WrestleSlam UK Report: Saturday 9th February 2008
Old Trafford, Manchester, United Kingdom
By Shaun Best-Rajah.com Reporter

Two days later, I’m still on a high. Saturday was one of the best days of my life. WrestleSlam did the UK proud and has put wrestling conventions back on the map following the debacle of San Francisco last year. The fact it was held at Old Trafford made it even better as it wasn’t too far to travel and it’s home to my beloved Manchester United. I’d purchased a VIP ticket so I got to meet everyone for photos, autographs and got to sit in on the Q & A. I was unable to sleep on the Friday night as I was scared I would oversleep and miss the early train the next day. After arriving at around 8:30am I immediately struck up conversations with other fans. This was cool as I got to meet fans from all across the UK and Europe throughout the day. The first guy I met (Matt) was on his way to Las Vegas after the event to go and see No Way Out. Lucky devil. Have a nice trip Matt!

Just before I got in, Bret Hart pulled up in his car and let out a smile as he walked past. I was starstruck as the Hitman is my idol, role model etc and was the biggest reason I was there. Upon gaining entry I was pleasantly surprised as there was plenty to do throughout the day. Merchandise and memorabilia stands were stationed in the front suite aswell as a smattering of independent talent and promotions. One promotion (Futureshock Wrestling) was encouraging people to train to be wrestlers. I got asked and when I said I was too small they said ‘this ain’t the WWE’ which was quite funny. The wrestlers were all situated in another section and were sat at tables together signing, taking pictures and speaking to fans. Eleven wrestlers in total were at the event (Bret Hart, Sunny, Demolition, Animal, Tatanka, Honky Tonk Man, Brutus Beefcake, Marty Jannetty, Kamala, Ultimate Warrior). Everyone that was advertised turned up too. However, Ultimate Warrior only came at the end of the day when the other wrestlers had gone so during the main signing session only ten of the wrestlers were there. The reasons for Warrior’s late showing were unknown. Rumours were circulating but no-one knew for sure what the real reason was.

With regards to the main signing here’s a quick recap of my experiences as I moved around the tables. Firstly, I told Demolition that they were on a par with the Hart Foundation in the 80s and they appreciated the sentiment. I then put Smash over for playing the Repo Man gimmick so well and he laughed. Demolition said the 80s tag division was all great apart from the Rougeaus. Next up was Sunny. Wow, she was hot. I got a great picture with her and she signed a couple of Sunny posters from WWF Magazines I had going back to 1996. Animal was sporting his LOD paint and he let me hold his tag team title belt while I got my picture. This was no replica belt, this was the real deal and it weighed a ton. I told Kamala that he really scared me as a kid and he laughed. He’s even learned to speak English now LOL. Bret Hart was next and I started to shake real bad, especially as I sat next to him. Bret seemed very quiet as I composed myself and got my picture took. As Bret signed my copy of his book his eyes lit up as I told him about my favourite part of the book (The Hart Foundation did their finishing move on a drunken Vince McMahon in a hotel room in 1991). That was a priceless moment and I told the Hitman that he would never know how much that meant to me. Honky Tonk Man (who now has long hair) was funny, reeling off quick one liners and laughing with fans that dissed Ric Flair. I put over his site which he seemed to appreciate. Tatanka was very, very friendly and welcoming as I talked to him a little about his two year unbeaten streak (a feat which remains unbroken.) Brutus seemed very shy and didn’t say much but he was next to Marty Jannetty and both of them were having fun watching the classic matches on the big screens overhead while they were signing. It was great to see the fan in the wrestlers come out. Finally Marty Jannetty was great. A few people told me he was messing with some fans, stealing their glasses and fooling around and he was very talkative. I told him I wanted to see some more Rockers reunions and he said he speaks to Shawn quite a bit and he’s looking at maybe doing something in the summer. Then came a goofy moment on my part. Marty ended up signing my passport as I pointed out my name and middle name (Shaun Michael) sounded exactly like his ex-partners. Marty humoured me before signing my things.

The Q & A was next and everyone was in that apart from Warrior and unfortunately Bret too who had to shoot off. The one hour session was brilliant. I managed to get on the front row and after the MC had gotten Kamala to sing a song (he’s a great singer) I got to ask the first question. I asked Marty another Rockers question and Marty had brought a brick out and jokingly said he was going to throw it at the first person who said that. Whoops. Looks like I did a Chris Jericho in regards to asking a daft first question. If you don’t know what I mean, read his book. Many highlights came out of the Q & A. Demolition and Animal said that tag team wrestling is dead in the WWE. A sad fact but true. Marty came across as intelligent and passionate about the business as much as he did funny. He said that nowadays people in WWE are being brought up way too soon and put into positions they’re not ready for using Mr Kennedy as an example. Apparently Shawn Michaels backs up Marty’s claim whenever the two talk. On a lighter note, Tatanka and Marty told some hilarious Iron Sheik stories before the panel revealed some good ribs which involved the late Mr Perfect, Owen Hart and British Bulldog. Animal said that all the best ribbers are gone which is sad. Brutus gave some insight on his relationship with Hulk Hogan and said that WWE not WCW was the best place to work. Honky Tonk talked about wrestling in Europe while Sunny went into some detail to explain the bad blood between her and Sable.

The Q & A went a little too quickly for me but after that it was time for the final act……….Ultimate Warrior. He had received a bit of stick from the other stars for not being there earlier but when he did arrive he came in with a smile on his face and in great shape. No he didn’t come running in to his old entrance music. Despite all the negative hype that surrounds Warrior I still wanted to meet him. It took me nearly two hours of queuing and there was an even bigger queue behind me. It was all worthwhile though because Warrior was great. He was signing more than the required rate, spoke in detail to everyone and even asked everyone what colour pen they wanted things signing in. Many people brought their belts and tried to put them on Warrior who laughed as he placed them back onto the fans. He didn’t want to endorse WWE. Warrior was permanently smiling and genuinely seemed happy to be there. When I got to him I got some old BattleMania comics signed then thanked him for his contribution to the business. I told him that I was never a Hulkamaniac when growing up (I was always Warrior) and that he and Bret Hart were the first two wrestlers to grab me when I first started watching. Warrior appreciated my sentiment and thanked me for coming out as he shaked my hand and sent me away happy.

In closing, yes some of the queues were a pain in the ass but I got so much out of the day and even got a few interviews after with some of the organisers. Theirs was a thankless job but I thanked them for putting on this great show and giving the UK wrestling scene some great exposure. Yes it was a long day, but it was great and I wouldn’t change a single thing. It’s taken me a few days to recover but if there’s a WrestleSlam II somewhere down the line (which there should be) then I’m there. Catch you later. Shaun.

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