Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling announces “An Evening with the Legends,” an autograph signing event featuring the three biggest names in the modern era of professional wrestling; Hulk Hogan, “Nature Boy” Ric Flair and “The Icon” Sting. “An Evening with the Legends” caps an exciting day of fan activities that begins with “TNA Fan InterAction” starting at 10am on Saturday, April 17, at the Ameristar Casino in St. Charles, Missouri. The main event of the evening will be the two-hour “Legends” event, beginning at 6pm.
Hogan, Flair and Sting will be on their best behavior, TNA officials said, though TNA is certain there will be plenty of banter, and bickering, about who is the greatest of all time, Hogan, Flair or Sting. Joining Hogan, Flair and Sting will be wrestling legend’s Dory Funk Jr, Bobby Heenan, Baron Von Raschke, and Jimmy Hart who will be honored by Pro Wrestling Illustrated in recognition of their historic careers.
This once in a lifetime opportunity is available for only $299 and includes:
Includes:
- Admission to “An Evening With The Legends” event (6pm – 8pm)
- VIP admission to Lockdown Fan Interaction (10am – 5pm), including front of the line opportunity for autographs and photos.
- Exclusive early entry to the building on Sunday (must have purchased ticket to PPV separately). Fans will be personally escorted into the arena by The Beautiful People at 5pm (30 minutes before doors open.) Fans will have an exclusive opportunity at a special discounted merchandise offer from Don West at the merchandise table before doors open.
Also includes:
- Upon entry into the Legends event, each fan will recieve a free photo taken with Funk, Heenan, Von Raschke, and Hart.
- All Legends will be available to sign up to two items each. Fans can use their own camera to get pictures taken.
- Each fan in attendance will be given a 16”x 20” poster size photo, suitable for framing, of Hogan, Flair, and Sting that can be signed. Poster can be signed in addition to the two item signing limit.
- 8×10 photos of all TNA talent on the roster.
- Special commemorative T-Shirt.
- Special surprise gift from Don West.
“An Evening with the Legends” is part of TNA Wrestling’s “Lockdown Weekend” which culminates with the annual pay-per-view extravaganza “Lockdown 2010” on Sunday night, April 18, at the Family Arena in St. Charles, Missouri. “Lockdown 2010” will feature every match inside a steel cage.
“Lockdown Fan InterAction” on Saturday, April 17, will be held at the Ameristar Casino in St. Charles from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and more than 40 stars will gather to sign autographs, take pictures, and get up-close-and-personal with the most loyal wrestling fans in the world. “Fan InterAction” will feature appearances by Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle, “Big Sexy” Kevin Nash, TNA Founder Jeff Jarrett, Mr. Anderson, Matt Morgan, “The Monster” Abyss, “The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero, and, of course, the reigning TNA World Heavyweight Champion “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles. In addition, Fan InterAction will feature appearances by Eric Bischoff, Beer Money, Inc., Eric Young, The Beautiful People and many more.
Funk’s Corner – NWA World Championship in St. Louis Dory Funk Jr. vs Dick The Bruiser
Information credit Larry Matysik – From the Golden Era, St. Louis Wrestling Record Book.
On December 5th 1969, Dick The Bruiser was a huge babyface as He won a Texas Death Match over Black Jack Lanza with Bobby Heenan in Lanza’s corner.
January 9, 1970 Kiel Auditorium, (att. 11,434 Sellout) Dory Funk Jr, NWA World Champion won over Dick The Bruiser. Bruiser took the first fall and appeared to have a three count on Funk for a second straight fall before referee Joe Schoenberger saw Bruiser using the ropes. The referee reversed the decision and disqualified Bruiser for the second fall. Bruiser went berserk, punched Shoengerger, hit Funk with a chair and was then disqualified for the third fall and the match. Afterward, Athletic Commissioner Eddie Davidson suspended Bruiser indefinitely.
