It was an amazing evening of pro wrestling at the 2023 Manila Federation Noche Buena show this past Sunday.
The kapafeds began lining up for the show as early as noontime for the much anticpated final show of 2023. Being one of the fans there, one can feel the buzz, anticipation and excitement.
This fan's day began early by walking over to Circuit Makati - Ayala Malls, about a 35 minute walk. It came as no surprise when walking torwards Starbucks, that the MWF brian trust - William and Tarek were inside. Joining them for a few minutes, the three of us talked about the past year and the excitement that the company is bringing to the Philippines right now.
Then, at Jolilbee, I flagged down Veronica while she was walking by. I was able to give her a book on one of our all time favorite pro wrestlers, Pat Patterson of NWA and WWF (now WWE fame). Patterson, to both of us, is a hero in this industry.
Veronica, along with Tarek and William, were very appreciative of this fan's journey over the past year. Thank you guys for the time. This fan has learned a lot about MWF and what it means here in the Philippines!
Eventually, I caught up with my friend, Alexander, a Filipino wrestling fan who lives and works in Japan. Alexander is so knowledgeable about the industry that you can spend days talking about its history with him.
Because he didn't have a ticket, and the show being sold out online, it was the hopes that he would be able to get in. The three plus hours of being in line at the PMC Spotlight Center were long but worth each minute. And the buzz and excitement grew as the 4pm hour came close. Everyone that I knew that didn't have a ticket, were able to secure one and be at the show!
Once inside, the anticpation of possibly the best show since the return from the pandemic, if not ever, was very possible. This fan has, on one other occasion, Wrestlemania 31, experienced this. The sellout crowd was ready for what was to follow.
The show itself did not disappoint anyone. It was definitely the best of the three MWF shows I've seen over the past calendar year! Manila Wrestling Federation, with the storybook type, did not disappoint one fan inside the arena last night. This fan has always said that the kapafeds, Pinoy wrestling fans, or whatever, are the most knowledgeable, passionate, humerous and great fans on this planet! I will stand by this statement today and in the future!
In the several wrestling shows over the past year, I've always appreciated the welcome and kindness the fans have shown. There were so many that this fan met last night. It is an experience that will never be taken for granted. One learns so much each time at a show here in the Philippines whether it is MWF or the other two wrestling promotions. Hopefully, this fan has done this for the wrestling fans here as well.
Instead of sharing results (because I want our fans to watch future episodes of Gank and Rock Of Manila TV), there were numerous things that I came away with.
Several of the MWF wrestlers reached out and have thanked me for the blog. Sometimes, because of the humbleness, I don't think about it. This fan feels the word needs to get out and it is a voice for fans who may or may not be at a show. Last night, maybe for the first time, I was very touched and a little emotional about this. Doing this has never been about me. It's about MWF, the wrestling fans, other wrestling promotions in the Philippines, and promotions throughout Southeast Asia. It is always been giving back to an industy that has provided many thrills for this fan!
It went further though last night. Several of the wrestlers who performed last night saw the emotion, the smile, the conversations, and the laughter out of this fan. It's another thing I don't realize only because we, the fans, get caught up in the moment. All I want to say is thank you to you (whom I won't name). It really meant a lot to me when you guys mentioned this. It is also something this fan never sees in America wrestling shows. One day, my persistance from this blog will see more fans from outside the Philippines at the shows.
This fan knows the risks, the work put in, the sacrifices, and some of the things that you do to prepare for shows like last night. This fan goes on record here saying that he'll always be in your corner no matter what!
Before leaving, I stopped by another coffee shop to talk with MWFs Kurt Jiminez. It was great to sit down, unwind, and talk about his accomplishments over the past year, his first. Kurt has unlimited potential, in my opinion, and is definitely a solid member of Oro Plata Mata, one of several groups in the company. This fan learned a lot of his experiences and am looking forward to his future, which is bright!
Finally, a word for the kapafeds who were or were not present at the show last night. If any of you attended any of the MWF shows within the past year, if you enjoyed the product, please let your friends know! Word of mouth is very powerful and it would be great not only seeing familiar but new faces at the shows. Let them know about the social media outlets, Gank and Rock Of Manila TV.
In closing, MWF will be at UP Dillman in 2024. There will be more announcements on it in future days and weeks. This fan is told that the capacity holds 100-200 more fans which is important for the company's future. Also, I've vowed, like I did last year, regarding helping MWF in 2024 and hopefully beyond!
I'll be here in Makati for another week on a needed vacation. In the meantime, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you! This fan will see you guys again sometime in 2024!
