From: cg@cbnewsf.cb.att.com (charles.gavinelli)
Subject: Weekend of Champions Pt VII
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1992 14:18:49 GMT


	Other people of note who stopped by were George Napolitano, well
known wrestling photographer and writer, and Frank Amato, also a famous
wrestling photographer and personal friend of Bruno. It turns out that some
of the Bruno pictures we were selling were taken years ago by Frank.
Throughout the weekend, several people
who were Bruno's friends from the New York area came by regularly. These
people, as well as the fans at large, obviously love this man. He took the
time to chat with everyone and especially the kids and families.
We couldn't believe how many of the fans asked Bruno when/if he was going
to wrestle again - he says "never".

	Georgiann showed us a picture of a 300+ lb Ric Flair. He looked
*nothing* like he does today.

	I told one of the wrestlers that there was going to be an auction.
I also said that Arezzi said that they were going to auction off something
incredible. This wrestler then said "what is it, Kerry Von Eric's foot?"

	Kerry must be strapped for money. He tried to sell the ring jacket
he wore to the ring when he pinned Flair for the belt. It said "In memory
of David (or was it Kevin?) Von Eric" (I'm losing track of when they kill
themselves). The bid started at $1000. ....and he said that he was off
drugs....

	The auctioneer was none other than "Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert.
Arezzi was also on the stage keeping track of each item and it's estimated
worth/expected opening bid. John's very attractive sister, Donna, held up
each item to display it. One of the first items to go was a pair of Captain
Lou shirts - one was vintage Hawaiian, the other a T-shirt with his picture
on it. Later on, Jushin Liger's complete ring outfit went for $500. Other
items sold included a Jim Cornette jacket and an Eddie Gilbert jacket. Our
overall impression was that the crowd was kind of tight when it came to
bidding - hopefully this was because they spent all their money buying
pictures, autographs, and dealer items. During most of the auction, Fallen
Angel was sitting next to Pete. She looks like she could get a "woodie" out
of a dead man. Pete kept looking over at me, and I know what he would have
said if Kevin wasn't sitting right there too! Kevin was real cool - we chatted
with him briefly about the "days of the Purple Haze" and Mark Lewin. Good stuff.

	The auction was over around 4:30, so there was still time for the
stars to finish signing autographs and take a few last-minute pictures.
Later on while driving home, Pete told me that during a lull in this period,
he told Bruno that this was one of the greatest experiences in his life,
and that he considered it a true honor to have spent two days with someone
who he idolized for so many years. Pete said that he (Pete) got so touched
he could hardly get the words out to Bruno, and that Bruno must have seen
this as he seemed genuinely appreciative and shook Pete's hand so hard it
nearly hurt.

	After the auction, we wrapped up the Bruno and Larry table.
I then stopped by to say goodbye to Mike, the guy who runs Arezzi's BBS.
"Electra" was there wearing the shortest pair of shorts I've ever seen.
I think I saw pig-tails on her thighs.

	When I got my chance to say goodbye to Bruno,
I said "you probably won't remember me a week from now but the memories you
gave me over the last two days will last me a lifetime".

	As we were checking out, Rick form California points to someone and says
that she is Nikki Sixx, a porno star. She had worn a shirt that said "Sixx"
the day before and Rick apparently recognized her. He also said that he
wanted to meet Nikki One through Five.

	We left at 5:30PM Sunday.


Final Thoughts

	It is now nearly a week since the convention finished, and we are
still both higher than kites talking to each other, our families, and
friends about everything that happened. There's one and only one reason
that all of this was possible for us and the other "tousand-tousand" fans
who enjoyed themselves - AND THAT REASON IS JOHN AREZZI.

	When it comes to meeting wrestlers and wrestling personalities,
to quote Cactus Jack, we fans "don't need a reason - just an opportunity"!
THANKS A MILLION, JOHN AREZZI, for giving us that opportunity. We can't
wait 'til next year!


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Thanks for reading...

I'm off to Buffalo until 9/14. Until then....


							Charlie
Newsgroups: rec.sport.pro-wrestling