WWE Fan Axxess: Live Report From The Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles
The following events took place between 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. at WWE's Fan Axxess at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.
The WWE is in full on hype mode heading into one of its biggest pay-per-views of the year, WWE SummerSlam, which will be held in Los Angeles.
The decision to hold a WWE Fan Axxess event, similar to the promotional event of the same name held during Wrestlemania week, was made just last year and the WWE's second annual SummerSlam fan Axxess provided fans and wrestling enthusiasts with the unique opportunity to meet and be entertained by the superstars of World Wrestling Entertainment.
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I attended the afternoon session earlier today, which featured appearances by MVP, Kofi Kingston, Rey Mysterio, WWE Champion Sheamus, Drew McIntyre, Ted DiBiase, and Evan Bourne in a match, and an interview with Chris Jericho and the Bella Twins.
12:00 p.m.
(A mystery masked man and I) bypass what would have been a horrendous wait for media check in. I've never been to one of these before, but as we walk by the sights and sounds of fan Axxess it is easily comparable to a theme park for marks (not that there's anything wrong with that).
After checking in, we are able to survey the scene. There's a unique, fairground feel with multiple booths set up advertising various activities.
Fans can create an entrance, sign up for the Army, preview the new Smackdown vs. RAW 2011 video game, and take pictures with their favorite wrestler more or less.
12:15 p.m.
After surveying for a while it quickly became apparent who the bigger stars were, even to the naked (unsmarked) eye. This whole fan Axxess ordeal seems to be a subtle test performed by the WWE powers that be to see who really draws.
From my guestimation, the biggest lines went to the following wrestlers (in order of popularity).
- Sheamus*
- Drew McIntyre*
- Rey Mysterio (VIP line)
- Vickie Guerrero
- Maryse
- Goldust
- Kofi Kingston
- MVP
- Hornswoggle/Jillian Hall/Melina
*It's worth noting that during the session I attended, Sheamus and Drew McIntyre were positioned in the featured platform which had the biggest backdrop and would naturally draw more fans.
Drew McIntyre did not appear to have any bruises from Tiffany, and as he sat next to Sheamus I think I heard Sheamus ask "did she post bail, fella?" Okay, no I didn't.
MVP and Kofi Kingston's signing sessions occurred during the same time the Bourne vs. DiBiase match and Jericho/Bella twins interviews took place, thus drawing fewer fans although still attracting their share of attention.
The politics just never end for this company, do they?
12:25 p.m.
As the festivities went on we were more drawn to what was going on in the ring. Legendary WWE ring announcer, and one of a small handful of assumed WWE lifers, Howard Finkel and an obscure WWE employee (his name was Christian. No, not that Christian) were entertaining fans with trivia, games, well-placed hype, and prizes.
The two did a great job filling time without appearing to be 'stretching' until the scheduled matches and interviews to take place in the ring later.
12:50 p.m.
As we made our way back to the ring after a refreshment break, Howard Finkel and Christian were gathering contestants for a WWE trivia game. In conjunctions with demands made, in confidentiality, by Linda McMahon's campaign, mostly children were selected to participate.
I was there on assignment, so I was more than happy as simply an observer, however the trivia game to be played would have been quite interesting with somebody like me involved.
The game was "Name a superstar," (not to be confused with name that superstar). The object was for all the contestants to name a WWE superstar one by one, past or present, without repeating a name that was already said. The last child standing wins.
Being the mischievous, cynical, smart alec, I am, I would have salivated at the opportunity to name names designed to make WWE producers on hand uncomfortable.
I would have contributed the following former WWE Superstars:
Rest assured I would have been disqualified. Assuming the timekeeper rang the bell upon my disqualification, I'd say it would be worth it.
1:50 p.m.
The advertised match between Evan Bourne and Ted DiBiase is set to take place. Advertised at around 1:30, the two are fashionably late, however it is difficult to tell with the bang-up job Howard Finkel and WWE employee Christian are doing in the ring.
Finkel's sharp improv ability and quickness on the mic make me imagine what a great heel manager he would have made if there were still a market for it.
