WrestleCon in Dallas was fun and the city is absolutely stun..
Added 2022-04-07 03:44:25 +0000 UTCWrestleCon in Dallas was fun and the city is absolutely stunning. Lots to write about if you feel like reading.
It was fantastic to see so many in the "wrestling family" again after about 5 years away with university and quarantine. I loved having some time with people, especially my Shine Wrestling girls and Velvet & Angelina, where we formed The Beautiful T&A People all weekend...with some tequila...hahaha!
I was supposed to be there with a vendor. Unfortunately, after going back and forth for ages, the vendor started sending me naked photos of himself...something D Lo Brown decided was exceptionally funny and joked "Yep, that's the way to do business." I pulled off the booking, but my travel was still intact for Texas. After thinking about it for a bit, friends said they'd see me there, so I decided to go. Jimmy Yang ended up asking me to take his table on the second day, so I worked after all.
It was unbelievably gratifying to see the newbies I've trained, trained with, or polished doing so well. That includes Eddie Edwards (Killer Kowalski's) and Chelsea Green (Canada during tours.)
Other highlights include spending time with Chavo, who is one of the smartest people in the business...having Jazz tell me she's rewatched our matches and realized they were exceptionally good (hella compliment from the Bad Ass herself)...spending time in the TNA locker room, which has a really nice chill vibe and seeing Su Yung and hers and Rich's Swann's new bambino. Also, hearing how many wrestling moms bought my book. It's amazing how the community has stepped up to support me in this. A woman approached me at the table with tears and said she was so grateful for The A Show Daffney tribute podcast we did. That meant a lot.
I was in shock to see Chris Daniels. Good Christ. His eye looks SO bad. I guess with wrestling he can pull it off, but it was brutal-looking. There were a few people there who didn't quite resemble themselves. They looked worn. Lex Luger was in a wheelchair. :(
Trish and Lita were NOT in that category. Both looked amazing, as did Gail Kim and Debra McMichael.
It was nice to be enthusiastically remembered, hugged, and reminded of the times I've helped people. I was really flattered to hear things like, "Did you get dipped in formaldehyde or something? You don't age." After so many years away, that's so sweet!
I'd disagree...we all age and I can certainly see and feel it some days!
I got to see some new and old fans...thankfully, they came up to me and asked for photos when I was walking around. I even got some roses!
You leave the business and no one really says much. My only connection has been Aron Stevens and as much as I'm "one of the guys" in there (you have to be), most of my closest experiences past him, Eddie, and some other fellow Killer Kowalski students have been with the ladies I've worked with.
Dallas was absolutely gorgeous. I'm not a city person but I'd make an exception to that rule for this place. So many random nature spots and art are prioritized in the middle of the busy metropolis. I like that. It shows that money isn't everything. Yes, they COULD build even more apartments and shops in place of those lush parks and waterfalls...but they CHOOSE NOT TO. Yay.
I wish I'd taken more photos. "Love" and "gratitude" is the city theme and they really live up to that with the cool vibes going on. (Philly...go visit and take notes, "brotherly love.")
I stayed an extra day to "do Dallas". Hit the pool, see some sites, and enjoy Texas food. The Thanksgiving Square really resonated with me, along with the gorgeous Thanksgiving "church". It was of no particular religion but had quotes from all, a stunning spiral stained glass view, a version in braille, an open, carpeted room to sit, think, read, pray, and a wall to write what you are grateful for and add it in with others.
Of course, we had to do Tex Mex and BBQ while there. When in Rome...
Xoxo!
-a
