Finally...
The WWE came to New Zealand.
I was there, with 22,000 others at the Cake Tin, or wXpac Stadium, if you weeeill. Sure, it wasn't sold out, but you know, upon reflection I don't think it's horrible. I'm lead to believe that both WWE and the stadium both view it as a big success.
I'll briefly take the time to feel for all the people who couldn't make it across the ferry due to the horrible weather conditions causing cancelled ferry trips and broken limbs for some of the people on one of the only trips it made on the day. I would have lost it. Truly, just would have thrown my toys, I can't even think. You know, you've been anxiously waiting for this event ever since you were like a little boy and dreamed of sitting ringside and having Bret Hart give you his sunglasses, then years later finally the WWE are coming and you spend day after day for fucking half a year waiting and spent $500 on a non refundable ticket, not to mention having to drive for hours up to Picton and then home.. all to receive the ultimate shafting of a lifetime due to the weather and theres nothing you can do about it. Planes are pretty much all booked and god knows where you'd have to drive to catch one. So yeah, I don't personally know anyone who had this happen to them, but I know of people that it has happened to and if I think too much about it, I'd cry so lets move on to happy fun times.
Now, where to begin. My Mother had always said that if WWE came to NZ, she'd so go, because even though she doesn't watch it really, she understands it and just how huge a spectacle it is. Same with Kimberley, who also came. It was the first time they've flown on an airplane ever. I had the priviledge of sitting on my own away from the n00bs, because well, I'd rather not have the stress from my Mom. I think it went pretty smoothly for them. Coming into landing was awesome, because it was so windy that the plane was swaying around as it was about to touch down. As soon as I got off the plane I was nearly blown over like some dumbass. The wind was a constant theme. Anytime you got anywhere that wasn't terribly sheltered, it was blowing like a pornstar. The wind later died downa bit for the Wrestling, which made me most pleased.
I cruised down to the stadium around 2 or 3pm to get me some merchandise, which I already knew what was going to be there, so I wasn't disappointed. I got myself a Kurt Angle "From this Angle, You Suck" tshirt, which was size small, but since it was the merch from the australian WWE Shop, meant that it was massive and you all know me and know what I wear, so yeah. I wanted a Matt Hardy one, but the smallest size was medium and I have trouble looking hot in a tent, so I declined. My sister wanted a Rey Rey tshirt, but they only had large and XL left and shes like a youth large, which they make the rey shirts in, but you know. So that was kind of a bust, but there was 4 more Merch outlets inside, once the doors opened, although later in the night I couldn't be bothered lining up.
Went for a walk around Wellington, then went back to our accomo which was close to town and the cake tin. Realised that we forgot to get stuff to make our signs and the time was 5pm and we were going to go there around 6:30, event started at 7:30, so I ran, I ran so far awayahey. Eventually, I found a Whitcoulls a hell of a long way away and ran all the way back and was only gone like 25 minutes. Witness the fitness! I was pretty buggered running back since it was all uphill, I know it sounds cheesy, but I just thought about when Kurt Angle was training for the Olympics and how he used to run up hills everyday with someone on his back and figured that you know, running up hills isn't so bad and besides I've got a scedule to keep. I made 2 signs, Kimberley made 1. I could have made like 20 but it'd be a bitch to organise and I didn't have time. Kimberleys said "Worlds Strongest Nostrals" after conferring with me about how to condense down "I can fit 3 fingers up Mark Henrys Nostrils". My signs said "Worm Exploitation!" for the Boogeyman, because he eats worms and stuff. My other one said "Spank me Spanky" for Brian Kendrick because hes amazing. It would have been awesome to have a "2" sign, I forgot all about it until I was inside, first pin attempt, 1, 2, *crowd erupts* "TWOOOOO!"
