Post by Dan Michaels on Dec 31, 2005 18:39:00 GMT -5
First, let me take this opportunity to wish everyone a VERY happy 2006! I hope that each of you find blessings outweighing challenges in the coming year.
Well, as the title of this thread says, it truly was a “Filling Station Meet & Greet.” I’ll elaborate. While at the Paul Orndorff signing at Carson’s Pro Wrestling World, Steve (one of Bud’s employees and a very good friend) was telling Dave and myself that WWE (RAW Brand) was going to be at the Stabler Arena in Bethlehem, PA (Lehigh University) at the end of December. Steve had told us that at Stabler, the wrestlers are pretty easy to get to for autographs and pictures. Up until Monday night (12/26) I had completely forgotten about the event. While watching RAW, Dave was on the net going over the card for the next night’s event at Stabler. On the card was Cena, Angle, HHH, Flair, Masters, Viscera, Val, Trish, Victoria, Ashley, etc. Since both Dave and I were on vacation for the week, we decided to travel the 3 hours and see what we could get.
So, armed with photos, books, and camera, we set out for Bethlehem, PA. The most unfortunate event of the night was the fact that about 6 miles before our exit, there was a MAJOR accident shutting down both East and Westbound lanes for I-78. Not knowing any back roads into the venue, we had to wait out the traffic. After about an hour of stop and go traffic, we were at our exit and arrived at Stabler Arena. We got out of the car and headed to the hill, just outside of the back entrance. We were fortunate enough to be joining Dale (Dale takes the polaroids at Carson’s PWW for Bud’s signings) for the next three hours. There was also another young man and his girlfriend. I found out that he reads the board. Thank you!
Within five minutes after arriving on the hill, Val Venus walked outside to go to his car. The guy that reads the board was able to get over to Val’s car and get an autograph and photo. Way to go!!! Security cut myself and a few other boys off from stepping onto the parking lot before we could get close to Val. After we went back up, Daivari came out and didn’t even acknowledge the few (couldn’t have been more than 5) fans that had gathered out back. Really classy man…REALLY classy. He could have at least waved to the kids that were shouting his name.
As the event was winding down, Arn Anderson came out to talk to the security guards at the back door. We immediately knew that he was going over the exit strategy for Ric Flair. Flair’s car was pulled up and he got in and drove away. He went right past me as I was holding out my Big Red Book for him to sign. That would have been nice but oh well. Trish was identical to Ric in her exit as well as passing by me.
The event let out about 20 minutes later and the hill was instantly flooded with over 100 people waiting to see the wrestlers leave. Dave overheard someone saying, “I know where they’re going to eat, it’s towards Harrisburg.” Since I didn’t know where they were going, I investigated. I asked the head of security if he knew where they were going. His reply was “yeah, I told them where to eat in Fogelsville.” I knew by his tone and attitude that he wasn’t going to tell me any more than that. Someone walked up to the security guard and they struck up a conversation. I overheard him telling these guys where they were going to eat. I asked the boy and he told me it was “Yocco’s, in Fogelsville.” Yocco’s is a hot dog restaurant just outside of Allentown (to the West). I told Dave this info and we hit the road. I knew that my gas was low, so I decided to stop at the closest station and fill up before hitting the road. Seeing as how I didn’t know how far Fogelsville was, I didn’t want to take any chances. We stopped at a Mobil in Bethlehem, less than a mile from the arena. I pumped the gas and went inside to pay. After purchasing a drink and a couple Dunkin’ Donuts for Dave and I, I went back to the car. When I got in, Dave had a look on his face as if he had just seen the Savior. I asked him “what’s wrong” and he just stared out my window (driver’s side). He kept saying “Holy sh*t”. Finally I said, “Dude, what’s up?!” and he said, “Kurt Angle and Shelton Benjamin just pulled up next to us!” I looked and sure enough, there they were. Shelton was driving and Kurt was outside, pumping the gas. I pulled over to a parking space and was getting ready to get my stuff when Dave said that he wasn’t getting out. I said, “suit yourself but I’m NOT missing THIS!!!” I had my program with me and opened it to Kurt’s page (Shelton was inside at this time). I walked over to Kurt, as he was about to get into their SUV and said “Mr. Angle, could I trouble you for an autograph?” His response was surprising…”Sure man, come on over!” I couldn’t believe that he was willing to do this for me. I had heard that he was VERY nice at different signings but outside of the business, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Kurt was signing my program and I asked if I could have a picture with him. He was VERY happy and willing to do this as well. I motioned for Dave to come over and take my picture and he finally got out of the car. When Dave came over, Kurt said “Let’s get in front of the car, the picture will probably take better there.” WOW, what a guy. Concerned about the picture turning out! After Dave took my pic, Kurt asked Dave if he wanted him to sign his picture (early promo of Kurt) and Dave accepted the offer. I had noticed that Kurt was using straight ice on the back of his neck. I was amazed that after all he had just been through in the ring with Cena (cage match) that he was so nice. I wished him a happy new year and and told him my usual “God Bless You” and he responded in like fashion.
