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I guess this was Paul’s way of protecting me. Paul wanted my debut to be in front of the original ECW fans. The Hammerstein Ballroom was undoubtedly ECW’s homeland. My debut would take place on the shows signature arena. It can be argued that I was all talk and my debut would go unnoticed by the WWE Universe.Īfter a few weeks, the date for my debut was set.įrom the start, it was as if I was being “fed to the dogs”.
ALLSTATE ARENA WRESTLEMANIA 22 PROFESSIONAL
For weeks, WWE Management hyped my debut by having me tape vignettes displaying my lifestyle and my addiction to professional wrestling.
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My ill fated quest began on July 4, 2006. One day, I would bring the WWE Champion down. One day, I would step out of the shadows and perform in front my people in the Allstate Arena.
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One day, I would be the center of attention. The WWE Champion had this bright idea to utilize a “mob” style entrance for the event.Īnd who did management place in the entrance as a gangster? That’s right, me, the hometown hero himself.Īs I stared at the 17,000 in attendance, I made myself a promise that day. Can you blame me? Instead of performing, I was booked in what can be described as a “minor appearance” by WWE Management. Instead of the moment being a natural part of nostalgia, to this day, the moment lives in infamy. The Allstate Arena located in the northern section of Chicago, Illinois. Despite defeating the face of the company, embarrassing the boss, and narrowly escaping with the Championship, the memory of my first WWE pay per view in Chicago attached itself to my unique train of thought like a leech to the human anatomy. Just eight days ago, I wrestled the match of my career in front of my hometown. Thing is, this prize is wrapped tightly around my waist. Here I stand, watching two of the greatest WWE Superstars of all time wrestling for the company’s biggest prize.