Found my seat after the security guard tried to give me false information that I was on the other side of the ring, I knew better, stupid lady. The ground was super watery mud. There was that temporary flooring down and the mud had just oozed out all over it everywhere, due to the weather earlier. Was alright though. Found my 3rd row seat (its the best I could do okay, the website went down just before the link was posted.), introduced myself to my seating companions. Once it started the 3 of us in our row realised that the other 6 seats were somehow empty (can't help but think they belonged to people waiting for a ferry or something) so we moved over next to the entrance ramp. Hooray! It must be noted that the majority of the awesome chants were started in our little section, there were also some good ones from the one on the other side of the ramp and the people opposite the ring from us.
First match was Gregory Helms (c) vs Kid Kash vs Jamie Noble for the Cruiserweight title.
Oh Yeah! Helms won. I wanted a Vertebreaker, but you know, maybe oneday he'll use it again. Kid Kash got all in the face of the guy in front of me and said "Your Mother Swallows" that was so awesome.
Next up was Sylvan Grenier VS Funaki.
When Sylvan came out we started chanting "Who are you?" because, you know, we don't care. Then when Funaki came out we chanted "We know you!" Sylvan looked at us all angry. Funaki won. Afterwards, Sylvan came over while we're doing the "who are you" to him and goes "I'm rich, bitch".
Pretty sure around here, Charles Robinson came out to ref and we all started Woooing at Little Naitch and called out "Do the strut!" and he did and it was awesome. Later on we got him to do it again, then we got Chimel to do it. Little Naitch rocks.
3rd up was a change to the card, for the better. Paul London (OMG!) and Spanky VS MNM (c) for the tag titles.
Spanky and London ran out and did their little masked entrance thingy and Spanky saw my sign and pointed to it, which was awesome, then removed his mask and yeah. I didn't get any photos of them except 1 of them together because I was busy marking out like a teeny bopper seeing Good Charlotte. Memorable moments were when Melina squealed the first time and the chant "shut the fuck up" broke out. Paul London hit my favourite spot of his, which is when he knocks over one guy, then dropsaults (like a dropkick, but fliping backwards, kicking the guy in the face and landing on your stomach) the other guy and lands on top of the first guy he knocked over. Umm, Oh the obligatory "Shes a Crack Whore" chant was started and suddenly the whole stadium was doing it and there was also a "Shes a Screamer" chant. Good times.
Orignally supposed t be facing MNM, but due to Animal turning heel on the Smackdown! a day or so before the event, which hadnt actually aired here yet, but I had known since I actually read the spoilers for this kind of info. I normally never do btw. So it was Animal vs Matt Hardy.
When Matt came out, it was the first MASSIVE pop from the crowd. Everyone from the front to the back went nuts. Yeah, that was kind of special for me. The match was pretty substandard, but what do you expect from Animal. There was no yodelling legdrop from memory. I did enjoy seeing him stand up, using his jimmy knees that don't bend straight. In a WTF moment, out of nowhere Animal pinned Sensei Matt by pulling the tights or something stupid and it was real dumb and made no sense really.
Bobby Lashley vs Finlay.
One guy said "My names Finlay and I love to job" in an irish accent to him and it was funny, he was all "come over here and say that" and aparently someone said to him "Wheres your lucky charms you potato loving freak" or something like that, which caused him to get all angry at him. Good chants were "Belfast Loser" and just general "Finleh!" type stuff. Lashley won.
At this point JBL came out, since he had just got injured he wasn't wrestling, but cut the best promo on New Zealanders I've heard. I was real amped to see him, hes so awesome on the mic. Came out, complained about the weather, said we're all a bunch of sheep shaggers, always wondered why until he came here and saw our women and can now see why sheep are so appealing :D Talked about rugby and how in a scrum its a bunch of half naked men grabbing each other, we may call it a scrum, he just calls it.. Gay. JBL rocked. Our chant of Wrestling God" got overpowered with "wrestling fraud". He sung one of those God Bless America songs, was awesome, afterwards I cheered and tried to start a U S A chant, but somehow I was in NZ, so you know.
Boogeyman vs Orlando Jordan.
