The life of a WWE Superstar is far from glamorous, as they navigate hectic schedules and constant travel between cities for shows. However, alongside their demanding routines, they also face the unwelcome attention of fans, particularly at airports. These fans, often resellers, opportunistically seek autographs in bulk, sometimes up to 50 at a time, to later sell them for profit.
Rhea Ripley and The Undertaker have expressed frustration over this behavior, highlighting the inauthenticity of these so-called fans. Wrestling journalist Bill Apter shed light on the issue during an episode of The Wrestling Time Machine podcast with host Mac Davis. He revealed how fans exploit stars by collecting multiple autographs to later sell them at conventions for a significant markup.
The Undertaker (Via WWE/Twitter)
Adding to the discourse, WWE Legend Teddy Long shared insights on how fans strategically approach wrestlers at airports to avoid paying for event tickets. The Undertaker further elaborated on this, recounting an incident where a father used his young daughter to manipulate him into signing an autograph. These anecdotes underscore the lengths some fans go to for financial gain.
The prevalence of such encounters raises concerns for WWE stars, as they face increasing pressure from fans seeking autographs as a means to profit without supporting the wrestlers directly. The issue of scalping autographs remains a persistent challenge, impacting the interactions between fans and wrestlers both inside and outside the ring. The extent to which this behavior will persist or diminish in the future remains uncertain, posing ongoing challenges for WWE personalities caught in the middle of fan demands and exploitation.
