An Epic Day...Epic Day...Meeting HHH and Summerslam Axxess
Epic Day…Epic Day…Epic Day…How does one describe an Epic Day? For me that would be 8/14/2010.
A few weeks ago, my sister got a call saying that we were one of the winners in the Venom Energy Drink contest, and won a Meet and Greet with WWE superstar Triple H. Now to say we were excited would be an understatement, we literally screamed in the guy’s ear…Poor guy. Now to say I had some reservations about meeting him, and I was extremely nervous. I’ve been a fan of HHH since he first debuted (yes I’m old), and am a huge DX fan, so I was like freaking out.
We woke up early, and got ready and left here about 1PM. Our meet and greet didn’t start til 3PM but we wanted to get there by 2:30PM. So we headed out and ran into traffic on the 101…I should be surprised but it’s LA, traffic is never surprising there. I pulled off and found some backroads and soon enough pulled into the parking garage. We gave the guy Dawn’s name and he barely looked at the list and let us in. Glad to see their security is top notch at Staples Center.
Parking the car, we hurried into the convention center to use the restroom then headed over to where we were supposed to meet for the meet and greet. Walking up to the doorway there was already a small line forming for the meet and greet so Dawn and I jumped in line. People passing by kept asking what the line was for, and I wasn’t trying to be a dick, but I just kept saying ‘Contest winners’ cause I knew if I said it was for a meet and greet with HHH, they would get their hopes up and then be told that they couldn’t go in. A few minutes later, an employee came by marking Dawn’s name off the list, which was kind of funny cause we remembered her name was #55 on the list, so later when we were walking in the door, they were checking the names again and we told them exactly what number she was. It helped a lot. We got through security and metal detectors and was led up stairs and into this VIP club called the Lexus Club. The club was nice, we walked in and they had HHH posters hanging all over the place, they were playing HHH DVDs on all the TVs and they had WWE entrance music playing over the speakers. It was really nice, they had free food sitting out and free drinks and everything.
Walking in they told us we could sit down and relax and eat or we could just line up. Glancing around, Dawn and I decided to follow everyone else, so we got in line. Not a lot of people were sitting down, most people were going to Axxess afterwards like us, so we wanted to get in line right away. We could see out of the windows from where we were, and look out over Axxess, we saw people emptying out of the first session and I had to think, all those people have no idea HHH is merely right across the way from them. Made me wonder about all the WWE events I’ve been too, and I began wondering how many big WWE names might have been so close to me without me knowing. Just a thought.
I was making people in line laugh, cause the food they had out for us was like chili, nachos, seriously the most gassiest food in the world. All I could think was, ‘Really? Do I need to be eating gassy food before meeting HHH?’ just seemed like bad combination. Hence, the reason why we passed on the food.
The meet and greet was supposed to start at 3PM but HHH didn’t show up til 3:20, so we waited. All of a sudden one of the Venom Energy Drinks got on the mic, and introduced him. I knew he was coming in the back way, and sure enough, everyone starts screaming and I know he’s coming up behind me. At this point I’m freaking the hell out, I’m shaking cause I’m so nervous. I look to Dawn and I see her eyes darting behind me and all she says to me ‘Don’t turn around, Don’t turn around’ So I stood there, my eyes closed tight, as I heard everyone chanting for him, finally Dawn told me the coast was clear. I opened my eyes and Dawn goes ‘Ok, he looks nice…he’s clean shaven, and looks nice.’
I tried to keep calm, but I was losing that battle as the line moved and we kept getting closer to where Triple H was. The man was adorable! A button up black shirt, jeans, clean shaven, hair pulled back in a ponytail. I’ve always thought he was attractive, but in person…DAAAAMMMN Finally it was Dawn’s turn and she was so worried I was gonna run, I promised her I wouldn’t so she went up to meet him and the guy who was taking photos, went to do something so there was no one to take her photo. Swallowing my nerves I spoke up ‘I’ll do it…’ Dawn looks back at me with wide eyes and was like ‘are you sure?’ and I just nodded as she handed me the camera. I watched as my little sister walked up to Triple H. My hand was shaking as I tried to focus on the camera as much as possible. The one security guard, saw me shaking and was like ‘You ok sweetie?’ I barely shook my head, when I saw Dawn was ready for her picture. I took a deep breath and snapped her photo. I handed Dawn the camera and as stern as she could Dawn was like ‘Go!’ as she pointed towards Triple H.
