| PAGE 1, 2 |
| Steve "Dr. Death" Williams |
| Christian, Samoa Joe, A.J. Styles |
| George South, George South Jr., Team Macktion |
| Tommy Young, Jim Cornette |
“Wrestling Memories” Fanfest 2007 Report
I was as excited as a kid on the night before Christmas waiting for this year’s Fanfest weekend to get here! It was Thursday night and my
bags were packed and everything was in the truck and ready to go. I went to bed early and couldn’t sleep for the life of me. Tossing and
turning with visions of Rip Hawk, Arn Anderson, and Honky Tonk Man dancing in my head!
Finally, the alarm goes off, it’s 4:00 a.m. and I hit the ground running. After getting ready it’s off to pick Dad up and then we were on our
way by 5:15 a.m. We were both very excited and looking so forward to a fantastic weekend. Our trip was smooth and we made excellent
time arriving at the Chick-Fila beside the Hilton at about 7:00 a.m. As we are pulling in the parking lot our good friend Dick Bourne of the
Mid-Atlantic Gateway calls and he walks over to join us for breakfast.
Our breakfast was great and the conversation even better as we all three talk and laugh about all things wrestling. Scooter Leslie comes
in and immediately approaches our table and after talking for a few minutes he pulls out a photo………….a masterpiece……..an 11 x 13 in
color of Rip Hawk, Swede Hanson and Gary Hart! This thing was beautiful. After my Dad picked himself off the floor he quickly purchased
the photo and had already had a perfect day!
We then headed over to the Hilton and went downstairs and within five minutes had our VIP materials and were off! We headed back
upstairs and checked on our room and talked to some more of the “Mid-Atlantic Mafia” and our good friend George South (which is always
a highlight). We went back downstairs and hit the vendors who were all very cordial the entire weekend! We had Photo Ops with Ole
Anderson, Penny Banner, Rip Hawk, and George Scott with many trips to the vendor tables in between. I also got my photo made with Les
Thatcher (who was fantastic) and some items autographed. Then it was on to the Arn Anderson Photo Op and Autograph signing which
was run very smoothly and quickly I thought. After all this we went up and our room was ready so we checked in and moved all our stuff in.
After a few minutes rest in the room we were off again for the 1st Autograph Signing. We heard that Tommy Rich was a no show but no big
deal as we weren’t there to see him anyway. Our numbers were in the high 200’s so we had more time to hit the vendor tables and some
sitting in between. By the time our numbers were called Ole Anderson was the only one left but, again no big deal as I know these folks are
older and they had been there an awful long time. Ole was fantastic and really seemed excited to be there which was great. We had
already chatted with George Scott during the Photo Op and we knew we would be sitting with Penny Banner at the Hall of Heroes Dinner so
all was good! It got even better after the signing and we found out that we would be having dinner on Saturday night with Rip Hawk and
Johnny Weaver. We went up to the room and took it easy for awhile and then got ready for the Hall of Heroes Dinner. Dad and I had
decided that we would go “Old School” and dress in suits and ties just like the “boys” did in the 60’s when they would be going to a show.
The Hall of Heroes Dinner went very smooth as we entered the banquet hall quickly got our food and were seated next to Penny Banner
and her friend Pat in a matter of minutes. The food was delicious and the company we shared was terrific. We met some great new people
as well Ms. Banner who we have known for some time. She was fantastic with us all and shared some lovely stories. Jim Cornette did a
wonderful job hosting the festivities as we saw Ole and Gene Anderson, Rip Hawk and Swede Hanson, George Scott, Penny Banner, and
Bob Caudle as the first inductees into the NWA Legends Fanfest Hall of Heroes. The induction speeches were fantastic as well as very
moving. After the ceremony was over we said our good byes and Dad got mistaken for J.J. Dillon (again) and then we went to our room and
our good friend Mike Cline came up as we all shared some more wrestling stories before Mike left and we turned in after a very long but
exciting day.
Saturday morning we were up by 6:30 a.m. and ready and out to Chick-Fila for breakfast by a little after seven. After breakfast we were
back and got our things ready for the day as we headed down stairs to the vendor tables once again. We had set out to find a couple things
we had been looking for and found them all plus a few extras! After Photo Ops and autographs with Butch Reed and Paul Orndorff (both of
whom were great) it was off for the next Autograph Signing which went good and then over to McDonald’s for a quick bite of lunch. After
another round through the vendors and talking to our good friends Boris Zhukov and Ken Steele it was a Photo Op with the lovely Talia
Madison and then back upstairs for some rest. After some rest it was back down stairs and waiting for our numbers to be called for the last
Autograph Signing of the day. As we were waiting I had my Photo Op and autographs with Terry Taylor (who was also great) we then talked
with Brad Anderson and our friend George South Jr. for awhile. Things went a little slow so I told Dad to go ahead with the rest of the
“Mafia” for the special dinner with Johnny Weaver and Rip Hawk. I waited and got all my stuff signed for the last Autograph Signing before
going back upstairs for some rest and a long awaited snack! I went down stairs at about 7:30 for the Wrestling Matches and in a few
minutes I was in and seated. Dad came on in and then the wrestling got started. Some great matches in all with the capacity crowd really
enjoying themselves. We took off right before the Main Event and went upstairs to have a chat with Ole Anderson and Rip Hawk for a good
while in the lobby. Both of these gentlemen were fantastic all weekend long with all the fans! It was truly a pleasure sitting down and talking
and listening to them. We finally went up and Dad told me all about the dinner with his “Heroes” Johnny Weaver and Rip Hawk, which were
great! We turned in at about midnight after another fantastic day!
