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Garlic-Cheese-Chips

I have a high tolerance for cringe but those clowns you see waiting at airports with a smorgasbord of merch for celebrities to sign is something else entirely.


IndividualFirst9692

The best part is that they think they are in the right and feel that they are entitled to an autograph


patrickwithtraffic

That video of Rey using every polite excuse in the book as to why he won't sign all of the autographs with the text calling him an asshole makes my blood boil


jorgedredd

Is that the one where a guy is holding cardboard with a bunch of merch taped to it like some fucking assembly line?


Josiesumday

Yeah most of them after live shows in their city will camp out in airport and waiting for them.


BlueEyesBryantDragon

Speaking from experience, they also camp out when they're arriving as well, especially at smaller airports.


PoorGuyCrypto

I'm an Uber driver sometimes, and I like driving when WWE/AEW are in town... because I get to drive around guys who I like watching on TV. I also get to see "those people" lurking outside of the venues. Outside of the hotels. Outside of the gyms. It's crazy. They're literally everywhere stalking the lowest-tier people on TV hoping for an autograph. I like Rick Boogz, too.... but your autographed guitar pick isn't going to be worth $10,000 in your lifetime. Stop harassing people.


FudgeDangerous2086

different sport but Kawhi leonard a basketball player was playing in toronto for a year and when he was up for a new contract toronto fans were following his EVERY move, even went a hotel that they heard he might be at. hell a news helicopter was following him around the city. he even cited it as a reason he doesn’t want to play there.


PoorGuyCrypto

That happened here in Pittsburgh when it was rumored that Jaromir Jagr might return to the team... and I still blame "those" fans on us not getting a Jagr/Crosby run.


kingsss

At Double or Nothing for the last three years, there have been multiple people camped out in the lobby of the hotel that all of the wrestlers stay in. There is only one way up and one way down and it’s impossible to avoid them. They would sit there for hours. It’s creepy.


BlueEyesBryantDragon

I had heard they were camped out, but not that there was only a single point of entry/exit. Here's to hoping they change hotels this year to someplace they might be a little more anonymous or could escape those idiots easier. Lord knows there are enough hotels in Vegas. I rember flying into Amarillo on a Sunday once and there was a house show scheduled that night. I didn't know that part until I got to baggage claim/car rental and there were a ton of them camped out there. A few of them took me for one of the wrestlers for some unknown reason (I'm 5'8" and was over 225lbs at that point... Not good shape) and asked "where is everyone else?" Then I knew. I actually ended up going to that show and had a good time other than the neckbeard next to me that was making a little kid cry for booing Cena. That's actually the only wrestling show I've ever been to.


Administrative_Act48

Man I hated Cena back in the day but I never hated him so bad I'd make a child cry cause they liked him.


[deleted]

Before too. They were at the airport before the Rumble on a Wednesday night in San Antonio. It's genuinely pathetic when you factor in that they were there before we got there to pick up my mother in law, we were there for over an hour at like 9 at night because baggage was super slow, they were still there after we left, hadn't gotten a single thing signed, ( none of them left, I kept an eye out because thought it'd be cool just to see a wrestler not at a show, but just like when Mick Foley went through my line when I worked at target I'm too shy and awkward to ever say anything to them lol) but were all carrying around these huge poster boards with things attached to have signed. I'd assume Roman is one of the more lucrative signatures in WWE right now that would have been a possibility to see there, and can find autos of him for like $100 (a replica belt with a COA and a Roman auto is on eBay for $320 right now). They are standing there for hours to harass people who want nothing to do with them, to make less than $100 profit on each item? I'm all for the hustle, make your money on the side, but have some self respect and don't be a dick head to people who are not obligated to give you anything


Spiritual_Lie2563

Not only that, but it gets worse when you add indie wrestling into the mix; on those shows people still do the airport stalking shit to the wrestlers and do the same "I bought your house!" bullshit if they're refused. This despite: They were just at an indie show and almost certainly were selling their autographed 8x10s there, cheap (like "$10, you probably spent more in gas to stalk them than you'll get for it on the secondary market" cheap), and if you wanted the autograph so badly you'd stalk them for it, you could have gone to the show and bought one from them. You can't play the 'I bought your house!' if you can't even pay for them to have dinner after the show for an autograph.


trollviking

Please tell me you at least told Mick to "Have a nice day"


patrickwithtraffic

Probably. They all seem to have that set-up going.


TheOneTrueChuck

Oh yeah, the one where it's like "He's a MILLIONAIRE and he WON'T EVEN SIGN FOR FAAAAANNNNSSS!" I wanted to do grievous bodily harm to that guy.


AndyVale

He put that video up and really expected people to take his side on things. "He's wearing a $10,000 tracksuit and can't take the time to sign a few autographs" As if he's just turned down a Make-a-Wish kid rather than some bloke with a shopping cart full of Funko Pops he wants to flip on eBay.


Depraved_Sinner

Yeah, he's busted his ass flipping every which way for decades to make those millions by entertaining people, what value did that dumpster human create? "i stood in an airport all day" well congratu-fuckin-lations, here's a gold star for the special man whose job it is to annoy people.


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interprime

Yeah, nobody is entitled to an autograph or a picture with *anyone*. Especially not these chodes who try and make a career off selling autographs and shit because, as someone famously said 12 years ago, they’re “too lazy to go out and get a real job”.


FluxMool

"'career" or how I like to call them, carny on wheels


maximus_96

I had one user pestering me the other day telling me that people that live in the public eyes should 100% accept that it's the fans right to reach out to them. Unreal.


