Post by "Playboy" Don Douglas on May 15, 2012 17:24:17 GMT -5
The event is still just under 3 months away, and many of the particulars are not finalized, but as it's usually about this time that announcements start coming in left and right, I figured it was time to start my yearly Fanfest thread.
I have attended every year since 2008, and consider myself forever spoiled when it comes to wrestling conventions. The event lasts 4 days and 3 nights, and featured guests (booked by the event promoter) usually number 30-40 and carry an old school slant ('80s and back). There is usually a roughly equal number of guests in the vendor area, where it's a mix of old school and newer names.
This year's event is said to be the last one, and while nothing has been said, I expect it to be sent off with an absolute blow out. After going to Atlanta last year, Fanfest returns to the Hilton University Place Hotel in Charlotte, NC August 2-5.
Confirmed featured guests so far:
"Dirty" Dutch Mantell
Longtime Memphis star who also had success in Puerto Rico in addition to appearing for WCW as part of the Wrestlecrap worthy "Desperadoes" and for the WWF as Uncle Zebekiah. He also did color commentary alongside Bob Caudle for Jim Cornette's Smoky Mountain Wrestling. He has also worked backstage in a booking/writing capacity in Puerto Rico and most recently for TNA.
Bob Caudle
TV announcer for Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling and Jim Crockett Promotions on TBS. Later did commentary for Smoky Mountain Wrestling. I'll add a personal note here and say that Bob is one of the nicest people I've ever met and truly loves talking wrestling with the fans.
Rich Landrum
TV announcer for World Wide Wrestling & Mid Atlantic Championship Wrestling shows from the old WRAL studio, working alongside Johnny Weaver. Briefly worked with the WWF in the early '80s.
Magnum TA
Star of Mid South Wrestling and Crockett's NWA group. The fast rising star's career was cut tragically short by a car accident, but not before he had classic battles with Ric Flair and battled Tully Blanchard in an I Quit Steel Cage match in one of the greatest matches in Starrcade history.
Tully Blanchard
Legendary member of the Four Horsemen. Began his career with his father's group in San Antonio, where he teamed with the late Gino Hernandez. After moving to the NWA, he became a 3 time TV champion, US champion, and 2 time tag team champion with Arn Anderson. The two then went to the WWF and became tag team champions as part of the Heenan Family. This year, Tully was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the Horsemen. Tully has been cool every time I've been around him.
Denny Brown
Former NWA Jr. Heavyweight champion, best known for his series of matches with Nelson Royal.
Tommy Young
Former senior referee for the NWA, it has been said that he was Ric Flair's personal choice to referee his NWA title matches. Regarded by some as the best referee of all time, and certainly has to be considered. Tommy is another who seems to genuinely enjoy talking with the fans and attending events like this.
The Rock n Roll Express
Perhaps the most successful babyface tag team of all time, they held numerous championships, most notable in the NWA and SMW. Perhaps best known for their long running feud with Jim Cornette's Midnight Express. Robert is generally quiet but seems to be a nice enough guy. Ricky makes up for it by talking a lot, and is a pretty funny guy.
Austin Idol
"The Universal Heartthrob" was a big star throughout the south, most notably in Memphis, where he feuded with Jerry Lawler, even beating him in a cage for the Southern Heavyweight title, shaving Lawler's head afterward. Was badly injured in a plane crash in 1975, which also involved "Playboy" Gary Hart, Buddy Colt, and Bobby Shane (who died.) Has aged very well and doesn't look all that different from his active days.
Angelo Mosca
Whether he was known as "King Kong" or "Big Nasty," Mosca was always successful. As a player in the CFL, he was a part of 4 Grey Cup championship teams before turning to wrestling full time. While he won numerous titles in the US, he had his greatest success in the NWA's Toronto affiliate. Younger fans may know him from the video of him brawling with another former CFL player at a recent reunion that received attention from ESPN and made the rounds on the internet.
Johnny Powers
Turned pro in 1963 at the age of 17. Spent much of the '70s working in the NWF around Buffalo, battling the likes of Freddie Blassie, Waldo Von Erich, and Johnny Valentine. Was brought to Japan by Antonio Inoki, where he was tag team partners with Pat Patterson in addition to wrestling Inoki himself. At one point in the '60s, he was managed by Bobby Davis, who had managed Buddy Rogers, bleached his hair and became "The Golden Adonis" Johnny Powers. Challenged Bruno Sammartino 6 times. Caused "The Cleveland Riot" when he turned heel on Ernie Ladd. Was heavily involved in the "outlaw" IWA promotion in '75-'76.
