This past weekend US based women’s wrestling fans had a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet me.. err, I mean see Manami Toyota perform for the first time on American soil when she wrestled a weekend of shows for CHIKARA. Despite having seen SHIMMER only a weekend before, I knew I had to experience the woman widely known as ‘The Greatest Women’s Wrestler of All Time’ for myself. I also wanted to give my adoring fans a chance to admire me for themselves. I am as generous as I am humble…
Apparently, many others felt the same way, as the show not only sold out but the venue was also filled wall to wall with standing room spectators AND according to ringside gossip which I was, of course, privy to, 200+ fans were turned away at the door. Fellow wrestlers ‘The Rate Tank’ Kellie Skater and ‘Bonesaw’ Jessie Brooke felt it a necessity to attend this show and both told me that it was a dream come true to see Manami Toyota wrestle in person.
Following the event, Manami Toyota signed autographs in the lobby. Knowing that the demand for a moment with the living legend would be of epic proportions (Diva Dirt fan John Hyperion and I even met one fan who flew out from Japan to see Manami wrestle in America), CHIKARA provided the entire bar area for Toyota’s signing, which lasted close to an hour. During this time I had the privledge of meeting and speaking with Yolanda Jerigan, owner and founder of GIMICK$, a t-shirt line that is very over with the wrestlers themselves (she designed the ‘I Love Heels’ shirts featured in that infamous Awesome Kong/Alissa Flash photo). Ms. Jerigan is also a designer of wrestling fashions (ring gear) and designed the gear Sara Del Rey wore in the main event that night. While Ms. Jerigan had every reason to sit back and allow me to praise her talents and beg for free fierce fashions (which I would still like please), she instead chose to tell me how much she loved Diva Dirt, how her company checks it everyday and how she views us as THE Women’s wrestling website. The success of this site continues to amaze me and is in large part thanks to the loyal readers who allow the staff to experience moments like these.