My Mania Tale . . . .

Nadet

Hey guys, uploaded this on a different forum, but thought it would be worth putting on here as you guys were so helpful etc in the run up to the big show. Feel free to flame and dispute with your opinions etc, here goes:

Pretty cool week and a half in the States.

Won't bore you with too much pre-Mania stuff, but from Sunday 27th to Friday 1st me and my mate were in Orlando. Other than a couple of bad weather days that scuppered theme parks it was all good. Quite weird waking up and putting the telly on to find top 3 stories on the national news were Gaddaffi, Japan nuclear plant, and Orlando tornado warnings. Probably worth mentioning we attended a TNA Impact taping at Universal on the Tuesday, very entertaining couple of hours although the ticket system needs a total overhaul. I think everyone was pissed off at the incompetetence of the staff involved in getting people in the Studio but thankfully the show made up for that fiasco.

On the Friday we flew into Atlanta from Orlando in the evening. Got the Marta from the airport to Peachtree Street as we'd booked the Platinum package so were staying in the Westlin Peachtree hotel. Got there and the concierge said the hotel was full, but let us in as we had a reservation. At this point the alarm bells were ringing to getting bumped from our hotel room. When we got to reception there was 2 chaps in front of us getting bumped, and sure enough we got bumped too.

It turned out pretty well though as the other guys got sent to the Sheraton, while me and my mate were taxi'd to The W. Obviously assuming the worst being a Brit, when the taxi was pulling in was like pulling into a Ocean's 11 scene or "if Carlsberg did hotels". That cool vibe was just from the front taxi area - it was confirmed when checking in and we were surrounded by some cool mofo's and the receptionist explained about various amenities such as the nightclub on the 3rd floor.

After having a couple of beers in the funky bar we headed to the room for some much needed room service and a good kip before heading to the Westin for Morning Madness. After leaving our luggage with reception and getting confirmation of a VIP type room due to the inconvenience the night before as well as crediting us way beyond what the taxi's to The W cost we headed to Morning Madness at about 8.30 as a queue was already formed.

Because of the no posed pictures situation the line moved fairly fast (compared to some Axxess lines - more on this later) and Randy Orton was surprisingly cool to chat to. I did notice some people getting a rather short time with him, and a couple of stares when people were taking ages, but it was like he was the one keeping me there for a bit of a gab. I attribute this to the 5 star headcase that was in front of me in the line.

Said nutter started talking to me at some point in the line and for the first couple of minutes he seemed 'alright', but then started talking utter ****e. He was English, and at one point I asked if he was on the forums like the UKFF and he denied using forums cos they're sad just like all the fans like the ones in the queue in front and behind us. Yet this is the guys that spent AGES talking ****e to Orton to the point the WWE security guy (who'll be familiar to those that attend live shows in the UK) was considering having words.

This nutter was waiting for me and my mate outside the Morning Madness room and started following us around as we explored the area around the hotel for an hour or so. His classic lines included it taking well over half an hour to walk to the WWE venues so a taxi is required (10 minutes walk is realistic I'd suggest?), him chatting to Kelly Kelly's sister on line and supposed to be hanging with Kelly that weekend but the internet being down in the WWE hotel so that plan was off for the time being, and him winning a bet/dare with one of the Bella Twins meaning that at Axxess that afternoon he was due a huge kiss from them.

Anywho's onto Hard Rock Cafe across from the hotel for some munchies - it's clear what tourism does for the local amenities as at 11am when we went in we got a table fine, but an hour later it was full with a queue waiting for tables with all the volleyball players/family and WWE fans/crew filling the place. We went to check if the hotel room was ready yet, and as it wasn't we got a quick Starbucks in the hotel before heading to Axxess.

Axxess (on Saturday afternoon) was heaving with people, and although something else to see it was probably a little too busy for me - I generally hate any type of busy places or queues so it took a little time to get comfortable with the environment.

Me and my mate had got programmes on the basis of getting them signed and giving them to relatives back home, and first stop for an autograph was Sheamus who my mate's nephew is a huge fan of. We were easily in the queue for an hour and a half as Sheamus was immensely popular but was also taking a lot of time with each person until the venue staff asked the WWE handler to speed things up.