Jerry Brisco
Formed a highly successful tag team with his late brother, Jack, and had a long running feud with the Funks. More recently, he appeared on WWF TV with Pat Patterson as one of Vince McMahon's "Stooges."
Thunderbolt Patterson
A top draw throughout the south from the '60s into the '80s, he had his greatest success in Georgia, but also held titles in Texas, California, Toronto, Florida, and Tennessee. He often found himself at odds with the Andersons, particularly Ole, though the two would become tag team partners. Ole actually turned on him to join the Horsemen. Has been cited as a major influence on the likes of Dusty Rhodes and the Junkyard Dog.
Les Thatcher
In a career going back to the '60s, Les Thatcher has pretty much done it all: wrestler, TV announcer, trainer, and "director of operations" for HWA when it was a WWF developmental territory. Most of his wrestling success came in Tennessee, though he wrestled throughout the south, including a losing effort vs Ric Flair in '74 in one of Flair's first matches in Mid-Atlantic.
Mr. Wrestling II
One of the biggest stars in the history of southern wrestling, he was perhaps the all time top hero in Georgia. He won numerous titles in Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Mid-South. Helped launch Magnum TA to stardom by turning on his pupil in Mid-South. One of the all time classic masked men, he was said to be the favorite wrestler of President Jimmy Carter, and the story goes that he turned down a White House visit because he would have to unmask. Despite beginning his career in 1958, he became a tag champion for Hawaii Championship Wrestling in 2007. In my encounters with him, he has seemed like good guy and a straight shooter. He's another who seems to enjoy these events.
There will be many more announcements to come in the following weeks.
Confirmed vendor guests:
Ox Baker
In addition to winning various regional titles from the late '60s through the early '80s, Ox gained notoriety after 2 opponents died after matches in which they had taken his "heart punch" finisher. Of course, the deaths were not related to the move and Ox was in no way responsible, but fans bought the move as a killer. Was involved in an angle that led to the first face turn and title win for the future Hulk Hogan. Also appeared in the film, "Escape From New York."
Many more announcements will follow, and after talking to one vendor, I have a feeling that Bobby Heenan is a strong possibility.
Events during the weekend include 2 Q&A sessions TBA for Thursday. These run about 2 hours each. Finishing out Thursday night is "An Evening with Dutch," a late night comedy & Q&A session featuring Dutch Mantell.
Friday features the Hall of Heroes dinner & awards. This requires a separate ticket, but includes a dinner with 1-2 legends at your table. I've done this twice: the first year, I ate with George South and General Skandar Akbar (2 weeks before he died). Last year, I ate with Ole and Lars Anderson. After the dinner, the award ceremony begins. This is always great. I've seen DDP get emotional while inducting the late Sir Oliver Humperdink. I've seen JR basically take a shot at the WWE Hall of Fame by saying Danny Hodge was a member of every hall of fame that meant anything. I've seen Tully Blanchard induct Wahoo McDaniel with so much passion that it was almost a promo. I've seen Thunderbolt Patterson induct Ted Turner in an almost sermon-like fashion, complete with Tony Atlas and Ron Simmons shouting "Amen!" at random times. Hell, I've even seen Ronnie Garvin make Ole Anderson laugh, which isn't easy. I had skipped it my first couple of years, and after my first, was kicking myself for it.
But that's not all for Friday. Starting at 11 p.m., this year features "Late Night Comedy & Karaoke with Colt Cabana" which I'm sure will be interesting to say the least.
Saturday night features a live wrestling card, which will include match #5 of the "Seven Levels of Hate" series between Adam Pearce and NWA champion Colt Cabana.
Sunday afternoon features another live wrestling card. No details have been released at this time.
The VIP pass is $179 and includes exclusive admission to the 3 Q&A sessions, the Colt Cabana show, both live wrestling cards, 2 autographs from every featured guest, a commemorative t-shirt and neck lanyard.
You can watch for updates, check for more specifics, and view info on past events (as well as order your VIP pass!) at www.nwalegends.com and be sure to check the message board while you're there. Announcements often find their way there ASAP, and the promoter and vendors are active and do pay attention to what the fans have to say.
As I said, I've attended 4 of these events, 3 of which have been at this location. I'll be happy to answer any questions I can about the event, the hotel, the surrounding area, etc. This isn't a compensated endorsement, I just love these things and want to get the word out.
