BACK
LASH
TAMPA · ROADTRIP 2026
Checkpoint 01
Check-In
--
⚡ APPROACHING — get to the address, smartlock code on phone, drop bags
Checkpoint 02
Backlash · Bell Time
--
⚡ APPROACHING — Charlie set, tickets in wallet, smoke break done, walking to entry
Checkpoint 03
Check-Out
--
⚡ APPROACHING — bags in cars, kitchen wiped, trash bagged, lights off
01
The Bakery Rolls Out
⚡ FROM THE OVEN TO THE RING ⚡
PATTY CAKE
Amber
THE BAKER MAN
Kyle
THE MUFFIN MAN
Nick
THE PIE MAN
Dad
02
Home Base
📍
2015 Oakwood Ave
Tampa, FL 33605
Tampa, FL 33605
CONF · HMM4ZXZCRK 📋
Check-In
FRI 4 PM
Checkout
SUN 11 AM
03
Quick Actions
04
Dad's Plan · Scenarios
📌 LOCKED · DAD IS WITH US AT BACKLASH + SUNDAY MORNING
A / B = ARRIVAL · C / D = SUNDAY DEPARTURE
A · Leaves Thu
B · Leaves Fri
C · Sun → KY
D · Sun → FTL
Scenario A — Arrival · Leaves Thursday. The cleanest plan. BG → Macon Thursday (~7-8 hr), rest Thursday night. Macon → Tampa Friday (~7 hr), arrives Home Base Friday afternoon/evening. Full Bakery together for Friday dinner + SmackDown.
⏱ DAD ETA · FRIDAY ~5-8 PM
Scenario B — Arrival · Leaves Friday. Wednesday + Thursday = finish current job + prep apartment for next tenants. Hits the road Friday afternoon, sleeps at a hotel along the way (likely Macon area), wakes Saturday and finishes the drive — no overnight grind. Worst-case fallback within B: leaves Friday late, drives straight through overnight, arrives Saturday morning tired but functional.
⏱ DAD ETA · SATURDAY ~10 AM – 2 PM
Scenario C — Sunday Departure · Heads back toward Kentucky. After 11 AM checkout, Pie Man + Charlie roll north — Tampa → Macon overnight, Macon → BG Monday. Squad rolls south to FTL on their own.
⏱ TAMPA → MACON SUNDAY · BG MONDAY
Scenario D — Sunday Departure · Follows squad to Fort Lauderdale. Independent from C. Instead of branching back north, Pie Man + Charlie roll south with the squad to FTL — for one day or longer. Awa Na Kava, family time, beach, whatever the bonus side trip looks like.
⏱ DAD WITH US POST-CHECKOUT · DURATION TBD
05
The Match Card
THU 5/7
FRI 5/8
SAT 5/9
SUN 5/10
THU · EVENINGDONELIVE
SQUAD PREP · FTL
The Muffin Man + The Baker Man + Patty Cake packing and prepping in Fort Lauderdale for Friday departure. Tickets confirmed in Apple/Google Wallet. Charge everything. SunPass active. Cooler ready. Charlie's stuff packed if needed for Scenario A.
THU · 8:00 AM CTDONELIVE
PIE MAN OPTION · DEPART KY
Only if Scenario A. If Pie Man's job wraps Wed and the apartment doesn't need Thu/Fri prep, he rolls Thursday — BG → Macon ~7-8 hr via I-65 → I-24 → I-75. Charlie shotgun. Hotel overnight in Macon. Friday Macon → Tampa.
FRI · 8:00 AM ETDONELIVE
SQUAD DEPARTURE · FTL → TAMPA
Fort Lauderdale → Tampa via Alligator Alley ~4 hr. Fuel up before I-75. SunPass active. The Muffin Man + The Baker Man + Patty Cake rolling.
FRI · 12:30 PM ETDONELIVE
SIT-DOWN BBQ #1 · 4 RIVERS
623 S MacDill Ave. South Tampa. 4.5★ / 2,804 reviews. Brisket, ribs, sides. The Baker Man's first BBQ stop of the trip — sit-down style, take time, eat well.
FRI · 3:00 PM ETDONELIVE
SUPPLY RUN
Stop at Walmart or Publix en route. Founders Centennial 15-pack ($22 at Walmart), Backlash snacks, anything for cook-in optional dinner. See Beer Stops section.
🔑 FRI · 4:00 PM ETDONELIVE
CHECK-IN · HOME BASE
Smartlock self check-in at 2015 Oakwood Ave. No front desk. Drop bags. Find your bed. Stock the fridge. Back patio for any smoking. Doors and windows closed when you smoke.
