WrestleFanFest: Backstage News (Part 2)

The convention side of things was interesting to say the least. Either the promoters didn't hire enough staff or they were just lazy, but people like DDP and other stars literally had to set up their own tables, banners and anything else they needed or were going to use. There was a puzzling separation of autograph areas. One section had security guards, security barriers and a line, while other stars were sprinkled inbetween vendors (read that as random guys selling old wrestling paraphernalia). I could sort of understand it if one side had headliners and the other had lesser valued stars, but that wasn't the case. Team 3-D were on the same side as Virgil and Greg the Hammer Valentine, and on the security fenced in side had One Man Gang, Maven, Francine, Sunny (who is looking damn good again) and Steve Corino; very weird if you ask me. The third section was right next to the front doors, that had the Steiner brothers sharing a table with The Warlord and Barbarian, and across from them was Rikishi, Orlando Jordan and another unknown, Black Pearl.

One real nice thing I saw was wrestlers who apparently havent seen each other in a while, running into each other and giving hugs, shaking hands and catching up with each other like it was a high school reunion. Team 3-D were the guys that all the wrestlers flocked to, and Bubba was Mr. Social, going to most all of the tables, saying Hi to everyone, shaking hands with everyone who asked (including me) took pictures left and right, and seemed very professional.

Biggest pop: Unnamed Asian guy during the battle royal Best Match: Billy Kidman vs Ultimo Dragon Worst Match: Greg the Hammer Valentine & Brutus Beefcake vs Dr Death Steve Williams and Koko B Ware Overall Rating: 3 out of 10 stars

Final comments: The show felt like it was put together by someone who only knew 1980's wrestling and just wanted to get through the night, delivering the bare minimum of what was needed. If the show actually makes it to DVD, I would only consider seeing it to see if I showed up on camera.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask.

Here are some addition notes from Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com:

The first night of the Wrestlefanfest convention in San Francisco was said to have drawn in the 200 range, which sounds scary since it's in the Cow Palace (same building Eddie Guerrero won the WWE title from Brock Lesnar).

...to be continued...