Again we were up early and after getting ready for the day’s adventure we packed everything up and loaded the truck. We then went to
McDonald’s for some breakfast and again we ran into Ole Anderson who was great to talk to again. After breakfast we went back to the
Hilton and got the rest of our things for the day and checked out of our room. Then after a quick run through the vendor tables it was on to
the Tully Blanchard, J.J. Dillon and Baby Doll Photo Op which turned out fantastic! It was so great to get to chat with them even if only
quickly. Then back through the vendors again and a good talk with Scott Teal and I was on to my Honky Tonk Man Photo Op and autograph.
Honky came in dressed in full gimmick to a rousing applause. His line was long but moved rather quickly. He was great with all the fans
and the photo turned out fantastic! Then it was on to the final Autograph Signing of the weekend which turned out good for us and then I
picked up my Honky Photo and we were in the truck headed home a little before 2:00 p.m.
What a weekend! Dad and I had high expectations and a plan to make this a wonderful weekend. It met and exceeded our expectations
for sure! We met some great legends and some new folks as well. We also got to spend some time with old friends and found all the
merchandise we were looking for. All the Photo Ops went great and the photos turned out wonderful. All in all it was a fantastic weekend for
the “Wrestling Memories” boy’s! Thanks go out to Greg Price and all his staff, the vendors, and of course all the legends for making this an
exhilarating experience……..a once in a lifetime experience. Thank you!
I was as excited as a kid on the night before Christmas waiting for this year’s Fanfest weekend to get here! It was Thursday night and my
bags were packed and everything was in the truck and ready to go. I went to bed early and couldn’t sleep for the life of me. Tossing and
turning with visions of Rip Hawk, Arn Anderson, and Honky Tonk Man dancing in my head!
Finally, the alarm goes off, it’s 4:00 a.m. and I hit the ground running. After getting ready it’s off to pick Dad up and then we were on our
way by 5:15 a.m. We were both very excited and looking so forward to a fantastic weekend. Our trip was smooth and we made excellent
time arriving at the Chick-Fila beside the Hilton at about 7:00 a.m. As we are pulling in the parking lot our good friend Dick Bourne of the
Mid-Atlantic Gateway calls and he walks over to join us for breakfast.
Our breakfast was great and the conversation even better as we all three talk and laugh about all things wrestling. Scooter Leslie comes
in and immediately approaches our table and after talking for a few minutes he pulls out a photo………….a masterpiece……..an 11 x 13 in
color of Rip Hawk, Swede Hanson and Gary Hart! This thing was beautiful. After my Dad picked himself off the floor he quickly purchased
the photo and had already had a perfect day!
We then headed over to the Hilton and went downstairs and within five minutes had our VIP materials and were off! We headed back
upstairs and checked on our room and talked to some more of the “Mid-Atlantic Mafia” and our good friend George South (which is always
a highlight). We went back downstairs and hit the vendors who were all very cordial the entire weekend! We had Photo Ops with Ole
Anderson, Penny Banner, Rip Hawk, and George Scott with many trips to the vendor tables in between. I also got my photo made with Les
Thatcher (who was fantastic) and some items autographed. Then it was on to the Arn Anderson Photo Op and Autograph signing which
was run very smoothly and quickly I thought. After all this we went up and our room was ready so we checked in and moved all our stuff in.
After a few minutes rest in the room we were off again for the 1st Autograph Signing. We heard that Tommy Rich was a no show but no big
deal as we weren’t there to see him anyway. Our numbers were in the high 200’s so we had more time to hit the vendor tables and some
sitting in between. By the time our numbers were called Ole Anderson was the only one left but, again no big deal as I know these folks are
older and they had been there an awful long time. Ole was fantastic and really seemed excited to be there which was great. We had
already chatted with George Scott during the Photo Op and we knew we would be sitting with Penny Banner at the Hall of Heroes Dinner so
all was good! It got even better after the signing and we found out that we would be having dinner on Saturday night with Rip Hawk and
Johnny Weaver. We went up to the room and took it easy for awhile and then got ready for the Hall of Heroes Dinner. Dad and I had
decided that we would go “Old School” and dress in suits and ties just like the “boys” did in the 60’s when they would be going to a show.
