Thrilla In Manila: My Smackdown & ECW Experience (Part II)

If you haven't read the first part, please do so.

This part is a bit foggy in my memory, but I’ll try to recall as much as I can.

We stayed there at the South Gate even after the bus had arrived and the gates were closed.  It started raining so we couldn’t really go anywhere.

There was guy who were checking people’s passes to determine who can go in and who cannot, and we kind of “entertained” him with our wits hoping he’d at least help us get the note to Chris Jericho.

While waiting outside, Satch related to us about his relationship to Jericho’s dad.  He told us that he knew his dad from way back when they were playing hockey in Canada.

He told us stories about Jericho when he was still a young boy, how he was such a huge wrestling fan and all that. He told us he’s been in the Philippines for quite some time, and was now married to a Filipina.

I have to admit that I had lowered myself to flirting with the security who’s guarding the gate from inside.  Every time he would open the gate to allow someone with a pass in, I would flash him my smile and flutter my eyelashes, and proceed to ask him to tell me if any superstar comes, to open the door just a little bit so I can take a picture. 

God, what will Randy Orton think of me now? Don’t worry, Randy, I was just using him.

Jack Swagger went out for a while to smoke and the security opened the door to allow me a peek and snap a picture.  It was too far though, and I had to zoom the camera so much it ended up really blurry.
 
So, anyway, we exerted all possible efforts to help Satch get in touch with Jericho.  We had his original hand-written message delivered by the head of the security team.  We also sent the green poster board in too. 

And then we made another letter, with a piece of paper I asked from the security, and had the promoter’s official photographer personally deliver it to Chris Jericho! Yes, that was indeed some good luck that we chanced upon that guy.  Now, we just had to wait…and wait some more.

While waiting, the bus driver came out of the gate and the guys asked me to talk to him too.  I don’t know why, but the guys always ask me to do this.  I have never flirted so much in my life. 

We learned from the bus driver that the superstars were going to fly out the next morning, and that they were to leave the hotel at around 5:30 A.M.  So being WWE Addicts that we were, we devised a plan to…uh…”camp out” (some call it stalking, though) outside the hotel to see them.

Ryan and Jay gave us their contact numbers and told us to contact them if we decide to pursue with the plan and even offered to let us stay the night at their place before heading to the hotel.

Let me just take this space to comment on something remarkable. It is the fact that all of us were practically strangers before that day and yet, there seems to be some level of trust amongst us. 

Me buying the shirt for Mijiata, when she could just disappear afterwards (It never crossed my mind before Kervin mentioned it, in which I responded with a nonchalant “That’s okay”), and Ryan and Jay offering us what they did when they didn’t know anything about us.  I guess there’s an embedded camaraderie amongst us wrestling fans.

Moving on…

Unfortunately, the five of us had to disband.  The doors were opened and they started letting people with tickets in.  Ryan and Jay had to leave.  They didn’t have tickets, they were just there to see if they can catch a glimpse of the superstars. 

They were actually job-hunting around the area and headed straight to the arena.  LOL! Ryan and Jay left first then the rest of us went inside the arena, leaving Satch and his wife at the South Gate.

Apparently, a few minutes after we left, Chris Jericho did call Satch on his mobile phone.  He then came out with a bodyguard and they met face to face finally.

Chris Jericho even gave Satch and his wife a couple of ringside tickets and a couple of WWE Tour Shirts as they were soaked in rainwater already.

He let them in through the back door and they took pictures with each other and talked, and talked, and talked some more until it was time to start the show.

Man, I tell you…I LOVE HEELS.  Even more so now than before.  And this makes me think that the more evil they are on TV, the nicer they are actually in person. 

That’s not saying the babyfaces are evil, I have no doubt they are all nice people.  I’m just trying to point out that not because they’re evil on TV that they are actually evil in real life like some would believe.

So, Kervin, Mijiata, and myself went inside and looked for our seats.  Kervin had a “Lower Box” ticket, I had a VIP ticket, and Mijiata had a ringside ticket. 

Now, Mijiata and I have been talking online and we’ve talked about making each other a sign so we can see each other since we weren’t sitting together.  So, when I got to my seat I looked around to see where she was seated. 

I couldn’t see her, so I sent her a text message and told her to raise the sign she made for me.

She didn’t want to raise it though because she kind of felt awkward about it.  I am telling you, it was really huge.  It was a hassle bringing it along, but she did it. 

