bullcrap, from linecutters to people who don’t seem to have a clue what planet we live on. Ole ICW was pretty damn crabby! Anyways, she was very nice. She signed the WWE Ultimate Superstar Guide (which she really liked) as well as the WrestleMania 33 program.
So this is where things get rough.
I had a photo op for Extreme Expose that was scheduled from 12:00 - 12:05 PM. The issue was that every photo op was delayed. I was told to come back at 12:45 PM but, again, there was a delay. I didn’t get the photo op until close to 1:30 PM!
It looks like there was a delay for the IIconics, who had a MASSIVE line and I truly don’t understand it, man. I saw them in the lobby at 8:30 AM! Come on. There was also a rumor that Layla had no-showed as no one saw her with Brooke & Kelly Kelly but, thankfully, she made it. I’m not thrilled with how the photo was printed so I’m awaiting to post the digital copy. Speaking of: they were warning everyone that it was going to take at least a half-hour before the physical photos would be printed. I felt like I was at a MAB show.
I was pretty fried at this point and needed just one more combo from Shida, who was part of the female superticket. They had female numbered Superticket holders lineup on the left-side of the hall, non-numbered on the right, and GA lineup in the vendor room. I stood on that line for well over a half hour and noticed the ST lines still hadn’t moved. In fact, I was able to pick up my pro photo op print out and still didn’t budge from the line.
I took a seat as Jenna held my spot in line (she had left for a few minutes to grab a bite to eat and came back) when they asked anyone with individual tickets to enter the Super ticket room. The room was in absolute chaos and I heard some panicked LOTR staff members say the hotel was going to kick them out in an hour and they needed to get through the lines as quickly as possible.
I hopped on the Shida line and she was very nice. Her handler was giving her figures to sign and the staff member told him there was no time for that, which I appreciated. I had Shida sign her AEW figure that I found in the wild a few weeks ago.
And with that, another Legends was in the books!
----
I’m really curious if they were able to get everyone through that female Superticket (I’m sure they did but it seemed close). The vendor room was a breeze, the male Super Ticket was mostly a breeze, but the female super ticket had disaster written all over it. I also heard plenty of complaints about staff having conflicting answers to questions.
Still, I thought this was a strong comeback show even with the Superticket lineups a little lacking, which is usually the norm for the October shows. I’ll be back in June and I hope they keep this Superticket format and 86 the pro photo ops. In my opinion as a seasoned vet, they simply do not have the capabilities to seamlessly service two Super Tickets, pro photo ops, plus the vendor room.
The hotel had a big advantage in being bigger with a spacious lot; the downside was I bought EXPIRED DIET COKE from them and they couldn't figure out how to refund me, the bastards!!!
Autographs:
My main goal for this show: collect signatures on my beautiful AEW Grand Slam ringside chair. While yours truly was in attendance, I did not sit at ringside and looked to buy a chair off someone after the show (something I’ve successfully done in the past). To my utter shock, someone gave me their chair for free. I’m still in shock over it, honestly. A friend urged me to take advantage of this opportunity to start a new autograph project and, I'm happy to say, it got off to a great start at Legends.
Onto the report:
----
We arrived at the APA Hotel just before 8:40 AM (the entire drive was about a half-hour, a big improvement over the hour-long trip to Monore). The hotel had a very spacious parking lot, too, which is always a plus. We walked into the lobby and I immediately spotted the IIconics, who appeared to be headed to the gym (more on that later). I didn’t see any signs for where the convention was being held and was told by the concierge it would be on the 2nd floor.
We stepped off the elevator and into a very cramped hallway. To the left of the elevator was the entrance to some sort of Buddhist conference while Legends seemingly occupied every other room on the floor.
I was directed down the hall and to the left where I picked up my tickets. As usual, they urged everyone to check if they received everything they paid for and it was a good thing that I did as Jenna’s G.A. bracelet was missing. There was an overall frantic vibe from the staff, who didn't have all the answers to other people's questions and I would end up hearing throughout the day that staff would give conflicting information/instructions, which caused nothing but confusion. Rough.
They opened the doors to the vendor room just after 9:00 AM and Terrence ran down the day’s schedule via microphone: male super tickets numbered 1-25 would go first followed by unnumbered Super Tickets with GA ticket holders to follow (more on that at the end of the report). I had some time to kill, so I banged out a few pre-orders.
Up first was AEW’s Serpentico, a regular of AEW Dark. I was hoping that his partner, JAPANESE DEATHMATCH LEGEND Dr. Luther would be booked for the show but, alas, he was not. Serpentico was incredibly nice and took the time to chat with everyone, which I always appreciate. I had him sign an 8x10.
