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SATURDAY THOUGHTS: IMPRESSIONS AND NOTES FROM TODAY'S LEGENDS OF THE RING CONVENTION

I just returned from the Sixth Legends of the Ring convention in Carteret, NJ.  Sadly, as it turns out, AWA legend Verne Gagne was unable to fly and attend the event.  Greg Gagne was telling those who asked that his father was dealing with dementia, and unfortunately, is likely not up to making any future appearances.  Obviously, we wish the Gagne family all the best.

The remainder of the event was well organized and run, as is usually the case with this event.  

Some Misc. thoughts on the gathering - Curtis "Mr." Hughes looks like a completely different person as he's slimmed down and muscular.  I had met him dozens of time during his ECW tenure and walked right past him initially, not realizing it was him....Damian Demento was plugging the hell out of an online radio show he's doing, which I'll hopefully get information for shortly....Duane "Gillberg" Gill seemed to be the most touched of anyone at the convention while Booker T went above and beyond the call of duty to....Thomas "Mambo" Rivera's Wrestling Reunion cleaned up with appearances by Sharmell and Ivan Putski, who brought along his old WWF Tag Team title belt that he held with Tito Santana....The longest line for any one performer had to go to Kevin Nash, who was raking in the money big-time....Chris Masters spent a long time talking to Nash after he was done with his scheduled signing....Ultimo Dragon appeared absolutely thrilled to be part of the event and had the biggest smile of anyone, fan or performer, in attendance, the entire time he was milling about....I heard nothing but wonderful things about Greg Gagne's dealing with fans today and he was very apologetic about his father not appearing....Larry Hennig appeared to be walking with a limp, the result of all the years of the abuse he took in the ring during his career....The trio that seemed to be the most joyous sitting together were Demolition and Mr. Fuji, who obviously were having a ball being together again....In talking to Barry Darsow, he mentioned that of all the personas he's portrayed, his favorite by far was the Black Top Bully....Shane Douglas told several fans that he had turned down a WWE announcing offer to be part of the ECW on Sci Fi show.

I really thought promoters Terrance Breeman and Three Count promotions hit another homerun with the event.  The have a return event scheduled for 10/10-10/11 featuring an Iron Sheik Roast dinner, plus signings with the likes of Raven, Konnan, The Killer Bees, WWE Hall of Famer Don Muraco, Glacier of WCW Blood Runs Cold fame, Wendi Richter and more.  For details, visit www.legendsofthering.com. Thomas Rivera will be bringing in Raymond Rougeau, Bruno Sammartino and Pedro Morales for the event. I believe it's the first time Morales and Bruno have appeared together at a convention.

 

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