Total Nonstop Wrestling returned to ST Louis with their PPV Lockdown on April 18th in ST Charles Family Arena with the highlight being the night before at the TNA Fan interaction.
I had attended the first St Louis’s TNA Lockdown and though I felt as if the fan interaction was worth it, the PPV had been a disappointment in my opinion. I must confess I enjoy attending independent wrestling over going too today’s “Big Two”.
The selling point for me was the fact that they were including a “Legends Main Event” in this Fan Interaction with three of the biggest stars to ever grace the sport Hulk Hogan, Sting and my personal favorite “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair at the end of the night with a bonus of having two of the most influential Managers in Pro Wrestling “The Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart and Bobby “The Brain” Hennan along with one of the greatest wrestlers to grace the sport Dory Funk JR. and “The Clawmaster” Baron Von Raschke.
Some great times was to be had throughout the weekend as we caught up with some old friends and met some new ones. If the TNA wrestlers were on a grading system for their treatment of the fans I would have to give them an impressive A+. Some could complain that the lines took a lot of time to get through but one of the big reasons was the wrestlers were so friendly and took the time to meet the fans. Making the experience that much more enjoyable.
When the time was up for “The Band” Scott Hall and Kevin Nash, Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan and many of the fans had yet to get their autograph or picture they each let TNA know that they were not going to leave until everyone had received what they were promised.
Thanks to my friends at the St Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame I was asked to present Dory Funk Jr, Bobby Hennan and Baron Von Raschke along with my friend Nick Ridenour with their Hall of fame Plaques during the fan interaction. I was so pumped up about it I could barley calm down; in fact I am still hyped up about it four days later. Regardless it will be forever in my top ten moments of my life as latter I would also be a part giving my favorite wrestler of All-Time Ric Flair his plaque.
Words can’t give justice to my appreciation to Nick, Herb Simmons, Larry Matysik, Tony Costa webmaster Mitch Martsey, sports journalist Keith Schildroth, and the rest of the crew at the ST Louis Hall of Fame for having me a part of this historic occasion.
Look for video of both the ST Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame and Pro Wrestling Illustrated in the near future at MWR.
If you would like to check out the ST Louis Hall of Fame your next chance will be on May 8th at the South Broadway Athletic Club. For more information on the ST Louis Hall of Fame check out their myspace here.
After we were done giving the ST Louis Hall of Fame plaques Jeff Ruoss from Pro Wrestling Illiustrated presented the Legends with plaques from everyone’s favorite wrestling publication.
The PPV Would be solid and most importantly a LOT of fun. During the evening Kurt Angle showed why he is in my mind the best wrestler since Ric Flair when he and Ken Anderson tore down the house. Team 3D was on fire and ST Louis fans proved that it is truly Flair country when he was asked to leave by the ref prior to the AJ Styles – D’Angelo Dinero the fans chanted “We want Flair” chants. Jeff Hardy would show why he is one of the most fearless (or crazy) wrestlers to ever grace the sport during the main event giving Team Hogan a huge advantage over Team Flair.
My girlfriend Dubray had no clue who Rob Van Dam was on Friday evening but by Sunday she was into putting her hands behind her back as RVD’S Music was on chanting ROB-VAN-DAM proving just how over with the fans he is.
TNA would wisely give RVD the chance for the TNA Title the next night on Spike and he would go on to defeat AJ Styles for his first ever TNA World Championship. Some may argue that they gave away a PPV Match on free TV but my opinion is such that RVD can have a full year of PPV matches with just about anyone on the roster including a rematch with the very talented AJ Styles .This weekend and his win will hopefully be the direction that TNA is headed.
I would run into local wrestling talents Chris Havius, Shorty Biggs, Kiwi Jello and Dorian Victor . Local Promoters Herb Simmons and TNT Keny G was in the house while the legends made their appearance during the TNA Title match between Styles and Pope.
In this weekend blast you will see the pictures of the TNA After party hosted by Mike Gordon at Side Pockets in St Charles. Surprise guest were Ken Anderson, James Storm, Chris Sabin and Brian Kendrick. Anderson and Strom was their when I entered the building and was busy signing autographs and taking pictures with fans while being with their respective friends and family. Their patience and kindness with the fans made me fans of the two of them for life. Sabin and Kendrick came later and was just as polite. With a 12:00 closing time on Sunday and the TNA Stars less than 24 hours from having to be in Florida for TNA Impact that made their kindness that much more special.
Once again it was great hanging with old friends during the weekend like Drew and Gary, Chuck and Dave along with new friends Shawn and his girlfriend , Kyle and the Awesome Bomb Radio team just to name a few. A big thanks you to TNA’ and Bob Ryder for his kindness as well.
I hope you enjoy this exclusive look at TNA Lockdown weekend at MWR.
Jeremy Borash and So Cal Val pump up the fans early in the morning.
Alex Shelly and Chris Sabin (The Motor City Machine Guns) enjoy a visit from a young fan.
TNA Founder Jeff Jarrett should be proud of the Fan Interaction.
Kelly and Jesse Neal
Former WWE Diva, Playboy model and current TNA darling Christy Hemme prepares to meet her fans.
“The Freak” Rob Terry is HUGE
TNA’S Secret weapon “The Beautiful People.”
Eric Bischoff was playing around here without Dubray knowing it. After she saw it she said isn’t that a bit creepy? Which I had to laugh. Bischoff was having fun just like all the TNA guys during the week
Chuck Maddox Black Hogan and Dave Krohn
The Pope D'Angelo Dinero loves the camera.
Scott Hall and TNA’S President Dixie Carter
The presentation for Bobby Hennan, Dory Funk Jr. and Baron Von Raschke for the St Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame plaques.
The great Dory Funk JR is honored with a PWI Lifetime achievement award from PWI’S Jeff Ruoss
Jimmy Hart is proud of the PWI Lifetime achievement award given to him from PWI’S Jeff Ruoss.
PWI’S Jeff Ruoss Gives The Clawmaster his lifetime achievement award.
Ric Flair was all smiles as he came to his station.
Two of the all time greats Sting and Ric Flair would be on the same side at Lockdown.
Go Team Hogan !!
Jimmy Hart with Hulk Hogan put in extra hours.
Kyle gets autographs from Jeff Hardy and Shannon Moore.
Pro Wrestling Royalty Lacey Von Erich
Kurt Angle and Dave Krohn
Rob Van Dam just one day away from become champion of the World.
ST Louis Promoter Herb Simmons with SoCal Val
Just one action photo that caught the energy of the night as one of my favorites Team 3D has the crowd in the palm of their hands.
Mini Keny enjoys TNA Wrestling LIVE!!
The adult radio wrestling show Awesome bomb Radio’s host gives Don West a hug.
My good friends Drew Gary Dubray and myself with the Awesome Bomb Radio crew.
TNA Afterparty at Side Pockets
Ken Anderson with one of his many fans after an awesome match with Kurt Angle.
Brandon with Beer Money’s James Storm at Side Pockets.
Pete with Ken Anderson
Patrick and Chris Sabin
I’m sad to say that Dixie Carter did not offer me a job at TNA but she was kind enough to take this picture with Dubray and I.
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