I hope to see some of you there.
I have attended every year since 2008, and consider myself forever spoiled when it comes to wrestling conventions. The event lasts 4 days and 3 nights, and featured guests (booked by the event promoter) usually number 30-40 and carry an old school slant ('80s and back). There is usually a roughly equal number of guests in the vendor area, where it's a mix of old school and newer names.
This year's event is said to be the last one, and while nothing has been said, I expect it to be sent off with an absolute blow out. After going to Atlanta last year, Fanfest returns to the Hilton University Place Hotel in Charlotte, NC August 2-5.
Confirmed featured guests so far:
"Dirty" Dutch Mantell
Longtime Memphis star who also had success in Puerto Rico in addition to appearing for WCW as part of the Wrestlecrap worthy "Desperadoes" and for the WWF as Uncle Zebekiah. He also did color commentary alongside Bob Caudle for Jim Cornette's Smoky Mountain Wrestling. He has also worked backstage in a booking/writing capacity in Puerto Rico and most recently for TNA.
Bob Caudle
TV announcer for Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling and Jim Crockett Promotions on TBS. Later did commentary for Smoky Mountain Wrestling. I'll add a personal note here and say that Bob is one of the nicest people I've ever met and truly loves talking wrestling with the fans.
Rich Landrum
TV announcer for World Wide Wrestling & Mid Atlantic Championship Wrestling shows from the old WRAL studio, working alongside Johnny Weaver. Briefly worked with the WWF in the early '80s.
Magnum TA
Star of Mid South Wrestling and Crockett's NWA group. The fast rising star's career was cut tragically short by a car accident, but not before he had classic battles with Ric Flair and battled Tully Blanchard in an I Quit Steel Cage match in one of the greatest matches in Starrcade history.
Tully Blanchard
Legendary member of the Four Horsemen. Began his career with his father's group in San Antonio, where he teamed with the late Gino Hernandez. After moving to the NWA, he became a 3 time TV champion, US champion, and 2 time tag team champion with Arn Anderson. The two then went to the WWF and became tag team champions as part of the Heenan Family. This year, Tully was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the Horsemen. Tully has been cool every time I've been around him.
Denny Brown
Former NWA Jr. Heavyweight champion, best known for his series of matches with Nelson Royal.
Tommy Young
Former senior referee for the NWA, it has been said that he was Ric Flair's personal choice to referee his NWA title matches. Regarded by some as the best referee of all time, and certainly has to be considered. Tommy is another who seems to genuinely enjoy talking with the fans and attending events like this.
The Rock n Roll Express
Perhaps the most successful babyface tag team of all time, they held numerous championships, most notable in the NWA and SMW. Perhaps best known for their long running feud with Jim Cornette's Midnight Express. Robert is generally quiet but seems to be a nice enough guy. Ricky makes up for it by talking a lot, and is a pretty funny guy.
Austin Idol
"The Universal Heartthrob" was a big star throughout the south, most notably in Memphis, where he feuded with Jerry Lawler, even beating him in a cage for the Southern Heavyweight title, shaving Lawler's head afterward. Was badly injured in a plane crash in 1975, which also involved "Playboy" Gary Hart, Buddy Colt, and Bobby Shane (who died.) Has aged very well and doesn't look all that different from his active days.
Angelo Mosca
Whether he was known as "King Kong" or "Big Nasty," Mosca was always successful. As a player in the CFL, he was a part of 4 Grey Cup championship teams before turning to wrestling full time. While he won numerous titles in the US, he had his greatest success in the NWA's Toronto affiliate. Younger fans may know him from the video of him brawling with another former CFL player at a recent reunion that received attention from ESPN and made the rounds on the internet.
Johnny Powers
Turned pro in 1963 at the age of 17. Spent much of the '70s working in the NWF around Buffalo, battling the likes of Freddie Blassie, Waldo Von Erich, and Johnny Valentine. Was brought to Japan by Antonio Inoki, where he was tag team partners with Pat Patterson in addition to wrestling Inoki himself. At one point in the '60s, he was managed by Bobby Davis, who had managed Buddy Rogers, bleached his hair and became "The Golden Adonis" Johnny Powers. Challenged Bruno Sammartino 6 times. Caused "The Cleveland Riot" when he turned heel on Ernie Ladd. Was heavily involved in the "outlaw" IWA promotion in '75-'76.