It was around this time when Tony Atlas complimented Jenna on her shoes. I promptly filled Jenna in on Atlas’ shoe/foot fetish and we wondered if he was going to ask a lady to step on his face (as Holidead did to him at Big Event).
AEW’s Sonny Kiss arrived soon thereafter and he was quiet but polite. I had him sign an 8x10.
Next was the newest AEW signee Kiera Hogan, someone I’ve been keeping an eye on for a few years. She was also quiet but polite and signed an 8x10.
Up next was Anthony Greene, F.K.A. WWE’s August Grey. Greene is a very talented dude and recently appeared on AEW programming, so it shouldn’t shock me if we see more of him. He was incredibly nice and someone I will especially root for. Great guy.
I waited about 20 minutes until my next pre-order guest arrived: AEW referee Aubrey Edwards, who would be the first signature on my Grand Slam chair. Aubrey was incredibly nice and engaging with everyone and she really liked the chair. Again: someone really easy to root for.
It was time to line up for the male Superticket (I had an unnumbered S.T.) and that’s when I heard chatter that Kalisto, Buddy Murphy, and Malaki Black were all MIA. I believe Legends had updated Black’s pro-photo op time prior to the convention starting but it was worrying that two additional Super Ticket talent were so delayed. Thankfully, I spotted Kalisto and Murphy just before I was admitted into the room.
The process inside the S.T. room was different: you did not have to go station-to-station to meet talent but, instead, you were permitted to go up to whomever you wanted. Up first:
I hopped on the very short line for Matt Hardy, who was very nice and engaging with friends (though did seem to be very tired, the poor guy). Hardy and I chatted about how great AEW has been and he feels Grand Slam will be looked back on with great historical significance. He signed his photo on the seat of the chair.
Next was Mark Jindrak, a longtime want of mine. Jindrak was very nice and signed my WWE Encyclopedia, Vol. II and my WrestleMania XX program. He remarked that it was sad looking back at old programs and seeing talent who passed on (he was featured in the Mania XX program with his tag partner at the time, Garrison Cade, who passed away a few years ago). It was a sobering moment and I could tell he was genuinely saddened at the untimely loss of his friends.
Next was Moose, who chuckled as he signed my GFW program. Quiet but nice.
Next was Lars Sullivan, who was nice and signed my WrestleMania 34 program. I asked Sullivan if it was okay if I removed my mask (as I did for every guest as a courtesy) and let’s just say he was very, very okay with it (as many of the guests would tell me). Heh…
Next was Fandango and, to my astonishment, they placed Fandango and Breeze across from one another as opposed to next to each other. I believe they made this move to encourage people to buy a Breezeango pro photo op and I’m pretty torn on how I feel about that. On the one hand, I get it. It’s a business but, on the other hand, I thought it was pretty lame. Tag Team photo ops have been a longtime staple of the Super ticket and this was a big whiff for me. Anyways, Fandango was very quiet but polite and signed my WrestleMania 33 program.
Next was Kalisto, who was awesome and engaging with everyone. I asked him if it was okay for me to remove my mask and I think he misunderstood because he hesitated before taking his mask off (he was wearing one over his lucha mask). I told him he didn’t have to but he said it was cool. Oh well. Kalisto signed my WrestleMania 33 program. A+ dude. Jenna was pissed that his handler wouldn't get out of the photo, which is annoying. Have a clue, lady.
Arturo Ruas was next and he was very nice. I scored him in one of my WrestleMania programs a while back, so I had him sign an 8x10. He commented to Jenna to be careful with my chair hahaha.
Murphy was next and, again, quiet but polite. He signed my WrestleMania 33 program. Murphy is an insanely talented wrestler and I hope he kills it wherever he goes next.
Tyler Breeze was my last male Super Ticket and, like Fandango, he was very quiet but polite.
I decided to skip Brian Cage as I’ve met him a bunch of times and didn’t have or need anything from him.
I left the Superticket room and Jenna offered to hop on Sammy Guevara’s healthy line while I knocked out more pre-orders.
The Varsity Blonds were next and all three were nice. I had them sign a group 8x10 and had Brian Pillman Jr. and Julia Hart add their signatures to the chair (Griff didn’t appear at Grand Slam so I had to exclude him). Pillman Jr. accidentally smudged his autograph so I requested a new 8x10, which was accommodated. They were pricey as hell but when in Rome, I guess.