Anyway, so, she didn’t want to raise it.  I just told her to sit tight, and I’ll go look for her.  I asked the guy next to me to watch my seat. 

Well, he didn’t really have to, since the seats were reserved and no one can sit there but me.  So, I went on my merry way and walked around the ring looking for Mijiata, knowing her seat is at ringside. 

I found her shortly and her seat was on the third row.  She was the first one on her row so I sat with her for a while taking pictures of the ring, ring steps, the entrance ramp and whatnots.  We had our picture taken by a guy in favor of taking his picture at ringside too.

As the ringside seats started to fill up, we decided to…uh…cheat.  We conspired on a plan to “upgrade” my seat to ringside instead of VIP.  Well, actually, the plan was that I was to go back to my real seat if anyone with the right ticket claim the one I was sitting on. 

Every time someone would come near us, my heart would skip and I would say a little prayer: “Please don’t take my seat!”  It was a crazy time.  Fortunately, no one did claim the seat.  I guess no one wanted to buy a single seat, except Mijiata and I.  Who would want to watch alone, right? (We are an exception since we’re real nuts.)

Finally, the show started.  We were welcomed to the show by none other than Announcer Justin Roberts. When he was in the middle of the ring, I hollered at him, calling his name.

When he looked, Mijiata and I raised the sign I made for him and he smiled at us.  That must’ve made his day…at least I hope so.

So Justin introduced the first guy—the Shaman of Sexy, Guru of Greatness, John Morrison!  When his entrance music started to play, Mijiata and I ran to the security rail in hopes of touching “greatness.”  We took pictures of him too. 

I made a sign for him as well, as he’s one of the guys I liked.  When John was waiting for his opponent, we screamed out his name and raised the sign as he looked.  He pointed at us and said something while clapping his hands.

I cannot, for the life of me, recall what exactly he said to us.  But I can only guarantee that he was happy with our sign.  Who wouldn’t be so honored to be called “The Next HBK”, right?

JoMo’s opponent was Shelton Benjamin, and we took pictures of him too, coming up the ring.  We went back to our seats when they were both in the ring, but we marked the hell out for JoMo. 

After he won, we rushed to the security rail again to snap pictures.  I remember his old entrance when he was still in MNM with Mercury and Melina, with the paparazzi.  Anyway, the crowd gave Shelton a round of applause too before he left the ring.

Next up was Evan Bourne vs. Mark Henry.  Evan came in first and I got a slap on the hand from him.  (How I wish it were JoMo instead…oh well.)  He was wearing a “Pilipinas” basketball jersey with No. 7 on it to the delight of the crowd.  Then Mark Henry came out.  Man, he IS huge.  Anyway, Mark won.

After that, it was the Divas’ turn.  It was a tag team match between Michelle McCool and Alicia Fox vs. Melina and Gail Kim, with Maria as the special guest referee.  During their respective entrances, Maria slapped my hand (really hard, like I got tagged in.) and got to rub forearms with Melina and Gail Kim. Melina and Gail won.

Next match was between Dolph Ziggler and the Great Khali.  Dolph came out first and did a promo.  All the while, I was screaming “Spirit Squad.”

He said he was going to increase the divorce rate of the country singlehandedly just by taking off his vest, and he teased us with it from all corners before he actually took it off. 

He sure would be disappointed that this is not possible, as divorce is not yet legal in the Philippines.

I gotta admit though, he’s got a nice set of abs.  But Morrison’s was much better.  BUT, really, the best set of abs is still owned by Randy Orton.

Moving on…

Khali came out next.  He got some pop from the crowd and then they started the match.  It was a fun match.  In fact, it was so much fun I forgot who won. LOL

After their match, Announcer Justin went up the ring and announced that there was going to be a short intermission.  As usual Mijiata and I went to the rail carrying my “Justin" Sign and battled with the event security to get closer. 

Justin came down and we called him over.  He obliged and approached us, and let us take his picture.  Their own security tried to block us, but he told him it was okay, so the guys didn’t bother us again.

After the brief intermission, Justin came back up to the ring and announced the next match.  It’s a triple threat match for the ECW Championship between Christian, Jack Swagger, and ECW Champ Tommy Dreamer.

Christian came out first and the electricity from the crowd was very evident.  Everyone in the ringside seats was on their feet.  Mijiata and I, as usual rushed to the barricade and ignored the security.  Come on, it’s Christian!  We took pictures of him and screamed along with everyone. 

