Issues With WWE Autograph Signings At Fanatics Fest

Not everything at the first-ever Fanatics Fest went to plan, particularly for the multiple WWE stars in attendance. 

WWE were heavily featured at the Fanatics Fest convention, which emanated from New York City's Javits Center from August 16 to August 18, with Fox News noting the most popular attraction at the convention was WWE fans being able to walk out of a tunnel to their favourite wrestler's entrance music. WWE talents were also the only group at the convention where photo ops and autograph signings sold out. 

The high demand led to issues, however, with Mike Johnson of PWInsider reporting there was a long wait for the autograph and photo sessions, with one friend of Johnson's describing the situation as a "sh*t show", while others called it a "very disorganised experience." It was noted that one person pre-paid for a photo with Jade Cargill but they had to get a refund after waiting for two hours because Cargill was pulled from the signing while there were still fans in line. 

Cody Rhodes' signing session also ended early as he had a strict departure time due to needing to travel to WWE's house show in Fort Myers, Florida. The system for the signing went down during Cody's session too which only worsened issues. Fans still waiting in line received refunds instead of meeting their favourite talent. 

Alongside signings, WWE wrestlers were involved in panels across the weekend, including CM Punk who addressed why the backstage issues that plagued him in All Elite Wrestling haven't followed him to WWE.