A look back at New England Fan Fest 3
New England Fan Fest 3 was a great success after taking off (2012). This time the site was The Seaport Inn and Marina Hotel in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Fans lined up outside 2 hours before doors opened. There was a great guest list of vendors including Jake the Snake Roberts (Presented by NEFW), Jason Casey ART, HEADLOCKED (Michael Kingston), Big Van Vader, Hacksaw Jim Duggan and Chris Masters (Presented by the XWA), Kenny and Mikey "The Spirit Squad" (Presented by PWF Northeast), Koko B Ware (Presented by KNS Collectibles), Typhoon and The Demolition (Presented by M&J Collectibles), Virgil, Princess Victoria, Headshrinker Samu, Mario Mancini, Joel Gertner and The Duke of Dorchester Pete Doherty!!
Other vendors included Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, Cowboy Bob Orton Jr. and "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff (Presented by Wrestling Investments), The Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase (Presented by Rhode Island Comic Con), Nikolai Volkoff (Presented by Erik Boulay), Blue Meanie (Presented by NECW), Mr. USA Tony Atlas (Presented by UFO Wrestling), Colin Delaney, Tammy "Sunny" Sytch and The Godfather (Presented by Lucky 13 Promotions), Hillbilly Jim (Presented by Wrestling INK), Jillian Hall, Ashley Massaro, Nitro Girls Spice and Chae (Presented by 3B Wrestling), Bobby Lashley (Presented by Fan for Life wrestling), Rikishi and D`lo Brown (Presented by Sinners and Saints Tattoo), Local Boxing legend Vinny Paz (Presented by K&M All Star Sports), Paul "The Butcher" Vachon (Presented by Quebec wrestling Hall of Fame), Howard Finkel, Referee Tim White, X Pac, "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka, Kevin Sullivan and Rob Van Dam (Presented by Legends of the Ring), Marty Janetty, and Matt Borne "Original Doink the Clown"
(Above photo credit: Nate Grist)
It was certainly a who`s who of talent which drew fans from all over New England and beyond. There was a Q&A session with the Super Ticket guests that day hosted by Howard Finkel. There was also a Stand up Comedy show during the afternoon with Jameson Winger known as the Jameson Winger show.
Super Ticket guests that weekend included The Warlord & The Barbarian (The Powers of Pain), Jameson Winger, John Cena Sr, Antonio Thomas, Bryan Clark (FKA Adam Bomb), Dangerous Danny Davis, "The Boogie Woogie man" Jimmy Valiant, Savio Vega, Mideon, Gangrel, FKA Max Moon (Paul Diamond), Taeler Hendrix and even a Men on a Mission reunion consisting of Sir Mo, Front man Oscar and King Mabel!!
There was a VIP dinner at the Seaport Inn restaurant the night prior (Friday evening) for a handful of lucky fans which included guest appearances by Nikolai Volkoff, Sir Mo, Oscar, King Mabel, Taeler Hendrix and The Barbarian!
Sinners & Saints Tattoo were the official sponsor for this great event. There was something for every age of wrestling fan as dozens of pro wrestling`s best came to together for one huge event!! Some fans took advantage of the special Ministry of Darkness photo op featuring Viscera, Gangrel and Mideon!
It`s always great to see people reunite and Fan Fest 3 was the site of a slew of reunions. It was Jimmy Valiant`s first New England appearance in well over a decade. It was the first time The Headshrinkers (Samu and Rikishi) were together at a New England event in many years.
This was the FIRST and ONLY time ever that Paul Diamond (Tom Boric) put on the original Max Moon outfit at a wrestling convention! HIGHSPOTS were also on hand with tons of pro wrestling merchandise for sale. After the convention portion of the day ended, it was then time for the New England pro wrestling Hall of Fame Induction ceremony.
Class of 2013 Inductees included Nikolai Volkoff, Alex Payne, The Powers of Pain (Warlord & Barbarian), Brittany Brown, The late Referee Jack Savage, The late Marcus O` Middleton, Tammy "Sunny" Sytch, Promoter Michael Lombardi, The late Bull Curry, Men on a Mission (Sir Mo, Oscar & King Mabel), Ring announcer Mel Simons, Kurt Adonis (Purty Curty), Referee Peter B, Silvano Sousa, "The Taskmaster" Kevin Sullivan, Mr. Fuji, Mike Hollow and a special New England ICON award for Promoter Larry Bonoff and The Warwick Musical Theatre. The ceremony was hosted by Howard Finkel and Co-Hosted by Arda Ocal (Baltimore Sun) who went on to the WWE known as Kyle Edwards.
The evening culminated with a special meet and greet with Mick Foley followed by his stand up comedy show (Presented by Rivalry Championship Wrestling).
Truly a weekend that fans will not soon forget!
