?Reported by Mike Siciliano of WrestleView.com

On Saturday, March 26, 2005 at 2:48 AM EST

"How come is it these people are first in line whenever I'm here?"

That was the line we received last night at New York Sports Works, NEWYORKSPORTSWORKSINC.com, when my family walked in for an autograph session with the Number One Contender for the WWE Championship, John Cena, and Jackie Gayda.

We've been fortunate enough to meet Cena on four different occasions, and each and every time, I cannot tell you how much of a class act John has been to me and my family, taking a picture with us on a whim back in Howard Beach when we first met him, signing that same picture when I tried to give it back to him to have him put it on his website, calling my youngest son, when he was bringing up the US title I had bought before a signing, the "uncrowned US champion." to literally throwing down the gauntlet to us last night when he had a good joke at our expense, trying to figure out how we were always here when he came in, and how we got to be first in line each time.

Well, the first in line thing I won't go in to, because quite frankly, it's my little secret. But, I have to be honest with you. If WWE doesn't realize the reaction and fan base that this man has, they need to get their heads out of the sand. In close to a year of going to these signings in Massapequa, seeing various talent from the Hurricane to Randy Orton, to Kurt Angle to Rey Mysterio, we have never, EVER seen the crowd like we did last night. Close to 1,000 people, easily crowded the Sunrise Mall to meet the Doctor of Thugonomics, and the lovely Tough Enough II champion diva. I'll talk about Jackie in a minute.

We mentioned to Cena how the debate was such a tremendous segment from Smackdown this past week, and he grinned from ear to ear, telling us he enjoyed immensely painting JBL like he did. He had a good two minute conversation with my youngest son, Jonathan, just recently recovering from a surgery, and one hell of a bad week of migraine headaches. My other two sons kept talking about their experience with John last night literally until I put my head on the pillow and went to sleep. That is how much of an impression this man made on this family last night, and each of the other times we have met him.

Honestly, I doubt you'd get 20 seconds of recognition from any other athlete in any sport at any time, and I cannot credit WWE enough for realizing these signings are a cog in the puzzle of reaching out to their fans. I'd personally like to ask each and every superstar when they're in the Long Island, New York area to check out my boys the Bookworm, Brad, Mike, and Captain Polaroid Alex at NY Sports Works and come in for a signing session. My quest continues to go forward as I am more determined than ever to meet more members of the WWE roster.

The fan base is here. The proof in the pudding was last night. And the sad part is, 99.9% of these people were there to see John Cena. Jackie was also there, and we had previously met Jackie about six to eight months ago when she came by with Rob Van Dam for a session of autograph signings. When she came out the first time, I didn't even bother to get her autograph, and she still took the time to recognize my kids that day. Last night, she took more time to meet each of us, I made sure to see her myself, as the last time I tried talking to her, I sounded like a stuttering idiot, flabbergasted by her appearance. (She was good looking back then, she was 100 times hotter last night. They must be in the process of reinventing her character.) Even stiill, Jackie seemed to take the crowd in stride, and was the ultimate in class to my family and I.

My quest began about a year ago when we, on an almost fluke, went to a Matt Hardy signing. Since then, we've had the opportunity, through various avenues, to meet Edge, Shawn Michaels, Chris Benoit, Shelton Benjamin, The Hurricane, Dawn Marie, Kurt Angle, Rey Mysterio, Christy Hemme, Randy Orton, Victoria, Lilian Garcia, Rob Van Dam, Triple H, Ric Flair, and Hilbilly Jim. We've also, actually, my son Jonathan has had experiences meeting Stone Cold, Eric Bischoff, Stacy Kiebler, Eddie Guerrero, and Goldberg at the Wrestlemania 20 press conference. We've got pictures of Jonathan with Stone Cold, Eddie (who let Jon hold the WWE championship, lucky kid), and Goldberg, (three pictures with Goldberg, I don't care what anybody says, he's the ultimate in class).

ALL of these experiences have been our honor to participate in. All of these superstars have been a pro's pro to each and every member of our family. I know sometimes the price of an autograph can be a little steep, but I gotta be honest with you, ladies and gentlemen. If you're interested in reaching for the stars, and scratching the surface of a celebrity's life, this group, the members of WWE realize to the last that their responsibility to the fans is to be accessible and professional to them, and I can tell you for certain they are tremendous to meet, every one of them.

In closing, the quest will continue in April, on April 17th, when my crew and I will go back to NY Sports Works to meet Godaddy.com girl and WWE diva Candice Michelle (hubba hubba), and the Animal, the future World Heavyweight Champion, Dave Batista. When the smoke clears after that experience, I will have a replica World title with Triple H, Ric Flair, Randy Orton, Chris Benoit, & Batista's signature. Should I ebay that sucker?

Quick question to my pals at Massapequa, did you survive the onslaught? We left at 730pm friday night, and it didn't look like they made a dent in that crowd. I'd be really interested to see how long they stayed.

WWE television may be sagging. We as columnists may be ripping the product from pillar to post. But, we can't rip the superstars for knowing where their bread is buttered, and believe me, they do. Meet them. I recommend it.

Quick plugs on the way out, NEWYORKSPORTSWORKSINC.com

And drop me a line, PALACE@WRESTLEVIEW.COM

I'm gone. Kimosabe, SUMO!?!?!