The first time I'd ever been to a live wrestling show or autograph session was the IPW "Night of Icons" show on the 14th, and I was upset to find an autograph costing $5, even if you brought your own item. Ted DiBiase came off as a real "Million Dollar Jerk" and obviously just wanted to get it over with. The autographs were all in the same cookie-cutter fashion, and he added his stupid 'Christian crusade' 45:15 crap on it no less. Harley Race, however, came off very pleasant, and Terry Funke was incredibly joyful. But I think I'm done with autographs. They're just pointless, and I feel idiotic literally handing my money to a wealthy performer.
The IPW wrestling was enjoyable though. The matches were somewhat typical and predictable at times, but still intimate and fun with the small, hillbilly crowd. In the IPW title match, the challenger went to the top turnbuckle (mere feet in front of me), so I shouted "450!!!" and he did it! I was overjoyed. Rick Steiner was scheduled for the main event, but he wasn't, and no one said a word about him...
The Lou Thesz/George Tragos Wrestling Hall of Fame ceremony the following day was an odd experience. It was held at the Wrestling Museum & Institute, and with the likes of Bret Hart, Terry Funke, and Harley Race in attendance, it was incredibly crowded and hot. Heat waves literally hit you in the face from the room the induction took place in, but I managed to get a nice photo of Bret holding his plaque. My brother (far right) and I (far left) went to Culver's across the street before the line subsided and we could meet Bret. To be honest, I was disappointed at having to pay $10 for an autograph after paying $22 for the DVD set, driving 3 hours to get to Newton, and sleeping the night in a Wal Mart parking lot, so we opted for a free photo.
But Bret noticed the DVD set in my hand and asked if I wanted it autographed, so I said sure. I then asked if it'd cost anything and he asked the woman beside him what it costs. I think he just didn't have it in him to say "it's 10 dollars," but we somehow snuck out of it with my brother explaining to the woman than Bret offered and that I didn't request. A free autograph and photo for FREE! We screwed the system! ;D
The IPW and HOF shows had some good and bad experience, but overall, I'm quite glad we went. One of the IPW performers actually has a training center in Iowa that my brother and I want to try out someday. And I'll be happy to attend another IPW show... as long as it's not a 3 hour drive.
More photos
Bret Hart accepting his induction.
A radio show featuring Nikita Koloff, Harley Race, and others.
One of Bret's jackets on display.
The IPW Champion, "Johny Fitness." I know, terrible ring name...
'Am pullin' a kid's pants down! ...Actually, he's just a painting on the building.
Eventually, I'll probably show more photos at "My Batcave360?" if I get around to it.
Sounds like loads of fun, even with the cons of that sort of an event. Cool that you got hang with Bret Hart, even for a short while. Sucks that Dibiase was a jerk, he was quite nice when I met him, but hell, everybody has a bad day sometimes. That's totally lame that they were charging for autographs. Johnny fitness looks like he might be the next big thing, though. I've still never been to a live wrestling show, all we ever get near here is the local redneck league of beeer-bellied nobodies.
BATMAN: Yesterday, Today, & Beyond, all of it's sub-sites, or hosted sites are in no way associated, or affiliated with DC Comics, Time Warner or any of it's divisions.
Items cataloged in merchandise sections are not for sale. The downloading of video game ROMs is for backup and testing purposes only. If you do not own the actual game, the ROM is to be deleted from your hard drive within 24 hours.
Any money that may be made from Amazon Associates, advertisements, or affiliate programs will be contributed to the maintaining of this website, to provide the fans with the best that we can offer.
Home
I've still never been to a live wrestling show, all we ever get near here is the local redneck league of beeer-bellied nobodies. 
