Fall Cleaning

Yesterday I was so moved by the fall-like temps that I decided to do the unthinkable… I cleaned my closet.

For those of you who may not know me I am a VERY neat and organized person. Ummm, except for my closet. Things just seem to migrate there and live there. No, I’m serious. Someone could be living in there and I wouldn’t know.

So yeah. I cleaned. I purged. I found my Wrestling Box, which I hadn’t opened in about two years. Now THAT was fun. Just looking at all the trinkets I collected over the years. Autographs, photos, souvenirs… the usual. It brought back a lot of good memories – things that I had forgotten about. Like the time I got my first floor seat (8^th row) and thought it was the best seat in the world! Anyway, it was good to go through the box.

Please Evacuate the Building...

Since I haven’t done a “Wrestling Wednesday” in a while, I decided to do one today!

One of my all time favorite memories happened on September 25, 2006. My BFF, Terrica, came into town for this one, which is always fun. Terrica, Yousef, and I went to the arena for RAW. A good friend of mine hooked us up with a special package and we were able to go ‘backstage’ for a meet-n-greet with some of the wrestlers as well as a small dinner. It also came with front row seats. We got to hang out with Randy Orton and the Spirit Squad.

The thing that stands out the most about this show, though, was when the opening pyros went off. For any of you reading this blog that has never watched wrestling, the first part of the show is kicked off with a massive pyro show, with exploding things and fireworks.

Unfortunately, the arena didn’t have a good ventilation system… and it set the fire alarms off. The lights dimmed and there was a VERY creepy automated voice saying, “Please evacuate the building.” over and over.

This is all happening live, on TV by the way.

You never know what is going to happen at a live event, so we wondered if it was a part of the show… or maybe a new wrestler debuting. When we saw the camera operators and security guards starting to panic… well, we panicked as well.

Luckily, the arena was able to turn on the fans and get all of the smoke from the pyros to clear out. It was definitely scary for a while, lol. But that is how memories are made!

Wrestling Buddies

Hey all! Happy Wrestling Wednesday! (This might become the next internet sensation, you never know!)

Today, I am going to tell you how Wrestling has given me some of my dearest friends. Let me explain. When you go to a live event, you are usually with at least one person that you know. I mean, who wants to go alone!

When I first started going to live events, my older sister and my BFF at the time went with me. My Dad INSISTED that my sister went with me because he didn’t think it was safe. That was fine with me, though she was more than glad when she didn’t have to go with me. I was just happy to be there!

At one of my first shows, I met “Blair” and we hit it off. She was older than I was and had met so many wrestlers, so I was in awe. Through “Blair”, I also met “May” and “Kasey”. The three of us went to many shows for a few years and I met other friends because of them.

“Kasey” and I went to a show together and I met my current BFF. LOL we were both at the elevators and she asked me if a certain wrestler had just walked by. I replied “Yes Ma’am” and we were friends after that. It was just a random moment that brought us together.

 My BFF and I went to a few shows with “Blair”, but that didn’t last long. Then my BFF and I met “Hailey” through a fellow wrestling pal. “Hailey” even came to Arkansas where we all went to a House Show (non-televised event) and sat in the front row. It was one of the best shows that I have ever been to for so many reasons.

My BFF and I also met some wonderful gals during at trip to Tennessee. Our most current friends were made at another House Show in Arkansas. “Sparkle” and “Glam” were sitting next to us and a rowdy fan brought us together. They live close by so we have been able to keep in touch.

Some other friends that I have met through wrestling include: A GOAT, An Ohio Hardy Fan, A Clown, and A young man and his mom.

It just amazes me how easy it is to meet people and make friends by just having one thing in common. Don’t get me wrong, there are also people that you meet who you never talk to again, but I cherish the friends that have been true.

It just goes to show: you never know when you will meet someone who will change your life!

My Favortie Wrestler...

Okay, so I have been slacking on the actual “Wrestling Wednesday” posts. So here you go… a wrestling post! ;-)  ((Yeah, i'm aware its not tech wednesday, but its close enough!)) 

