When The Sinners Go Marching In
John Corrigan reflects on WrestleMania weekend in New Orleans.
This is the story all about how Brian Buchter was the last fan Alberto El Patron talked to before he was eradicated from professional wrestling.
It was WrestleMania weekend in New Orleans. Joined by the aforementioned Buc, longtime WWE Network provider Rob and travel agent/trip organizer Slap, I embarked on my sixth WrestleMania adventure, returning to the Big Easy with booze and Bliss on my mind.
As soon as we touched down at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, we were greeted by WrestleMania signs and wallpaper. The streets of downtown New Orleans were plastered in WrestleMania banners showcasing top stars such as Brock Lesnar, AJ Styles and newest addition to the roster, former UFC superstar Ronda Rousey. It feels like WWE has taken over the city, the one time of the year wrestling becomes cool in the mainstream conversation. Walking amongst your fellow fans all decked out in their favorite wrestling shirts, screaming “Wooo!” and Too-Sweeting each other, is simply nirvana.
NOLA was full of surprises – you never knew which wrestling star you’d bump into next. Charles Robinson was super friendly and gracious to pose for a photo at Fat Tuesday’s. “Wonderful Willie” Bill Apter introduced me to The Rock’s mom and daughter. James Ellsworth rode with us on the flight back to Philly. Eli Drake was in line with me at Fuddruckers. And as per new WrestleMania tradition, I got a pic with Sam Roberts, praising him for his pro wrestling journalism episode.
From munching on beignets and craw fish hush puppies to slurping Hurricanes and Hand Grenades, from crooning next to Pat O’Brien’s dueling pianos to marveling at street performances worthy of the Super Bowl Halftime Show, it was 72 hours of merriment.
And then we went to the Redemption press conference.
Full disclosure: I had no idea what to expect when Impact Wrestling invited media and the public to the Royal St. Charles Hotel on Friday afternoon. I was hoping we’d be able to get a seat and see Austin Aries and Patron up close, maybe get a couple shots to post on the site. Nothing more, just a free, unique experience.
I’ve never been happier to be wrong. There was like 20 people waiting in the hallway – that’s it. Josh Matthews walked by and thanked us for coming. We’d be seated in a spacious conference room (second row!) and watch the Impact Global Champion exchange words with his challenger. Then we’d be invited to ask questions. By the looks of it, I figured I could get grab a few free photos with the stars as well.
As Buc and I are drunkenly giggling over our fortune, a tall, jacked man in a suit softly says to Buc, “excuse me.” We turn around and gasp as Alberto El Fucking Patron sashays through the hallway and into the room. Little did we know how historic that moment would soon become.
Obviously, the press conference wasn’t limited to verbal abuse. Aries and Patron brawled almost into our laps, knocking down Sonjay Dutt in the process. As a result, Patron stormed out, leaving Aries to answer questions from the audience for the next 20 minutes. Since then, Patron no-showed the Lucha Underground/Impact joint show later that night, and has been subsequently fired.
As for the press conference, it was insane, entertaining and so damn worth it. In a weekend filled with incredible highlights – from Charlotte being ready for Asuka to standing nearly the entire mixed tag match and losing my shit over Ronda getting rowdy to eventually losing my voice over Lesnar’s shocking victory – Impact Wrestling stood out the most.
Thank you, New Orleans. The good times sure did roll.
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