Boogeyman is hilarious, I don't care that he cant wrestle for jack. The whole gimmick stinks so much that its awesome and got over. He didn't have any worms in his mouth on his entrance, so I saved my sign. The chant started up of "How old are you?" from a bunch of us who actually got the joke, which was freaking hilarious. After the boogeyman won and dribbled worms out of his mouth onto Jordan, I held up my sign for him on his exit and he stopped and read it, had a big silly smile, pointed at me then carried on. Weee.
Chris Benoit (c) vs Booker T for the us title.
Chris Benoit is here and hes really mad. Chris Benoit is here and hes really angryyyy!
I really should have had a "Chris Beniot!" sign because plebs on the net often spell it wrong and its funny. Benoit is the man, its a great feeling to know that you're watching one of the best technical wrestlers in the world. Booker is awesome too, but heel booker means no spinarooni. Benoit wins. Booker T made some guy cry, you could see the tears in his eyes on the tron. He was like a teenager or something, was funny.
Rey Mysterio vs Randy Orton
Rey Rey is so small, like, shorter than the average person shorter than me, but these days hes quite muscular in the upper body. Randy pants is just dreamy hot. Like, I could look at him for hours and not get bored hot. They put on the best match of the night, everyone else was working hard, but you know they could give more if they really wanted, but rey and randy went for it and put on a great story. Rey won, which made everyone happy. Chants for Eddie. I miss you Eddie.
Kurt Angle (c) vs Undertaker vs Mark Henry
My camera went flat so no photos of any of them, but oh well. Mark Henry *rolls eyes*. Kurt Angle's entrance was great, I'd been waiting for a good old "you suck!" sing along to his music for years. Undertaker's entrance was everything I'd imagined really. I got the goosebumps, the lot, seeing him was soo surreal, this is a guy I've been a hardcore fan of since I was little. Man, I grew my hair long because of the undertaker. Here he is, in the flesh and hes massive and has the most intense eyes when he looks at you and yeah. I got to do my favourite TNA chant, someone had started an "undertaker *clap clap clapclapclap* chant and I cracked in with the "lets go angle" in the clappy bits, to start the undertaker/lets go angle chanting war, but it never caught on big. The match was kinda cool when they were both beating up stupid mark henry, who we pretty much decided didnt deserve any reaction. It got real good during the angle vs taker bits, then it all went for the big schmoz finish with a chair being used and the ref seeing it and whatever trevor henry gets dqed and Angle retains the belt. Was pretty cheap, but you know, there was only 2 endings, the other would be henry tapping out, but that'd be silly for reasons I won't bother going into.
Afterwards, there was a "please come back" chant and a "thank you Dion" one for Dion because hes awesome *plug* www.nzpwi.co.nz *plug* and yeah. My actual seat had gotten all muddy because some bastard had stood on it with the muddy shoes of DOOM. I figured the security guys would have to be pretty heartless dicks to make me take the muddy chair when there were these six unclaimed ones. So I took the one I actually sat on during the show, instead of my dirty diarrhea allocated one.
3 1/2 hours of it was brilliant, but it was now after 11 and I was wanting to catch the brunettes at Bar Bodega. I was going to give my chair to mommy and run there but afterwards I was real amped, but had lost my voice pretty much and figured by the time I got there they'd possibly be over.
According to WWE they thought the crowd was so much hotter than Sydney the night before (I thought the crowd was pretty good, I'm pretty sure it was louder at the WWA but then indoor is hard to judge against outdoors), were pleased with the ticket sales, they had sold out of merch pretty much by intermission half way through the show, lets hope for RAW in October...
Rest of the time in Wellington was pretty uneventful. At Te Papa I drew a penis on a picture of a samoan guy you're supposed to draw tattoos on his legs. It said "sketch a pene" which we changed to "sketch a penis". The dudes hand was all there in position to hold it, I bet everyone draws penis' on him.
I had a can of Cherry Coke. It cost me $3 because it was imported from the U.K. but fully worth it.