(Larry Matysik’s thoughts – Fans in 2007 and 2008 talk about the mixed reaction to John Cena, but this one was completely unique. Dory Funk Jr. was a favorite, and The Bruiser definitely was the “People’s Choice,” especially after his fued against Lanza and Heenan. The crowd was totally split, in a constant uproar, and completely beside themselves when Dick’s outburst led to his disqualification).
Next NWA World Championship Match in St. Louis, Dory Funk Jr. vs Baron Von Raschke.
*********************
Now on !BANG! TV Headliners, Studio Sarah with the “Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart and Jimmy Hart’s last appearance on !BANG! TV in Johnny Magnum and The Funk’s corner in the Debut Match of Dory Funk IV. http://www.dory-funk.com.
Also on the Official Home Page of Dory Funk Jr. – Archives of the History of the NWA World Championship Matches from the Golden Era of St. Louis. (Information Credit Larry Matysik)
Dory Funk Jr. is the coach of the Funking Conservatory Wrestling School and Trainer of WWE, TNA and Japanese Wrestling Talent.
For training schedules and tickets to !BANG! TV, Call 352-895-4658 or visit http://www.dory-funk.com
Shawn Michaels has been telling friends as of late he plans on retiring at WrestleMania. His contract is set to expire soon and he has talked about wanting to spend more time with his children as they grow up.
Michaels is not advertised for any shows past the night after WrestleMania when Raw emanates from the US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
- Ric Flair’s son Reid is expected to be backstage a few upcoming TNA iMPACT shows. It’s unknown if he will be brought in as a wrestler or if he’s just coming in for training.
- Speaking of Ric Flair, he’s been telling people that he’s having more fun working in TNA than he has had in years because he loves playing a heel. Flair still thinks he has one big match left in him and the opponent he’s mentioned is Kurt Angle. (Source:Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
-WWE is running an “Where are they now?” with Molly Holly, click here for an recent update on her whereabouts.
-Multiple sources reports tha TNA Knockout Awesome kong has departed from TNA Wrestling. Kong’s profile has been removed from the TNA roster,
-TNA President Dixie Carter posted the following on her twitter on why Spike TV is replaying TNA Monday;s episode:
The large # of viewers to watch iMPACT! replay last week made @Spike_TV want to re-air the show again tonight.
-Prowrestling.net reported this afternoon that Jeff Hardy’s trial was pushed back after the defense requested a continuance. That request was granted and the new trial date is 5/10.
Both Christian and Jack Swagger will attempt to gain momentum before the Money in the Bank Ladder Match at WrestleMania as they lead their squads into action in a six-man tag team match on “WWE Superstars.”
Twice as nice
The Bella Twins will take on the team of Jillian & Katie Lea on the next “WWE Superstars.” Which tag team tandem will come out on top?
Red vs. Gold
On “WWE Superstars,” Kane will square off against Shelton Benjamin. Who will be victorious, The Big Red Monster or The Gold Standard?
With Wrestlemania 26 two weekends away, here is an updated list of the schedule of events in Phoenix, Arizona as they currently stand. Please note all start times are Mountain Time, the time zone in Phoenix:
Friday 320:
6 -10 PM – Wrestlemania Kickoff Party at the Westgate City Center (Glendale Avenue & Loop 101) in Glendale, Arizona featuring WWE talent appearances and Smackdown broadcast outdoors on huge screen. For more details, visit www.GlendalesGotGame.com.
Wednesday 3/24:
6-9 PM – Third annual Wrestlemania Art Exhibition at InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa, located at 4949 E. Lincoln Drive in Paradise Valley. The event will benefit the Phoenix Children’s Hospital and the Arizona Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Red Carpet at 5 PM. WWE appearing include Bret Hart, Vince McMahon and Jerry Lawler, with more to be announced. Tickets ($50 General Admission-$175 VIP with cocktail hour and meet & greet) on sale now. For more details, contact Katie Draxler at Make-A-Wish Foundation of Arizona at kdraxler@wishaz.org or call 602-395-9474 x148.
Thursday 3/25:
6-10 PM – WWE AXXESS at the Phoenix Convention Center. Tickets on sale via www.ticketmaster.com. WWE will be taping footage for Friday Night Smackdown.
