Tuesday, November 11, 2025

My Signed WWE Event Post from June 29, 2003

All the way back in 2003 the WWE announced a house show at the Augusta Civic Center for June 29th and I was determined to get front row seats.  At that time the Augusta Civic Center's ticketing was done in house so you could only by tickets by phone or in person.  Also the box office opened at 8am on on sale dates and not until 10 am for phone orders.

I made the decision that I was going to stand inline all night long to get tickets, arriving at 1030pm and there was already several people in line.  The front of the line had been there since 7pm.  When tickets went on sale at 8am there was two windows, thankfully I was able to secure the very last two front row seats they had.

The day before the event I was leaving work and when I got to the traffic light on Union Street at the intersection of State Street I looked to my right and there on the telephone pole was an event poster advertising the show.  This could have only been on the pole a couple days at most, I jumped out of my vehicle and took the poster of pole.


Here are the results of the show if you are interested..

June 29, 2003 Civic Center Augusta, ME

SmackDown! Brand
Featured Vince McMahon as a guest of the Brother Love Show
The Basham’s: Doug & Danny w/ Shaniqua defeated Chris Benoit & Rhyno when Benoit was pinned after Rhyno accidentally Gored him
The Ultimo Dragon defeated Jamie Noble w/ Nidia
The FBI: Nunzio, Chuck Palumbo, & Johnny Stamboli defeated Spanky & The Acolytes: Bradshaw & Ron Simmons when Stamboli pinned Spanky
Torrie Wilson defeated Dawn Marie and Nidia in a bikini contest after Sable came out and a cat fight ensued with Torrie Wilson. 
Cruiserweight Champion: Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Billy Kidman
“Mr. Ass” Billy Gunn w/ Torrie Wilson defeated “MV1” Matt Hardy
Triple Threat Elimination Match: WWE Tag Team Champions:  Eddie Guerrero & Tajiri defeated World’s Greatest Tag Team: Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas and Sean O'Haire & Albert; Albert & O'Haire were eliminated via disqualification after Guerrero pretended he had been hit with one of the title belts; Guerrero pinned Haas
WWE Heavyweight Champion: Brock Lesnar & Kurt Angle defeated the Big Show & John Cena when Lesnar pinned Cena with the F5.

On April 15, 2006 my buddy Rood and I had tickets to go to Lynn, Massachusetts for Big Time Wrestling and we bought front row well in advance because of the advertised main event. Leading up to that show it was announced the John Cena would be doing a signing in Burlington just a short drive from Lynn, tickets were cheap, just $25 for a combo, so we bought those right up.

However in the weeks leading up to the event it became quite sketchy. Ticket prices started going up, we didn't have to pay more but it was now $50 for a combo, and then for $150 you could buy a VIP private meet and greet before the general meet and greet. But I was assured we were all set still because we bought early.


Day of the event close to 3,000 people showed up, local police had to be called in to quell the crowd. The organizer was not at all organized and line control was not being done well at all. By the time we got up to Cena it was after the 4pm end time of the event, and they were no longer allowing photos with him just autographs. Thankfully I was able to get my poster signed. Leaving there was so many people outside that this was not going to end well.


We headed over to Big Time Wrestling and here is the card from that night:

April 15, 2006
Big Time Wrestling (BTW) The Armory Lynn, MA
Pre-Show featuring 2 Amateur boxing contests
Jeto (Shinsuake Yamagasa) defeated Thomas Penmanship & Frankie Arion
Kevin Landry pinned “New Generation Ace” Ricky Landell
Jay Lethal defeated Xavier, Antonio Thomas, & EC Negro pinning EC Negro
King Kong Bundy & “Rocket” Fred Curry Jr defeated The Brain Surgeons w/ Nurse Traci
Killer Kowalski was honored
Lumberjack Match: Jerry “The King” Lawler defeated Kamala w. Kimchee 
Lil Killa pinned Big Bear Matoush
Richard Byrne & Mr. TA defeated The French Connection: Antoine Roy & Rush 
Traci Brooks pinned Talia Madison
Texas Bullrope Match: “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes pinned “King of Old School” Steve Corino


After getting Cena to sign the poster I hung it up on the wall and ironically never really had the opportunity to get it signed again, and I never thought about getting it signed either. In September 2025 Big Time Wrestling announced a return to the Augusta Civic Center with guest Kurt Angle. Canaan messaged me that he wanted to meet our Olympic hero and I immediately thought to get my poster signed.


