Hulk Hogan & Ric Flair Autograph Signing - NJ 10/25/14
Oct 25, 2014 20:56:56 GMT -5
Road Warriors, marino13, and 5 more like this
Post by Flair Forever on Oct 25, 2014 20:56:56 GMT -5
I would be lying if I said that I wasn't nervous about today.... last night, I felt like a little kid on Christmas Eve - not sure what would be coming the next morning - but pretty sure it would be good! A chance to meet my two favorite wrestling stars of all time, "The Immortal" Hulk Hogan and "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair - and have a photo op with BOTH LEGENDS together! I had met Flair once in 2008, however I've never met Hulk Hogan - and I must admit, he was my #1 Want (up until today).
I guess I never really got my hopes completely up - I mean, there were SO many things that could go wrong! What if my car broke down? What if one of them no-showed, or was late? What if it was so crowded and not everyone got to get their photos ops? Yes, I had those "butterflies" in that stomach of mine that Ric Flair always used to talk about....
I am very happy to report that the signing - which was sponsored by MAB-Celebrity.com - went off perfectly - it was quite surely the smoothest & best run autograph signing that I've ever been to - these guys really know what they're doing - real professionals!
Our two-hour drive from Delaware got there at just about 9:30 AM, when the Hogan signing was supposed to start - after getting through registration rather quickly - my friend said "look behind you" - I turned around, and there he was, The Hulkster himself! He was quite larger than life.... turns out - the Hulkster was heading to the bathroom, gearing up for a long couple hours of signing & photo ops....
It really is surreal to see Hogan in person, something like a superhero come-to-life.... I dunno, I guess I'm just a starstruck kind of guy.... I was a huge Hulkamaniac as a kid - apparently, I still am!
Anyway, Hogan headed over to his table.... Ken Shamrock was already there - Hogan joked around with the crowd that he felt "safer knowing that Ken Shamrock is here, brother!"
Shamrock seemed to be getting a kick out of all this.....
Hogan continued to joke that Shamrock was going to protect him from these rowdy fans.... Hogan really knows how to work a room! The crowd ate it up....
Next, Hogan settled in to do his signings.... the crowd was very laid back (not nearly as big as I was afraid it would be), and the security was very systematic about calling out the numbers on the tickets (0-10, 0-20, 0-30). You could only get in line once your number was called.... great system that worked well!
My buddy, meanwhile, waited in our spot in the line for "Dual Photo Ops" with Hogan & Flair, reading a book & chatting with a fan. They actually had the ticket numbers posted on the wall -indicating WHAT EACH LINE WAS FOR and WHERE IN THE LINE you would be waiting.... so there was minimal confusion. Some other groups that organize these signing events should take notes from these folks.....
Once I got my chance to meet Hogan, I thanked him for coming - told him that he headlined the first show I ever went to, in Hershey, PA with my Dad - he asked me who he wrestled, I told him he teamed up with Tugboat to battle Earthquake & Dino Bravo - "Oh, you're an OLD SCHOOL guy....." Hogan said & laughed.
But I think, deep down, I'm a bit depressed - did Hulk Hogan just call me old? Oh well, the fact that Hulk Hogan called me ANYTHING is so cool I just get cheery all over again!
It was a very nice conversation with a wrestling Icon.... it was great. I had him sign one of my JAKKS Classic Superstars.....
I could not have asked for more - but - THERE WAS MUCH MORE! At that point, it was time for photoshoots! First, Hogan's single photos.... then they would start the "Dual Photos" (with Hulk Hogan & Ric Flair together).
Again, I must commend the staff - the crowd kind of picked up at the time the photo shoot started - but they moved them through the fastest & smoothest I've ever seen at one of these things. And the numbers on the wall telling you where to stand in line really helped control the lines!
Then - it was my turn - I was so nervous - in a funny twist - BOTH Hulk Hogan AND Ric Flair reached their hand out to shake mine at the same time. In true "Ric Flair" style - I reached out like I was going to shake Hogan's hand - but then turned to Ric Flair - shook HIS hand instead - and said "Ric Flair is THE MAN...."
