My pic with James Storm & Velvet Sky at the Direct Auto Insurance in Kannapolis, NC.
After I went to get something to eat, I arrived at the Cabbarus Center in Concord early and got in line about 45 minutes before the doors opened. Don West came out and told us what to expect, then led the group of us who got to do the meet & greet into the building. After purchasing the brown bag special(program guide, 4 DVDs, legends action figure which mine was of Sting, Impact Wrestling shirt), they started the autograph meet & greet. I got autographs from stars like Garett Bischoff, Austin Aries, Rob Terry, Eric Young, ODB, Gail Kim, and I can't remember who else. I think there were about 8 stars at the table. It was for autographs only and they were strict about moving the lines. But they did move well from what I seen.
While that was going on, West announced what was gonna happen next. He announced that Kurt Angle was doing a rare signing for fans and that Velvet Sky was doing a photo shoot for fans for $10. Also, you could buy the Jeff Hardy/AJ Styles figure and if you did, you got to go backstage to get them to sign it for you.
The first thing I did after that was I got in line to get a pic with Velvet Sky.....
My pic with Velvet Sky before the show. After the pic, I asked her if she would sign a 4x6 photo of her I brought along with me. She did so without hesitation. Luckily, I remembered to bring a sharpie and I had to be quick so I didn't hold the line up. Since I got an autograph earlier from her, that one 4x6 will be for my buddy Victor who lives in Sacramento, CA. She's very friendly with the fans!
After that was done, I got in the long line to get an autograph from one of the best ever in the business, Kurt Angle! He was signing quickly because of the long line, and he didn't look up all the time to fans. At least when I was up there, he was literally in a signing frenzy! But he did acknowledge me after I thanked him for signing my program guide, so I was more than good with that.
Kurt Angle signing autographs. This was after I got mine from him.
Don West was throwing out free stuff and they were giving away free backstage passes as well for fans throughout the show. I took my seat for the show, and here are a few pics I took....
This is a view from where I sat before the show started.
Jeremy Borash as he fires up the crowd before announcing the first match of the evening.
Robbie E & Robbie T before the show. Rob Terry is a very big man in person.
Eric Young on the ropes before teaming up with ODB to face Robbie E & Robbie T.
The red-hot Velvet Sky prematch. I need not say anymore.
Knockouts Champion Gail Kim before defending the title against Velvet Sky.
Robbie E signing autographs at intermission.
AJ Styles posing before his match with Kazarian.
Garett Bischoff during his match with Gunner w/Ric Flair.
Kurt Angle in the ring.
TNA Champion Bobby Roode entering the ring.
"Cowboy" James Storm in the ring.
Because of Ric Flair and Jeff Hardy being so over in Concord, I couldn't really get a good pic of them in their matches. But at the end of the show, they announced that Jeff Hardy would be taking pics with fans inside the ring for $20!
My pic with Jeff Hardy after the matches were done. I shook hands with him and he asked how I was doing. I told him I was doing great now! Then they took the pic and he thanked me for coming out. A great way to end what was already a fantastic Saturday!
I'll likely post a podcast on my All Funked Up show on Monday with more thoughts on what I think of Impact Wrestling and their stars. Thank you TNA for putting on a great show and treating us fans the way we should be treated! It will never be forgotten by me!
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