Quote:
Originally Posted by esquire
Haha, I remember when I was a kid I would go watch WWF matches at Winnipeg Arena and it seemed like every card there was always at least a wrestler or two who no-showed. I wonder if that was the reason why... I assume that with the lifestyles some of these guys led, there were reasons why they might have been denied entry. But that said, you would think an outfit like the WWF would have had people on staff to sort all that out in advance.
I would have loved to be the customs agent to tell Road Warrior Hawk that he can't enter Canada to do his job and that he has to turn around and go home... a nerve wracking experience I'm sure 
But I do agree with (sub)urban that MSP is in the sweet spot where it has flights to just about everywhere in North America and many overseas destinations, but it's still small enough to not be too much of a hassle. It is a great place to fly through. |
I dont want to hijack...but, thats exactly what happened. We brought in both Road Warriors in 2002. Hawk missed his flight (coming from Florida, connecting in Minneapolis where there was a weather delay so he left) and came in the next day, coincidently meeting up with Buff Bagwell in Minneapolis and they were on the same flight (as Buff forgot about the time zone change and missed his flight).
There is a simple rule that if you bring in wrestlers they WILL be the last ones through. So I wasnt too worried when people streamed in from customs but no Hawk or Buff. I get motioned over to pick up the phone and I hear an angry Hawk ranting and raving while an agent tells me he has an assault conviction from like 30 years earlier so of course he can't come in. But wait! This vile criminal will be allowed if we grease the governments palms by buying a Minister's Permit. I agree but am anxious cause Hawk was very angry.
Finally Hawk comes through and he looks relaxed. Im anxious. Still no Buff. I say, hey Hawk, did you see Buff? "Yeah, they got him for cocaine."
What? Hawk is sitting relaxed, chilled. Im a basket of nerves. He tells me not to worry. "I think cocaine is worth worrying about," I tell him.
Another customs employee comes over. Its just us. He looks nervous as he tells Hawk he is a big fan and asks for a photo. Hawk says "that depends. Is my buddy coming out soon?" Employee assures him Buff will be cleared.
Few minutes later Buff comes out, white as a ghost, shuffling alone in a daze. He collapses in Hawk's arms, practically in tears as he recounts the story of being searched and his fear hed end up "thrown into a foreign prison."
Apparently they scanned his bags and it registered for coke which I guess is not unusual. Secondary found nothing and cleared him.
Customs also did the same thing to Eddy Guerrero. He had JUST pleaded No Contest to a DUI in Florida in 2002 (after we booked him, literally the week before he came in). Customs was refusing him entry. He had to beg them to let him in. Again, the vile criminal was deemed reformed after we paid a fee.
Samoa Joe came in. He was so hassled he didnt speak a single word for about half an hour after he arrived. He was so livid. He told me the agent kept accusing him of being a drug user and trying to antagonize him and Joe had to bit his tongue and kiss the guys ass and in infuriated him.
Steve Corino, born in Winnipeg, hassled. He had had a dispute with an ex over a credit card. Minor stuff. Been here many times. CANADIAN. Hassled, threatened with being denied.
My competitors were less lucky. One show had two imports booked and both got nailed at customs. Their own fault because they lied about why they were coming (Americans think they cant come here to work so they often lie and I always tell them do NOT lie, you're allowed to come here). Another competitor had a few guys denied on the same show, Lex Luger being one, for that reason, not allowed to come wrestle. It wasnt true.
Moral of the story, clear customs in Toronto or Montreal. Never a problem. I guess wrestlers just arent stars in Toronto like they are here.
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). It'd be nice if Delta dropped their prices back down to what they were before COVID as well, because speaking of good airports to make connections -- connecting in Minneapolis is way better than connecting anywhere in Canada. 
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