Still not sure where to start. As I said before, I have been going to WWE Live events since I was 16, so there are ton of memories to choose from. My niece thinks I should let her pick, but I know which ones she would pick lol. They include a WWE road trip where she got to meet SpongeBob Squarepants. She was 6, lol. She even took a picture with him!

Let’s see… I met my first wrestler when I was 16, at a K-Mart store. That was… interesting, lol.  I am not going to post the picture, but believe me when I say it is bad. I was wearing PURPLE eye shadow… I am not even kidding. And my hair *laughing* had never seen a flat iron. Ah, youth.

I have been lucky enough to meet some of the greats, too. (See my post about meeting the Undertaker. Great memories)

My favorite wrestler to meet (without a doubt) has been Batista. We met in 2005 and he definitely provided some wonderful wrestling memories. I was sad to see him retire about a year ago, but glad he chose to pursue other goals in life.

Now he has a twitter (yay) so everyone can keep up with him: @Real_DBautista

How Dedicated Am I?

As I have said before, I got to a LOT of wrestling events. Mostly WWE, of course. So I started thinking… “How many shows have I been to over the years?”

Now, here is a little tidbit about me. I keep a journal, so when I go to WWE events, I usually write about it, just so I will remember. I’m not perfect and I am sure I have missed a few, but here is a little list that I came up with and some info about each event.

RAW

RAW is aired live every Monday night on USA. There is nothing quite like it because the air is static with electricity. When they go live YOU go live! You just can’t help but get into it!
I have been to: 15

Smackdown
Smackdown is taped every Tuesday night and then airs on Friday nights on Syfy. Smackdown is different because it is not live and there is not the same rush that comes with RAW. Its better in a way because the wrestlers seem more relaxed
I have been to: 10

PPV (pay per views)
PPV’s are obviously something that you have to pay to see on TV. The tickets for these events are usually more than a normal TV taping, but worth it. For one thing, if your seats are on the floor level within the first four row (I believe) you get to take home a souvenir chair. And, before you ask, I have some of these chairs! You ought to see the look on the airline attendants faces when you check in a metal, folding chair! PPV’s are when the wrestlers are at their very best.
I have been to: 7

House Show
A House Show is a non-televised event and, in my opinion, the BEST show to go to! Both RAW and Smackdown have house shows during the weekend and it is kind of like rehearsal or practice for the wrestlers. My favorite part is that they are more laid back and the wrestlers can goof off a little more and participate with the crowd.
I have been to: 20

Supershow
A Supershow is where both RAW and Smackdown wrestlers appear at the same show. They tape Smackdown and then RAW goes live. They are fun because you get to see everyone and the show last for like five hours (towards the end, your energy is just not the same lol)
I have been to: 2

Saturday Night’s Main Event
This is a throwback to the glory days of wrestling and is almost like a PPV, but it is on regular TV, on a Saturday night.
I have been to: 1

Superstar Appearances
The WWE is really good about promoting their talent. They do this by having autograph signings where fans can meet their favorite wrestler. They are a lot of fun, most of the time.
I have been to: 11

When you add these up, I have been to roughly 66 WWE events since I was 16. Not too shabby. One of my favorite things about the wrestling community is that there are other dedicated fans who also do the same. And through wrestling we meet and become friends.

In fact, I met my Best Friend at a Supershow in Little Rock, AR, and she has been my partner in crime ever since. But, that’s another story ;)

Front Row... or Bust!

Last time I mentioned that I go to wrestling events when they are near. The WWE (world wrestling entertainment) was in my town on Sunday, but I didn’t go. Why, you ask. I’ll tell you.

Way back in 2000 I went to my first live wrestling event. It was in Tulsa during winter and my Dad didn’t want my best friend and I to drive there alone. So he did the unthinkable… He made my older sister go as a chaperone. She was mad. I was mad… but we got to go. Well, not, not really. We almost didn’t get to go because there was an ice storm the day before the show, but thankfully my friend’s mom got us a hotel room, so we went despite the weather.

So we got to the Arena and found our seats. Here is what our view looked like.