I was there, with 22,000 others at the Cake Tin, or wXpac Stadium, if you weeeill. Sure, it wasn't sold out, but you know, upon reflection I don't think it's horrible. I'm lead to believe that both WWE and the stadium both view it as a big success.
I'll briefly take the time to feel for all the people who couldn't make it across the ferry due to the horrible weather conditions causing cancelled ferry trips and broken limbs for some of the people on one of the only trips it made on the day. I would have lost it. Truly, just would have thrown my toys, I can't even think. You know, you've been anxiously waiting for this event ever since you were like a little boy and dreamed of sitting ringside and having Bret Hart give you his sunglasses, then years later finally the WWE are coming and you spend day after day for fucking half a year waiting and spent $500 on a non refundable ticket, not to mention having to drive for hours up to Picton and then home.. all to receive the ultimate shafting of a lifetime due to the weather and theres nothing you can do about it. Planes are pretty much all booked and god knows where you'd have to drive to catch one. So yeah, I don't personally know anyone who had this happen to them, but I know of people that it has happened to and if I think too much about it, I'd cry so lets move on to happy fun times.
Now, where to begin. My Mother had always said that if WWE came to NZ, she'd so go, because even though she doesn't watch it really, she understands it and just how huge a spectacle it is. Same with Kimberley, who also came. It was the first time they've flown on an airplane ever. I had the priviledge of sitting on my own away from the n00bs, because well, I'd rather not have the stress from my Mom. I think it went pretty smoothly for them. Coming into landing was awesome, because it was so windy that the plane was swaying around as it was about to touch down. As soon as I got off the plane I was nearly blown over like some dumbass. The wind was a constant theme. Anytime you got anywhere that wasn't terribly sheltered, it was blowing like a pornstar. The wind later died downa bit for the Wrestling, which made me most pleased.
I cruised down to the stadium around 2 or 3pm to get me some merchandise, which I already knew what was going to be there, so I wasn't disappointed. I got myself a Kurt Angle "From this Angle, You Suck" tshirt, which was size small, but since it was the merch from the australian WWE Shop, meant that it was massive and you all know me and know what I wear, so yeah. I wanted a Matt Hardy one, but the smallest size was medium and I have trouble looking hot in a tent, so I declined. My sister wanted a Rey Rey tshirt, but they only had large and XL left and shes like a youth large, which they make the rey shirts in, but you know. So that was kind of a bust, but there was 4 more Merch outlets inside, once the doors opened, although later in the night I couldn't be bothered lining up.
Went for a walk around Wellington, then went back to our accomo which was close to town and the cake tin. Realised that we forgot to get stuff to make our signs and the time was 5pm and we were going to go there around 6:30, event started at 7:30, so I ran, I ran so far awayahey. Eventually, I found a Whitcoulls a hell of a long way away and ran all the way back and was only gone like 25 minutes. Witness the fitness! I was pretty buggered running back since it was all uphill, I know it sounds cheesy, but I just thought about when Kurt Angle was training for the Olympics and how he used to run up hills everyday with someone on his back and figured that you know, running up hills isn't so bad and besides I've got a scedule to keep. I made 2 signs, Kimberley made 1. I could have made like 20 but it'd be a bitch to organise and I didn't have time. Kimberleys said "Worlds Strongest Nostrals" after conferring with me about how to condense down "I can fit 3 fingers up Mark Henrys Nostrils". My signs said "Worm Exploitation!" for the Boogeyman, because he eats worms and stuff. My other one said "Spank me Spanky" for Brian Kendrick because hes amazing. It would have been awesome to have a "2" sign, I forgot all about it until I was inside, first pin attempt, 1, 2, *crowd erupts* "TWOOOOO!"