I took a deep breath and walked up to Triple H. I focused on the floor, as I put the paper on the table and was like ‘Can you sign this?’ I was trying my best not to look at him, when suddenly he goes ‘Well first thing sweetie…what’s your name?’ as he extended his hand out to me. I reached out grabbing his hand and as soon as he had my hand he pulls me to him, my body pressed up against his, as his one arm is draped over my shoulders. I found out later that Dawn had told him that I was coming up next and that I was nervous and that I might run, so apparently he decided to take it in his own hands. LOL. I don’t think I even breathed when this happened, I kept looking down at the table, when next thing I know Triple H leans forward, moving his eyes into my eye line as I spoke ‘Melissa…’ he smiled wide at me as I took a deep breath. I watched as he looked at the paper I put on the table, I took a deep breath and took all my courage and was like ‘Look, We’ve had some hard times, and sometimes…it’s hard to keep going…So we took some quotes…and this is your quote…and it inspires us to..you know…keep going…’ I watched as he read his quote and all I could think was, here we go he’s gonna laugh at me. All of a sudden he goes ‘This is really cool!’ I looked at him weird and he was like ‘Do you want me to sign it?’ I nodded my head and in the middle of him signing it I was like ‘I know it’s stupid…’ He stopped mid autograph, and goes ‘It’s not stupid!’ I immediately panicked as I squeaked out a ‘Ok…’ He looks up to me and goes ‘I said it was cool…Don’t ever let anyone tell you that it’s stupid sweetie!’ I smiled wide, as he reached over again, wrapping his arm around me again and pulled me into his body for a quick squeeze. Yes, you heard me, Triple H gave me a hug…
He then was like ‘I’m sorry, what’s your name again sweetie?’ I was like ‘Melissa’ and he pulled out an 8x10 and started to sign it to me. They only wanted him to sign one autograph, but he signed two for me. He asked me how to spell my name and after I spelled it, he was like ‘I hate asking, it’s an easy name, but you never know…’ I laughed and was like ‘Yeah, my last name is easier than that and you wouldn’t believe how many times it gets spelled wrong..’ He looked up to me and was like ‘What’s your last name?’ I was like ‘Matts M-A-T-T-S’ He smiled wide and was like ‘I believe it…’ I watched as he signed my picture, my hands nervously shaking the table a bit. He glanced over to me and I was like ‘I’m sorry, I’m a little nervous.’ He handed me the picture and wrapped his arm around me again and was like ‘There’s nothing to be nervous about sweetie…I promise…’ I asked for a picture and he was like ‘Of course you can…’ as we posed for a picture. I thanked him and walked away.
On the way out, Venom gave us a bunch of merchandise for free, we got lunch boxes, shirts, hats, cups, pens, can holders, energy drinks etc. etc. etc. The energy drinks were actually pretty good. I will say this, for a meet and greet it was awesome! Very relaxed, they actually encouraged us to spend time with Triple H, it was awesome!
After the signing, we went and got in line for Axxess. We knew Miz would be doing photos right away and since Dawn and I are both Miz fans we knew we were gonna head there first. We finally got into Axxess and bolted across the area trying to find where Miz was and sure enough found him at the photo booth. Walking up the employee told us he closed the line, which panicked me a bit, but then said once the line starts moving he was gonna open the line back up.
Dawn was flipping cause she like loves ‘The Miz’, so I told Dawn we would just hang out and see what happens. We started talking to the employee who was there and he was really nice. Finally, the line opened again and Dawn and I jumped in quickly and ended up being the last ones before he cut the line off once again. It didn’t matter, cause we were in the line. We watched as Miz was taking photos and Dawn was determined that she wanted her own picture. It wasn’t til we got to right in front of the stage that she was like ‘you have to come with me…I can’t do this…’ We got to the stairs and it felt like a viper was on my left arm. Dawn had my arm in a death grip, and was not budging. They told us it was our turn and I walked up the stairs, practically pulling Dawn up the stairs behind me. We got up to the Miz and I shook his hand. He’s so cute! And had the bluest eyes!
I pulled Dawn and was trying to get her to stand next to The Miz, and was like ‘here, maybe you can take her…’ Miz looks over to Dawn with a smile and goes ‘Uh…I think she’d be better off with you sweetie’ I look over to Dawn who is now white as a sheet, not moving an inch, she literally looked like she was gonna pass out. I was like ‘Yeah, maybe your right…’ We stood next to Miz and he asked ‘Do one of you want to hold my Money in the Bank?’ offering the suitcase to Dawn. Dawn just stood there, looking at it. Miz was like ‘Sweetie…hold the briefcase’ Dawn still didn’t move, she just stared at it, until I was like ‘Dawn…take the briefcase!’ Dawn reached out with one hand, grasping the briefcase finally, her one arm still latched on to me. Miz was on the other side of me, his arm around my shoulders when he goes ‘Something’s missing…here sweetie’ and he took off his championship US belt and laid it across my shoulder. I was like in shock, as I looked at the belt now laying on my shoulder, I spoke ‘I have a job interview this week, can I touch it for luck?’ Miz smiled wide and was like ‘You sure can sweetie’ I reached up running my hand over the metal and the name plate, a smile on my lips as Miz watched me touching the belt. It was so awesome!
We were about to get our photo taken when the photographer was trying to tell us something. We couldn’t figure out what he was telling us, until Miz looks over to Dawn and was like ‘Sweetie, you have to lift up the briefcase, they can’t see it in the photo…’ Dawn blushed wildly and lifted the briefcase up. We got our photo taken and thanked Miz, before getting off the stage. He was really nice and sweet too.
After Miz we walked around, we had some friends there so we wanted to catch up with them. We knew Hardy and Christian would be signing at 6, and although I love Christian to death and would be in his line in a heart beat. Dawn is a huge Hardy fan and I agreed to let her meet Matt again instead of Christian (See the things I sacrifice for my sister?)
