Post by Dan Michaels on Jan 18, 2006 10:36:22 GMT -5
Hello everyone!
I hope that this finds each of you well. Sorry that I am a day late. As I said, Dave and I went to the Wrestlemania Fan Axxess Tour this past weekend in Fayetteville (Fort Bragg), NC. I must say that the WWE and The National Guard put together a great setup for this year’s tour.
We departed home at 4:00am sharp. We hit the beltway (DC) and onto I-95. Slightly over six hours later, we arrived at Fort Bragg. I will admit, a thought going through my mind was that with this being on an Army base, what if they don’t let us in? Well, after a full car search (basically just opening all the doors, the trunk, and the hood) we were instructed as to where the event was being held.
I was amazed at Fort Bragg. I have never been on an Army base before. I had heard that they are like their own little cities. I must agree. The event was held at the North Post PX. The “PX” is just a military abbreviation for a shopping center/mall. It was under a very large tent at the back end of the parking lot.
When we arrived, we entered the event just to see what was up and who was there. Unfortunately, since we were so far away from home, we didn’t see anyone that we knew from the usual signings/autograph adventures. Another one of my big fears was that we would arrive at the event only to find out that Superstar Billy Graham was NOT going to be there. I was soon wrong on two counts as far as my concerns.
The way the autograph area was set up was VERY nice. The stage was a mini ring with a table and chair for the wrestler. There was also a chair in front of the table for the fan to sit on in order to get a free picture, compliments of the National Guard. The line was not too long. Having done/been to other signings, I would say that for a two hour signing, it wouldn’t have taken more than 20 minutes to get through the line that was there. A man with the tour (not sure if he was WWE or Nat’l Guard) got on the mic and informed everyone that “the signing with Superstar Billy Graham was a BOOK ONLY signing. You need to buy the book in order to get an autograph. If you do not have a book, you will not be permitted onto the stage.”
He went on to inform everyone that the Matt Hardy signing would be free as well as Hillbilly Jim and Ron Simmons. Superstar and Matt Hardy were the only “organized” signings. Hillbilly and Ron just roamed through the tent throughout the day. So, having traveled so far from home, we were not about to walk away with nothing. We purchased the book ($19.50) and got in line. Once the announcement was made that you had to buy the book, the line SEVERELY diminished. The Superstar arrived, did a short interview with Hillbilly Jim on stage and proceeded to his seat for the signing. Everything went very smoothly. Dave and I were debating whether or not to try and get more than the book signed on our way through the line. We didn’t know whether we would be turned down or what. Our logic was that seeing as how the line was so short, he would probably stick around and sign whatever we had and possibly pose for pictures. We were wrong…more on that in a minute.
When it was my turn to head up on stage, I had made up my mind that I WAS NOT walking away from this event without having my Big Red Book signed by Superstar. When I greeted Billy, he asked me where I was from. I told him and said that I traveled almost seven hours just to meet him. His response was “oh my, you didn’t!”
When he found this out, he was truly amazed. I had told him that it had been a goal of mine to meet him. I asked him if he would mind signing my Red Book and he said, “I would be happy to!” As he was signing it, I asked him if he was going to be hanging around after his signing because I had two other books for him to sign and I wanted to get a picture with him with my camera. He said, “oh absolutely.” I sat down in the chair in front of his table and had my photo taken by the Nat’l Guard. It didn’t turn out TOO bad, but I like my own camera.
After Dave was finished getting his book (the Superstar’s biography) signed, he came over to me and I told him what Billy had said to me about mingling when he was finished. Dave had two NICE photos for him to sign so he was happy to hear this news. Billy’s line grew as people realized that the only way to get his autograph was to buy a book. During the downtime, Dave and I were able to get autographs from Ron Simmons. He was VERY gracious. It was funny watching as one boy had about six magazines for Ron to sign. Ron got to the third one and said “how many of these books you got, boy?!” The boy said, “Oh, this was the last one, everything else is for Billy.” Nice try.
As Superstar’s signing drew to an end, we heard the same man get on the mic and say “ladies and gentlemen, this is your last chance for Superstar Billy Graham. He will be leaving VERY shortly to catch a flight…”
At hearing this, I jumped into action. I got in line with my other two books and Dave with his photos. We got up to the stage and there wasn’t a word of fuss from anyone. Superstar signed our items and was very gracious.
