2021 Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame Induction Weekend

[Thomas (TK)]

What can I say that someone else already hasn't stated earlier?!? Not much but let me drop some thoughts about my weekend...so, bear with me...

- I am thankful that my reservation was overbooked at the econolodge! Usually I stay at the higher end hotels but took a chance...dodged that bullet! Mark Taggart showed me pictures of the place and it was close to a crack house. I asked him if I could run a blacklight through his room but he insisted I not because he had to sleep in that room. So, lesson here everyone is spend the extra money on a room in Waterloo, IA or you'll regret it.

- On Thursday night, Mike M actually talked to me and I discussed life, CWF, etc. I did not squeeze any info on the new set as he is a hard nut to crack! Marcus (lethalkid6 on the board) had several questions he wanted to ask but then clammed up when I called him over with Mike and myself.

- Throughout the weekend, I got to talk to promoters that I met for the first time or haven't seen in person in a few years. Malicelover, lineup, Vegas, Cory and Chad Olson, Tim Dalton, iowaoaks, Mike M, EpicDave, Emperor Norton, brianv, and even Troy.

I got to know Troy a little bit more as we talked about life more than the Wrestling world..that was cool. Plus, Dave and Brian discussing recent events in my life and telling me that whenever need a shoulder or someone to talk to- reach out!

- I liked that the museum exposed my son to the Legends of old...and broadened his wrestling knowledge rather than the mess it is today. All weekend he would google wrestlers and either read about them or watch videos of youtube! Chad- the basement really impressed him (although I am tired of whenever he does something now he adds with a "broken freaking neck"!

I think I could spend a week in the museum and find things that would put me in awe..The French Angel's death masque proves that someone had a bigger head than me btw...ha!ha!

- Concerning the Legends in attendance, Jerry Brisco and JJ Dillon were awesome just to talk to on the side... walked from the car garage to the event center with Tony Garea! Marcus had no idea who he was at first but Tony filled him in while walking and my son shook his hand at the end of the walk and thanked him...I thought that was epic!

Going in the con, I didn't think much of Sgt. Slaughter character wise but after listening to him and chatting with him a few times- my opinion has performed a 180 degree turn. If he was signed, I can't wait to get him in my PNW fed!

The only legend I didn't care for was Bob Orton...he seemed like he didn't want to be there and after several attempts wouldn't talk to us. I'm not going to give $20 to someone who brushes us off the entire weekend (was just wanting to talk- no pictures/autographs) for a signature.

Marcus bought a US Express jacket and had all the Legends sign that including Jim Miller. Really wanted Dan Gable to sign but he had prior engagement.

- I will be back as both of us enjoyed the weekend. Maybe we'll make it a long vacation next year between GCON and TNT HOF.

EDITOR'S NOTE: malicelover needs to change his name to "The man that loves malice in his territory and not anyone elses."

See malicelover I told you I would post on the O boards. Ha!

[Gunslinger]

Jul 19, 2021 13:10:06 GMT -5 Thomas (TK) said:

The only legend I didn't care for was Bob Orton...he seemed like he didn't want to be there and after several attempts wouldn't talk to us. I'm not going to give $20 to someone who brushes us off the entire weekend (was just wanting to talk- no pictures/autographs) for a signature.

This is OT but I had the same experience with Cowboy Bob Orton at an indy show in STL a few years ago. I was walking up to Cowboy Bob to chat and some lady cut me off and said he was signing photos to sell but no one could talk to him. I did not buy a photo.

[malicelover]

Jul 19, 2021 9:03:11 GMT -5 throwingtoasters said:

If Filsinger Games comes up with a copy of one of the original 500 copies of Champions of the Galaxy for the auction next year, Jerry Brisco might just get his $10,000. Great recap Zeke.

throwingtoasters, is it possible you might be the guy making a huge bid on it? Second mortgage possibly?

I cannot rave enough about this either! It was a fantastic time. I will say, as I mentioned to TK, if someone has a complete set of B&W COTG - from 2087 to 2124 with all SE cards including the Son of Bash and Birthday Bash sets, I would be willing to fork over an insane amount of money for that as a donation to the Hall of Fame - INSANE.

From the sounds of The Roll Up, Tournament Master mentioned that they are going to try to do Galacticon in a weekend that butts up to the Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. If that is the case, it was announced that next year's Hall of Fame induction weekend is going to be on the weekend of July 22-23, which means it may have spoiled the announcement of the date of Galacticon. 

Cannot recommend this highly enough. One of my highlights was a conversation I had with Sgt. Slaughter after the round table. I was waiting on my wife to pick me up for lunch - and a fan shouted at Slaughter to give him a "You're dismissed" which he did. We then made eye contact and both grinned and started laughing. I then approached Slaughter and thanked him for his run in '91 with Hogan. His question "Did you hate me too?" I was able to respond that no, I did not hate him, and in fact was distraught that Hogan beat him at WrestleMania VII, and that people make fun of Cena's four moves of death, Hogan was the originator - Punch, Body Slam, Big Boot, Leg Drop, 1-2-3. And he told me "There needs to be story telling."

Also, best Slaughter moment - that topped that - Slaughter's cloth mask he wore when he entered the Hall of Fame which read: "Hulk Who?"

Already looking forward to next year!