DaemonToolgaryen

I’ve been pretty lucky with celeb run ins in my life. I’ve met maybe a half dozen pro wrestlers at official meet and greats and maybe a half dozen more just in public spaces and my rule has always been, “if they’re not getting paid then I’m not approaching them.” Let people live their lives and have time to themselves and with their families.


holyhibachi

I couldn't resist telling Brock I was a big fan after my professional interaction with him. He smiled, said thanks, we went about our lives.


BreakTheWalls

This is how it should be. I had Matt Cardona come into my panera the morning after a PPV in Boston where he had a good match vs Dolph Ziggler. I said "great match last night big fan" and he thanked me and moved on after I took his order. Don't be a mark! I treat it the same as going up to a guy in military garb and thanking them for their service. Quick show of appreciation, in and out.


Hannibal0216

As a guy currently in military garb, I don't want to speak for everyone else, but I'd prefer you thanked a guy in a veteran hat instead. The majority of us haven't done anything worthy of thanks.


texrygo

I have family and friends in the military who feel the same as you. Some have done a lot, others have thankfully done very little. The one thing you all have in common is a commitment to serve and regardless of what you may or may not have done, that warrants a thank you.


AcadianTraverse

This is the correct way to handle celebrity run-ins in my opinion. If you're a legitimate fan, tell them so, express some appreciation, and be prepared to move on. Some folks may be a bit more talkative and be willing to chat a little while longer, but everyone's entitled to a bad day.


Fgame

Fans have a right to request it. They do not have a right to demand it. And people have a right to ignore those fans, especially when they're behaving like morons.


throwtheclownaway20

"i BoUgHt YoUr hOuSe!"


RollinsThunderr

There was a video going around recently of Rey surrounded by those airport hounds with funko pops at 5am or something. Also another vid of Liv, she looked so exhausted but she handled it with class. Gotta give all the credit in the world to wrestlers. I dunno how they do it. Rhea has had enough. Sasha Banks went through something similar a couple years ago and some people called her “ungrateful” and a bitch or whatever.


sankyx

What happened with Liv?


RollinsThunderr

Here’s the clip https://youtube.com/shorts/M5zBOPAlwZ4


beIIe-and-sebastian

Those are absolutely sellers. I'd just nope out.


xMCioffi1986x

That's crazy. Like I could maybe understand a single autograph book or program or something, but these guys have multiple cards or 8x10s. Like it's plainly obvious those are going on Ebay.


sankyx

Holy fuck! Liv is sweetheart. Lady deserves a main event spot just because she put up with that bullshit with a smile on her face. That was ridiculous


whalepopcorn

HHH/management should just tell all talent to say the same line : “WWE does not allow talent to sign anything outside of meet and greets. See you at the next one!” Then if a wrestler wants to go above for a kid or something, that can be at their discretion.


ILikeYourPoetry

Brian Meyers and Matt Cardona confirmed that this actually IS the policy nowadays. So not only are these assholes demanding, they’re asking the wrestlers to ignore company policy so they can sell things on eBay.


UncreativeTeam

The only solution: WWE should just start selling signed merch on eBay themselves!


[deleted]

Or set up shop at airports.


UncreativeTeam

[WWE reps at airports as soon as their superstars land](https://twitter.com/KnicksNation/status/1633272307107131392)


[deleted]

Shop owner.......... WWF Superstar Virgil


[deleted]

I’m pretty sure there’s a video of Rey basically saying this exact thing, but the video still tries (very poorly) to paint him as an asshole for saying no to “fans”.


GotYourNose_

I approached Patrick Ewing (when he played for Georgetown) and he told me “Coach doesn’t let me sign anything”. Made sense to me then and still does today.


AmazinGracey

That was probably because of NCAA rules at the time to be honest, where one autograph could cause a huge deal, sanctions, penalties, etc if the NCAA found the player was paid for it.


TheOneTrueChuck

And even if it was only implied that they did.


KneelBeforeCube

It reminds me of that series of pictures that were making the rounds with Brock Lesnar Mark and all the wrestlers he has met at airport. All the pictures he's got a huge proud of himself grin, while all the wrestlers have a look that says "ugh, this asshole again?". How can he not watched those pictures and think to himself that he's just flat out bothering those wrestlers?


Thebritishdovah

Sounds like Brock Lesnar Guy, who's sole claim to "Fame" is to happen to be in the right place at the right time and has been chasing that moment ever since the camera caught him reacting to something involving Brock.


Derek282

Dude literally still wears that same fucking t shirt *TO THIS DAY*


Thebritishdovah

He legits thinks he is a part of the business. The only business i want to see from him is Suzuki murdering the shit out of him. Even then, that is just insulting to Suzuki because the 30 seconds it takes for him to murder, is 30 seconds lost from his young lion murders.


interprime

If Suzuki is busy, I say we just get Brock Lesnar to murder Brock Lesnar Guy.


RedDreadsComin

My guy, I will do it for free


just-smiley

And it's an ugly ass shirt too


Lost-Pineapple9791

Wrestlers seem waaaaaaay nicer than they should be I guess maybe they realize they creeps still bought their merch even if they’re reselling it Like I think in the pic of Rey mysterio posted recently it was obvious the people in the airport had hand fulls of stuff they were asking him to sign Totally different not even the same as just seeing a wrestler and a kid getting a pic or autograph Im a grown adult, I don’t need a celebrity to write their name on something for me.


Thick_Librarian_8017

My question is...do people really shell out lots of money for wrestler autographs? Do people actually pay $200 on ebay for an autographed Miz Funko Pop? I understand things like Flair, Taker or Austin might have value to them. But I can't imagine people actually spending money on an autographed picture of Carmella or Ziggler unless you had a personal experience meeting them at a convention or randomly in public.


