WWE Smackdown

WWE - December 4, 2005

The WWE crew rolled into town on Sunday, December 5, 2006 with Eddie Guerrero's death still fresh in their minds. Fans, too, remembered with plenty of Eddie-inspired signs. The Undertaker made an appearance as well -- kind of. His eery voice rang throughout the Colonial Center and got under the skin of rival Randy Orton. In the actual wrestling, newcomer Boogeyman grossed out his opponent and fans by spewing live worms from his mouth. Booker T took on Benoit as part of their best-of-seven championship matches. Meanwhile Rey Mysterio sought revenge against backstabbing partner JBL. But when JBL got himself disqualified, a bigger match followed as the main event: Heavyweight champion and fan favorite Batista teamed up with Mysterio to take on JBL and Orlando Jordan. In the end the fan favorites prevailed.

Spotted while WWE was in town:Nitro was seen Christmas shopping in the Vista near the arena.MSNBC-TV's Rita Cosby was here, and she mentioned our show in her own blog! (even though she doesn't say Columbia) http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9665456/ She was backstage before the show, and then sitting in section 105 during it. She and her team were preparing for a trip to Afghanistan with the WWE crew, leaving from Charleston (S.C.) Air Force Base on December 7. (Her blog details the trip with the wrestlers as well.)

The Fabulous Moolah, a native of Columbia, and WWE Hall of Famer was in town and hung out backstage before and during the show.

Here's who wrestled who:JBL with Jillian vs. MysterioJoey Mercury with Melina/Nitro vs. Super Crazy with Psicosis/JuventudRay Gordy vs. BoogeymanBooker with Sharmell vs. BenoitBooker vs. BenoitRegal with Burchill vs. Bobby LashleyJBL (Jordan) with Jillian vs. Batista; Mysterio.

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Trans-Siberian Orchestra

TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA - November 22, 2005

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra made their first appearance at the Colonial Center on November 22, 2005. They brought to the arena a holiday spectacle of laser lights and rock-style opera music unlike that of any other concert held at the building before.

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The Wiggles

THE WIGGLES - November 17, 2005

Australian children's singing sensation group THE WIGGLES made their first Colonial Center appearance on November 17, 2005 with two sold out performances of "Sailing Around the World presented by Mott's." The colorfully dressed foursome brought their friends Captain Feathersword, Wags the Dog, Dorothy the Dinosaur and Henry the Octopus to Columbia with them.

Tidbits from event day:GO COCKS! - The Colonial Center gave each of the Wiggles a USC Gamecocks football jersey and Anthony (far left) joked with staff that he loved his and was going to wear all the time in Australia in an effort to convert Australians to American football!!

Sweet tooth anyone? - A rather large assortment of Twinkies snack cakes were found in the catering room.

Missing Wiggle? - Greg, who wears the yellow shirt among the blue-red-purple-yellow dressed group, was not in town for the show. Greg had suffered a double-hernia earlier on the tour and had to return home to Australia for surgery. He did make an appearance via video before the show started to explain to the kids and parents why he was not able to be there. Sam, Greg's friend, took his place during the shows in singing and dancing. And ironically, Sam is recently engaged to another Wiggles cast member, Lyn Stuckey, who plays Dorothy the Dinosaur and is from Lexington, S.C. - located on the outskirts of Columbia.

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Elton John

ELTON JOHN - November 16, 2005

Elton John was originally scheduled to perform at the Colonial Center on March 16, 2005, but due to an illness, his date was rescheduled for November 16. Sir Elton had previously played at the arena on a joint tour with "The Piano Man" Billy Joel in 2003. Sir Elton was on tour this year to promote his new album "The Peachtree Road."

Seen around the arena on event day: Elton John's driver was seen walking "The Rocket Man's" dog around backstage all day, and even brought the dog out on the floor to stand next to the stage when Elton came out to perform. Also, if Elton was tired from the previous night's activities and performance at the annual Country Music Awards in New York, he certainly didn't show it as he rocked out the following songs to an excited and packed house. And speaking of celebrities, a rumor was floating around the arena on the day of the show that actress Hilary Swank ("Million Dollar Baby") was on the guest list.

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SETLIST:
The Weight of the World
Porch Swing in Tupelo
Answer in the Sky
Turn the Lights Out When You Leave
My Elusive Drug
They Call Her the Cat
Freaks in Love
All That I'm Allowed
Funeral/Love Lies
Bennie & The Jets
Daniel
Pilot
Rocket Man
Blues
Sorry (EJ Solo)
Tiny Dancer
Philadelphia Freedom
Sad Songs
Someone Saved My Life Tonight
Levon
Don't Let the Sun
Saturday Night
Encore: Crocodile Rock, Your Song

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Gaither Homecoming

Bill Gaither & Homecoming Friends - 10th Anniversary Tour - November 11, 2005

Gospel legend Bill Gaither and a plethora of his singing companions made their second Colonial Center appearance on November 11, 2006. Thousands of fans packed the house for hours of gospel celebration and praise.

Among Gaither friends were: Jeff & Sheri Easter, Ivan Parker, Russ Taff, Ben Speer, Lynda Randle, Isaacs, Jeff Allen, Eva Mae LeFevre, Anthony Burger, Signature Sound, Jessy Dixon and the Gaither Vocal Band.

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76ers vs. Spurs

NBA Exhibition Game -- Philadelphia 76ers vs. San Antonio Spurs - October 12, 2005

In the first-ever NBA basketball game held at the Colonial Center, the World Champion San Antonio Spurs faced off against the Philadelphia 76ers in front of a sold-out crowd on October 12, 2005. The 76ers topped the Spurs, 100-88 led by fan-favorite guard Allen Iverson, who scored 27 points in 26 minutes of play. San Antonio's scoring was spurred by Melvin Sanders with 18 and former Wake Forest stand0ut Tim Duncan with 12. Ironcially, Duncan played collegiate basketball under current South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dave Odom, and the two were spotted chatting during an early-afternoon shootaround in the arena. Duncan was even seen posing for photos with one of Odom's grandchildren. Also spotted in the crowd, was Iverson giving his used game towel and sweatband to fans on his way out of the arena. Among rumors and questions was if Eva Longoria, Desperate Housewives' star and girlfriend of Spurs' Tony Parker, was in the crowd or not. She attends many of his games, but a confirmed report could not be made.

Gamecocks' and reigning Capital One National Mascot of the Year, Cocky, enjoyed a day of fun with 76ers mascot, Hip Hop. The two performed skits during timeouts and halftime. Fans enjoyed their performances so much that the Colonial Center and USC brought Hip Hop back for a regular season USC Men's basketball game.

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