Reid Flair Arrested

Bad news for an up-and-coming superstar.  There’s no doubt about it – this is a very disappointing arrest for the WWE and the Flair family.  Heroin?  Holy moly.  Hopefully, this occurrence will wake up a young man who has the sky as his limit for a wrestling career.  Heroin is a big deal to be caught with.

I met Reid at WrestleMania 25 in Houston, Texas.  It was a pretty interesting scene to witness Ricky Steamboat Jr and Reid Flair hanging out together like they were life-long friends.  They appeared to be very tight.  I remember telling a friend of mine, “Just imagine what it would feel like to be in either one of these guy’s shoes.”  They have such a bright future ahead. Everyone is looking for them to do big things.

Reid and Ricky Jr sat right next to me and Kevin during the Undertaker / Shawn Michaels match.  Kevin nudged me when they sat down and whispered, “I guess you’ll be blogging about this, now.”  Obviously, he was sarcastic and totally hating the blog.

Post Hall of Fame

After the bus ride back to The Marriott, we were greeted by even more fans than before.  People were filling the bars and standing around the elevators just to get a glimpse of their favorite WWE superstars, past and present.  Some of the fans really didn’t have the respect for a few of the superstars’ privacy, as they stood around while a private conversation was taking place.  I guess that’s just how it goes when you’re a celebrity.

I even saw a few of the old-timers wave fans off, as they approached them.  Personally, I feel that it is part of their commitment to being a celebrity to acknowledge the fans and sign a few autographs.  I did see one that was pretty rude about being approached, as he entered the bar area to drink a few cold ones.

During this time, I was able to say hello to ECW announcer Matt Striker.  As you all should remember, I wrestled Matt Striker a few years back at FedEx Forum in Memphis, TN on an episode of WWE Heat.  Striker remembered who I was and greeted me with professionalism and respect.  After exchanging a few stories, I told him that I hoped to see him down the road sooner than later.  Talk about a guy who’s done well for himself.  He went from working Heat (like me) to being on televison every single week (not like me).  Congrats goes out to him for all his hard work and success.

Hall of Fame LIVE

It was like walking through the curtain and heading down the ramp to a sold out WWE crowd.  The fans went crazy upon each superstar’s arrival.  A camera man in their faces, the fans were able to get an up-close and personal look at who the superstar was, as they appeared on the Titan Tron hanging in the arena.  Harley Race headed out and got a huge ovation from the crowd.

I wasn’t expecting to walk out in front of a live WWE audience!

So, here I go… we’re not in Memphis anymore.  Nor are we in Dyersburg or Ripley, Tennessee.  Total silence.  I might’ve heard someone yell, “Who the hell is THAT!?”  I’m only kidding… I didn’t even get THAT kind of reaction.  Nevertheless, I flash a smile and the camera man works around me to get to the next person.  That next person was far more important than me.  Jeff Hardy, Edge, Matt Hardy, Randy Orton, Triple H… they were all after me and received huge responses from the fans.  Did they just punk me out?

WWE Hall of Fame 2009

Take a look at the updated Five Starr Photos section of the site!  Brand new pictures from Houston, Texas have been posted for you all to see.  I have more to come, as well as some video from WrestleMania and the Hall of Fame.

It was a weekend that I will never forget, that’s for sure.  The experience was priceless and I want to share several stories with you all throughout this week.  So, be sure to check in every single day for a new story.  I really can’t do the trip justice by posting tidbits here and there… jumbled all into the same blog.  Also, I’ll be answering any questions that you may have about my very first WrestleMania and Hall of Fame.

This picture is of me at the 2009 Hall of Fame.  I have many more pictures to post in the coming days, but I just wanted to get the best up first.  Pretty good seats, huh?  I also was able to walk that isle, like only I could do, and head to my seat.  Too bad I didn’t get a pop like some of the others did.  I guess they haven’t heard – I’m kind of a big deal in certain areas.

Anyway – the new pictures are from me arriving at the hotel (the 2nd one, that is), at the hotel pool, getting ready for the Hall of Fame, the Hall of Fame itself and from Friday night’s Houston Astros baseball game at Minute Maid Park.

Do I really have to come back to Memphis?  I had so much fun, it’s depressing to a certain extent for it to actually end.  Need I mention that I’ve updated my schedule appearances for the coming weekend?  Check me out live this weekend in Ripley and Dyersburg.  Back to the grind…

Stories from ‘Mania coming starting tomorrow.

WrestleMania Update #2

I don’t have a lot of time, as I’m checking out of my hotel early today.  But I wanted to give another update, real fast.  I have many, many stories to tell from just last night alone.  The Hall of Fame was such a great experience.  I met so many great people.  I have seen guys that I know, have met before and even some that I was meeting for the first time.

THIS EXPERIENCE IS PRICELESS.

If you ever have a chance to go to WrestleMania or the Hall of Fame – DO IT.

Anyway, I have to board a bus at the Marriot at 2:30PM.  I’ll be boarding with friends, family and WWE Superstars.  They’re all very friendly and you hear so many stories just sitting in your seat.  For instance, I sat next to Miz’s father, yesterday.  George was a very nice man and had nothing but great things to say about the WWE and his son’s experience there.

Just imagine this – sitting behind me is Ken Kennedy and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine.  Sitting to my right is Ted Dibiase.  In front of me is Ted Dibiase Jr.  Also on the bus are the likes of CM Punk, Mae Young and Cody Rhodes.  Just imagine a bus filled with all that history and talent.  (Ok, I’m done name dropping!)

Today, we’ll be headed to Reliant Stadium for the big show – WrestleMania 25.  It’ll be a long day, getting there so early and all.  But I hear that catering is fantastic and the post-WrestleMania party is unbelievable.  I’ll have stories and pictures that will last me a lifetime.

I’ll update you via Twitter throughout the day.

WrestleMania Update #1

I hope everyone’s been checking out the Twitter feed on the site.  Things didn’t go so well at first.  I had a brand new Garmin and couldn’t figure it out until it was too late.  Now, I’m a Garmin expert.  Also, on top of the nine hour drive, our hotel wasn’t up to par with what I expected.  So, we’ve moved to Holiday Inn.  I’m satisfied, as it has a bar, pool, breakfast and is Wi-Fi access.

It’s been pretty tiresome with all the driving and such.  So, my first act of duty in Houston was to check out a Houston Astros baseball game.  I heard about the game at 8:00 and learned that it started at 7:30.  Oh well, I showed up in the seventh inning and had a chance to checkout Minute Maid Park.  Great stadium for sure.  I’m looking forward to Reliant Stadium tomorrow.

The photo is from my two inning stay at the baseball game.  Very bright lights and entertaining.  I had fun.  I also ran into Cleveland Indians fan, Jerry Lawler, at the game.

I’ll have more photos of the Houston skyline a little later.  Now, it’s time to get ready for the Hall of Fame Ceremony.  Watch for me on USA Network (yeah, right!)