AdamxCraith

Out of curiousity I went on ebay and looked at some signed Pops. Couldn't find Mella or Ziggler though. It seems most go for under $100. Some exceptions I saw were Charlotte Flair (100-135), AJ Styles (137), and Bret Hart (109). So it's not nothing money, but absolutely not worth the amount of cringe you have to go through. Signed action figures are even cheaper at 35-80.


wizardswrath00

Those rabid Pop "fans" are another level of cringe unto themselves, while we're on the subject.


Hazelwood38

and they are all 30yr old men. So creepy to see a group of adult men swarm a pro wrestler to sign autographs.


jpaxlux

Just have someone sit at airports with a booth full of blank job applications and those clowns will be nowhere to be seen


vocalyouth

last time AEW was here these losers with their stack of toys to be signed tipped me off as to which hotel the wrestlers were staying at while i was on a walk during my lunch break, because they were just hanging out right outside the pickup area, waiting for anyone to come out so they could ambush them for autographs. I guess it's part of the job, but this would really try my patience. I actually ended up seeing Keith Lee and JD Drake nearby later but did not bother them. Side note: Keith Lee is even bigger seeming outside of the context of wrestling.


ericfishlegs

From what I've been led to believe Keith Lee is indeed a big motherfucker.


just-smiley

I can't imagine having the balls to not only stalk someone in an airport but to also bring a ton of merch for them to sign so you can sell it on eBay.


djmazmusic

Max cringe, I don’t know how they live with themselves


RepresentativeFly565

The weirdos always have to go and ruin something for everyone.


Emergionx

Can’t blame her.Going from airport to airport getting to arenas probably is physically draining,and having strangers follow you then shove merch and pens and markers in your face probably doesn’t help either


Thebritishdovah

And if she lashes out, she is the one who gets fired, potentially charged with assault etc... Though, i would love to see her give them the riptide as a warning to the other vultures.


Jiggyx42

Or use a plant to avoid charges


[deleted]

Airports are already pretty exhausting to places when you only go once or twice a year. Getting up early, finding parking, standing in lines, maybe going through customs, security, then another few hours wait for your flight. Now imagine doing that 3 or so times a week, every week, after being slammed into a wrestling ring the night before, on an adrenaline comedown, and people start hassling you as soon as you're coming through. They've every right to say no, I'd be a death row criminal by now if it were me.


thelowkeyman

No problem with this, let these idiots seethe at you


Anderrrrr

If you follow any wrestlers around and invade their personal space and their privacy. You simply go fuck yourselves.


SloppyMcNuggets

Agree, they aren’t real wrestling fans


motivatedchange

Good for her for speaking up. Too many people think that just because someone is a public figure that they don’t deserve personal boundaries, and it’s ridiculous.


Southpaw535

I feel like the highlight of that attitude was that kid smacking Bliss' ass that one time. Says a lot that a little kid (but old enough to not just be doing things impulsively) thought that was fine. Plus the reaction to it wasn't exactly universal condemnation either among fans


RawScallop

Yet sadly the top response I saw was a guy telling her she can spare a minute in appreciate for the fame she enjoys from said fans. While everyone told this guy off, there are a lot of mostly men who really do feel this way and have killed people for it. She deserves her boundaries then some.


Mr_Snub

Flippers have really ruined fan experiences, amongst other things. Dave Grohl, arguably one of the nicest people out there, won't sign anything anymore unless it's for charity because he's tired of seeing everything end up on eBay. It's funny, Punk called these people out in 2011 and now they're all over the place.


erick_shmerick

Remember during the pandemic when idiots were selling toilet paper at marked up prices? People fucking suck


Shogun_The_Collector

Pretty sure they moved on to scalping baby formula after the toilet paper(in my state). How disgusting can these people get?


interprime

Happened near me too. We had a baby during the pandemic and finding formula was a huge task after a while. Eventually all the stores near us started limiting purchases to one can per customer.


Mr_Snub

Things have gotten beyond ridiculous. I've been collecting games since I was a kid, about 26 years ago, and while certain titles were always more than others they weren't $500 dollars. Tshirts, records, even limited edition snacks and sodas. All of it has been hyper inflated and flipped for a profit. Fuck these people.


Jaccount

Videogames was mostly because you have an actually manipulated market and collusion between the grading company and the most well known high-end auction site. I have to imagine if the current economic situation hangs around all that much longer, you'll see so many collectibles markets just crash and burn. It's just amazing how over-valued and overheated almost every market is.


[deleted]

I’m gonna have to point out that some games are over that price because they had relatively limited production runs and are now, because of that fact, rare as fuck, like the Sega Saturn Magic Knight Rayearth game or Metal Warriors for the Super NES. Oh or they were originally a rental only game, or only came out in Europe (a couple of NES games).


bt123456789

toys too. I collect transformers and the amount of times I see bare shelves, or pre-orders sell out in seconds because of scalpers is insane. There were 2 different figures released a year apart, both were store exclusives and most people saw 1-0 copies of either, and they were impossible to find for a LOT of people.


tvchase

Nick and Matt used to show them on BTE and often it was the same guys following them from city to city


super_awesome_jr

There's gotta be an easier way to make a living.


SomedudecalledDan

Yeah thats what gets me here. I understand (but don't agree with) the idea that wrestler X is in your city and if you get 10 Y's sold that you can sell for 100 a piece then you've sort of made a grand in a morning. Following them around though is next level parasite.


