I have met a few stars before Percy (including hanging out with Goldberg a few weeks before), but Percy was the first one that I got the chance to meet, pick up from the airport (in my own car, it wasnt my car when getting Goldberg), and work with for the weekend.
Percy was one of the managers I had a lot of respect for and idolized. Not as a drooling star struck fan, but more of a manager with respect and admiration - a peer. The Pro Wrestling Shirt Shop (evil shutter) was doing a Fan Fest the weekend of WrestleMania in 2006. It wasnt a big Fan Convention (because of lack of knowledge and stubborness that those that put it together had on how it should be, since they thought they knew it all), just a small fan fest with local groups hocking their wares and promoting themselves, trivia contest, video game tournament, and carnival games (wasnt thought to work, but the carnival games worked for some reason). I was one to suggest Percy Pringle as the guest. He was one of a few I would die to meet (others are Bobby Heenan, Sunny, Undertaker, Roddy Piper and Hulk Hogan - Sunny I got the chance to work with at a signing recently , and Hogan I have met in passing but didnt get a photo with him).
So I contacted Percy in email, and negotiated everything, and got it finalized (first time with me booking tickets, I made the mistake and booked airfare before contacting Percy - lets see there was 2 sets of ticket options booked. I still owe Bigg for that - But I learned from it.) The day came to pick him up. At the time, I wasnt use to the airport. I have never flown in my life, and only have dropped people off there. So Me, Nick (who felt he had to go since "Percy knew him"), and Shannon go to pick up Percy at the airport. We wait for him to come off the flight, and low and behold here he comes. He only had his carryon, so off we go to the car.
We stop to have a late dinner before he turns in at the hotel. So we picked the Denny's by the airport. I did not know what to expect at all. First he is truly southern, and a great person to sit and talk with. Extremely friendly and everything. He was able to have me on the floor laughing from some of his "southern" jokes he was making. We all get our meals, and I start to take a drink out of one of my favorite drinks (Milk), when I realize Im about to get ribbed majorly. He starts cracking jokes at me for being a man and drinking milk. in that Percy Pringle/Paul Bearer voice he does. At that time I felt totally relaxed, and felt like, for once in the major spectrum, one of the boys. We just talked about the business from both stand points, and just listened to road stories. We covered dinner, and took him back to his hotel room, to crash, as the next day was an early start for both. When I got home, I looked up a few things, and noticed that Percy's birthday was the following week. So I came up with a little plan to surprise him a little.
The next morning, I was a little early to get him, so I waited in the lobby til he came down. He asked why I didnt call upstairs, and I told him I was early, and it wasn't the time we worked out, and I didnt want to bother him. We got in the car and stopped to grab a quick bite at Jack in The Box. He also bought this time, despite my arguments since he was a guest, but I also learned when to listen to the vets and let them do their own thing. While in the car, he even pulls a rib on someone back home from his Gulf Coast Wrestling. Then we head down to the venue, a good 20 minute drive, and just chew the fat (no jokes there anyone). We talked about everything from his gastric bypass, to family, to previous trips to St. Louis, working with the WWE, and more. We get to the venue (I had been there earlier in the morning to help set up, drop off people, and make sure things are going smooth), and get ready for him to go in. I had set up something with the host and everyone, to sing happy birthday to him when he came in. In he goes and everyone sings to him. He was very touched. So we get to our area, and sit and get started. He was just the greatest with everyone. He signs for everyone, takes pictures, acts funny with everyone, and just makes it a blast totally for all involved including me.
I get up to take care of a few things and leave someone else there to help him out. One mistake was leaving my phone there. I knew I should have known better, with how Billy Bob/Kerry OKay always grabs my phone to snap pictures or whatnot, But since he wasnt there I didnt think anything about it. I went around to check things, and came back. Went to use my phone, and noticed a picture of Percy sticking out his tongue on the phone as my background.
He took quite a few pictures with the phone. :) He helped me to learn - "Dont trust anyone" :).
Another thing he did was hilarious. We had him sign a stack of photos. One of them didnt copy at all (just the top of the photo - bascially his hairline and thats it). He took it upon himself to draw in the rest of picture - and signed it, and personalized it. Lets say that it wont be shown out of respect, and embarrassment ;) (But lets say he took alot of creative liberties with the picture). But he is quick on alot of things, in humor, and it was a great weekend.
Later on he walked around the place to check it out, just like one of the fans. He enjoyed the set up of it, and some things he didnt think would work, or thought of to have at a fan fest, worked. He was also a blast at the trivia portion. He kept throwing out answers - most of which was just one person's name (Mae Young) - one I think he had a crush on years ago before getting married (Even I dont have HER on my mind that much Percy - ha ha). After the event, we tore down, and had a few drinks and just bullshitted some more.
Then we went out to eat at a local restaurant, and talked and BS'ed some more. It was a great experience, and I Thank Percy from the bottom of my heart for making it a good experience, and something I would remember. Percy deserves to be in a Hall of Fame, Bottom Line. I hope I can call you friend some day, and thank you for teaching me more about the business than you know. It has helped to improve me. But next time, I will get a rib over on you (or perhaps you could help me pull one on Dave Hebner? :) ) Your faith too helped me to reclaim my faith that I lost after the loss of my mother to lung cancer.
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