Going
to Jerry's shows in Newton and Perry,
IA.
I'm
in Perry, IA on a Saturday afternoon.
Should I start right off with the usual?
Ok, why not…I got lost about 2 times and the worst was on the way to
Newton, the first town I was to stay in.
The show was to start at 7 PM and I hit town at 6 PM and didn't know
where the hotel or the event was. The
door to the National Guard Armory (NGA) opened at 6:30 and I left my hotel at
6:20 so you know I was in and out of my hotel in record time. I had to make sure I got a front row seat
after all!
I
was about 40 miles outside of
I
found the place the show was in pretty easily and just before I got there Dave
from the ICW had told someone selling
tickets that I had paid in advance so I didn't need to buy one when I got there
and they could just let me right in.
That was nice so I could just go right to ringside and claim my front
row seat. That turned out to be the best
seat in the house though I didn't know it until later in the show.
When
I walked into the place I asked where Dave was right off because he had said I
should have Jerry introduce me to him when I arrived. He likes to meet wrestling fans when they
come to his shows and it was very nice meeting him. It wasn't Jerry who introduced us but it was
one of the guys who worked for ICW.
Seems Jerry was indisposed at the time so I said I'd just hang out
outside the men's room and wait for him there.
Dave laughed and of course I didn't do that and he said Jerry should be
right out.
I
walked around and talked to a few people and looked over the goodies at the
table with items for sale. Saw some
things I might want but decided to wait a while. I went back to my seat and a few seconds
later Jerry walked in the room but didn't see me, so as he was coming my way
and was a few feet in front of me I stuck my foot out in his path like I was
going to trip him. Jerry grinned and I
stood up and hugged him. He hugged me
back and greeted me in the usual fashion-very sweet and happy to see me. (I feel so spoiled but I hope he keeps it
up…lol.)
We
talked about a few things like how wickedly cold it was and about how I got
lost twice and I couldn't find Iowa. He
laughed and said that's because it's so flat but I said the truth was I got
lost twice after I got into the state.
He then asked when I got to town and when I told him he said he got
there in the morning and was tired from the early flight. It was really just small talk but it was very
nice to see him again and to feel a lot more comfortable talking to him. I was so comfortable in fact that I started
teasing him about a luscious item I got in my inbox from his wife recently that
he knew about. It was a pic of him from
1990 (he was 27) and he was a little embarrassed. By the end of the evening I don't think he
was anymore but I gave him a new nickname, Mr. Speedo! He took it well so I think it's funny and
he's in for more teasing soon. lol. This
is the link to the pic in question and I think every female in the group should
take a look at it. btw he knows now that
the pic is on my website. Just to warn
you, it's a little A/C but he does have something on and honestly I've seen
wrestlers in less so it's not that bad.
In fact it's pretty wonderful! lol.
http://www.geocities.com/jerrylynntna/jl1990pic.html
Ok,
so after a few minutes he had to get ready for the show and it was getting
close to starting time so he went to talk to the sound guy and I took my seat
in the front row.
The
first few matches were pretty good and even with a small crowd (about 60) they
still entertained and at intermission some came out to the table to sell items
and autograph pictures and other things and get their pictures taken with
fans. That was when I took the
opportunity to snag some candids of the crowd and of Jerry. He was so cute. He saw me and gave me a big silly grin and
waved. I'm only slightly better at
getting pics with my digital but that one turned out so good so I can't wait to
share it. His wife had left a comment
for one similar to it in my myspace photos so I told him that one was for her.
lol.
When
it was time for the second half of the show I grabbed my seat in the front row
again and as in the first half there was an open seat next to me. I didn't really think about it but during the
main event it came in handy. I had never
seen anyone do this before, so no it wasn't used as a weapon in the match.
Jerry and his opponent were running the ropes criss-crossing with each
other and suddenly Jerry slid out of the ring without the other guy knowing it
and planted himself in the seat next to me.
I looked at him and he just crossed his arms and watched the other guy
run the ropes and then he ran to ringside, crouched down and grabbed the guy's
foot from behind and tripped him. It was
so funny and the guy didn't know what hit him.
Jerry did have to pick up the stuff I had sitting in that chair and hand
it to me before he sat down so after the show I said next time he should let
someone know when he needs the seat next to them. We laughed about it and he said it wasn't
planned. It was just too cute and funny. It's just one of the many funny things I've
seen Jerry do in his matches but it was the first and possibly the only one I
would be personally involved in so it will always be my favorite moment in one
of his matches.
The
Interstate Title was on the line and a new champ was crowned but I'm sorry to
say it wasn't Jerry. Not sure when I'll
get to see him win another title as TNA seems to have him moving in a different
direction now and away from the hunt for the X-Division title. I don't understand that but I hope this feud
with Daniels will be a nice long run for him.
So far the only thing in his matches and storyline that isn't
disappointing has been seeing him wrestle again. The crowds just love him so I don't know
what's wrong with the creative team in TNA but they better get their heads
outta their butts soon or they will be disappointing fans big time! Not just Jerry's fans but TNA fans as
well. You see and hear it every time
he's in the ring. They love him like no
other and yet TNA seems to either get writer's block where he is concerned or
they don't know how to carry his
storylines to it's completion.
Ok
I guess I went off on a tangent here.
Back to my evening. I forgot to
mention that as Jerry did the run around the ring slapping hands he took it
easy on me. I was the last one before he
got in the ring and instead of slapping my hand he smiled at me and gave my
hand a little squeeze. That was sweet
and it was the first time I had ever been close enough to enjoy the contact
with wrestlers heading to the ring.
Later
when he lost the title to the cheating new champ he was telling the referee that
the guy cheated and looked right at me pointing and asking me to confirm
it. Naturally I did but the ref just
shrugged and didn't change the outcome since he conveniently hadn't seen it.
lol. Jerry wasn't a sore loser but his
opponent did pay for cheating to win. He
ended up on the wrong end of a cradle piledriver and the crowd loved it! Jerry walked out of the ring and the champ
had to crawl out and limp to the back.
That
was the last match so I decided to hang around and help a little with breaking
things down so I helped fold up the steel chairs and stack them along a wall to
be taken out to a truck. I talked to
some of the workers after that and to a few of the other fans there. I also took the opportunity to talk to Chad,
the guy running the camera. He was nice
to talk to and he told me his myspace profile so I will look him up when I get
back home and maybe make a new friend.
While
they broke down the ring I was standing off to the side reading what it said on
the back of a DVD I bought when Jerry walked up to me and asked if I was
hanging around. I told him I assisted
with the chairs and he said he needed to change and we could talk a little when
he was ready to leave so I waited around
longer and sure enough he came back out a little later and we stood and talked
a while. I had some things I wanted to
share with him that I told him I would have so after we talked I left and I
presume he did too. I didn't see him
leave but there wasn't much to hang around for so I last saw him at around
10-10:30. Now I'm in Perry, IA about 62
miles west of Newton and I'm excited about the show tonight! I'll let you all know how it goes.
Stay
tuned for part 2.