"Thank you, brother!" Ric Flair whispered in my ear. This was awesome!
I was so afraid that something would be WRONG with the photo.... I kept wondering if my eyes were open, was my hat on crooked, and did I remember to smile? All these questions running through my head as I waited for the staff to print it (it took them about 45 minutes to catch up, the three printers they had just couldn't keep up).
Finally - the dude brought my picture over to the table!
Whooooo! Brother..... I believe this picture is damn near perfect..... no complaints. If my wife ever reads this post - yes, Melissa, I would like to be buried with this photograph....
The photos continued while I tried to settle myself down..... I wish I'd had a replica belt - those people's photos looked GREAT too!
Eventually, my buddy's pic came out.... and it was great, too! I didn't see anyone who wasn't satisfied with their photo, they all seemed to come out pretty nicely!
Next, Hogan left - and Ric Flair took his spot at the signing table.... he signed for a little while....
I noticed as he sat down - Fifi (his girlfriend Wendy) tapped him on the shoulder - they spoke, Ric Flair looked at his cell phone - and his mood really changed - he looked like he might even have been crying a little bit. I'm pretty sure he just got some kind of bad news.... his whole demeanor seemed to change after this....
When it was my turn - I asked him "Are you okay, Naitch?" "I'm fine!" he exclaimed back... he did seem better. I placed my 2008 photo with him in front of him - he began to sign it - and Fifi (Wendy) asked me where it had been taken. I told them that it was from Caroline's Comedy Club in NYC from 2008 (Ringside Fest) - shortly after Ric's retirement. They both seemed impressed.
I thanked Ric for the wonderful day - and I also said "And thank you, Fifi! I mean, Wendy!"
"FIFI" Ric Flair then said loudly - and they both seemed very impressed that I remembered her from WCW! I didn't think that was such a big deal, but I guess maybe a lot of people don't remember her....
So - despite all my worries - my "Christmas Miracle" came true - Santa was very, very good to me today, and I surely did not leave New Jersey disappointed!
I would totally recommend going to one of these MAB-Celebrity signings, it was a class act all the way - and I have my NEW favorite picture of all time to show for it!
THANKS FOR LOOKING!
Flair Forever
I guess I never really got my hopes completely up - I mean, there were SO many things that could go wrong! What if my car broke down? What if one of them no-showed, or was late? What if it was so crowded and not everyone got to get their photos ops? Yes, I had those "butterflies" in that stomach of mine that Ric Flair always used to talk about....
I am very happy to report that the signing - which was sponsored by MAB-Celebrity.com - went off perfectly - it was quite surely the smoothest & best run autograph signing that I've ever been to - these guys really know what they're doing - real professionals!
Our two-hour drive from Delaware got there at just about 9:30 AM, when the Hogan signing was supposed to start - after getting through registration rather quickly - my friend said "look behind you" - I turned around, and there he was, The Hulkster himself! He was quite larger than life.... turns out - the Hulkster was heading to the bathroom, gearing up for a long couple hours of signing & photo ops....
It really is surreal to see Hogan in person, something like a superhero come-to-life.... I dunno, I guess I'm just a starstruck kind of guy.... I was a huge Hulkamaniac as a kid - apparently, I still am!
Anyway, Hogan headed over to his table.... Ken Shamrock was already there - Hogan joked around with the crowd that he felt "safer knowing that Ken Shamrock is here, brother!"
Shamrock seemed to be getting a kick out of all this.....
Hogan continued to joke that Shamrock was going to protect him from these rowdy fans.... Hogan really knows how to work a room! The crowd ate it up....
Next, Hogan settled in to do his signings.... the crowd was very laid back (not nearly as big as I was afraid it would be), and the security was very systematic about calling out the numbers on the tickets (0-10, 0-20, 0-30). You could only get in line once your number was called.... great system that worked well!