*John Cena and Bret Hart to appear.
*Signing and photo sessions with Carlito, Cryme Tyme, Mike Knox, Hornswoggle, Kofi Kingston, Kane, Mark Henry, Kane, MVP, Jack Swagger, Chavo Guerrero, The Great Khali, Goldust, Evan Bourne, Matt Hardy, Gail Kim, Beth Phoenix, Eve and more.
Friday 3/26:
6-10 PM – WWE AXXESS at the Phoenix Convention Center.
*Undertaker and Edge to appear.
*Signing and photo sessions with Yoshi Tatsu, Vance Archer, Hornswoggle, Chris Masters, Santino Marella, Tyson Kidd, David Hart Smith, Shelton Benjamin, Christian, Cody Rhodes, Michelle McCool, The Bella Twins and more.
8 PM – Ring of Honor at Phoenix College North Gym
*ROH champ Tyler Black vs. Roderick Strong
*ROH champ Tyler Black vs. Austin Aries
*ROH Tag Team champions The Briscoes vs. The American Wolves
*Rocky Romero vs. Alex Kozlov
*El Generico vs. Steve Corino
*Kevin Steen vs. Kenny Omega
*Kings of Wrestling vs. Scott Lost & Scorpio Sky
*Jerry Lynn vs. Kenny King – No DQ, No Countdown, Anything Goes
*Also appearing Jim Cornette, Tammy Sytch, Colt Cabana, The Necro Butcher, Shawn Daivari, Joey Ryan, Bison Smith, Skullkrusher Rasche Brown. Tickets on sale at www.rohwrestling.com.
8 PM – Dragon Gate USA DVD Taping at The Celebrity Theater with:
*Open The Freedom Gate Champion BxB Hulk vs. Open The Dream Gate Champion Naruki Doi.
*The Young Bucks & Jack Evans vs. CIMA & GAMMA & Dragon Kid
*Masato Yoshino vs. Shingo
*Paul London & Jimmy Jacobs vs. Brian Kendrick & Jon Moxley
*Mike Quackenbush & Jigsaw vs. Susumu Yokosuka & Genki Horiguchi *Bonus Match for Ringside Ticket holders: FRAY! featuring The Cutler Brothers, Irish Airborne, Malachi Jackson, Chimera and more to be announced.
*Also appearing are YAMATO, LA PARK, Hijo De Rey Misterio, TJP, Brad Allen, and Elite Extreme (Derrick Neikirk and G.Q. Gallo) and more.. For ticket information and details on a pre-show Fanfest, visit www.dgusa.tv.
8 PM (Doors at 7) – Chris Jericho’s metal band Fozzy performs at Club Red in Tempe, Arizona, headlining a bill of seven bands, also featuring Razer, Unforseen, Suite 88, Faceless, Phoenix & Dragon, and Dinonicus. For more on the venue, visit www.clubredrocks.com.
Saturday 3/27:
8AM-12 PM – WWE AXXESS at the Phoenix Convention Center.
*Rey Mysterio and Sheamus to appear.
*Signing and photo sessions with Primo Colon, Jimmy Wang Yang, Chris Masters, Chavo Guerrero, Drew McIntyre, Cody Rhodes, Finlay, Vickie Guerrero, Abraham Washington, William Regal, Zack Ryder, Maryse, Melina and more.
1 PM – Ring of Honor matinee at Phoenix College North Gym
*ROH champ Tyler Black vs. Roderick Strong
*Roderick Strong vs. Austin Aries
*Colt Cabana & El Generico vs. The American Wolves
*Kenny Omega vs. Rocky Romero
*Jerry Lynn vs. Steve Corino
*Kenny King vs. Scorpio Sky
*Also appearing Jim Cornette, ROH Tag Team champions The Briscoes, Kevin Steen, Scott Lost, Kenny Omega, Necro Butcher, Shawn Daivari, Joey Ryan, Bison Smith, Skullkrusher Rasche Brown and more. Tickets on sale at www.rohwrestling.com.