Next came Swagger.  We cheered for him because he’s a heel, and personally I kind of like Jack.  Then the Champ came out to a huge pop too.

Before they started the match, Christian made the crowd go “boo” and “yey.”  When he points to himself and Dreamer, the crowd says “yey,” but when he points to Jack the crowd goes “boo."

He even pointed at the referee and got the crowd to go “yey” too. It was fun. 

Anyway, hell broke loose and the champion Dreamer retained his title.  He even invited a guy carrying a sign (I don’t remember what it said) from the crowd to come up to the ring.  Lucky!

Next match is for the Intercontinental Championship between Chris Jericho and Rey Mysterio with Ricky “the Dragon” Steamboat as special guest referee.

Chris Jericho went out first.  He did a promo calling us all hypocrites, which we cheered him for.  Really, if anybody else not a heel superstar would have called me that I would be introducing my fist to his face. But, he’s Jericho…and we just take everything he gives us. 

Then Rey Mysterio came out next to a really huge pop.  Kids lined up at the barricade to slap hands with him.  Then Justin introduced the guest ref., and the match was on. 

Mysterio had so many chances of using the 619 but only connected at the last attempt.  Jericho on the other hand, is a showman, and he entertains the crowd not only with the spots, and stunts but also with his in-ring antics.  Mijiata and I marked for Jericho as the kids surrounding us were screaming for Rey.

Finally…it is time for the MMMMAAAAAAIIIIIINNNNNN EEEVVVEEEENNNTTTT!!!

Justin introduced the challenger first, the extreme enigma Jeff Haaarrdddyyy!!  As usual, Mijiata and I rushed to the front.  But this time, we didn’t battle with the security that much. 

Mijiata has pleaded to him to allow us to get close just for Jeff Hardy, and just pretend like he couldn’t control us anymore.  But, everyone else rushed to the barricade as well so we actually had to battle them off to be able to take pics and touch Jeff.

Then Punk came out.  He’s definitely embracing his heel persona now, so he didn’t do much crowd pleasing.  He did throw his shirt to a girl somewhere in our side of the ring, and told her to put it on.  Unfortunately for him, the girl is a Hardy fan, and she let Punk know it screaming, “I like Hardy!” back at Punk.

The match started finally and they did some amazing spots and aerial maneuvers. One time when Jeff hit the floor, we felt the vibration up to our seats. 

But Hardy lost after a “whisper in the wind” attempt that Punk countered.  We didn’t really expect him to win, since it’s just a house show and titles don’t change hands on house shows.

We ran to the barricade again and I snuck in behind the security officer.  I managed to put the sign I made for Jeff over the barricade and Punk saw it on his way down.  It says: “JEFF HARDY THRILL RIDE WITH A PULSE” in bold colorful letters. 

He pointed at it and laughed.  I don’t know what to make of that gesture.  Was he making fun of us because Jeff lost or did he find it witty and creative and he appreciated it?  If it’s the latter, he should say so to Jim Ross because I heard it from him. He always says it on TV.

Jeff was left on the ring, getting his emotions across, that he’s disappointed and frustrated. ( I wonder if it’s because of his contract which is expiring soon?)  I called his name out and he looked, and he saw the sign and nodded a little bit. 

Anyway, he stood up and got a huge applause from the crowd even though he lost.  His music played and he went to all four corners to rev the crowd up for the last time.  He threw both his armbands out too, but we didn’t get any.

WWE’s own photographer took a picture of us holding the sign.  I checked out the pictures of their Asian tour on the website but didn’t find it.  I guess we didn’t make the cut…or the photog kept it for himself. LOL

After Jeff left, we prepared to get out of the arena.  Then suddenly, Satch’s wife approached us telling us what happened to them after we left. 

We went to where they were seated and talked a bit with Satch before we headed out. He told us how happy he was, and how everything was all worth it.  We saw them again outside and we took some pictures with them.

Then we met up with Kervin and that’s when we made up our minds to go to the hotel they were staying in.  Kervin and I went to a McDonalds and waited for Mijiata while she downloads her files to her PC.

Her MMC card has run out of memory from all the videos she took of the event.  It was already 1 in the morning when she came back, and then we proceeded to go to Ryan and Jay’s place.

We forgot what the name of their street was so we kept calling and texting Ryan to no avail as he had already fallen asleep. (How dare he?!)