My buddy, meanwhile, waited in our spot in the line for "Dual Photo Ops" with Hogan & Flair, reading a book & chatting with a fan. They actually had the ticket numbers posted on the wall -indicating WHAT EACH LINE WAS FOR and WHERE IN THE LINE you would be waiting.... so there was minimal confusion. Some other groups that organize these signing events should take notes from these folks.....
Once I got my chance to meet Hogan, I thanked him for coming - told him that he headlined the first show I ever went to, in Hershey, PA with my Dad - he asked me who he wrestled, I told him he teamed up with Tugboat to battle Earthquake & Dino Bravo - "Oh, you're an OLD SCHOOL guy....." Hogan said & laughed.
But I think, deep down, I'm a bit depressed - did Hulk Hogan just call me old? Oh well, the fact that Hulk Hogan called me ANYTHING is so cool I just get cheery all over again!
It was a very nice conversation with a wrestling Icon.... it was great. I had him sign one of my JAKKS Classic Superstars.....
I could not have asked for more - but - THERE WAS MUCH MORE! At that point, it was time for photoshoots! First, Hogan's single photos.... then they would start the "Dual Photos" (with Hulk Hogan & Ric Flair together).
Again, I must commend the staff - the crowd kind of picked up at the time the photo shoot started - but they moved them through the fastest & smoothest I've ever seen at one of these things. And the numbers on the wall telling you where to stand in line really helped control the lines!
Then - it was my turn - I was so nervous - in a funny twist - BOTH Hulk Hogan AND Ric Flair reached their hand out to shake mine at the same time. In true "Ric Flair" style - I reached out like I was going to shake Hogan's hand - but then turned to Ric Flair - shook HIS hand instead - and said "Ric Flair is THE MAN...."
"Thank you, brother!" Ric Flair whispered in my ear. This was awesome!
I was so afraid that something would be WRONG with the photo.... I kept wondering if my eyes were open, was my hat on crooked, and did I remember to smile? All these questions running through my head as I waited for the staff to print it (it took them about 45 minutes to catch up, the three printers they had just couldn't keep up).
Finally - the dude brought my picture over to the table!
Whooooo! Brother..... I believe this picture is damn near perfect..... no complaints. If my wife ever reads this post - yes, Melissa, I would like to be buried with this photograph....
The photos continued while I tried to settle myself down..... I wish I'd had a replica belt - those people's photos looked GREAT too!
Eventually, my buddy's pic came out.... and it was great, too! I didn't see anyone who wasn't satisfied with their photo, they all seemed to come out pretty nicely!
Next, Hogan left - and Ric Flair took his spot at the signing table.... he signed for a little while....
I noticed as he sat down - Fifi (his girlfriend Wendy) tapped him on the shoulder - they spoke, Ric Flair looked at his cell phone - and his mood really changed - he looked like he might even have been crying a little bit. I'm pretty sure he just got some kind of bad news.... his whole demeanor seemed to change after this....
When it was my turn - I asked him "Are you okay, Naitch?" "I'm fine!" he exclaimed back... he did seem better. I placed my 2008 photo with him in front of him - he began to sign it - and Fifi (Wendy) asked me where it had been taken. I told them that it was from Caroline's Comedy Club in NYC from 2008 (Ringside Fest) - shortly after Ric's retirement. They both seemed impressed.
I thanked Ric for the wonderful day - and I also said "And thank you, Fifi! I mean, Wendy!"
"FIFI" Ric Flair then said loudly - and they both seemed very impressed that I remembered her from WCW! I didn't think that was such a big deal, but I guess maybe a lot of people don't remember her....
So - despite all my worries - my "Christmas Miracle" came true - Santa was very, very good to me today, and I surely did not leave New Jersey disappointed!
I would totally recommend going to one of these MAB-Celebrity signings, it was a class act all the way - and I have my NEW favorite picture of all time to show for it!
THANKS FOR LOOKING!
Flair Forever
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in millennium, for real! One of the coolest things I've ever heard. You got your Christmas miracle bro.