1PM-5PM – WWE AXXESS at the Phoenix Convention Center.
*Randy Orton and CM Punk to appear.
*Signing and Photo sessions with Shelton Benjamin, Tyler Reks, Santino Marella, Hornswoggle, Sheamus, Chris Masters, Jack Swagger, Carlito, Cryme Tyme, Ezekiel, The Great Khali, Jillian, Rosa Mendes, Gail Kim and more
2 PM – Bret Hart book signing in Tempe, AZ at Changing Hands Bookstore. For details, call (480) 730-0205.
4:30 PM – 2010 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony at The Dodge Theater.
Scheduled to be inducted:
*Ted DiBiase by Brett and Ted DiBiase Jr.
*Antonio Inoki by Stan Hansen
*Wendi Richter by Roddy Piper
*Mad Dog Vachon by Pat Patterson.
*Bob Eucker by Dick Ebersol
*Stu Hart, inductor to be announced
*Gorgeous George, inductor to be announced, Betty Wagner to accept.
Tickets are sold out but additional seats may be released pending finalization of production. Keep checking www.livenation.com.
7:30 PM-11PM – WWE AXXESS at the Phoenix Convention Center.
*Kane and MVP to appear.
*Signing and photo sessions with Kung Fu Naki, Mike Knox, Vladimir Kozloz, Zack Ryder, Hornswoggle, The Miz, Dolph Ziggler, Abraham Washington, Tyson Kidd, David Hart Smith, Natalya, Alicia Fox and more.
8 PM – Dragon Gate USA PPV Taping at The Celebrity Theater:
*CIMA & Gamma & Dragon Kid vs. Naruki Doi & Masato Yoshino & DGUSA Open The Freedom Gate Champion BxB Hulk
*YAMATO vs. Susumu Yokosuka
*Tommy Dreamer vs. Jimmy Jacobs vs. Jon Moxley
*Also scheduled are Shingo, Genki Horiguchi, The Young Bucks, Jack Evans, Brian Kendrick, Paul London, Mike Quackenbush, Jigsaw, TJP, Brad Allen and Elite Extreme of Derrick Neikirk G.Q. Gallo For ticket and pre-show Fanfest information, visit www.dgusa.tv.
10 PM – Total Xtreme Comedy with Mick Foley, Bruce Prichard, Colt Cabana and ROH champ Austin Aries at Gammage Auditorium at
Arizona State University. Tickets now on sale via Ticketmaster.com. Use code ROH for 15% off.
Sunday 3/28:
10 AM – 1 PM WWE AXXESS at Phoenix Convention Center.
*Big Show and Chris Jericho to appear.
*Signing and Photos sessions with Cryme Tyme, Hornswoggle, Teddy Long, Dusty Rhodes, Vickie Guerrero, Vladimir Kozlov, Slam Master J, William Regal, Roddy Piper, Sgt. Slaughter, Gene Okerlund, Melina, Rosa Mendes and more
3:30 PM WWE Wrestlemania 26 at the University of Phoenix Stadium. Tickets on sale via www.ticketmaster.com. The current lineup:
*WWE champion Batista vs. John Cena
*World champion Edge vs. Chris Jericho
*The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels: Streak vs. Career
*Money In The Bank with Christian vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Kane vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Jack Swagger vs. MVP vs. Evan Bourne vs. Matt Hardy vs. Drew McIntyre vs. TBA
*Bret Hart vs. Vince McMahon. – No Holds Barred
*Triple H vs. Sheamus.
*CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio – Street Fight
*WWE Unified Tag Team champions Miz & Big Show vs. R-Truth & John Morrison.
Monday 3/29
5:15 PM – WWE Monday Night Raw at U.S. Airways Center:
*Announced Dark Match main event: John Cena & Triple H & Edge vs. Batista & Sheamus & Chris Jericho.
*Hosted by the cast of “Hot Tub Time Machine.”
“AN EVENING WITH THE LEGENDS” ANNOUNCED FOR TNA WRESTLING’S “LOCKDOWN 2010” WEEKEND IN ST. LOUIS