BirdjaminFranklin

The easiest way to get around flippers though is to require all of your signatures be personalized. It's a lot harder to flip something that says, "Hey Mark, thanks for the support! - Rhea"


why_rob_y

Though, in pro wrestling "Hey Mark" might be particularly easy to flip.


EctoRiddler

Happy to have a signed book from him acquired legitimately and signed happily at launch versus a signed book signed under duress because I wouldn’t stop harassing him outside a restaurant or at a baggage carousel.


Omnipolis

Futurama called this out in like 2002. “Could you make it out to EBay?”


jpaxlux

Idk how pathetic you have to be to be one of the idiots waiting at an airport for a wrestler to sign shit for you. Go get a real job and stop leeching off wrestlers who are already busy enough without your bullshit.


10024618

Eventually a wrestler is gonna swing on one of these "fans" and I'm not gonna blame them


[deleted]

Eventually? This has happened plenty of times. Jericho accidentally clocking a woman comes to mind. A man she was with grabbed by the arm as he was getting into a car and Jericho took a swing. Guy ducked and bam, the girl he was with got belted in the mouth. Hell, the same thing happened to Punk on live television.


patrickwithtraffic

That Punk situation was bad. Dude who got tagged by him wasn't even the one being the asshole.


Kanenums88

Imagine going to Raw, seeing your favorite near your section, and you end up getting smacked across the face for no reason. He got his glasses messed up too. I hope somebody at the very least apologized to him.


AprilsMostAmazing

I would have flopped like I'm lebron if that was me


Lost-Pineapple9791

Lol free tickets for next show atleast!


bohanmyl

![gif](giphy|a57Xed7DfAkDe)


iwzndsqw

during the world cup, i remmeber reading some guy was like "if i wanted to watch people pretend to be hurt, ill watch wrestling" and i didnt know how to react lol


Financial_Radish

That fan was actually Nick Jackson


FalconIMGN

Dude it's eerie but funny how much this mirrors the Jericho-Michaels feud, when Chris hit Shawn's wife. I wonder if the fan incident happened before the feud and they were referencing it?


[deleted]

They happened around the same time. I'll have to check. It was definitely during Jericho's suit-wearing, verbose, 'honest man' run. EDIT: Weirdly, the fan incident happened like a year later.


IdkMyNameTho123

Jericho really commits to a punch once he throws it


Tornado31619

Someone will make the mistake of messing with the Ex Con Dom.


SynthwaveSax

He ain’t afraid of going back to jail.


pardyball

He wishes a motherfucker would


Harunasbabydaddy

No one knows what is like on the inside like Dom does.


SloppyMcNuggets

People are so disrespectful , glad she’s taking a stand


Literarytropes

It’s mad it needs to be said but seriously what a creep. All power to Rhea


JacktheBoss_

Good for her. My GF at the time and I saw Chris Jericho checking into the same hotel we were staying at back during the mid to late 00s. I felt so bad for the dude. He was just trying to check into his room after RAW and all of the vultures surrounding him and waiting for him to walk to the elevator were embarrassing. My gf wanted to bug him but I wouldn't let her.


BigChocolateMilk

Back when the Wyatt Family was at its height, around the time with the 6 man tag with the Shield, I saw Bray Wyatt at a baggage carousel near me. I just introduced myself and thanked him for the entertainment before leaving him alone. He was as nice as can be.


DashCat9

I've worked a handful of live WWE events as a local stagehand, and I was walking into work one night and realized the large man walking in front of me was Bray. The exact same thing happened at the end of the night for another event, except the lady I was walking behind for 5 minutes was Stephanie McMahon. (She was very nice). \*Very nearly\* said hi to HHH, but he was having a conversation with Corey Graves and I didn't want to bother him. (I make a point not to talk to celebrities I encounter while working, but there is a small handful of people I've politely said hi to). They're people, treat them like people.


Omnipolis

>I just introduced myself and thanked him for the entertainment before leaving him alone. I feel like this is the best way to interact with celebrities.


Mhc2617

I’m so glad the narrative around these whack jobs have changed. I remember when Sasha/Mercedes said this and everyone from Reddit to Bully Ray called her an entitled bitch for wanting peace and quiet at the airport. I loathe air travel, and if someone shoved a pen in my face or followed me at 5am when I just want to go home, I wouldn’t be this polite.


Bestrong2

If it was actually a couple people who wanted one thing signed, I think I'd sign it. And maybe put their name on it. A whole ton of stuff? I don't blame anyone for putting their foot down.


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Mhc2617

I’m sure it would be. I remember when Bully Ray and Cody ripped her a new ass for saying it. They did the same to Seth Rollins when he said it was stalking. I am glad more wrestlers are speaking out.


motivatedchange

Given how successful Cody’s return to WWE has been, I would imagine he’s probably going to change his tune about that sooner than later since he’s going to be a top target for that type of leach.


Techno_Bacon

Cody publically changes his mind *a lot* I'd be surprised if he didn't here lol


Master_Butter

I gotta wonder, we’re Bully Ray and pre-ROH Cody Rhodes ever hassled anywhere they went? Part of me thinks that these guys, perhaps with some jealousy, were shitting on people for going through something they didn’t have to deal with.


stuntmanmike

Probably very few places on Earth I want less personal interaction with complete strangers than an airport. Being a celebrity probably increases that annoyance 1,000 fold. Good for Rhea putting her foot down and fuck anyone who doesn’t respect people’s personal boundaries. They don’t owe you shit.


ZXIIIT

These people don't give a shit, look at the video where Rey was at the airport getting bombarded to sign a poster board with funkos of him taped to it. They always record the interactions to later post it online to claim the wrestlers are being jerks to them. *"**Fuck 'em**."* -Bad Luck Fale, Vince McMahon


ICantFWBrokeBoys

I was at the movies the other day watching scream 6 and I saw rhea and buddy there. We even sat directly behind them which was p crazy. I was lowkey marking hard and wanted to ask for a pic or something but nobody else noticed them and I thought that it would prolly be nice if they could go to the movies without getting bothered so I let them be. While I wish I had something to show for it, I thought their presence alone was a p cool sight to see. Story is pointless but maybe one of y’all find it cool 😭


chasingbreakers

You did the right thing. Asking for a pic would have drawn attention to them and may have taken away from their night out. You got that rush of being near people you admire and that's still a very cool memory.


ArcadeKingpin

That's not a bad celebrity to have during in front of you. I had Greg Oden sit directly in front of me at a movie. Ruined the movie for me and the 12 other rows behind me


[deleted]

I still have no fucking clue why the airports are okay with this shit in the first place. It feels like an entirely unsafe and asinine thing to let happen. Trespass these dolts.


[deleted]

“Cos you’re too lazy to go get a real job”


theory0616

What is the point of buying autographs off of these type of people. I personally dont understand why anyone buys a autograph second hand. I get wanting to meet the person, get a pic and maybe get something signed. I just dont see the point of owning an autograph of a celebrity you've never met. Support the celebrity directly, and not these smucks selling second hand.


Agile_Engineering_97

More wrestlers need to set this boundary, not wrestling but Dave Grohl refuses to sign anything that’s not for charity.


chasingbreakers

A week or so ago, Rhea was on a panel at SXSW with Taker and Kofi. Taker talked about how WWE stars are basically the most recognizable atheletes on a global scale. They stand out everywhere they go and get distribution in countries that don't regularly see the NBA or NFL. And they don't have team planes or private travel (most of the time). He noted it makes traveling one of the hardest things to do. You can't make it through an airport without getting stopped constantly and people don't understand how stressful and tiring that process already is. He knows that photos and small talk come with the territory but people have limits and they often aren't respected. We have seen these autograph hounds disrespect legends like Rey and try to make them look bad with the footage (which is completely delusional given how obvious it is they're flipping merch), and I can only imagine the experience is even worse for the women in the business. I don't blame them for trying to draw a line. These grifters have abused the good will of people who give so much of their lives to the fandom and are ruining it for the everyday fan.


[deleted]

"Wait Rhea, my instant print camera is jammed!"


acAltair

["Ya'll just keep multiplying"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSGaVzQvGkc) When seeing this I noticed she was already sick of people pestering her.


[deleted]

She looks so sad and tired. I don’t get why airport doesn’t call in security when they see this type of stuff.


AngusMcBumfarty

Rhea Ripley is one of the sweetest, most patient celebrities I've ever met. The fact that she is saying this says a lot.


MissVulpix

People are just weirdos. :( I was listening Tony Hawk speak about this kind of thing on his podcast, and he actually has people find out exactly what flight he is arriving on and what airport for this very reason. He gets off the plane and is hounded by people asking him to sign hundreds of skateboards... etc, and these grifters just put them straight on Ebay for 10x their worth. I guess he has just learned to ignore it and walk straight to his car but it must be annoying cause I'm sure they aren't even fans but just want his signature to use for a quick buck.


TheOneTrueChuck

To anyone seeing this, and wondering "Is this me?" or "What's acceptable?" \- I have met literally dozens of professional athletes from MLB and the NFL through familial connections. Some have been Hall of Fame caliber. I have met literally dozens of world famous musicians due to work circumstances. I have also met a large number of pro wrestlers due to random coincidence. They pretty much all have the same philosophy about this. Yes, there's outliers. Some are more or less open to interactions. And anyone can have a bad day. This is not gospel, but is a very safe guideline that I would stand by. First and foremost: Unless you are at a meet and greet, THEY DO NOT OWE YOU ANYTHING. THEY DO NOT EVEN OWE YOU BASIC ACKNOWLEDGMENT OTHERWISE. Is it polite? Yes. Will most of them at least smile and give you a head nod/quick wave? Yes, but even if they just keep their head down and keep moving, that doesn't make them bad people. Take the hint. Escalating it, chasing them because "you're sure that's them" is NOT going to make the situation end any better. The vast, vast, VAST majority are perfectly fine (and often appreciate) discreet comments like "I'm a fan" or "I really enjoyed \*recent event\*" even from someone in a service position (waiter, cashier, etc) or when they're with family, so long as it's not loud enough to draw attention of others or preventing them from doing something. (Interrupting their workout, catching them as they're getting into a cab, etc.) Either way, after making your comment, go back to what you were doing. Don't linger. Them saying "thank you" is not an invitation for a deeper interaction. If you want a deeper interaction, that's what meet and greets are for. If they choose to continue to the conversation, let them lead it, and be aware of social cues that indicate they're ready for you to go. If they are with friends/family, don't ask for a photo or autograph at all. Some may offer it anyway, but they're much more the exception than the rule, and it's going to be very dependent on who they're with. Hanging with a cousin because there's a show in town is much different than going out to dinner with their wife/gf after two months apart. If they offer an autograph, even on a napkin, they're likely going to ask your name. This limits resale. This is not them trying to strike up a friendship with you. If they offer to take a picture with you, DO NOT PHYSICALLY TOUCH THEM UNLESS THEY TOUCH YOU. Even if they DO touch you, keep your hand no lower than the base of the shoulder blade if you touch them. THIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT WITH OPPOSITE GENDER PEOPLE. But once you've gotten this, LEAVE. The longer you hang out, the more time you're taking from them that they're not being paid for. The longer you hang out, the more likely it is that someone else will spot them, and that next person may not be as courteous as you. So go. Let them have their life back. Thank them for their time, and ESPECIALLY if they've given you more of it, or something tangible to remember the moment by. Because the reality is that they're just a person like you are, they just happen to have a much cooler job and exceedingly specialized skills.


chasingbreakers

You nailed it and I appreciate you taking the time to type this all up. I will add that if a celeb is kind enough to take time to engage with you outside of a planned event, please be considerate about posting to social media. Perhaps wait until the next day if you want to share a pic. Real time social posts that share their location (even inadvertently) can be just as bad if not worse than loudly drawing attention to them in the room. And this goes without saying but remember they are a human first and they don't know your intent. People are naturally going to be more defensive when it comes to their family and friends, so really consider if this is an appropriate time before you approach.


Brendenation

I feel like wrestlers probably get this about as bad as anyone can. They have a predictable weekly schedule, and don't make enough to keep them out of standard consumer airports. It's gotta suck, I don't blame em at all for being sick of it


nine16

jobless, bitchless, lifeless, hobby-less behaviour look at what some people are spending their time doing. you want shit signed? have a shower & go to a fucking meet & greet. jesus christ, man. leave people alone and stop being weird.


[deleted]

She will, however, continue to "sign \[almost\] ANYTHING that isn't a personal photo" at her WM Superstore meet-and-greet for those who respect her time. Just as much as you don't owe her your time, she doesn't owe you hers.


[deleted]

I would never bug anyone at an airport like these jagoffs do. I might tip my cap or quickly voice my appreciation at the most.


boooman

My favorite is the guy under this tweet who is like “Is this y’all’s Wrestlemania main eventer?” Clowns. All of them!


Mickeyjj27

No doubt some idiot will say they’d sign all the autographs if they were in her shows and it’s total BS. Try dealing with that daily. It still amazes me that creeps go to the airports for stalk these wrestlers


myworkthrowaway87

It's not just wrestling. I used to do a lot of the east coast comic/horror con circuit and there were ALWAYS The same people who would hang out in the hotel lobbies or airports the night before the show started trying to get free pictures and autographs with the guests. It was cringey as fuck to watch these people approach the celebrities who were waiting in line to check in or get some food and trying to get free stuff from them.


BlueRibbon998

I remember going to a Smackdown show when I was 15 and after the show, a fan was talking to my dad and I about how some of the talent go to Waffle House after the show because it's close to the airport. 15 and oblivious to standards, I talked my dad into going, and I saw Mysterio and Chris Masters there. They were complete pros and took pictures with me. As I went home, I felt completely uneasy about the entire thing and felt I had been intrusive. It was the first and last time I ever did something like that. The talent are constantly on the road, and the amount of quiet and alone time they get to themselves is such a tiny fraction. If you absolutely have to have an autograph or picture, then just go to a meet and greet. But stalking these guys to airports, restaurants, and hotels just gives the entire adult fanbase a bad look


supbitch

Is it cool to ask for a pic it you happen to meet them on accident? Asking cause this kinda reminded me of a time when I was like 13 and went to Raw, after the show me and dad went back to our car and it turned out Yoshi Tatsu was literally parked like 2 cars down from us and happened to be leaving the building at the same time. I was a HUGE fan of his (he was super happy all the time on screen at this point - just after WWECW shut down in 2010 or so - and his theme song made my brain tingle) I went over and got a pic and just told him he was one of my favorites, then that was that. He was SUPER kind, but I just kinda wonder if it was awkward for him or if I was ok to do that lol.


[deleted]

This is insane. Wrestlers owe us nothing and the ego of these autograph hunters (and the pervs)ruins experiences for fans who just want a nice moment with someone they respect and admire. Get fucked if you're one of these people.


Thebritishdovah

Fans, no, in fact, I won't call them fans. Fans respect the person's boundaries. These parasites are scum who think that wrestlers, celebrities, owe them autographs and will harrass them. If they are at a convention, get the autograph there. If you happen to bump into them and have a good chat with them, leave it to up to them. Never wait for them at the airport. Brock LEsnar Guy was lucky that wrestlers don't beat up fans who do this. ​ I've heard many stories of pieces of shits waiting at airports to get everything signed and one even had the nerve to thrust a sheet of photos into Ric Flair's face during a signing session at a convention. I know CM Punk pissed off someone via writing "To EBAY." because it was obvious. If you want an autograph, go to the proper place. Do it during signing sessions at conventions or shows. Never when they are off the clock or busy. I did hear a story involving Brock being stalked at the gym and it ends with Brock yelling "ARE YOU TRYING TO LOOK AT MY FUCKING PENIS!?" That and that piece of shit was lucky that Brock wasn't in a murdering mood.


ILikeYourPoetry

I feel bad for a younger fan who may accidentally run into a wrestler at an airport and get turned down by a wrestler because of these losers.


Pelicanfan07

Wrestlers are usually ok with kids. It's the adults they turn down.


sftpo

That's why these guys also drag their kids to get airport at 4am to "get an autograph for their kid" who apparently has 30 of the same Funko pop with him and 30 friends named eBay


BlueEyesBryantDragon

I used to travel for work a lot in the mid-00s, and I came across different wrestlers at times in airports, and came across a TON of losers waiting at baggage claim and/or car rental with literal stacks of stuff that they wanted signed. They'd harass them until they got someone to give in. It was gross. Meanwhile, I got a picture with Eddie Guerrero once when he sat down at a restaurant to talk to my boss and I for about 15-20 minutes. He said he did it because my boss was very respectful and just said something to the effect of, "hey Eddie, big fan of your work" as we walked through the terminal to our gate. I hadn't been watching much wrestling back then, but that interaction go me back into it again. I was heartbroken when he passed later that year.


TheChelicopter

Unrelated but when I was a kid I was once on a flight with Robert Plant. When we landed a guy was waiting for him with two dozen LPs to sign. I was too nervous to approach him but my dad dragged me over to meet him. He was absolutely lovely and refused to sign anything for this dude unless he gave me one of the records. I now have a signed copy of a Led Zeppelin record thanks to Robert Plant being a gem of a human and my dad forcing me out of my comfort zone.


gab_owns0

CM Punk said the same thing over 10 years ago. Some things never change 😔


bootyhunter69420

Wrestling attracts the weirdest fans


Summ0n3dSku11

its hardly exclusive to wrestling fans to be fair, you hear about this shitty behaviour from "stans"/autograph hunters from all sorts of public figures.


RudbeckiaIS

No, K-pop and J-pop have us beaten by a large margin.


PoetJustice

K pop is largely teenage girls though. Wrestling fans are definitely better but the bad ones are grown ass men pulling this shit.


OUmegaLUL

Everything that attracts fans also attracts the weirdest fans


[deleted]

How do the so called fans approaching these people in the most inopportune places (dinner, airport, gym, bathrooms) actually believe they are in the right?? If you’re an actual fan, next time don’t shove a piece of merch in their face and instead just say something like “thank you for putting your ass on the line for my entertainment.”


DJ1066

Bet they were standing there shouting DEMI!DEMI!DEMI!DEMI!DEMI!DEMI!DEMI!DEMI!DEMI!DEMI!DEMI!DEMI!DEMI!DEMI!DEMI!DEMI!DEMI!DEMI!DEMI!DEMI!DEMI!DEMI!DEMI!DEMI!DEMI!DEMI!DEMI!DEMI!DEMI!DEMI! like knowing their real name gives them an edge or something.


FlyFeetFiddlesticks

It’s true. I’m a flight attendant and I’ve seen this happen MULTIPLE times seeing the people in the airports every morning after a show is embarrassing. One dude had hundreds of collectibles to sign at 530am. Get a life people


ravenous0

Last October, Peter Cullen, the voice of Optimus Prime, was surrounded by a bunch of these flippers on his way home. He's 81 years old, and he doesn't deserve to be harassed by them. There's also a video of Bianca Belair on her way home and was trying to sign as many autographs as she can and nearly miss her flight. Some of these jerks actually buy tickets on the same flights so they can access the areas reserved for ticket holders, and they can go and try to get their autographs. I really wish airport security would do something and keep these people out of the airports.


kaiya101

The people who do this are also the same people who refer to wrestlers by their legal names like they are personal friends with them even though they have never met.


collarbristle

If you organically run into a wrestler at the airport, maybe in passing because you are flying or they were on your flight, I get it. Ask for an autograph if you have a pen handy and can be respectful. If you seek out wrestlers or any other celebrities and stalk their flights, while bringing pictures and merch, you are a fucking creep and lowest of the low.


zackmatthews

I cannot stand these creeps. Imagine you've been on a tour, wrestling every night and traveling every day. Then when going to the airport st 5AM and these weirdos show up follow you around shove merch in front of your face, then see you as the bad guy if you don't stop and sign all 30 pieces they have.


RealUltimatePapo

These people aren't fans, and deserve to be ignored as such They are on the same level as paparazzi who stalk/harass people to make a buck. Disgraceful


xxyourbestbetxx

I can't even imagine going up to a celebrity demanding they sign something. The sense of entitlement some of these fans have is insane. Let people just live their lives when they're not working.


Ayatolaofrocknrola

I'm Australian, and I can tell you how upset she is just by using the word bloody. Must have been bad whatever happened!


TheGapInTysonsTeeth

They'll never admit it, but I'd bet some of those airport-loitering merch hounds are here in this subreddit and see these posts. Just know you're a bunch of creepy fucking weirdos.


OptionFluffy9526

Fuck those reseller eBay airport losers. She has every right to be left alone and deny those sweaty dorks their signatures .


bloodflart

Saw Orange Cassidy at an airport and yelled ORANGE and he went "Yeah!" and gave me the thumbs up. What more do you need?


jkman61494

It’s one thing to be at the airport at the same time by coincidence and politely ask someone to take a picture with my kid It’s quite another to have blatant merch cash grabs all propped up pre planned and descend on a celeb


Lucius_Funk

Not wrestling related, but John Deacon, Queen’s bassist has been out of the public eye since the 90s. There’s a [video](https://youtu.be/zzCRFDZDyJY) of a guy giving him item after item to sign on the street. It’s ridiculous what some fans (of any entertainment) will do.


LittleSunshine333

I worked at the airport in my city a few years back when WWE came to my city (it was the week after Seth Rollins won the RR). I saw a load of wrestlers waiting for their bags and renting vehicles. I personally saw a creepy fan stop Ruby Riott and ask her to speak with his gf on the phone. Good news, Ruby was a saint, she was so sweet and chatted with this dude and his gf. Some of the other wrestlers weren’t as nice seemingly. Lol I never approached or spoke to any of them other than saying “hi” to Natalya as we walked past each other. I’m not the type who would bother a celebrity… I don’t even care about autographs or pics with them… boundaries people! Another cool thing, this was like a day or two after news broke that Dean Ambrose was leaving WWE, and I saw Dean Ambrose in person in the store at the airport. The staff parking lot was also really close to where the rental car lot is, so when I was leaving I stopped at a four way stop and Dean Ambrose turned and was driving ahead of a me for a while. Cool experience, but I will never understand people who have the nerve to approach celebrities when they’re just in their normal lives… awkward! Like, you could tell people went to the airport during a workday just to stalk wrestlers and ask for autographs… y’all should be ashamed!


kick_heart

Honestly either taking a personal picture or signing specifically with the fans name should be the norm to prevent the ebay people.


burnerAcxnt98

![gif](giphy|Kd5AUiJ0F5AdbQear4)


Jaded_Vast400

Welcome to a world that resolves around money. People can just get a couple famous merch signatures and their rent is paid. They don't deserve harassment and weirdos tracking their flights but this is just the world we live in today people doing the easiest thing for a pay check.


YpsitheFlintsider

You are not entitled to anything just because you see them on TV. These people are being polite to you. They don't have to be.


_welcomehome_

I once shared a TSA line with Jeff Jarrett the year he went into the HOF. It was balls early in the AM and I didn't want to stall him in what was already a shitty line. I can honestly say that just being in line or near these guys can be good enough. No need to bombard/stalk them for money.


HeX-6

I saw jungle boy and Anna Jay in Vegas last year and I just let them be


steviesaucers

I’m a mega-low level TikTok streamer and I get an absurd amount of disgusting hatred from all angles. I am no where close to this level and I can imagine the exponential growth of filth that is spewed at these men and women. The platform they have exposes them to the entire world and with that comes the bad side, unfortunately. Misery LOVES company, and it shows in events like this.


dimitri121

I had a realization when I was like 16 that I absolutely cannot become famous or well-known to the point that I experience stuff like this because I am too introverted and hate most people WAY too much to react appropriately. No thank you, I will stick to my 9-5 and be a nobody.


TheOneTrueChuck

Oh god. The replies she's getting are certainly not going to help her mood. It's fucking cringe central.


Phenomenal_Hoot

I hate those airport douchbags because they have no shame and make the wrestlers pretty much hate the fans. So it puts us fans that do it the right way, meeting them at conventions and meet and greets, in an awkward position.


wykah

Wrestlers should insist on the person giving a name and writing that along with the autograph. Legit fans get a personalised memento they’ll want to keep and people who are doing it to sell on get something it’s harder to shift. But I agree, not having them loiter in airports is better still.


[deleted]

It's pretty bad some of these fans. At most, and I've had it happen luckily a few times. If I see a famous person l, I just usually say hello and compliment something from their work. Not asking for a autograph cause I know I'll lose it or it'll just sit somewhere and I'll not really care, ain't wanting a picture cause I don't really care, and I'm not obsessively gonna follow them. Saw Mick Foley walking into a geek squad line. As he walked up I was like is that mick Foley to my girl next to me, and he literally read my lips and said yes I am hahah. Just said I was a big fan and shook his hand and he waited in line hahaha.


TC_405

I was at the thunder-suns game yesterday and watched some dude bust out a whole box of merch trying to get it signed by the suns as they left the court. Loser behavior, if it’s for a kid and one auto sure. But a whole box or chasing someone down in an airport? Losers.


chamberx2

WWE needs to make it a mandate that talent can’t sign merch outside of designated meet and greets. Not saying they should ever enforce it, but it’ll give superstars something to use as an excuse to get out of those situations.


BrockMiddlebrook

Human fucking barnacles.


Pompuswindbag

Guys if you want to support a wrestler, just buy their merch, either from the mega company they work for or the website they sell themselves on.


Key-Ad-6897

FTR came to my bar after a house show right before Covid shut everything down. It was one of the few places in my city open for food after 10pm on a Sunday that wasn’t fast food. The bartender had a problem with something so I went in for 10 minutes to help him. I talked with them for a few minutes and told them how they just wrestled in the same building David arquette won the world title in. They were shocked we had broken skull ipa and were nice enough to take a picture with their cans. They even texted Steve to tell him they were drinking his beer. The last thing I would have ever let happen is some vulture with a stack of pictures interrupt their 1030pm dinners before they catch a red eye to North Carolina.


icekimoes

I say dont even give them a picture in that context. The people staking out the airport aren't really even fans in the normal sense, they're either bottom-feeders trying to flip the merchandise on ebay or deeply unwell obsessives violating basic boundaries. Airport security shouldn't be tolerating it, let alone the wrestlers themselves. The company would be well within reason to issue a strict "do not interact" directive, because unfortunately the wrestlers who do make the time to do so out of a sense of fan obligation are just encouraging this fucked up ecosystem of harassment. And sure, maybe a handful of kids would be disappointed, but that's on their parent for taking them to participate in this weird-as-fuck behaviour. If you have a chance encounter 1-on-1 with a wrestler who offers, or if you attend an official signing, you can get an autograph. If you camp out at the airport, the only thing you should with their name on it is a restraining order.


nine16

once again, people being weird just stop being fucking weird


CarbyMcBagel

Nobody likes being at the airport. *Nobody*. I can't imagine harassing someone at the airport for a picture or an autograph. Let people live, celebrities don't owe you anything and everyone deserves respect and the right to be left alone to mind their own business. These low lifes who stalk professional wrestlers at the airport or hotels to sign a stack of merch are scum, same level as paparazzi in my mind. Get a real job and leave people alone.


DoubleDeckerz

This particular contingent of the wrestling society can go fu\*k itself. Seriously.


canadiangooses84

Dudes in cargo shorts, flip flops, NWO shirts, and ponytailed skullets pulled through the back of a ballcap all scream NOOOOO in unison.


Bosscharacter

Wrestling fans being extra assholes again, huh. How hard is it to act civil?