The Hall of Heroes Dinner went very smooth as we entered the banquet hall quickly got our food and were seated next to Penny Banner
and her friend Pat in a matter of minutes. The food was delicious and the company we shared was terrific. We met some great new people
as well Ms. Banner who we have known for some time. She was fantastic with us all and shared some lovely stories. Jim Cornette did a
wonderful job hosting the festivities as we saw Ole and Gene Anderson, Rip Hawk and Swede Hanson, George Scott, Penny Banner, and
Bob Caudle as the first inductees into the NWA Legends Fanfest Hall of Heroes. The induction speeches were fantastic as well as very
moving. After the ceremony was over we said our good byes and Dad got mistaken for J.J. Dillon (again) and then we went to our room and
our good friend Mike Cline came up as we all shared some more wrestling stories before Mike left and we turned in after a very long but
exciting day.
Saturday morning we were up by 6:30 a.m. and ready and out to Chick-Fila for breakfast by a little after seven. After breakfast we were
back and got our things ready for the day as we headed down stairs to the vendor tables once again. We had set out to find a couple things
we had been looking for and found them all plus a few extras! After Photo Ops and autographs with Butch Reed and Paul Orndorff (both of
whom were great) it was off for the next Autograph Signing which went good and then over to McDonald’s for a quick bite of lunch. After
another round through the vendors and talking to our good friends Boris Zhukov and Ken Steele it was a Photo Op with the lovely Talia
Madison and then back upstairs for some rest. After some rest it was back down stairs and waiting for our numbers to be called for the last
Autograph Signing of the day. As we were waiting I had my Photo Op and autographs with Terry Taylor (who was also great) we then talked
with Brad Anderson and our friend George South Jr. for awhile. Things went a little slow so I told Dad to go ahead with the rest of the
“Mafia” for the special dinner with Johnny Weaver and Rip Hawk. I waited and got all my stuff signed for the last Autograph Signing before
going back upstairs for some rest and a long awaited snack! I went down stairs at about 7:30 for the Wrestling Matches and in a few
minutes I was in and seated. Dad came on in and then the wrestling got started. Some great matches in all with the capacity crowd really
enjoying themselves. We took off right before the Main Event and went upstairs to have a chat with Ole Anderson and Rip Hawk for a good
while in the lobby. Both of these gentlemen were fantastic all weekend long with all the fans! It was truly a pleasure sitting down and talking
and listening to them. We finally went up and Dad told me all about the dinner with his “Heroes” Johnny Weaver and Rip Hawk, which were
great! We turned in at about midnight after another fantastic day!
Again we were up early and after getting ready for the day’s adventure we packed everything up and loaded the truck. We then went to
McDonald’s for some breakfast and again we ran into Ole Anderson who was great to talk to again. After breakfast we went back to the
Hilton and got the rest of our things for the day and checked out of our room. Then after a quick run through the vendor tables it was on to
the Tully Blanchard, J.J. Dillon and Baby Doll Photo Op which turned out fantastic! It was so great to get to chat with them even if only
quickly. Then back through the vendors again and a good talk with Scott Teal and I was on to my Honky Tonk Man Photo Op and autograph.
Honky came in dressed in full gimmick to a rousing applause. His line was long but moved rather quickly. He was great with all the fans
and the photo turned out fantastic! Then it was on to the final Autograph Signing of the weekend which turned out good for us and then I
picked up my Honky Photo and we were in the truck headed home a little before 2:00 p.m.
What a weekend! Dad and I had high expectations and a plan to make this a wonderful weekend. It met and exceeded our expectations
for sure! We met some great legends and some new folks as well. We also got to spend some time with old friends and found all the
merchandise we were looking for. All the Photo Ops went great and the photos turned out wonderful. All in all it was a fantastic weekend for
the “Wrestling Memories” boy’s! Thanks go out to Greg Price and all his staff, the vendors, and of course all the legends for making this an
exhilarating experience……..a once in a lifetime experience. Thank you!
| Arn Anderson and Steve Hall |
| Carroll Hall, George Scott and Steve Hall |
| Carroll Hall, Rip Hawk and Steve Hall |
| Carroll Hall, Penny Banner and Steve Hall |
| Les Thatcher and Steve Hall |
| Honky Tonk Man and Steve Hall |
| Ole Anderson and Steve Hall |
| Hall of Heroes Banquet with Ms. Banner |
| Steve Hall and Talia Madison |
| Steve Hall and Butch Reed |
| Tully Blanchard, Baby Doll, Steve Hall and J.J. Dillon |