At the even Kurt asked about my poster, I told him how I got it, the main event that night and the story behind John Cena signing it. We all agreed the main event of that show was crazy stacked! He loved how I acquired it and getting Cena to sign it. He was such a wicked nice guy to talk to.

Here are the results to the show that night:

November 1, 2025 Big Time Wrestling (BTW) The Civic Center Augusta, ME In Ring: Sidney Bakabella confronted a local Disc Jockey, Kurt Angle thwarted the attack and put Bakabella in the ankle lock, then cut an in ring promo Ace Romero pinned Hazard Arm Wrestling Open Challenge: “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas defeated Mr. TA by disqualification The Scufflin Hillbillies: Cousin Larry & Uncle Sonny and Blade Bandit defeated JP O’Reilly, Christian Ridlinger, & The Holy Roller Fatal Four Way: Channing Thomas with Sidney Bakabella defeated Danny Miles, Mortar, and Matt Riddle to win the vacant Big Time Wrestling Championship Waves & Curls: Jaylen Brandyn & Traevon Jordan defeated Stetson Ranch: Steven Stetson & Brian Morris Kalisto pinned Donovan Dijak

I would love to get everyone to sign it in the future that is pictured on it.  Paul Wight aka The Big Show and Torrie Wilson are strong possibilities, however I don't ever see Brock Lesnar or Vince McMahon happening. 


Thank you for reading, please leave a comment, check out my other posts, and if you want like my blogs 
Facebook page.  You can also head over to Amazon and pick up a copy of my book the 2024 Limitless Wrestling Almanac, or any of my other books.

Until next time! 

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

My First TNA PPV - Bound For Glory 2025


On October 12, 2025 I attended my TNA Wrestling's Bound For Glory PPV on the Tsongas Center in Lowell, Massachusetts.  This was my first ever TNA PPV, my first TNA live event since December 4, 2009, my 17th wrestling show of the year, and my 2nd wrestling show of the day.

Back at the beginning of the year we had heard rumors that TNA might run a PPV in New England in 2025.  Their last event in New England had been in a TNA One Night Only Hardcore Justice PPV in December 2013 at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium.  So they were do to run a show up this way.

Then in July they ran two days of TV tapings in Rhode Island, and I figured, that was what we would get.  However shortly after those tapings, their biggest show of the year Bound For Glory, was announced to be held at the Tsongas Center in Lowell, and I knew I couldn't miss it. 

Mikey, Eric Greenleaf and I picked up tickets during the presale and secured out seats this event historic event!  Mikey had gone to the Rhode Island TV taping and this was Greenie's first TNA show.

Not long after TNA announced Bound For Glory, Beyond Wrestling announced a show to be held earlier in the day in Lowell called Bound For the Floor, a single day 8 man tournament of mat based wrestling.  So of course we had to go to that and have a double shot day.

Greenie met me at my house early in the morning, just after 8am.  We headed to Auburn to pick up Mikey and continue the journey south.  We stopped at The Brook casino so Mikey could use his free play, that didn't take long at all.  At the store up the road I found the Diet Coke Lime, it was solid but it needs more Lime.

We got to the venue Taffeta Music Hall, about a half hour before doors were to open.   We got let in just as it started to rain.  Sadly attendance wasn't the best, but that didn't dampen my spirits as we got some fantastic wrestling matches!



Beyond Wrestling

Taffeta Music Hall: Featuring the Bound For the Floor Tournament 

Opening Round: Timothy Thatcher submitted Drew Gulak

Opening Round: Ryan Fancy submitted Joseph Alexander

Opening Round: Alex Reynolds pinned Matt Mako

Opening Round: Darian Bengston pinned Tracy Williams

Wrestling Open Tag Team Champion: The Shooter Boys: Aaron Ortiz & Anthony Vecchio defeated Star Struck: Anthony Greene & Channing Thomas pinning Greene

Brando Lee pinned The OXP

Semi Final Round: Ryan Clancy pinned Timothy Thatcher

Semi Final Round: Alex Reynolds pinned Darian Bengston

Progress Atlas Champion: Will Kroos pinned Aaron Rourke

WWE ID Champion: Cappuccino Jones pinned TJ Crawford

Tournament Final: Ryan Clancy submitted Alex Reynolds to become the IWTV Championship #1 contender



I was shocked that we got Timothy Thatcher vs. Drew Gulak as the first match of the first round.  I thought for sure they would be in the semi finals or even the finals.  