Okay, I exaggerate… but we were two rows back from the VERY top of the arena! No joke! TWO ROWS! The next show we went to we were a little closer. We were only six rows from the very top!

But then a funny thing happened. The more events I started going to, the closer my seats started getting to the ring ( I also started to learn little tricks here and there about purchasing tickets, but that’s another story). I was mid-bowl, then lower level, and then I finally made it to the floor! My first floor seat was 8th row and I was in heaven!

But in 2006 my seating adventures took a whole new turn. My family and I were going to a house show ( a non-televised live event) in Little Rock for my niece’s birthday. I was supposed to get 6 tickets for my family and my friend and her family. When I went to get the tickets, something happened between entering “6” and going to the next page and somehow I ended up with “8” tickets… in the first row!

Um, y’all aren’t as excited as me. Let me say it again…

8 tickets in the FIRST ROW!!!

I was ecstatic! I had only dreamt of a front row seat and now my family and friends were going to enjoy it with me! We went to the show and it was, without a doubt, one of the best shows that I have ever been to!

But it also created a problem. After sitting in the first row, being in the eighth row just wasn’t as fun. I could handle being in the second and third row… but anything after that and it just wasn’t worth it anymore.

Call me spoiled, and maybe I am… but it would be like someone giving you a brand new iPhone and then telling you to use an analog phone. Yeah, not cool!

So back to the show here in my town. I didn’t go because I didn’t get ‘good’ seats. I’m not disappointed though… I had a surprise encounter with a wrestler at a restaurant, which made my day. And, there will always be another show to go to.  :)

Wrestling Wednesday!

It's Wrestling Wednesday, my own personal shout-out to the sport that I love. And yes, it is a sport. (Yes, Yes... I KNOW its scripted, but accidents to occur! Trust me, wrestlers are skilled athletes). I promise I won't get carried away on these days, but I want to share my thoughts and memories about it. And there are a ton!

Today I am going to take you back to the beginning. Well, the beginning for me at least. I don't count being FORCED to watch it with my cousin on Saturday mornings the beginning! (Love you Neil!)

Way back in 1999 I was walking through our family room. I had been hiding in my room most of the night, reading. We didn't have cable and there wasn't anything on TV so I would put my nose in a book for entertainment. (It IS great entertainment, by the way.)

As I said, I was walking through our family room and my little sister was watching TV. I believe she was also eating sunflower seeds, spitting the shells into a cup, which used to drive my Grandma nuts because of the sound it makes. Anyway, I got a soda from the refrigerator and then walked back through the room. It was then that I noticed what my sister was watching.

"Are you really watching that?" I asked her with a laugh.

"Yes. There isn't anything else on..." she replied without looking up.

"Tell me about it!" I replied as I sat on the arm of the couch. "Is this that Smack show?"

"Smackdown," she quickly corrected me as she spit a shell. "And yeah."

"Hmm."

We sat in silence, both watching WWE Smackdown. To this day I can still tell you who was wrestling that night. It was the Hardy Boyz (their last name is really Hardy. I thought at first they just liked the Hardy Boy Mysteries lol) fighting Edge and Christian.

"They are hot." I said to my sister. "Who is the one with the rainbow hair?"

"That's Matt Hardy." she replied in an annoyed tone. I was starting to get on her nerves for once. It was usually the other way around.

*** Come to find out it was really Jeff Hardy with the rainbow hair, but I don't hold it against her and i would NEVER remind her that she was wrong. ;) ***

We both sat there in the family room until the show was over. Then we each retreated to our own rooms. I didn't give it much thought, but the next week I found myself turning my own TV on to wrestling. And then the next week. And the next... and you get the idea.

That my friends is how I became hooked on Wrestling. It was just a normal night with nothing to watch, but it certainly changed things for me. I am sure everyone thought back then that I would "grow out of it". LOL boy were they wrong!

And the big question: Do I still watch Wrestling?

Yes, I watch RAW every Monday and I go to live events when they are near. In fact, I will probably be going to an event on Sunday. But, more on that next week.

So there ya go! An inside look at my world! Stay tuned for more! :)