Just imagine him accompanying an upstart superstar to the ring and cutting off the WWE ring announcer as he insists on doing his own, personal announcement for the superstar in question.
2:10 p.m.
New WWE ring announcer, and my future baby's mama in a perfect world, Jaime Keyes makes her way to the ring. There wasn't too much cheering going on for her as most of the males in the audience were still trying to pick their jaws up from the fold.
Tanned, toned, and cheat-on-your-wife hot, this girl is even more beautiful live.
Ted DiBiase is introduced to the ring accompanied by Maryse. Maryse, who also looks stunning in person, has an aerosol can in hand and is spraying a substance all over her legs.
DiBiase receives a lot of heat as an assortment of "Ted Sucks" posters could be spotted throughout the audience.
Evan Bourne is introduced next. Bourne receives healthy cheers from the audience, including one man who, according to his undying support for Bourne, may or may not have been the president of the Evan Bourne fan club.
DiBiase cut a heel promo saying he doesn't suck on a count of he wasn't from L.A. DiBiase insisted that Maryse is not a gold digger, and that he was born into wealth, gifted, and better than all of you people.
DiBiase complained on two separate occasions of suffering from sunburn and that he did not want to be out there.
No word yet as to whether this was a shoot.
2:17 p.m.
The match starts. DiBiase works Bourne over in the corner with a series of kicks. Bourne quickly comes back with a heel kick, much to DiBiase's dismay.
DiBiase teases going to the back with Maryse, and is even counted out, however DiBiase calls a timeout to get his stuff together.
DiBiase eventually gets back into the ring and gains the advantage over Bourne before being back dropped out of the ring.
Maryse gets involved as Bourne attempts to get back in the ring, and the momentary distraction allows DiBiase to once again gain the upper hand by knocking Bourne off of the apron.
DiBiase goes on the offensive, connecting with a suplex followed by a series of mounted right hands. DiBiase works Bourne over in the corner, and connects with an Irish whip to the opposite corner.
The ever so deliberate DiBIase locks on a chokehold as the fans get behind Bourne with "Air Bourne" chants (similar to the Goldberg chants back in WCW) and chants of "Evan."
The President of the Evan Bourne fan club is most fervent in his support, screaming out "you can do it, Evan!" and "we believe in you, Evan!"
It's always refreshing to see fans who aren't as insufferably jaded as myself. Fortunately, they make up about 90 percent of the WWE's fanbase as opposed to people like me who proudly considers himself a 'ten percenter'.
As Bourne mounts his comeback, he is cutoff by Ted DiBiase's patented running clothesline off the ropes.
DiBiase continues working Bourne over in the corner. While the referee is distracted by DiBiase, Maryse slaps Bourne and DiBiase follows up with a nearfall.
DiBiase is doing a good job of continuing to preen to get heat as he lands the majority of the offense. DiBiase returns to another chokehold as the fans get behind Evan Bourne.
Bourne mounts a second, more successful comeback as he hits his patented diving double knee drop as the action picks up. Bourne continues the offense with leg kicks, a running Hurricanrana, and a dropkick in the corner for the nearfall.
As Bourne picks up DiBiase, DiBiase goes for his Dream Street finisher, which is countered by Evan Bourne. As Bourne charges DiBiase, DiBiase catches Bourne with a powerslam and another nearfall.
"Evan" chants begin building up once again. As DiBiase attempts to pick up Evan Bourne, Bourne connects with a kick to the head. Evan Bourne goes up top, but his high risk attempt is thwarted by Ted DiBiase, who climbs the turnbuckle and connects with a series of right hands.
Bourne fights off DiBiase, with DiBiase eventually falling back down to the mat followed by Bourne connecting smoothly with his Air Bourne finisher.
Winner: Evan Bourne
A good match with great energy as these two seem to have great chemistry together. Both seem to be in unfavorable positions on the totem pole at the moment, and a rivalry between the two moving forward would make sense and only improve their standing if they were given the time.
How many stars would I give this match? I don't play with stars. That's for pious wrestling purists and Bruce Lee.
2:28 p.m.