After the show we beat feet over to the Tsongas Center, it was only a short drive away and we got parked a few minutes before doors opened.  TNA does pre and post show meet and greets with their wrestlers, which is pretty cool.  Mikey and Eric both bought pre-show meet and greets while only Eric bought post-show meet and greets.  As I did neither when we got into the venue they headed off to do that while I got in the merchandise line.  I bought a TNA Bound For Glory Pin for my pin board at work. 

I walked around the venue and eventually met up with Calvin and we got some food.  The entrance was minimal with only a small set up when they wrestlers were coming out, the aisle was long too with a bend in it.  I very much appreciate the minimalist set up, it harkened back to old school PPV's of the 80's and 90's where the focus was on the in ring wrestling.  Also, to me it meant they sold so many tickets they needed the room for the fans to sit.  Turns out that was probably true as they announced an attendance of 7,794 a new North American record for the company. 
 



Their all time attendance recorded was in January 2009 a house show at Wembley arena in London with 8,100 fans, this also ended up being Hulk Hogan's last match.  Previous North American records was Slammiversary 2025 7,623 fans and Lockdown 2013 with 7,200.  TNA has been on a upward climb for months and I hope it continues for them. 

We all made it to our seats in time for the 6pm count down show, which also served as the TNA Hall of Fame induction ceremonies for The Beautiful People: Angelina Love & Velvet Sky and Mickie James.  That took about 45 minutes, and then we got the only pre-show match for the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championships as The Iinspiration defeated the Elegance Brand.

Maggie Lee goes by M by Elegance in TNA and I ama huge fan of hers.  I've seen her wrestle at Limitless numerous times and got to see her accompany Ash by Elegance to the ring at NXT Heatwave.  It was very cool to see her wrestler her first TNA PPV match.  


We had a great view of the ring from out seats, unless everyone was standing up of course, but we couldn't see the entrance area very well, but that was cool.  Here are the full show results:


Steve Maclin pinned International Champion: Frankie Kazarian to win the title

Solid match, Maclin was very over with the crowd. Match was a bit short, but it flowed well.




Tessa Blanchard with Victoria Crawford pinned Gia Miller with Jody Threat after hitting her with a roll of quarters.

I'm a Tessa fan, glad to see her back in TNA, seems like she has been working in CMLL more as of late. This was a good storyline with Tessa attaching Gia a few months back leading to her suspension, she got breast implants, she posted a video about it. This was billed as Gia's first TNA match, it was not. Back in 2021 & 2022 she wrestled two matches under the name Rusty Iron.

For only having a couple dozen matches under her belt I thought Gia looked very good, and gave it her all. Tessa looked great and I enjoyed the old school finish of a roll of quarters to the head for the pin.




Call Your Shot Gauntlet:
Frankie Kazarian & Nic Nemeth co-won the match with a double pin

This was the only time not seeing the entrance was a bit of a bummer because you couldn't see who was coming out until they were in the ring. The wrestlers were leaving to the back walking or fighting in front of us, that was cool. Crowd was good with the double pin, until they announced two winners instead of continuing the match, then they booed Santino out of the building.

Call Your Shot Gauntlet Order of Entry
Lei Ying Lee
Mara Sade
Ryan Nemeth
Nic Nemeth
Cedric Alexander
Rich Swann
AJ Francis
Travis Williams
BDE
The Rascals: Myron Reed, Try Miguel, & Zachary Wentz
Dani Luna
Eric Young
Jake Something
Rosemary
The Home Town Man
Zack Clayton
Frankie Kazarian - Jody Threat was the original #17 but was attacked by Kazarian who took her spot
Santino Marella
Matt Cardona
Mance Warner