As I made my way back to the Sammy line, I spotted Malaki Black heading into the Super Ticket room (this was just before 11 AM). One of the LOTR staff members decided to let me into the room to quickly get him, which I was very grateful for. Black has been a long time want of mine and he was so incredibly nice. I told him I was so happy he was in AEW and he replied, “Oh me too, man, me too” (said in a humorous tone). I added his signature to the chair as well.
The line for Guevara didn’t move all that much, so I went back to the vendor room and scored Kizarny. Fun fact: Kizarny appeared at my first ever convention (Big Event VIII) but I didn’t have the cash to meet him, so it was cool to knock off a name six years later. Kizarny was going to insist I remove the mask for the photo so...heh. He signed my WWE Encyclopedia, Vol. II
I finally was able to meet Sammy Guevara but I have to do a mini-rant here: it is extremely aggravating when people decide to pitch their companies/promotions/podcasts to talent in the middle of a signing. PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS AT SHOWS, ESPECIALLY when they’re major guests with big lines. It’s just not very courteous and it doesn’t matter if you take “just a few minutes.” It sucks. Okay. Rant over. Sammy was awesome and I was thrilled he brought his newly won TNT Championship. He told me had the same chair and that this was the first time he’d been featured on a chair. He was terrific.
Jenna hopped on CJ Perry’s long line as I finished out pre-orders. Ricardo Rodriguez was next and he was quiet but polite. He signed my WWE Encyclopedia, Vol. II
I then decided to bite the bullet and add The Bunny and Penelope Ford to the Grand Slam chair. They were so nice, the Bunny in particular, but they were pricey ($30 autographs each!)
It was also around this time when I was told Davey Richards no-showed. I've been in this hobby for 6 years and this guy has canceled on me like at least 60 times. Unreal.
I joined Jenna on the line for CJ Perry and man...we saw some stereotypical convention-goer bullcrap, from linecutters to people who don’t seem to have a clue what planet we live on. Ole ICW was pretty damn crabby! Anyways, she was very nice. She signed the WWE Ultimate Superstar Guide (which she really liked) as well as the WrestleMania 33 program.
So this is where things get rough.
I had a photo op for Extreme Expose that was scheduled from 12:00 - 12:05 PM. The issue was that every photo op was delayed. I was told to come back at 12:45 PM but, again, there was a delay. I didn’t get the photo op until close to 1:30 PM!
It looks like there was a delay for the IIconics, who had a MASSIVE line and I truly don’t understand it, man. I saw them in the lobby at 8:30 AM! Come on. There was also a rumor that Layla had no-showed as no one saw her with Brooke & Kelly Kelly but, thankfully, she made it. I’m not thrilled with how the photo was printed so I’m awaiting to post the digital copy. Speaking of: they were warning everyone that it was going to take at least a half-hour before the physical photos would be printed. I felt like I was at a MAB show.
I was pretty fried at this point and needed just one more combo from Shida, who was part of the female superticket. They had female numbered Superticket holders lineup on the left-side of the hall, non-numbered on the right, and GA lineup in the vendor room. I stood on that line for well over a half hour and noticed the ST lines still hadn’t moved. In fact, I was able to pick up my pro photo op print out and still didn’t budge from the line.
I took a seat as Jenna held my spot in line (she had left for a few minutes to grab a bite to eat and came back) when they asked anyone with individual tickets to enter the Super ticket room. The room was in absolute chaos and I heard some panicked LOTR staff members say the hotel was going to kick them out in an hour and they needed to get through the lines as quickly as possible.
I hopped on the Shida line and she was very nice. Her handler was giving her figures to sign and the staff member told him there was no time for that, which I appreciated. I had Shida sign her AEW figure that I found in the wild a few weeks ago.
And with that, another Legends was in the books!
----
I’m really curious if they were able to get everyone through that female Superticket (I’m sure they did but it seemed close). The vendor room was a breeze, the male Super Ticket was mostly a breeze, but the female super ticket had disaster written all over it. I also heard plenty of complaints about staff having conflicting answers to questions.
Still, I thought this was a strong comeback show even with the Superticket lineups a little lacking, which is usually the norm for the October shows. I’ll be back in June and I hope they keep this Superticket format and 86 the pro photo ops. In my opinion as a seasoned vet, they simply do not have the capabilities to seamlessly service two Super Tickets, pro photo ops, plus the vendor room.
The hotel had a big advantage in being bigger with a spacious lot; the downside was I bought EXPIRED DIET COKE from them and they couldn't figure out how to refund me, the bastards!!!
Autographs:
