As I sit here relaxing finally after returning home from the beautiful
Niagara Falls, where I met two awesome WWE stars in Gail Kim and Evan
Bourne, I can’t help but think it was something truly special. A
severely early rise, a $75 roundtrip VIA Rail ticket and a lack of
confidence in directions couldn’t put a damper on such an intriguing
day. Here we are at one of the most romantic locations in the Western
world, one of Mother Earth’s Seven Wonders, and an autograph signing
with my most favourite lady in the whole world and a rising star who
has certainly captured my attention. The ever-present mist from the
falls and the jaw-dropping and intimidating escarpment provided the
perfect picturesque setting for a meeting I’d been waiting patiently to
see happen for a long time after having missed out on chances to meet
Gail and chat with her at indy wrestling events put on by an exciting
local promotion called BSE.
Waiting in the lineup, trying hard
to drown out the lame music blasting out of the speakers, and
butterflies began to develop in my stomach as the moment drew closer.
Losing my spot in line to purchase a pair of 8×10 photos led to
rejoining the lineup outside for some more joyous musical interludes
and a strange speaker malfunction next door. However, once I was inside
and approached Evan and Gail, my fears were laid to rest by the sound
of Gail’s voice in a soft, sweet tone with a friendly smile appearing
on her face. She looked absolutely stunning in her all-black outfit and
cute ponytail. A calm reassuring tone of voice meant to be warm and
welcoming despite my obvious shyness and nervousness. Evan, not to
sound funny or anything, looked pretty darn handsome himself, as well.
The reality of having forgotten to purchase a disposable camera along
the way left me feeling hurt inside as one of my goals was to finally
have a photo take with Ms. Kim and Mr. Bourne together because they
would make for an incredible mixed tag-team pairing on WWE Monday Night
RAW each week. Young, high-flying and exciting wrestlers who most
definitely appeal to the crowd in both the talent and looks department.
My goal was to have a picture taken and get two copies in order to send
one to Gail herself. However, as Ms. Kim said, “maybe next time.” I do
hope there will be a next time and that it won’t be another 5 years
down the road.
The meeting was short with these two yet it also
seemed alot longer than it was at the same time. There were other eager
fans – young and old – waiting patiently for their turn to experience
the thrill of meeting their heroes. Everyone deserves that special
opportunity. I also recall a quote from the mysterious fellow
codenamed, The Cappuccino Kid, who once quipped that “an opportunity
lost is an eternity of regret.” Never a truer word was spoken. It warms
my heart to see the children into wrestling and how excited they become
when meeting their heroes of the squared circle. It’s really quite
touching. The industry will continue to exist well into the future when
young fans are still eager, excited and happy to be fans of
professional wrestling. There will obviously be ups and downs along the
way, but wrestling is here to stay in one form or another.
As I
strolled up and down to take in the beauty and an awe-inspiring Niagara
Falls, I felt heavy inside as if my heart strings had been toyed with
in some ways. The obvious lack of a camera meant my goal was only
partially fulfilled today. I felt a little sad because I sensed,
rightly or wrongly, that Gail herself was a little disappointed when I
said “no” when she sweelty asked if I’d like a picture taken. However,
I continued to watch the dangerously crushing waters crashing down from
the falls as the mist clouded the sky, hampering visuals from time to
time, and I was reminded of how special this day was as a whole. I
shouldn’t be feeling down in the dumps after realizing my dream of
meeting Gail again for the first time in five years. There I was at the
main falls, leaning up against the railing barrier marvelling at the
river water flowing at breakneck speed like a torrent of lava spewing
from an erupting volcano, and I saw the countles people with their
cameras, enjoying the sights and sounds, living their lives to the
fullest and making sure each moment was as memorable as the last. It
was the same sort of fun and joy exhibited by the children at the WWE
Store; the same love of life radiated by Gail’s sweet, soft voice… I
needed to take a few steps back to admire the fact that I had the lucky
chance to experience something very few wrestling fans can experience -
meeting two of their favourite wrestlers in one of the most romantic
locations in the world, which also happens to be one of the world’s
Seven Wonders, as I mentioned earlier. Sure it was in the WWE store and
not down in front of the falls and escarpment with mist floating
through the air, but this was as close as we were going to get and
that’s nothing to complain about.
I took a chance today,
traveled, spent alot of cash, and had a truly memorable experience that
won’t soon be forgotten. A curious and somewhat comedic search for a
washroom and having a secret admirer in the form of a seagull as a
lunchtime audience added some much needed light humor to the whole
situation. As a final shot before trudging back to the VIA Rail
station, I stood in awe while staring at a breathtaking panoramic view
of the falls as a whole and mused that an artist, if so inclined, could
create a masterpiece painting using such a setting. It was truly a
sight to behold, just like Gail’s smile.
Cheers,
Billy 
Name: Gail Kim
James Stevens responded on 30 Oct 2009 at 10:16 am #
Once again Billy, congrats you lucky dog!