Big Show Autograph Signing report
April 13, 2012
Belfast, N. Ireland at Smyths Toy Shop
Report by Adam C, PWTorch reader

The autograph signing for IC champion officially started at 3:30 p.m., so I was there bright and early, remembering how long the queue was for William Regal back in '08 when he was coincidentally also Intercontinental Champion at the time. I browsed a bit to kill time, then joined the queue, and ended up around the tenth person to meet him. I was amused for around two hours at the conversations of two very different wrestling fans in front. One seemed hooked on every WWE storyline, playing up her hatred for John Laurinaitis and Eve. The other was a Ring of Honor diehard who kept calling Daniel Bryan by Bryan Danielson and he voiced his displeasure that Tyler Black had been in development "for ages." He kept saying, "Don't they know he's a former ROH champion?"...

Quite a large bus drove by with windows blacked out and it parked at an alternate entrance at the back of the shop. The fans erupted for the bus driving past as various nosey old men walking on by kept asking what the fuss was about. After telling them that it was a "wrassler," they smirked and walked on. Thankfully, we were spared stories of how much better (and real) it was in their day, tales of World of Sport and Big Daddy.

After Big Show had been seated, we were warned by employees that his PR person requested that there will be no posing for photos, but they can be taken as long as it doesn't have a flash. This was quite disappointing for those dreaming of a photo with Big Show locking on a headlock, but alas. In addition, only one item could be signed.

Once we got into the actual store - we'd been queuing up outside - any disappointment vanished at amazement at his size. My younger brother and his friend got their WWE Title belts signed and my brother was ecstatic for a high-five.

Show looked quite tired, but understandably so and had one earphone in. I started with a statement Michael Cole would have been proud of - "You know, Show, the '80s can have their Road Warriors, but Jeri-Show will always be my favorite tag team." He cracked a heartwarming smile and said, "Thanks, man." He also found humor in my account of his WWE debut at St. Valentine's Massacre in 1998 containing one of my all-time favorite Michael Cole moments. After hearing my impression of Cole, he laughed, which made my day.

I'd definitely go to another autograph signing, as it was worth it from his high-five to my younger brother to his huge smile to oveall coming across like an overall nice guy. In all this wonder and amazement, I didn't even realize he didn't bring the most beautiful belt in the entire WWE with him.

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