After an hour of making fools of ourselves, (we did have fun though, so we forgive him), he finally picked up and we got directions to their place.  When we got there, I brushed my teeth because I just cannot last a night without doing so.  It’s an impulse.

Then after a while, we left for the hotel.  It was only around 4 in the morning then, and we were the only people outside aside from the guards. 

I guess it’s the lack of sleep mixed with the excitement that made us all act a little bit crazy than usual and we took pictures of ourselves doing crazy things, like posing like our favorite wrestlers, and going up to the superstars’ bus, and just really pester the security team.

Finally, the superstars started to come out one by one and loaded the bus.

Chris Jericho was the first one out.  He didn’t seem to be in a great mood.  Well, either that or he’s still “in character.”  He did kind of come closer to us, but didn’t sign anything.  He would look our way when we call him so we can take pictures, but he never smiled.

Total opposite of Chris Jericho was Tommy Dreamer.  He’s such a nice guy!  He took the time to pose for the cameras and take pictures with us, and signed a few autographs too.  He got in the bus after we thanked him profusely as we were just so grateful.

Out came Maria next.  She’s really nice too.  She signed autographs and allowed us to take pictures of her and with her too.  Blimey, I was too busy snapping pics that I didn’t get one of me with her.  Bummer.

Dolph Ziggler was next out.  He was supposed to go to the other bus, which was farther from us, but he came over to sign autographs and take pictures too. 

Announcer Justin Roberts came out next.  Mijiata and I brought out the sign I made him and had him sign it.  We also took pictures of him.  The one I took was so damn close I hope I didn’t blind him with the flash.

Gail Kim came out next and was also nice enough to sign autographs and have her picture taken.

Steamboat and Punk came out next, but they didn’t even stop or looked at us so we can take their pictures.  Bah!  Whatever, I never liked Punk anyway.

Some other wrestlers came out but didn’t approach us because they quickly went up the other bus.  I guess they were kind of running late for their flight.

Rey Mysterio went down the bus after he put his things down.  We took pictures of him without his mask.  Their security told him to get in the bus already, telling him the fumes from the bus is going to kill him.  Actually, the first time, I thought the security told him to get in the bus or he’ll kill Rey. But he said it again, so I heard it clearly. 

Really, the fumes were really bad that my eyes were starting to tear up and swell really bad but...it’s a small price to pay for this kind of opportunities.

Khali came out and approached us too.  He posed for the cameras and we took pictures before he went in the bus.  We asked him to come closer so we can have pictures with him and have him sign autographs. 

He said he was going to come back down, but he didn’t.  I guess he was having difficulty moving around the bus so he couldn’t come out again.  It’s okay, Khali, we understand.

And then, the moment I’ve been waiting for personally.  Jeff Hardy came out of the hotel.  He was to get in the bus that was closer to us.  He went in immediately and settled himself inside the bus. 

The rest of the gang were teasing me, saying I shouldn’t like Jeff anymore because he’s a snob and all that stuff that Punk use in his promos.   But I knew better.  And I was right.

Jeff sat at the other side of the bus, away from the sidewalk.  I went around the bus, leaving my group, running in my high heels and a few people followed me.  Jeff opened the curtain and saw us, and we screamed for him to come out for a while.

He came back down from the bus and signed autographs and took pictures with us.  He even signed my magazine with him on the cover  (Said magazine is now beautifully laminated and displayed in my room). 

He’s so cute up close.  No, Randy, I’m not replacing you with him.  That’s a promise

Anyway, Kim, another guy whom we met outside the hotel, and was a huge CM Punk mark…I mean fan, asked Jeff if he could ask Punk to come down.  Here’s what Jeff said, “Oh, no…” while laughing a little.  What does that mean?  I have a few theories.
1. Jeff was offended that someone would ask for someone else when he’s there.  I don’t think this is the case.
2. They were running late, and Jeff was already holding them up because of us.
3. Punk is a real punk that Jeff doesn’t think he’ll come down even if he asks.  That’s what I really think, personally.  But, who knows?

I didn’t even see Swagger and Benjamin come out.  I guess they had another transportation waiting at another exit like what the hotel security told us.

So, anyway, after Jeff got back on the bus, they closed the door and left for the airport.  And then we left too.  That was already around 6:30 in the morning.  I got on the train and got home around 8:00 and FINALLY got some sleep.

Well, that’s it.  The End.  Finis.  Now get outta here before I RKO your computer! LOL