We then proceeded to wait near the side of the stage for a picture with him with my camera. After Billy had a quick recap with Hillbilly and Ron Simmons, he headed off the stage and through the back of the tent. I instructed Dave to follow me around back. We went around the tent, only to see Superstar going into the Fan Axxess truck. After waiting for about 15 minutes, I asked the gentleman who seemed to be with Superstar if I could have a moment of his time. I told him that I had spoken to Superstar earlier and informed him of my distance traveled and how Billy said that I could have a photo with him when he was finished. The man said “oh absolutely. He’ll be leaving in just a few minutes. It would be best if you waited at his limo door for him.”
So, Dave and I waited for about 5 minutes and Billy came out. He remembered me and gladly posed for pics with us. We thanked Billy and went back into the tent. By this time, Matt Hardy was close to arriving. Dave and I did the “Call-a-Match” commentary. Let me tell you, that turned out to be pretty funny! We also got our autographs and pictures from Hillbilly Jim. He thanked us for traveling so far and gave us each a Fan Axxess shirt and hat. Hillbilly is a true class-act.
Dave had wanted to try and go to Hermie Sadler/Dave Hebner’s UWF show in South Hill, VA. It was on the way so I told him that we needed to hit the road if we wanted to make it. We decided to skip Matt Hardy and head back. Apparently Jeff Jarrett was “supposed” to be there (turns out, people just ASSUMED that he was there due to him being at UWF’s show the night before in Emporia, VA.). Two hours later, we arrived at the show. We stayed until intermission. We took pictures with TNA stars, Elix Skipper and David Young (the “Diamonds in the Rough”). Turns out that Jeff Jarrett was not there.
We got home around 3:30am. I could not be happier with my experience. A long ride with my best friend and FINALLY meeting Superstar Billy Graham! It just doesn’t get any better than that!
I still haven't decided if we are going to try Springfield, PA. this Sunday or not.
www.danswrestlingphotos.myphotoalbum.com
Photos of Billy Graham and Fan Axxess have their own album. Elix Skipper and David Young will be in the "Miscellaneous" album.
GB,
Dan
I hope that this finds each of you well. Sorry that I am a day late. As I said, Dave and I went to the Wrestlemania Fan Axxess Tour this past weekend in Fayetteville (Fort Bragg), NC. I must say that the WWE and The National Guard put together a great setup for this year’s tour.
We departed home at 4:00am sharp. We hit the beltway (DC) and onto I-95. Slightly over six hours later, we arrived at Fort Bragg. I will admit, a thought going through my mind was that with this being on an Army base, what if they don’t let us in? Well, after a full car search (basically just opening all the doors, the trunk, and the hood) we were instructed as to where the event was being held.
I was amazed at Fort Bragg. I have never been on an Army base before. I had heard that they are like their own little cities. I must agree. The event was held at the North Post PX. The “PX” is just a military abbreviation for a shopping center/mall. It was under a very large tent at the back end of the parking lot.
When we arrived, we entered the event just to see what was up and who was there. Unfortunately, since we were so far away from home, we didn’t see anyone that we knew from the usual signings/autograph adventures. Another one of my big fears was that we would arrive at the event only to find out that Superstar Billy Graham was NOT going to be there. I was soon wrong on two counts as far as my concerns.
The way the autograph area was set up was VERY nice. The stage was a mini ring with a table and chair for the wrestler. There was also a chair in front of the table for the fan to sit on in order to get a free picture, compliments of the National Guard. The line was not too long. Having done/been to other signings, I would say that for a two hour signing, it wouldn’t have taken more than 20 minutes to get through the line that was there. A man with the tour (not sure if he was WWE or Nat’l Guard) got on the mic and informed everyone that “the signing with Superstar Billy Graham was a BOOK ONLY signing. You need to buy the book in order to get an autograph. If you do not have a book, you will not be permitted onto the stage.”
