Message-ID: 

I met most of the Wrestlers who came to London for the first live TV show
back in 1990/91 (Cannot remember exactly when it was). Myself and a group of
friends travelled the short trip from Swindon to London, UK to watch the
first show at Wembley Arena.  We travelled early so that we could spend the
day in London, but decided to find our way to Wembley Arena before we did
anything else.

We got there within minutes so decided to go and see London. Unfortunately
there is not much in that area, and within a few hours we were back at the
Arena. We thought we might as well just hang around and get at the front of
the queue.

By about 3/4pm some of the wrestlers and staff were arriving (This was back
when Vince was still a commentator, and myself and none of my friends had
any idea that he owned the company).
Anyway, one by one the likes of Hulk Hogan, Brett Hart, Jim the Anvil, Tito
Santana, Ultimate Warrior, Million Dollar man and many more arrived and made
their way towards us and the building. At this point there were only a
handful of people about, and they were quite a way from us... there was no
security yet, and we basically got to chat and get autographs from almost
every wrestler.

The likes of Brett Hart, The Anvil, Ted Dibiase, Tito Santana, mean Gene and
Jimmy Snuka were more than happy to chat to us for more than 20 minutes...
and at one point their were about 7/8 wrestlers chatting to myself and my 5
friends.

Then, Vince came along and whispered something to one of the WWF staff who
was with the wrestlers.  He quickly ushered them all into the building and
Vince spent the next 5 minutes chatting to WWF staff next to the entrance.

A friend of ours was a security guard at the arena, and once all the
wrestlers were in, he led us to where the front of the queue would start,
only yards from where more wrestlers had begun to enter the building (Rick
Rude, Bobby Heanen, Davey Boy Smith, etc).
Again, we jumped at the chance to get some more autographs and talk to the
wrestlers... Until once again an official came along and ushered them into
the building.

About 10 minutes later we saw Vince and a number of other important looking
guys chatting just inside the building (Remember, we still didn't know that
Vince was the owner). After a few minutes a few guys came over towards us
(One was our security guard friend's boss).
We were still virtually the only ones anywhere near the entrance and so
nobody was around really. BUT one of the WWF guys basically ordered the boss
to sack my friend, because he had let us get too close to the wrestlers.
Apparently under instructions from Vince McMahon.

Our friend's boss was a little shocked but basically told the WWF officials
to Fuck off, and that he would not sack an employee just because Vince
McMahon said so... after all, he had done nothing wrong as he wasn't even
around when we first saw the wrestlers.

About 5 minutes later we again saw Vince inside the building, and this time
he looked as though he was shouting at others..... This was when we first
realised that Vince was more than just a commentator.
Our friend went of to do his job as it got within a few hours of the start
of the show, but later he told us that Vince had again tried to get him
fired for letting fans 'distract' the wrestlers.
Since that day I have had an ongoing dislike for Vince McMahon.. and after
reading about his conduct over the years, I think he is one of the most
arrogant twats on the face of the earth.  He steps on people who are below
him, and who he doesn't need anymore, and I'd spit in his face if I ever met
him again.

I saw the WWF again in 1994 and things had changed dramatically in that
time. Again i went with a group of friends, and again I met more of my
heroes.. This time though, we got to speak to more of them, for a lot
longer.  And WWF's policy on fans chatting to wrestlers had obviously
changed.

But, In saying that... Out of all the WWF staff to walk past us as they went
into the building... only one never stopped to sign an autograph or chat to
a fan.... WHO???  Vince McMahon!

Regards

Kev






"RhinoVail"  wrote in message
news:20040312022230.05539.00004716{at}mb-m16.aol.com...
> Hey Fans,
>
> I thought that with Wrestlemania XX around the corner I'd post this.
>
> I've had the opportunity to meet a few wrestlers, especially, lately. I'd
love
> to hear about wrestlers that others have met, so please respond to this
post.
>
> If I am not mistaken, my first wrestler I met in person was Junk Yard Dog.
I
> actually met him when I went into a Wal-Mart in Florida. He was standing
around
> greeting people that day. Unfortunately for JYD, I think many people
either
> didn't know who he was or was embarrassed to acknowledge that they were
> wrestling fans. I felt no shame in the fact that I like wrestling, so I
> strutted over to him, shook his hand, and spoke with him for a good 10
minutes.
> I think he was happy someone stopped and talked to him. He was just so
> genuinely friendly, that I felt like I was talking to an old friend.
Thanks
> JYD.
>
> Later, and more recently, I met Doug and Danny Basham. I now work for a
hotel,
> and they arrived one night while I was working the desk. We struck up a
> conversation for nearly half an hour. After offering them a discounted
rate on
> their room, they saved 2 tickets for the next house show in this area. (A
Big
> Arena show, though not televised) Again I found them to be friendly, and
> willing to spend time with a fan.
>
> The latest is current. With all the promotion going on for Wrestlemania
XX, and
> with everyone coming and going around the NYC area,
"Hillbilly" Jim has
now
> come to the hotel. I just spent some time talking with him and others
doing
> promotion for WMXX, and received some gifts from him. Mick Foley's DVD, a
WMXX
> T-Shirt, wristband, as well as an autograph from Jim. He and his
associates
> went up to their rooms and asked if I wanted to join them to hang out and
have
> a beer. That was so nice, but I had to decline, as I was working at the
front
> desk for the night.
>
> Here's hoping that all WWE wrestlers perform at their best on Sunday, I
wish
> them all well. Please, try not to get too seriously hurt. We fans may like
the
> theatrics, but we'd rather be able to see our stars, heroes and FRIENDS
more
> often, than to see them do a fantastic move once and not see them in the
ring
> for a long time.
>
> Best wishes to all, and HAVE FUN!! As Mick Foley says, "Have a
nice day!"
>
> Jon Vail
>



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