Shelton hadn’t returned at this time so I walked towards the store entrance when I noticed Big Viscera getting into his SUV (Trevor Murdoch was driving him) and I yelled “hey Vis, could I get an autograph!?” He yelled back “sure man, come on over real quick!” I did and Dave followed. We both got Vis’ autograph in our programs and I got a pic with him.
By this time, Shelton was standing at the back door of his SUV putting his coat and some other things away. I went up to him and he obliged with an autograph and picture for Dave and I.
I want to say that I went into that night with NO expectations. I knew that the chances of walking away with anything were slim to none. I couldn’t believe what Dave and I wound up getting. Although I know that Kurt, Shelton, and Viscera will probably NEVER see this, I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart! Especially Kurt. The fact that he was hurting but took the time to sign one thing for each of us and pose for pictures speaks volumes for his character. I was already a BIG FAN of Kurt’s, but he will go down as one of my favorites, now. God Bless all three of you. You are true gentlemen! I hope that I get to meet you again!
I will post pictures on Tuesday.
Happy New Year and God bless,
Dan
Well, as the title of this thread says, it truly was a “Filling Station Meet & Greet.” I’ll elaborate. While at the Paul Orndorff signing at Carson’s Pro Wrestling World, Steve (one of Bud’s employees and a very good friend) was telling Dave and myself that WWE (RAW Brand) was going to be at the Stabler Arena in Bethlehem, PA (Lehigh University) at the end of December. Steve had told us that at Stabler, the wrestlers are pretty easy to get to for autographs and pictures. Up until Monday night (12/26) I had completely forgotten about the event. While watching RAW, Dave was on the net going over the card for the next night’s event at Stabler. On the card was Cena, Angle, HHH, Flair, Masters, Viscera, Val, Trish, Victoria, Ashley, etc. Since both Dave and I were on vacation for the week, we decided to travel the 3 hours and see what we could get.
So, armed with photos, books, and camera, we set out for Bethlehem, PA. The most unfortunate event of the night was the fact that about 6 miles before our exit, there was a MAJOR accident shutting down both East and Westbound lanes for I-78. Not knowing any back roads into the venue, we had to wait out the traffic. After about an hour of stop and go traffic, we were at our exit and arrived at Stabler Arena. We got out of the car and headed to the hill, just outside of the back entrance. We were fortunate enough to be joining Dale (Dale takes the polaroids at Carson’s PWW for Bud’s signings) for the next three hours. There was also another young man and his girlfriend. I found out that he reads the board. Thank you!
Within five minutes after arriving on the hill, Val Venus walked outside to go to his car. The guy that reads the board was able to get over to Val’s car and get an autograph and photo. Way to go!!! Security cut myself and a few other boys off from stepping onto the parking lot before we could get close to Val. After we went back up, Daivari came out and didn’t even acknowledge the few (couldn’t have been more than 5) fans that had gathered out back. Really classy man…REALLY classy. He could have at least waved to the kids that were shouting his name.