Call Your Shot Gauntlet Order of Elimination
AJ Francis eliminates Mara Sade (7:26)
AJ Francis eliminates Lei Ying Lee(7:37)
AJ Francis eliminates Rich Swann (8:02)
BDE , Myron Reed, Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel eliminate AJ Francis (11:42)
Eric Young eliminates Travis Williams (14:34)
Eric Young eliminates BDE (16:28)
Eric Young eliminates Trey Miguel (17:53)
Eric Young eliminates Cedric Alexander (17:56)
Home Town Man eliminates Jake Something (19:06)
Dani Luna eliminates Rosemary (20:28)
Home Town Man eliminates Dani Luna (20:35)
Nic Nemeth eliminates Santino Marella (23:10)
Matt Cardona eliminates Zack Clayton (24:02)
Eric Young eliminates Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz (24:54)
Eric Young eliminates Home Town Man (27:48)
Matt Cardona eliminates Eric Young (27:52)
Matt Cardona eliminates Mance Warner (28:04)
Nic Nemeth eliminates Ryan Nemeth (29:05)
Mance Warner & Steph De Lander eliminates Matt Cardona (29:25)
Nic Nemeth vs. Frankie Kazarian - Double Pin

Knockouts World Champion: Kelani Jordan pinned Indie Hartwell


I head to the bathroom and grabbed snack with this match, watched half of it from the top of the building. I need to watch it on the DVD when it comes out. I was surprised the Kelani won.




Hardcore War: The System:
Alisha Edwards, Eddie Edwards, Brian Myers, JDC & Moose defeated Order 4: Tasha Steelz, Mustafa Ali, Jason Hotch, John Skyler & Special Agent 0

Order of Entry: Jason Hotch & Eddie Edwards, John Skyler, JDC, Tasha Steelz, Alisha Edwards, Special Agent 0, Brian Myers, Mustafa Ali, and Moose.


This was a wargames style match with Hotch & Eddie starting, then the rest of the wrestlers came out in increments. Skyler bleed HEAVILY! Alisha took a wicked thumbtack bump that was unexpected. Very solid match lots of brawling outside the ring.




X-Division Champion: Leon Slater wrestled Je’Von Evans to a 20 minute draw, in a 5 minute overtime period Dark State ran in causing the match to be a no contest

This match was absolutely tremendous! I was happy with the draw, because it was that good. Then they did the 5 more minutes, and after about a minute Dark State ran in and beat both men down causing the no contest finish. This, again, pissed everyone off. They should have had Dark State run in before they restarted the match. Fans were not impressed.





Tables Elimination Match:
World Tag Team Champions & NXT Tag Team Champions: The Hardys: Matt & Jeff defeated Team 3D: Bubba Ray & D-Von The Dudley Boyz 

Dudleys eliminated Jeff Hardy with a 3D

Jeff Hardy eliminated D-Von with a swanton off a ladder

The Hardys eliminated Bubba Ray with a crucifix bomb Emotion wise this match was a 10, match quality it was a 5. Dudley's got the big entrance where they were announced as Team 3D, Bubba Ray and D-Von the Dudley Boys. Like how the Road Warriors were introduced in the WWF. Jeff was put through the table superfast, even though he was "eliminated" he never left the match. Bubba Ray seemed to just give up at the end and accept his fate that he was going to put through the table. I think they did the best they could with how beat up their bodies are. It was very emotional and to see the Dudley's final match, most likely, was very special. After the match the Dudley's took off their boots and gave them to Matt & Jeff.



Mike Santana pinned World Champion: Trick Williams to win the championship

This was a decent match, with the build the last few months there was no way Santana was not going to win the title. Fans very much wanted a new champ crowned and hated Williams. After Santana won instead of letting him celebrate they did a spot where both Frankie Kazarian and Nick Nemeth attempted to cash in their Call Your Shot contract but where thwarted.

Santana celebrated in the ring with his daughter after the match.

Greenie went right up to the line for his Dudley Boys meet and greet, Mikey and I went down to the floor and just walked around, got a look at the ring close up.


We then headed to the lobby to wait, and we saw the Dudley's and Santana walk by to their sessions. The Dudley's got a round of applause and thank yous from those in the lobby. Bubba just kept his head down and didn't say anything, D-Von was very cool and thanked everyone making eye contact with people. Santana had a camera crew following him and also acknowledged everyone as he walked through.

It didn't take as long as we thought it would for Greenie to meet everyone he wanted to, watching the traffic leave the parking garage we probably would have still sitting in traffic that long anyhow.

We made a couple stops on the ride home for caffeine. We dropped Mikey at his house and then I got home about 3am. Greenie still had a drive and got home about 430am he said. It was a very long day but a fun one with lots of great wrestling!

Thank you for reading, please leave a comment, check out my other posts, and if you want like my blogs Facebook page.  You can also head over to Amazon and pick up a copy of my book the 2024 Limitless Wrestling Almanac, or any of my other books.

Until next time!