We still had a while til 6PM so we walked around doing some of the little activities they had there. We did this thing where you get to beat up a dummy that looks like Edge. Dawn loved that! The guy running it was totally flirting with Dawn and I too, which was funny. We did the whole fake tattoo thing, and did the action figure thing. It was fun walking around and doing all those things. We went back towards the photo area and Miz was still doing photos, he kept looking over to Dawn and I smiling which was weird, but whatever.
We caught up with our friends who were already in line for Hardy, so Dawn and I jumped in line quickly. We waited for a while and I knew this didn’t sound right, so Dawn told me to go check out the other signing areas. I walked by Christians signing area (which was like a knife in my heart cause I couldn’t go up there), and was walking down to the other side to see maybe if Hardy would be signing down there. I was walking down the road when all I hear is this loud voice yell ‘Excuse Me!’ I jumped a bit before turning around and seeing a couple security people, and the Miz standing behind them. I moved over and he was smiling before going ‘You again!’ I scoffed and before I could stop myself I responded with ‘Me?’ Miz smiled wide an was like ‘Where’s the other one?’ I was like ‘She’s over there…’ Miz laughed and was like ‘She alive?’ I laughed out loud and was like ‘I think so…’ Miz’s face got serious and was like ‘I don’t know what it is about you…but you two stood out to me…’ I blushed before answering ‘As we should…’ Miz smiled that killer smile again and was like ‘Damn right girl…Damn right…’ and then security rushed him on his way. It was weird, but I guess a compliment from The Miz.
I didn’t see Hardy anywhere so made my way back to Dawn, when suddenly the employees told us ‘Hardy’s gonna be signing over by Slim Jim.’ And this is when everything turned into a cluster-fuck. People just took off running, cutting people off, cutting the line everything. We had waited in line for 45 minutes at least, and was like 20th in line, and after the big cluster-fuck we were towards the end of the line. But when we got over there, we found out that they had added Matt to Christian’s signing. At this point, I looked up to the sky and was like ‘Alright God, either you’re teasing me, or this is meant to be…’ Considering Christian is my favorite and Hardy is Dawn’s.
It was close, for awhile there we didn’t think we were gonna be able to make it up to them in time. Around 7:45 we were just getting to the stage and we soon realized that we would make it. Standing in front of the stage in line, I kept noticing that Christian kept looking at me, smiling. I first thought I was seeing things until I pointed it out to Dawn and she was like ‘I don’t know..’ I had met Christian like over a year ago, and hadn’t met him since. So I had no idea why he kept staring at me like that.
We got to the employees standing at the stairway leading to the stage. The employee told us that if we wanted a photo we would have to take one while they were signing the autograph, not after. We really wanted a photo with Christian and Matt, but after turning around and looking behind us and seeing the little kids who might not get a chance to meet Christian and Matt, I looked to Dawn who simply nodded her head yes. I turned to the employee and was like ‘ya know what…We have pictures with both of them already…we’re just gonna get autographs…give those kids behind us a chance to meet these guys…’ The employee smiled wide and was like ‘We really thank you for doing that.’ The employee that was on the stage spoke up and was like ‘That’s really sweet of you girls’ and walks over to Matt and Christian who were watching the whole thing take place. We watch as the employee says something to them, and Matt and Christian immediately turn to Dawn and I and smiled wide. And when I mean smile I mean they gave us those sexy smiles…Christian and that damn sexy smirk of his!
Matt spoke and was like ‘Awwww….Sweet girls…’ and Christian nodded his head agreeing with Matt. All Dawn and I could do was blush. Everything happened so fast Dawn and I didn’t really have a chance to be nervous, so I went first and walked up to Matt Hardy. I shook his hand and had him sign my photo of him, me and Jimmy Wang Yang. Christian leaned over looking at the photo and I spoke to Matt ‘At least I’m not wearing my pajamas this time.’ Matt busted out laughing and was like ‘This was last year!’ I smiled and Christian then goes ‘You wore your pajamas to meet him?’ His eyes burning into mine, that sexy smirk on his lips. I blushed so red when Matt looks over to Christian and was like ‘Shut up man, she can wear her pajamas to meet me if she wants!’ Christian laughed out loud as I blushed even more. I moved onto Christian and handed him the photo of him and I taken last year in San Diego for him to sign.
Christian looks at the photo and without missing a beat he goes ‘San Diego last year huh?’ I looked surprised as he looked at me with a smile and was like ‘Damn, you got a good memory…’ Christian smiled wide and then winked at me…and then gave me this look…you know the look…the look that says everything and all I could muster was the word ‘Crap!’ That’s when it all clicked and I was like ‘You remember me don’t’ you?’ Christian smiles wide, nodding his head before speaking ‘It’s good seeing you again sweetie!’ I blushed so hard, as he shook my hand and gave me another wink as I thanked him and stepped to the side waiting for Dawn.
This day was epic…First Triple H being sweet, telling me I’m not stupid…Miz telling us we stand out…and Christian remembering me? Me? I couldn’t believe it! I still can’t. It was an epic day and a day I will never ever forget.