He went on to inform everyone that the Matt Hardy signing would be free as well as Hillbilly Jim and Ron Simmons. Superstar and Matt Hardy were the only “organized” signings. Hillbilly and Ron just roamed through the tent throughout the day. So, having traveled so far from home, we were not about to walk away with nothing. We purchased the book ($19.50) and got in line. Once the announcement was made that you had to buy the book, the line SEVERELY diminished. The Superstar arrived, did a short interview with Hillbilly Jim on stage and proceeded to his seat for the signing. Everything went very smoothly. Dave and I were debating whether or not to try and get more than the book signed on our way through the line. We didn’t know whether we would be turned down or what. Our logic was that seeing as how the line was so short, he would probably stick around and sign whatever we had and possibly pose for pictures. We were wrong…more on that in a minute.
When it was my turn to head up on stage, I had made up my mind that I WAS NOT walking away from this event without having my Big Red Book signed by Superstar. When I greeted Billy, he asked me where I was from. I told him and said that I traveled almost seven hours just to meet him. His response was “oh my, you didn’t!”
When he found this out, he was truly amazed. I had told him that it had been a goal of mine to meet him. I asked him if he would mind signing my Red Book and he said, “I would be happy to!” As he was signing it, I asked him if he was going to be hanging around after his signing because I had two other books for him to sign and I wanted to get a picture with him with my camera. He said, “oh absolutely.” I sat down in the chair in front of his table and had my photo taken by the Nat’l Guard. It didn’t turn out TOO bad, but I like my own camera.
After Dave was finished getting his book (the Superstar’s biography) signed, he came over to me and I told him what Billy had said to me about mingling when he was finished. Dave had two NICE photos for him to sign so he was happy to hear this news. Billy’s line grew as people realized that the only way to get his autograph was to buy a book. During the downtime, Dave and I were able to get autographs from Ron Simmons. He was VERY gracious. It was funny watching as one boy had about six magazines for Ron to sign. Ron got to the third one and said “how many of these books you got, boy?!” The boy said, “Oh, this was the last one, everything else is for Billy.” Nice try.
As Superstar’s signing drew to an end, we heard the same man get on the mic and say “ladies and gentlemen, this is your last chance for Superstar Billy Graham. He will be leaving VERY shortly to catch a flight…”
At hearing this, I jumped into action. I got in line with my other two books and Dave with his photos. We got up to the stage and there wasn’t a word of fuss from anyone. Superstar signed our items and was very gracious.
We then proceeded to wait near the side of the stage for a picture with him with my camera. After Billy had a quick recap with Hillbilly and Ron Simmons, he headed off the stage and through the back of the tent. I instructed Dave to follow me around back. We went around the tent, only to see Superstar going into the Fan Axxess truck. After waiting for about 15 minutes, I asked the gentleman who seemed to be with Superstar if I could have a moment of his time. I told him that I had spoken to Superstar earlier and informed him of my distance traveled and how Billy said that I could have a photo with him when he was finished. The man said “oh absolutely. He’ll be leaving in just a few minutes. It would be best if you waited at his limo door for him.”
So, Dave and I waited for about 5 minutes and Billy came out. He remembered me and gladly posed for pics with us. We thanked Billy and went back into the tent. By this time, Matt Hardy was close to arriving. Dave and I did the “Call-a-Match” commentary. Let me tell you, that turned out to be pretty funny! We also got our autographs and pictures from Hillbilly Jim. He thanked us for traveling so far and gave us each a Fan Axxess shirt and hat. Hillbilly is a true class-act.
Dave had wanted to try and go to Hermie Sadler/Dave Hebner’s UWF show in South Hill, VA. It was on the way so I told him that we needed to hit the road if we wanted to make it. We decided to skip Matt Hardy and head back. Apparently Jeff Jarrett was “supposed” to be there (turns out, people just ASSUMED that he was there due to him being at UWF’s show the night before in Emporia, VA.). Two hours later, we arrived at the show. We stayed until intermission. We took pictures with TNA stars, Elix Skipper and David Young (the “Diamonds in the Rough”). Turns out that Jeff Jarrett was not there.
We got home around 3:30am. I could not be happier with my experience. A long ride with my best friend and FINALLY meeting Superstar Billy Graham! It just doesn’t get any better than that!
I still haven't decided if we are going to try Springfield, PA. this Sunday or not.
www.danswrestlingphotos.myphotoalbum.com
Photos of Billy Graham and Fan Axxess have their own album. Elix Skipper and David Young will be in the "Miscellaneous" album.
GB,
Dan