[Cory Olson]

Just got back home to Minnesota. It was a long weekend with a lot of driving but so many great memories! The speeches at the HOF banquet were very moving. Mike M did a great job of representing Filsinger Games by giving the auction funds and just plugging the game all weekend. It was so great to meet Stacey and the boys and see the boys' enthusiasm around the wrestlers. I helped out Mike a little on Saturday at the sales table and it was great to people about the game. We sold out of the LOW color starter set and sold copies of other various color sets. One funny memory was late Saturday night, as Tim, Zeke, Jonard Solie, Wally Kernodle, Sgt. Slaughter, Mike Ingebretson (Chad's lifelong friend), and I closed the hotel bar. I believe Mike, Zeke, and I were talking to Jonard at a table, while Tim, Sarge, and Wally were at the bar. Sarge stood up, looked at us, saluted, and said, "You're dismissed!" and walked out of the bar.

Tim and I drove down to Des Moines Sunday, as IPW put on a card Sunday afternoon. Some of the talent who worked the HOF card (Wes Brisco, Miranda Gordy, James Beard) also worked this card, as they were flying out of the DSM Airport that night. The main event was a wild Last Man Standing Match for the IPW Extreme title between Malice and AJ Smooth. It was great seeing more wrestling and got even more excited for an eventual IPW set!

After the IPW card, we went to Ames and started watching Money in The Bank at Chad's house. When Peacock started having streaming issues, we bailed, as Tim and I were both tired.

It was so great to meet so many promoters I've only talked with on here or through e-mail for the first time and see many whom I hadn't seen in many years! I hope you guys all enjoyed it and I hope you come back next year! Thanks so much to Chad Olson and all the IPW crew for their hard work this weekend in putting together a great event!

[TTX]

Was great chatting with you Cory. Though we hadn't seen each other in years, it was like we had been chatting constantly.

[malicelover]

Jul 19, 2021 13:39:39 GMT -5 Cory Olson said:

Just got back home to Minnesota. It was a long weekend with a lot of driving but so many great memories! The speeches at the HOF banquet were very moving. Mike M did a great job of representing Filsinger Games by giving the auction funds and just plugging the game all weekend. It was so great to meet Stacey and the boys and see the boys' enthusiasm around the wrestlers. I helped out Mike a little on Saturday at the sales table and it was great to people about the game. We sold out of the LOW color starter set and sold copies of other various color sets. One funny memory was late Saturday night, as Tim, Zeke, Jonard Solie, Wally Kernodle, Sgt. Slaughter, Mike Ingebretson (Chad's lifelong friend), and I closed the hotel bar. I believe Mike, Zeke, and I were talking to Jonard at a table, while Tim, Sarge, and Wally were at the bar. Sarge stood up, looked at us, saluted, and said, "You're dismissed!" and walked out of the bar.

Tim and I drove down to Des Moines Sunday, as IPW put on a card Sunday afternoon. Some of the talent who worked the HOF card (Wes Brisco, Miranda Gordy, James Beard) also worked this card, as they were flying out of the DSM Airport that night. The main event was a wild Last Man Standing Match for the IPW Extreme title between Malice and AJ Smooth. It was great seeing more wrestling and got even more excited for an eventual IPW set!

After the IPW card, we went to Ames and started watching Money in The Bank at Chad's house. When Peacock started having streaming issues, we bailed, as Tim and I were both tired.

It was so great to meet so many promoters I've only talked with on here or through e-mail for the first time and see many whom I hadn't seen in many years! I hope you guys all enjoyed it and I hope you come back next year! Thanks so much to Chad Olson and all the IPW crew for their hard work this weekend in putting together a great event!

Cory Olson it was fantastic getting the chance to see you as well. That Sarge story just made me even more thankful I got there. His mind for the business is fantastic, and he has jumped to the top of my list for "Guys I hope we get into the game one day" right up there with Rude - which is saying something, since folks know how big of a mark I am for Rick Rude.

[Cory Olson]

I should also mention, since I know promoters will be wondering; Yes, we did sign some wrestlers this weekend. That is all for now.

[Travis605]

Jul 19, 2021 14:32:02 GMT -5 Cory Olson said:

I should also mention, since I know promoters will be wondering; Yes, we did sign some wrestlers this weekend. That is all for now.

Nooo, none of us wanted to know that!

[malicelover]

Jul 19, 2021 14:32:02 GMT -5 Cory Olson said:

I should also mention, since I know promoters will be wondering; Yes, we did sign some wrestlers this weekend. That is all for now.

Even if you hadn't signed anyone from this weekend, Cory Olson, I think folks should be pleased with what came out just this month, and what could be coming down the pike in December.

It's sort of like when the Red Sox or Cubs won their first World Series after more than 75 years for the Red Sox, and more than 100 for the Cubs - those fans really had a 10-year window to bask in the glow of that title. With the names we got in this set (Angle, Backlund, Piper), promoters should have at least a three set glow to bask in before any concerns about who was signed or who was not.

[TDalton]

Another great HOF weekend. I thought both Chad as emcee and Mike representing Filsinger Games did outstanding jobs, and I don't enjoy saying nice things about anyone.

Caught the Impact Pro Wrestling show in Des Moines on Sunday, flew home Monday and went straight to the Red Sox-Blue Jays game in Buffalo. Hopefully all the FG folks had a good time. It's a great event and I home we get even more of the Legends/Champions players there in the future.