SIN SEATS

PRO-WRESTLING DRIVER SEAT
by Hub Pacheco

“Wala na talaga, miss?”

“Yung buong sections na yun?”

“Wala na, sir. Kinuha na ng promoters yung apat na sections na ‘yun,” (see above photo for reference) said the friendly Araneta Coliseum clerk. I stood there, frozen for a minute, which seemed like an eternity, then hesitantly took the Php 5k seat next to one of the sections that the promoter took.

While I’m still contemplating my decision on the seat that I bought for the WWE SmackDown! Survivor Series Tour on October 21 (and 22? Not yet sure so far) this year, I reflected on what the Araneta clerk told me. I was originally planning to buy a PT106 patron b seat (worth Php3700+) but I was stopped in my tracks by the promoter who hoarded over 200+ seats! Now, I would understand them hoarding the ringside seats which cost Php 10k each. THAT I can understand. But hoarding four main sections? That’s bullshit. What makes these sections so special? I dunno for the promoter but for me when you sit from those sections, you’re like watching WWE from a straight TV camera view. And those seats were the best seats for my budget. You’re close enough to the action and it’s “affordable.”

But they were gone. Just like that. This may sound whiny in my part but it’s very much true: It’s not fair. It’s bad enough that the ringside seats cost Php 10k, now they hoarded the affordable good seats? People who have connections with the promoter, of course, still have to pay for those hoarded seats. Connections are to an extent are literally connections. If you can’t pay up, you won’t get that seat. Unless you’re treated to that seat then it’s another story. I’m not gonna take away the fact that those people paid for those hoarded seats. You have connections, while I and a host of others don’t. You never worked for your tickets while I and thousands of other people frantically called up ticketnet or went to Araneta at 6:30 AM in the morning and waited for hours until the ticket booth opened. A lot of people deserved those seats more than you. But I will tell you this: come October 21, me and a lot of people who will sit in PT 105, 108, 109, 110, 111, 114, 115 will, in their minds, boo you out of Araneta. At least that’s what I think. Nonetheless, on October 21, you people who will be sitting on hoarded seats will have my ever-erupting ire from the moment “Rise Up” plays until the WWE crew takes the ring down. You’re sitting on sin seats, you jerks. No, you’re sitting on MY and a lot of other people’s seats. I hope you’re happy.

Oh yes. I almost forgot. As a final note to the promoters: Thank you for bringing WWE RAW and SmackDown! here in the Philippines. I really appreciate it. And as for hoarding those sections, I only have two words for ya. No, not the famous DX line. It’s more along the lines of…

F--- YOU.