FRI · 5:00 PM ETDONELIVE
OPTIONAL · MELLOW SKATE
If the mood hits and Pie Man's here Scenario A — small skate around the house or a quick run to a nearby spot. Easy.
FRI · 7:00 PM ETDONELIVE
DINNER CHOICE
Three options for the Bakery: (1) cook in at Home Base; (2) BBQ #2 — pickup from a nearby spot and eat in; (3) something else local that catches the eye. SmackDown's at 8 — don't get stuck at a sit-down meal.
📺 FRI · 8:00 PM ETDONELIVE
SMACKDOWN · BACKLASH HYPE
Final SmackDown before Backlash. Hype builds — surprise returns, last-minute additions to tomorrow's card, final promos. Watch on USA Network. If house TV doesn't have it: Kyle's Sling account → cast to TV via Chromecast / Roku / Fire TV (whatever we brought).
FRI · 10:00 PM ETDONELIVE
QUIET HOURS · TICKET CHECK
Quiet hours start 10 PM. Confirm Backlash tickets are downloaded and accessible in Apple/Google Wallet now — not in the parking lot tomorrow. Wind down for tomorrow.
SAT · 8:00 AM ETDONELIVE
EARLY START · BAKERY MORNING
Up early — this is a PPV, we don't miss any of it. Coffee, light breakfast, lock the day's plan: drive vs Uber to arena, scout window logistics, bag check at home. Patty Cake's Op starts in a few hours.
SAT · 11:00 AM ETDONELIVE
PATTY CAKE'S OP · HOTEL SCOUT
JW Marriott Tampa Water Street is the WWE flagship. Anchor and Brine restaurant + lobby + 26th-floor rooftop bar are public-access. Talent's up + having breakfast/lunch before they leave for arena. Whole crew or Patty Cake solo.
SAT · 12:30 PM ETDONELIVE
BBQ #2 · BUTCHER N' BARBEQUE
The Baker Man's second hit. Pickup from Heights Public Market — 1910 N Ola Ave. Eat at Home Base or in arena vicinity. Quick + decisive — no sit-down lingering today.
SAT · 1:30 PM ETDONELIVE
PIE MAN ARRIVAL WINDOW · SCEN B
If Scenario B (most likely): Pie Man + Charlie pulling into Home Base in the 10 AM – 2 PM window. Smartlock handles arrival. If Scenario A, he's already here from yesterday and chilling. Hugs, water, AC for Charlie, drop bags.
SAT · 2:00 PM ETDONELIVE
CHARLIE PREP + ARENA INGRESS SCOUT
Long walk for Charlie. Put away anything chewable. Set out his normal toys, treats, blanket. Then squad rolls toward arena vicinity for talent ingress scouting. Target the rideshare drop circle east of Morgan & Channelside Dr — talent is arriving at the loading dock through ~3 PM. Sidewalk on Channelside Dr west of the circle = best sightline.
🚪 SAT · 4:00 PM ETDONELIVE
DOORS OPEN · GO IN
Doors open per official Benchmark Arena policy (60-90 min before 5:30 ticketed start). Last cig outside before going in — NO RE-ENTRY. Bring vape if you have one. Tickets ready in Wallet. Bag check 12×12×12 max. Squad walks in together.
SAT · 4:30 PM ETDONELIVE
CONCESSIONS · MERCH · BATHROOM
Wicked Oak BBQ has a stand inside the arena — Baker Man hits it now if he wants. Drinks, food, merch, bathroom. Get all logistics handled in this hour so 5:30 we're locked in our seats.
SAT · 5:30 PM ETDONELIVE
IN SEATS · PRE-SHOW KICKOFF
Ticketed show start. Pre-show segments — match previews, panel hype, in-arena promos. Possible dark match in this 30-min window before bell. We're in our seats. Phones on full charge. Hype.
🔔 SAT · 6:00 PM ET 🔔DONELIVE
⚡ BACKLASH ⚡
BELL TIME
BELL TIME
Reigns vs Fatu (WHC) · Williams vs Zayn (US) · Rollins vs Breakker · IYO Sky vs Asuka · Danhausen + mystery vs Miz + Kit Wilson. John Cena advertised. Live on ESPN. The reason we drove here.