Chris Jericho and the Bella Twins are introduced by Howard Finkel (but of course not in that order). The scheduled Q&A session with (pre selected) questions from the fan audience is scheduled to take place.
Meanwhile, MVP and Kofi Kingston have been placed at separate booths to sign autographs. Again, politics, bro.
Question (for the Bella Twins): Since you've been in the WWE, has it been everything you've expected and more?
Answer (Brie and Nikki switching off, I couldn't tell the difference and neither can you): "Oh definitely. It's been quite the journey, we've had so much fun, we've toured around the world with the WWE superstars and It's a dream come true.
"We have also had some pretty rockin' clothes and shoes...
"...and not to mention our fans kick butt, we have the WWE universe!
"and Nikki Being single I like all my hotties out there too, boys.
"I'm chaperoning the date..."
Question (for Chris Jericho): Tell me your thoughts going into tomorrow...
(Jericho says hi to MVP and shouts out team beard, who is the team of wrestlers who grew beards while overseas on a tour of Iraq.)
"This storyline with Nexus is one of the most exciting thins we've had for a while. I'm really excited about it, there's a good buzz going on. It's not the match itself, it's the story and all the little twists and turns. Will Nexus be vanquished? We'll have to wait and see."
Question (for Chris Jericho): Can you do it 6 (Team Cena, featuring Jericho with six members) on 7 (team Nexus with seven members), Chris? Or does that make a difference?
"As long as I'm on the team it really doesn't matter."
Question (for Bellas): What lead you to become a WWE Diva?
"It's the one job where you can kick girls' butts and look hot doing it!"
Question (for Jericho): How did you get to become as Godly as you are now?
"I started watching wrestling when I was eight or nine years old from my grandmothers basement so it's always something I wanted to do and when I started I was kind of a smaller guy and everyone's like 'you can't do this, you'll never be a wrestler, you never do this...'
"Never listen to anybody who tells you you can't do something, because they're usually the people who failed...Godly? I'm not sure, maybe like a demi like a low God."
Question (for Jericho): Chris Jericho should be the opening act for Van Halen, whaddya think?
"When I started, like I said, I was kind of a smaller guy so [I asked] 'How can I be the biggest personality on the show, how can I make the best mark with charisma?' so I did a lot of David Lee Roth type catch phrases and stuff like that so it would be great because Dave's the man."
Question (for the Bella Twins): How can people tell you guys apart?
"Nikki Bella: Nikki was blessed with more booty!"
Question (for Chris Jericho): If given the opportunity, could you end the Undertaker's undefeated streak?
"Absolutely I could. That's why The Undertaker is 18-0 because he's never faced me at Wrestlemania. Sure there's Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair, but other than that it's just a bunch of Tijuana Taxi Drivers so of course he's got the undefeated streak."
Question (for Chris Jericho): Can you headline Wrestlemania 27 in Atlanta?
"I can do whatever I want."
Question (for Chris Jericho): If you could go back in time and wrestle anybody that you have not wrestled in your illustrious career, who would it be?
"Randy Savage in about 1988 I think would be a good match for me, Dynamite Kid, absolutely...Bret Hart in '93-94. But the one guy I always wanted to wrestle but I never got to, because he was like my hero, was Owen Hart. My three idols as a kid were Shawn Michaels, Ricky Steamboat, and Owen Hart. I got to work with Shawn and Ricky but never with Owen."
Overall, it was a very entertaining interview with Jericho clearly being the star and the Bella Twins contributing their own personalities throughout.
Jericho's answers, as always, were frank, somewhat self-serving, and at times funny while the Bella Twins seemed to answer more concisely as they provided back and forth responses as they do when in character.
Other highlights from the interview included Jericho discussing a planned match with Shaquille O'Neal for Wrestlemania 25, and the Bella Twins admitting that Al Sharpton was the worst RAW guest host of all time. Can't argue too much with that.
We left shortly after as an enjoyable day did its job in creating anticipation and buzz for WWE SummerSlam.
Big Nasty is the editor of The Big Nasty Athletic Dept. Log on to twitter at twitter.com/bignasty247 and follow him until he presses charges!
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