February - "Meme" (pronounced may-may), "don't you have to go to New York in April?" The question was posed by my nine year old grandson, who is used to me traveling here, there and everywhere from our home base in Ohio. His grandfather lives in Manhattan and my parents live nineteen miles from the Lincoln Tunnel on the New Jersey side of the Hudson River. Frequent trips home are the norm. "Well, we are going at the end of March for Easter, Todd, you know that. Maybe we'll take another trip later in the spring." That was not the answer Todd expected, wanted or accepted. "Oh", he replied dejectedly, "I thought we'd go, oh maybe, April, like the sixth. WWE will be there and maybe we could see it!"
Ah-Ha! Got it. "Well, let me see what I can do."
March 19 - "Here you go Todd! GEAR!" A delighted, excited little boy hastily slipped on a JUST BRING IT sweatshirt over a JUST BRING IT t-shirt and topped himself off with the official WWE "Rock" ball cap. Y-E-S-S-S!!! He grabbed his WWE championship belt (Santa provided that months ago) and couldn't contain himself as he made a "Kane" poster to hold up at, WWE SMACKDOWN in Cincinnati! "I can't believe this, Meme! We're going to see Ryback, Randy Orton, Shamus, Kane, the Shield, Big Show, Cody Rhodes,..." and on and on the cast/wrestlers were listed for a nearly four hour show! Todd gobbled up his ravioli faster than anyone can say ravioli, brushed his teeth and was literally jumping out of his skin as his little legs pumped and propelled him down the stairs, into the car to get to the US Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio in time for the show!
During what should have been a forty-five minute ride from my home (north) to Cincinnati (south), Todd chattered, played various entrance themes on the phone...simply non-stop hype. I guaranteed him that we would be on time, even early. I asked a friend for directions. I printed out "Mapquest" directions as back up. Yes, I realize that I am crippled without a GPS. I surely get that. Todd in total exasperation, threw the directions over his shoulder, into the back seat as we crossed the Ohio River and read "Welcome to Kentucky" on a sign on a bridge. "Oh no! Meme! We're supposed to stay in Ohio, not go to Kentucky! We're lost! What about WWE?" I phoned the friend and screeched, "Hey, I'm on a bridge and I think that the Arena is behind me!" The response: "You over shot it. You're in Kentucky. Turn around and go back." Duh? Like I hadn't thought of that. So, as soon as I could make a U-Turn (I didn't say legally), we headed for Cincinnati (again). Some nice uniformed policemen guided me from the bridge, every few feet or so through my confusion.
As we parked the car, Todd noticed that we still had fifteen minutes to spare. "Whew Meme! Close one!"
Our seats were down on the floor, ringside! Todd looked at the ring, looked at the entrance stage, stood, looked around after comfortably negotiating his WWE Belt and sign, looked at me and said, "Wow, Meme! These are the best seats ever!" I smiled and didn't mention that they cost about the same as the national budget for a fiscal year of a small country. Collector cup for soda, popcorn and slushies were all rather fairly priced, I must admit.
I looked around the arena. There were families comprised of Dads, Moms and children. There were older couples- grandparents with children. There were men with boys, young and older. I saw some couples, men with boys and girls. I realized that, at least in the floor section and surrounding areas, I was the only single female with a child - Grandmother and Grandson. What would my grandmother say about a lady at a wrestling match, I wondered. Then, I remembered that my Great Aunt Carmela used to watch wrestling on television. She liked a wrestler named, "Gorgeous George". Nana didn't think that Carmela was much of a lady most of the time. And, Nana would be able to relate to an over the top, overly accommodating Grandmother anyway.
Special effects, pyrotechnics, lights, music were all amazing. One could become totally absorbed in the spirit and excitement of a match to begin as the powerful men made their entrances! When "Kane" came to our side of the ring, complete with entrance theme, effects including fire, light show and looked at Todd, I thought that Todd would stop breathing! His blue eyes were enormous! He gasped as he looked up at one of his heroes, standing directly in front of him, feeling the fire from his effects warming his little face! "Oh Meme!" Todd jumped up and down, screaming in the pandemonium, "This is the best day ever! This is the best night ever!"
Todd stood in the aisle, ringside for most of the evening. In reality, three different shows to be aired on television were being taped that night as well as "Smackdown". Between you and me, this is theatre. The "moves" are carefully choreographed. I would venture to say, WWE Wrestling is physical, musical, comedic theatre. Of course, the men are big, muscular, strong, impressive. Personalities shine through the massive, smoothly shaved (everywhere, except for some facial & a lot of head hair) as they strut their macho stuff. The wrestlers/performers/gymnasts endeared themselves to the spectators by radiating a certain camaraderie between themselves and enthusiastic fans, totally engrossed in the entire experience.
I know "fighting" is hostile, violent. This is really not the case with WWE. As I have mentioned, this is entertainment. The men train extensively to learn how to tumble, to take falls, to land, to give the illusion of certain "shots". But, it is physical fantasy. Children, of course, should be warned that these are well rehearsed professionals/gymnasts and that these antics should not be attempted by the untrained.
There is a patriotic, moral fiber that is woven through the performance. The WWE is charitable, globally. Our troops were saluted, honored frequently throughout the entertainment.
Though, I did my best to "get out of gym" while in school; though, I am not a fitness narc (lazy), I do walk and fret to maintain my weight and size 2. However, I appreciate the ability, strength, talent, maneuvers presented at a WWE performance. If children realize that this is theatre, the performers are actually rather good role models for the young fans out of the ring.
I am the ultimate audience member of EVERYTHING. Truly, I try to take the children to see everything, always. Circuses, Ice Shows, Musicals, Broadway shows, Elmo, Barney extravaganzas, etc. This is the first time that I have ever experienced a "Souvenir" stand, or "Merchandise" stand where items were not priced to support the transportation system of the small country I mentioned earlier. Nothing was "hawked/pushed". Hats and T-shirts (not $50 lights that have a 10 minute shelf life) were priced exactly as they are in stores or on the WWE website. Modestly. There was only one expensive replica of the WWE Championship belt that was not emphasized, highlighted, nor did the vendor try to entice ANYONE with it. Prices were reasonable, realistic, do-able. I compliment the WWE for "souvenir integrity".
After our "John Cena" T-shirt purchase, Todd wanted one fair well look at the Ring. Clutching his souvenir cup, new T-shirt, belt over shoulder and cap on head, he scanned the arena, the ring where he experienced the men he watches on television religiously. I fought tears when he turned and said, "Meme, I told you that this is the best night, ever! I'm so glad we came here together! Thanks Meme!"
We laughed, joked, re-hashed the evening's events on the drive home. I did not get lost because I started with a BFF in uniform to repeat directions to 75 N over and over. Todd was still at a feverish pitch with enthusiasm discussing Ryback, Big Show, Kane. Maybe next time Cena will be there, and so the conversation went.
I never, ever expected, in my life that I would be attending a Wrestling Match! I never, ever expected in my life that I would learn wrestlers' names, actually sit ringside and cheer! I was excited as Todd jumped up and down pointing at the "bad guys" - The Shield. I never, ever expected that I would join the crowd booing them as did Todd! I never, ever expected to say: "Next time we come, Todd, I think....." My devotion to Todd, my grandson was challenged and I thank God for the blessings that enabled me to come through with flying colors, as Todd has reported to everyone and anyone since we attended the Smackdown! I never, ever expected in my life that I would share with Todd and you, readers, that, "Wow! I just love THE ROCK!"