As it happens we were the last 2 people to meet with Sheamus and he obligingly signed the programmes we had and did pics with us, and also briefly chatted with me as in a previous life I'd did some shows with him.

After this we got pics on the gimmick items like the Broadcaster table, Vince's office, and at the Diva stand with Natalya as we couldn't stomach any major queues after the Sheamus one. For what it's worth I think the only other wrestler we met on the Saturday as we were fans of his work and the queue was do-able, I expect the majority of fans there were 'current' fans as at this time the queue for Drew McIntyre and Nexus was a lot longer than Harley. Harley was a very nice man and was happy to sign stuff etc. The memorabilia section was great too - Andre's suit is the first thing that springs to mind, absolutely huge. Second thing that springs to mind is a Rangers top catching my eye! This was a prize as part of a contest and was signed by Drew Mac.

After this the only thing left to do was be total marks and get Wrestlemania jerseys with our name's printed on the back - not bad at all for $70 and immediate printing. The Shopzone staff were really nice, with one of the staff joking about throwing a sickie that night to attend Hall of Fame.

Back to the hotel and finally checking in our room which had a great view - 64th floor - for a shower and change for Hall of Fame. We left for Hall of Fame and joined the queue at the CNN building (well we joined after standing at the traffic lights for a minute as I spotted the headcase from Morning Madness that stalked us a few feet to the right when crossing, he quickly clung on to 4 bemused guys a bit ahead of us in the queue).

After getting in the arena and grabbing a coke we went straight to our seats wehre there chap beside me said it was a shame we just got there as they brought all the wrestlers out 3 or 4 at a time. I was just happy not to have missed the start of the show, which started about a minute after we took our seats. Great lower tier view, and this show was perhaps the highlight of the weekend for me. That's not a knock on Mania or anything else, but I've been a fan for over 20 years now so to be present for some of the oldtimers tales was sublime. Too many highlights to mention, but starting off with Duggan was brilliant as he was on fine form. To be present for him, LOD, and Michaels induction made all the money and travel etc worthwhile. HHH's roasting of Michaels was hilarious, and others were dishing out belters too such as big Dusty and Ted Dibiase. I was truly buzzing leaving the arena.

Sunday was spent grabbing some breakfast in the mall across from the hotel and heading to Axxess for a while before Mania. Although Axxess was busier than I thought it would be the queue's moved a lot faster for everything. Met a few more workers including Paul Bearer, Tyler Reks, Chavo, The Uso's, Chris Masters, and David Hart Smith. The highlight for me though was meeting The Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase, definitely my favourite heel as a kid and perhaps all time, even my first Hasbro figure 'back in the day'. All were first class, and it's sad to know that they'll probably be on the "future endeavours" hitlist in a couple of weeks.

Onto the grandaddy of them all, Wrestlemania, and boy what an experience. Entering the dome was surprisingly pain free and once we got our wristbands. It wasn't clear why these were required other than we were on floor seating - I suspect it was to do with leaving the floor area for a ciggie or piss break, but Mania is not the time to go for walkies!).

We were in Section F7, seats 1 + 2, and were very impressed with the view. When the tickets arrived I have to admit thinking "och, 9th row" - but sitting 9th row in a near 72,000 audience at Wrestlemania has a different charm than sitting 9th row at Braehead Arena!

The production is truly mindblowing, and I can say without fear that the fireworks etc are worldclass. The show itself - well you'll all have seen that and formed your opinion - but I thought it was brilliant. I can't explain how engrossed I was in the Taker-HHH match, pure magic. By the time I left the Georgia Dome my voice was almost gone with screaming like a lunatic when Cena got gubbed off the Rock, or singing "Michael Cole, Michael Cole, Michael Cole" to the tune of "here we go, here we go, here we go" in time with the Irish lads that were sat quite nearby. Can't believe I was singing it either to be honest, and could well do again at any minute!