Jerry Brisco
Formed a highly successful tag team with his late brother, Jack, and had a long running feud with the Funks. More recently, he appeared on WWF TV with Pat Patterson as one of Vince McMahon's "Stooges."
Thunderbolt Patterson
A top draw throughout the south from the '60s into the '80s, he had his greatest success in Georgia, but also held titles in Texas, California, Toronto, Florida, and Tennessee. He often found himself at odds with the Andersons, particularly Ole, though the two would become tag team partners. Ole actually turned on him to join the Horsemen. Has been cited as a major influence on the likes of Dusty Rhodes and the Junkyard Dog.
Les Thatcher
In a career going back to the '60s, Les Thatcher has pretty much done it all: wrestler, TV announcer, trainer, and "director of operations" for HWA when it was a WWF developmental territory. Most of his wrestling success came in Tennessee, though he wrestled throughout the south, including a losing effort vs Ric Flair in '74 in one of Flair's first matches in Mid-Atlantic.
Mr. Wrestling II
One of the biggest stars in the history of southern wrestling, he was perhaps the all time top hero in Georgia. He won numerous titles in Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Mid-South. Helped launch Magnum TA to stardom by turning on his pupil in Mid-South. One of the all time classic masked men, he was said to be the favorite wrestler of President Jimmy Carter, and the story goes that he turned down a White House visit because he would have to unmask. Despite beginning his career in 1958, he became a tag champion for Hawaii Championship Wrestling in 2007. In my encounters with him, he has seemed like good guy and a straight shooter. He's another who seems to enjoy these events.
There will be many more announcements to come in the following weeks.
Confirmed vendor guests:
Ox Baker
In addition to winning various regional titles from the late '60s through the early '80s, Ox gained notoriety after 2 opponents died after matches in which they had taken his "heart punch" finisher. Of course, the deaths were not related to the move and Ox was in no way responsible, but fans bought the move as a killer. Was involved in an angle that led to the first face turn and title win for the future Hulk Hogan. Also appeared in the film, "Escape From New York."
Many more announcements will follow, and after talking to one vendor, I have a feeling that Bobby Heenan is a strong possibility.
Events during the weekend include 2 Q&A sessions TBA for Thursday. These run about 2 hours each. Finishing out Thursday night is "An Evening with Dutch," a late night comedy & Q&A session featuring Dutch Mantell.
Friday features the Hall of Heroes dinner & awards. This requires a separate ticket, but includes a dinner with 1-2 legends at your table. I've done this twice: the first year, I ate with George South and General Skandar Akbar (2 weeks before he died). Last year, I ate with Ole and Lars Anderson. After the dinner, the award ceremony begins. This is always great. I've seen DDP get emotional while inducting the late Sir Oliver Humperdink. I've seen JR basically take a shot at the WWE Hall of Fame by saying Danny Hodge was a member of every hall of fame that meant anything. I've seen Tully Blanchard induct Wahoo McDaniel with so much passion that it was almost a promo. I've seen Thunderbolt Patterson induct Ted Turner in an almost sermon-like fashion, complete with Tony Atlas and Ron Simmons shouting "Amen!" at random times. Hell, I've even seen Ronnie Garvin make Ole Anderson laugh, which isn't easy. I had skipped it my first couple of years, and after my first, was kicking myself for it.
But that's not all for Friday. Starting at 11 p.m., this year features "Late Night Comedy & Karaoke with Colt Cabana" which I'm sure will be interesting to say the least.
Saturday night features a live wrestling card, which will include match #5 of the "Seven Levels of Hate" series between Adam Pearce and NWA champion Colt Cabana.
Sunday afternoon features another live wrestling card. No details have been released at this time.
The VIP pass is $179 and includes exclusive admission to the 3 Q&A sessions, the Colt Cabana show, both live wrestling cards, 2 autographs from every featured guest, a commemorative t-shirt and neck lanyard.
You can watch for updates, check for more specifics, and view info on past events (as well as order your VIP pass!) at www.nwalegends.com and be sure to check the message board while you're there. Announcements often find their way there ASAP, and the promoter and vendors are active and do pay attention to what the fans have to say.
As I said, I've attended 4 of these events, 3 of which have been at this location. I'll be happy to answer any questions I can about the event, the hotel, the surrounding area, etc. This isn't a compensated endorsement, I just love these things and want to get the word out.
I hope to see some of you there.