Found my seat after the security guard tried to give me false information that I was on the other side of the ring, I knew better, stupid lady. The ground was super watery mud. There was that temporary flooring down and the mud had just oozed out all over it everywhere, due to the weather earlier. Was alright though. Found my 3rd row seat (its the best I could do okay, the website went down just before the link was posted.), introduced myself to my seating companions. Once it started the 3 of us in our row realised that the other 6 seats were somehow empty (can't help but think they belonged to people waiting for a ferry or something) so we moved over next to the entrance ramp. Hooray! It must be noted that the majority of the awesome chants were started in our little section, there were also some good ones from the one on the other side of the ramp and the people opposite the ring from us.
First match was Gregory Helms (c) vs Kid Kash vs Jamie Noble for the Cruiserweight title.
Oh Yeah! Helms won. I wanted a Vertebreaker, but you know, maybe oneday he'll use it again. Kid Kash got all in the face of the guy in front of me and said "Your Mother Swallows" that was so awesome.
Next up was Sylvan Grenier VS Funaki.
When Sylvan came out we started chanting "Who are you?" because, you know, we don't care. Then when Funaki came out we chanted "We know you!" Sylvan looked at us all angry. Funaki won. Afterwards, Sylvan came over while we're doing the "who are you" to him and goes "I'm rich, bitch".
Pretty sure around here, Charles Robinson came out to ref and we all started Woooing at Little Naitch and called out "Do the strut!" and he did and it was awesome. Later on we got him to do it again, then we got Chimel to do it. Little Naitch rocks.
3rd up was a change to the card, for the better. Paul London (OMG!) and Spanky VS MNM (c) for the tag titles.
Spanky and London ran out and did their little masked entrance thingy and Spanky saw my sign and pointed to it, which was awesome, then removed his mask and yeah. I didn't get any photos of them except 1 of them together because I was busy marking out like a teeny bopper seeing Good Charlotte. Memorable moments were when Melina squealed the first time and the chant "shut the fuck up" broke out. Paul London hit my favourite spot of his, which is when he knocks over one guy, then dropsaults (like a dropkick, but fliping backwards, kicking the guy in the face and landing on your stomach) the other guy and lands on top of the first guy he knocked over. Umm, Oh the obligatory "Shes a Crack Whore" chant was started and suddenly the whole stadium was doing it and there was also a "Shes a Screamer" chant. Good times.
Orignally supposed t be facing MNM, but due to Animal turning heel on the Smackdown! a day or so before the event, which hadnt actually aired here yet, but I had known since I actually read the spoilers for this kind of info. I normally never do btw. So it was Animal vs Matt Hardy.
When Matt came out, it was the first MASSIVE pop from the crowd. Everyone from the front to the back went nuts. Yeah, that was kind of special for me. The match was pretty substandard, but what do you expect from Animal. There was no yodelling legdrop from memory. I did enjoy seeing him stand up, using his jimmy knees that don't bend straight. In a WTF moment, out of nowhere Animal pinned Sensei Matt by pulling the tights or something stupid and it was real dumb and made no sense really.
Bobby Lashley vs Finlay.
One guy said "My names Finlay and I love to job" in an irish accent to him and it was funny, he was all "come over here and say that" and aparently someone said to him "Wheres your lucky charms you potato loving freak" or something like that, which caused him to get all angry at him. Good chants were "Belfast Loser" and just general "Finleh!" type stuff. Lashley won.
At this point JBL came out, since he had just got injured he wasn't wrestling, but cut the best promo on New Zealanders I've heard. I was real amped to see him, hes so awesome on the mic. Came out, complained about the weather, said we're all a bunch of sheep shaggers, always wondered why until he came here and saw our women and can now see why sheep are so appealing :D Talked about rugby and how in a scrum its a bunch of half naked men grabbing each other, we may call it a scrum, he just calls it.. Gay. JBL rocked. Our chant of Wrestling God" got overpowered with "wrestling fraud". He sung one of those God Bless America songs, was awesome, afterwards I cheered and tried to start a U S A chant, but somehow I was in NZ, so you know.
Boogeyman vs Orlando Jordan.