Once the chairs were undone it was time to join the masses leaving the Dome and head to the hotel. For the third night on the trot we ate in the hotel - after the Hall of Fame we ate in the hotel bar by choice as Hooters/Hard Rock were mobbed so we ate then got drinks in Hooters later - but after Mania it seemed everything nearby was closed except a 24 hour diner which was mobbed, so room service that took an hour and a half to arrive was our lot.

Monday was spent doing the World of Coke tour - as someone above posted the 4d show was entertaining, and wouldn't have been out of place in Universal or Hollywood Studios in Orlando. Of course tried every drink on offer from around the world, and think there was only 1 I didn't favour!

Afterwards CNN before heading back to the hotel for a change etc before going to Hooters for dinner then RAW taping. It was a really good show live, particularly the Orton tag match. Afterwards it was a case of swimming back to the hotel - has anyone experienced rain and mayhem like that before, so much for Hotlanta!

On the Tuesday we flew home - on the Atlanta to Newark leg there were some proper heavy duty wrestling fans. 1 guy said he'd been to a dozen Mania's and seemed to have every member of the roster's autograph, I wouldn't have been surprised if he'd got Andre to sign the Mania programme! This other guy seems to go to several shows a month, and hangs with "the clown" that's sat at ringside on a lot of the shows (at least recently). He said he was drinking with Austin/JR/Tough Enough crew in the Marriot on the Monday night. Again some serious stalker material going down with these guys, but all the best to them.

And once on the Newark-Glasgow it all ends. Our super well bubble wrapped chairs arrived, albeit my one was somehow damaged at some point between leaving Atlanta and arriving in Glasgow, not much can do about it.

Great time was had, and would do Wrestlemania again anytime - it really is the ultimate wrestling fan experience. Now I'll go and read the show thread to see you guys bury the show, and apologies for the length of this post, I've clearly got into my stride!

mmg200000

The rain was horrid Monday. My SCSA shirt felt like 20lbs it was that soaked.

Initium

When I went back to the hotel even my underwear was soaked! :eek:

WweAndTnaRules

Just back from Atlanta, I really enjoyed Wrestlemania and all the venues were so close to each other, ease of location. I would definitely go back to Atlanta again in the future. whether its for wrestling or a holiday, its the place to be

jmolloy

mmg200000 wrote: »

The rain was horrid Monday. My SCSA shirt felt like 20lbs it was that soaked.

the hoody didn't drain at all so at least the t-shirts had a bit of give. hoody nearly carried me over weight limit on plane haha

cactus86

considering where you were sitting, i might be one of the Coleminers you were singing with match was terrible, but some fun was had. Thanks for joining the chants, we were hoping we would convert a few more!

Kane-N-Nite

Were you one of the 3 guys going around with the Irish flags? With the made coleminers shirts?

cactus86

yep that was us

Kane-N-Nite

I never got the chance to introduce myself but we crossed paths several times, and different trips too. You would know me to see I'm sure.

cactus86

ha, we're always lookin to talk to the irish over there! the irish know how to make some noise

we should try & meet if we get to miami

WweAndTnaRules

Were ye the lads that were staying on the 7th floor of the Marriott?

StoneColdFan

Seen you lads a few times in the Marriott also on the same plane going back to Dublin

cactus86

yes & yes, which guys were ye? were we talking to ye? wwe&tnarules, any chance ur the lads from cork??

WweAndTnaRules

sorry for the long delay, yeah we were the lads from cork

seandotcomm

Ha, I saw you guys with the Coleminer t-shirts too on the way in and out. It's amazing that out of all the nationalities that go to Wrestlemania, it always seems to be the Irish that stand out, although that may be becuase we're Irish and recognise the "irish heads" on people, lol. But there's usually more tri-colours than any other flag visible in the crowd.

I really enjoyed Mania as it was my first one. I was ragin' we arrived too late on the Sunday to get into Axxess ( the 2 lads with me weren't arsed really and there was no rushing them )

HOF was maybe the highlight for me too as I've seen Wrestling live about a dozen or so times so the banter was great and seeing the Cliq was amazing as HBK and Waltman are my 2 favourites

Can't wait for Miami