As the event was winding down, Arn Anderson came out to talk to the security guards at the back door. We immediately knew that he was going over the exit strategy for Ric Flair. Flair’s car was pulled up and he got in and drove away. He went right past me as I was holding out my Big Red Book for him to sign. That would have been nice but oh well. Trish was identical to Ric in her exit as well as passing by me.
The event let out about 20 minutes later and the hill was instantly flooded with over 100 people waiting to see the wrestlers leave. Dave overheard someone saying, “I know where they’re going to eat, it’s towards Harrisburg.” Since I didn’t know where they were going, I investigated. I asked the head of security if he knew where they were going. His reply was “yeah, I told them where to eat in Fogelsville.” I knew by his tone and attitude that he wasn’t going to tell me any more than that. Someone walked up to the security guard and they struck up a conversation. I overheard him telling these guys where they were going to eat. I asked the boy and he told me it was “Yocco’s, in Fogelsville.” Yocco’s is a hot dog restaurant just outside of Allentown (to the West). I told Dave this info and we hit the road. I knew that my gas was low, so I decided to stop at the closest station and fill up before hitting the road. Seeing as how I didn’t know how far Fogelsville was, I didn’t want to take any chances. We stopped at a Mobil in Bethlehem, less than a mile from the arena. I pumped the gas and went inside to pay. After purchasing a drink and a couple Dunkin’ Donuts for Dave and I, I went back to the car. When I got in, Dave had a look on his face as if he had just seen the Savior. I asked him “what’s wrong” and he just stared out my window (driver’s side). He kept saying “Holy sh*t”. Finally I said, “Dude, what’s up?!” and he said, “Kurt Angle and Shelton Benjamin just pulled up next to us!” I looked and sure enough, there they were. Shelton was driving and Kurt was outside, pumping the gas. I pulled over to a parking space and was getting ready to get my stuff when Dave said that he wasn’t getting out. I said, “suit yourself but I’m NOT missing THIS!!!” I had my program with me and opened it to Kurt’s page (Shelton was inside at this time). I walked over to Kurt, as he was about to get into their SUV and said “Mr. Angle, could I trouble you for an autograph?” His response was surprising…”Sure man, come on over!” I couldn’t believe that he was willing to do this for me. I had heard that he was VERY nice at different signings but outside of the business, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Kurt was signing my program and I asked if I could have a picture with him. He was VERY happy and willing to do this as well. I motioned for Dave to come over and take my picture and he finally got out of the car. When Dave came over, Kurt said “Let’s get in front of the car, the picture will probably take better there.” WOW, what a guy. Concerned about the picture turning out! After Dave took my pic, Kurt asked Dave if he wanted him to sign his picture (early promo of Kurt) and Dave accepted the offer. I had noticed that Kurt was using straight ice on the back of his neck. I was amazed that after all he had just been through in the ring with Cena (cage match) that he was so nice. I wished him a happy new year and and told him my usual “God Bless You” and he responded in like fashion.
Shelton hadn’t returned at this time so I walked towards the store entrance when I noticed Big Viscera getting into his SUV (Trevor Murdoch was driving him) and I yelled “hey Vis, could I get an autograph!?” He yelled back “sure man, come on over real quick!” I did and Dave followed. We both got Vis’ autograph in our programs and I got a pic with him.
By this time, Shelton was standing at the back door of his SUV putting his coat and some other things away. I went up to him and he obliged with an autograph and picture for Dave and I.
I want to say that I went into that night with NO expectations. I knew that the chances of walking away with anything were slim to none. I couldn’t believe what Dave and I wound up getting. Although I know that Kurt, Shelton, and Viscera will probably NEVER see this, I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart! Especially Kurt. The fact that he was hurting but took the time to sign one thing for each of us and pose for pictures speaks volumes for his character. I was already a BIG FAN of Kurt’s, but he will go down as one of my favorites, now. God Bless all three of you. You are true gentlemen! I hope that I get to meet you again!
I will post pictures on Tuesday.
Happy New Year and God bless,
Dan