Boogeyman is hilarious, I don't care that he cant wrestle for jack. The whole gimmick stinks so much that its awesome and got over. He didn't have any worms in his mouth on his entrance, so I saved my sign. The chant started up of "How old are you?" from a bunch of us who actually got the joke, which was freaking hilarious. After the boogeyman won and dribbled worms out of his mouth onto Jordan, I held up my sign for him on his exit and he stopped and read it, had a big silly smile, pointed at me then carried on. Weee.
Chris Benoit (c) vs Booker T for the us title.
Chris Benoit is here and hes really mad. Chris Benoit is here and hes really angryyyy!
I really should have had a "Chris Beniot!" sign because plebs on the net often spell it wrong and its funny. Benoit is the man, its a great feeling to know that you're watching one of the best technical wrestlers in the world. Booker is awesome too, but heel booker means no spinarooni. Benoit wins. Booker T made some guy cry, you could see the tears in his eyes on the tron. He was like a teenager or something, was funny.
Rey Mysterio vs Randy Orton
Rey Rey is so small, like, shorter than the average person shorter than me, but these days hes quite muscular in the upper body. Randy pants is just dreamy hot. Like, I could look at him for hours and not get bored hot. They put on the best match of the night, everyone else was working hard, but you know they could give more if they really wanted, but rey and randy went for it and put on a great story. Rey won, which made everyone happy. Chants for Eddie. I miss you Eddie.
Kurt Angle (c) vs Undertaker vs Mark Henry
My camera went flat so no photos of any of them, but oh well. Mark Henry *rolls eyes*. Kurt Angle's entrance was great, I'd been waiting for a good old "you suck!" sing along to his music for years. Undertaker's entrance was everything I'd imagined really. I got the goosebumps, the lot, seeing him was soo surreal, this is a guy I've been a hardcore fan of since I was little. Man, I grew my hair long because of the undertaker. Here he is, in the flesh and hes massive and has the most intense eyes when he looks at you and yeah. I got to do my favourite TNA chant, someone had started an "undertaker *clap clap clapclapclap* chant and I cracked in with the "lets go angle" in the clappy bits, to start the undertaker/lets go angle chanting war, but it never caught on big. The match was kinda cool when they were both beating up stupid mark henry, who we pretty much decided didnt deserve any reaction. It got real good during the angle vs taker bits, then it all went for the big schmoz finish with a chair being used and the ref seeing it and whatever trevor henry gets dqed and Angle retains the belt. Was pretty cheap, but you know, there was only 2 endings, the other would be henry tapping out, but that'd be silly for reasons I won't bother going into.
Afterwards, there was a "please come back" chant and a "thank you Dion" one for Dion because hes awesome *plug* www.nzpwi.co.nz *plug* and yeah. My actual seat had gotten all muddy because some bastard had stood on it with the muddy shoes of DOOM. I figured the security guys would have to be pretty heartless dicks to make me take the muddy chair when there were these six unclaimed ones. So I took the one I actually sat on during the show, instead of my dirty diarrhea allocated one.
3 1/2 hours of it was brilliant, but it was now after 11 and I was wanting to catch the brunettes at Bar Bodega. I was going to give my chair to mommy and run there but afterwards I was real amped, but had lost my voice pretty much and figured by the time I got there they'd possibly be over.
According to WWE they thought the crowd was so much hotter than Sydney the night before (I thought the crowd was pretty good, I'm pretty sure it was louder at the WWA but then indoor is hard to judge against outdoors), were pleased with the ticket sales, they had sold out of merch pretty much by intermission half way through the show, lets hope for RAW in October...
Rest of the time in Wellington was pretty uneventful. At Te Papa I drew a penis on a picture of a samoan guy you're supposed to draw tattoos on his legs. It said "sketch a pene" which we changed to "sketch a penis". The dudes hand was all there in position to hold it, I bet everyone draws penis' on him.
I had a can of Cherry Coke. It cost me $3 because it was imported from the U.K. but fully worth it.