My Impact Wrestling VIP Experience
John Corrigan attended Bound For Glory and two nights of tapings in Queens.
I’ve been an Impact Wrestling fan since the Asylum, begging my parents to shell out 10 bucks every couple of months so I could stay up on a school night to see Jeff Jarrett, AJ Styles and the Sinister Minister. When Impact became an actual thing on Fox Sports Net, staying up was even more exciting because it aired at midnight on Saturdays/Sundays. I stayed with the growing promotion from its debut on Spike TV to the second, albeit short-lived Monday Night War. Broken Matt Hardy lured me back in. With so much late-night intimacy, Impact Wrestling treated me like a VIP.
When it was announced that Bound For Glory would be coming to New York City, I wasn’t worried about staying up.
I vowed to show up.
Since Don Callis and Scott D’Amore have taken over the helm, the company has been revitalized. They’ve packed the roster with fresh, hungry talent, cherry-picking buzzworthy indie names and bringing back beloved pioneers. Instead of the homogenized, over-produced “entertainment” on the USA Network, Impact feels unpredictable and organic – storylines are adult-oriented and carefully crafted, given time to breathe and play out. Wrestlers have the creative freedom to experiment, injecting their genuine personality into their characters.
Impact Wrestling is simply more fun. I wanted to be a part of it.
Despite my frugal tendency (I mooched off my friend’s WWE Network account for four years), I splurged on the Bound For Glory VIP package after hearing good things from past buyers such as @migueljoto & @zasar909. For three nights of front row action, plus other special events and photo ops, it came out to $460 – less than the plane ticket to New Orleans alone. Choosing to drive the two hours from Philadelphia to Queens (and 90 minutes back), I saved on a hotel, food, Uber/taxi and even parking. Valet cost only 15 bucks for BFG…but the Melrose Ballroom didn’t offer it the other nights. Luckily, I found two spots on the street near the ballroom, and my car was still there!
Let me preface that I skipped half of the special events, including the Survivor watch party with Johnny Impact, the Hall of Fame ceremony and Mario Kart. But three nights of the best seat in the house (front row, third seat from the entrance ramp, hard camera) for such incredible action was well worth the money.
This is my third time and @IMPACTWRESTLING VIP is the BEST wrestling experience for fans.
— 🌲 (@TrinaDeLaSuerte) October 14, 2018
VIP received early access into BFG and a small discount on all merchandise. In a missed opportunity for event sponsor COMDA Advertising Connections, there were no bags to carry your T-shirts. However, the promotional products distributor certainly covered most of its bases, handing out free, branded, illuminated pens and koozies to all attendees. VIP also received gift bags with an Impact DVD and COMDA-branded water bottle, rally towel and coasters. Michael Warren, president of COMDA, looked to be having a blast all three nights.
There were plenty of familiar faces backstage and in the crowd, including Gary Michael Cappetta, Synergy standout Stevie Shields and rising indie sensation Ace Austin. The WrestlePro roster disassembled and then quickly reassembled the ring for the Concrete Jungle match.
(Instead of discussing each match, I’ll share my thoughts on a few performers as well as the crowd’s reactions in a separate story.)
After BFG ended, VIP was asked to visit the merch table for a photo opportunity with an assortment of Impact stars such as Matt Sydal, Brian Cage, Rich Swann, Ethan Page and McKenzie Mitchell. Ross Forman, head of media relations, took everybody’s photos and did a great job making the VIP feel appreciated throughout the entire trip. (He also looks like the love child of Rob Corddry and Andre from The League.) Sydal was lively, making comments about everyone. Cage actually hung around before each show, signing autographs and posing for pics with anyone who approached him.
On Monday, VIP was invited to Game Night in the back room of the Mad Donkey Bar & Grill, a dive near the ballroom with awful $1.50 tacos. Fans were separated into teams with an Impact star assigned to most of them. Allie seemed preoccupied and concerned, constantly checking her phone before having to leave only a few minutes after sitting down. She was replaced by LAX, who were much more reserved than what you see on TV. Conversely, KM and Fallah Bahh were exactly how you’d imagine, with Bahh going the extra mile to show up in his wrestling attire and flip flops. Konnan showed up halfway through and joined Bahh’s team, laid back and chill as always.
Apparently, KM always comes in last at these events, but at least he enjoys himself. He felt like a Father Judge guy, cracking jokes and admitting to knowing nothing about his colleagues. In his defense, the questions were ridiculous – multiple choices about which wrestlers played certain sports in high school and who they’re favorite Yankee and Red Sox players are. Regardless, it was a fun time and definitely something you should add to your bucket list.
After Game Night, VIP was taken to the ballroom for a special photo op on the stage with all of the current champions (LAX with Konnan, Johnny Impact, Tessa Blanchard and Brian Cage). Cellphone photos weren’t allowed as a professional photographer snapped the pics. We’re supposed to receive a link to download the photos in a few days.
Attendance was definitely down from the pay-per-view, but general admission was first come, first serve, so you could get a great seat for probably less money. Fewer fans didn’t mean less noise, though, as the intimate venue was rocking the entire two and a half hours of taping. Impact did its share of goodwill, inviting the Marines, Boys and Girls Club and a local school basketball team to the shows.
After the taping, VIP had the chance for a photo op with Tommy Dreamer and GOOD GAWD ALMIGHTY, the jaw-dropping, pulsating, breathtakingly gorgeous Scarlett Bordeaux!
On the last night, attendance was at its lowest, which is a shame because it was the best night of action. Rich Swann vs. Willie Mack, Tessa Blanchard vs. Taya Valkyrie, LAX vs. Sydal & Page, Lucha Bros vs. OGs, Killer Kross vs. Impact…it was like a second PPV! Plus, some popular indie talents made their debut, and The Smokeshow finally appeared before the crowd.
Best of all, Eddie Edwards and Moose tore the building apart in an epic war that is easily in the top 3 greatest matches I’ve ever seen in person.
After the taping, VIP was invited to a photo op with Homicide, Hernandez and Eddie Kingston. The Notorious 187 was quiet, but Hernandez and King were very welcoming and grateful for the support. It will forever fascinate me how skilled these performers are, transforming into completely different people when the cameras are on.
Overall, Impact Wrestling went above and beyond for its fans, especially VIP ticket holders. I highly recommend you splurge on the experience if you get the chance. Recruit some friends if you can, because while everybody was super friendly, the special events are definitely more fun with peeps you know.
Believe the hype…Impact Wrestling is earning back one fan at a time.
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