In the build up to WrestleMania 42 a few months back, when the high price of being a WWE fan in the TKO Era was top of mind for a lot of folks in the wrestling community, the announcement that TKO-owned On Location’s top-tier VIP package for May 31’s Clash in Italy
event would include a “private pasta-making session with a WWE superstar” for $11,500 per person drew a lot of laughs, and more than a few eye rolls.Our own M.G0mez has some pun — er, I mean fun with it, here.
To refresh your memories,
in addition to private pasta-making the $11.5K “Champion+” package for Clash in Italy included:
- an “official” front-row ticket to WWE Clash in Italy
- reserved seating at a Welcome Aperitivo and Wine Tasting experience with appearances from WWE Superstars
- an exclusive backstage experience
- a ringside photo op
- reserved seating at pre-show hospitality with more appearances from WWE Superstars
So how was it? What did they get?
Details are pretty scarce, although there are a few floating around. This Instagram from La Palestra del Cibo is evidence that Ethan Page, Maxxine Dupri, and WWE talent relations vice-president John Cone made pasta at Chef Sergio Maria Teutonico’s cooking school in Turin last weekend. They were all smiles as they got certificates their “FRESH PASTA EXPERIENCE” certificates.
That made me wonder if no one purchased (or showed up for) the Champion+ package and they brought Cone along to look like a fan. But a little more internet sleuthing led us to Kerry Morris’ Instagram account. As soon as you’re on his page you can see that Morris is a “Green Shirt Guy”-type who flies around attending WWE shows in VIP seats, and several of his “photo dumps” are from Turin. His first Clash in Italy post contain pictures of Morris doing several things listed in the Champion+ package, including ones with Page and Cone at the pasta making session:
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No “FRESH PASTA EXPERIENCE” certificate, though.
Oh well. Seems like most of what VIPs were paying for with the pasta-making experience was pictures with the WWE stars and officials who attended. According to La Palestra del Cibo’s website, most of their classes are €85, or about $100 U.S. There are more expensive courses, but they all involve fish or meat ingredients.
Quite a mark-up, considering OnLocations “Champion” package for Saturday Night’s Main Event in Madison Square Garden on July 18 currently goes for $4,500 per person, and a two-day “Champion” package for SummerSlam is $4,750.
Any final thoughts on Clash in Italy’s private pasta-making experience?