SAT · 9:30 PM ETDONELIVE
STAY THEN STAGE EXIT
Stay in seats 5-10 min after listed final match — sometimes a surprise segment, post-show dark match, or victory speech runs. Then exit and post up at the same Morgan & Channelside vicinity from this morning's ingress scout. Talent egress 9:30-11:30 PM — top stars exit later. Squad's track record has been here.
SAT · 11:00 PM ETDONELIVE
SPLIT · BACK TO BASE OR LATE NIGHT
Back to Home Base. Pre-stocked food + drinks waiting — we eat in. The Pie Man heads to bed with Charlie when ready. The Muffin Man likely settles in too. The Baker Man + Patty Cake: open call — late-night Tampa date or wind down. See Late Night section.
SUN · 9:00 AM ETDONELIVE
FAREWELL MORNING
Coffee. Group photo. Last hangs. Pre-pack should be done from last night — Sunday morning is a clean exit, not a scramble.
🔑 SUN · 11:00 AM ETDONELIVE
CHECK-OUT
Out by 11. Smartlock auto-deactivates ~30 min later. Trash bagged, kitchen wiped, lights off, bags in cars.
SUN · 11:30 AM ETDONELIVE
OPTIONAL · ARMATURE STOP ON THE WAY OUT
If anyone wants a brief skate or coffee at Armature Works on the way out of Tampa — easy stop, ~10 min from Home Base. Charlie comes if Pie Man's with us (outdoor lawn + Riverwalk only — indoor market not pet-friendly). Skip if everyone's ready to roll.
SUN · 12:30 PM ETDONELIVE
CONVOY SPLIT
Pie Man's call: Scenario C = north back home via Macon → BG. Scenario D = south with squad to FTL for one day or longer. Squad: Tampa → Fort Lauderdale ~4 hr.
06
BBQ Tour · Baker Man
🍖 KYLE EATS BBQ THE WHOLE TRIP 🍖
4 Rivers Smokehouse
623 S MacDill Ave, Tampa 33609
Butcher N' Barbeque · Armature Works
1910 N Ola Ave, Tampa 33602
Mighty Quinn's Barbeque
202 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa 33609
NY-rooted, brisket + ribs praised. Could be Friday dinner pickup option.
Wicked Oak BarbeQue
6607 N Florida Ave, Tampa 33604
Brisket + burnt-end pork belly highly rated.
Big Mel's Smoke House BBQ
8916 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa 33604
Highest-rated, smaller spot. Cash-friendly. Owner-operated.
→ NAVIGATE
OUTSIDE BBQ
1613 E Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Tampa 33610
Closest geographically to Home Base. Soul-food BBQ.
→ NAVIGATE
Greedy Lee's BBQ
4020 E Osborne Ave, Tampa 33610
Hole-in-wall. Tomahawk steak ($49.99) + oxtails on the grill. Take-out.
→ NAVIGATE
07
Beer + Quick Mart Stops
🍺 STOCK · 🥤 SNACK · 🛒 CONVENIENT
📦 THE HIT LIST
🍺
Founders Centennial IPA
Pie Man's pick · 7.2% · 15-pack ~$22 at Walmart
🥤
Whatever Baker Man + Patty Cake Want
Pick their poison so they don't splurge later
🍿
Backlash Snacks
Anything to eat just before the show — minimize hunger during. Or don't, if anyone wants arena food they enjoy.
📍 STOCK-UP STORES
⭐ Walmart Supercenter
1720 E Hillsborough Ave, Tampa 33610
Closest Walmart to Home Base. Founders 15-pack confirmed at $22. Snacks + groceries one stop.
Publix Super Market at Channel Club
1105 E Twiggs St, Tampa 33602
Subs, beer, full grocery. Easy stop on the way back from arena Saturday.
Publix Water Street
555 Channelside Dr, Tampa 33602
Steps from arena. Grab a water bottle (empty, refill inside per arena policy) or sandwich on the way.
ABC Fine Wine & Spirits · Kennedy Blvd
3015 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa 33609
FL specialty liquor chain. Confirmed Founders Centennial 15-pack. Tasting bar on site.
⚡ BODEGAS + QUICK MARTS · PATTY CAKE TERRITORY
Quick Marts Near Home Base
Palmetto Beach / E Tampa 33605
Multiple convenience stores along E 22nd St + N 26th Ave within walking distance — for cigs, vape juice, snacks, last-minute anything. Tap to see live results in maps.
→ SEE WHAT'S OPEN
7-Eleven · Multiple Locations
Closest branches near Hillsborough Ave + Adamo Dr
→ NAVIGATE
Wawa · Tampa
Multiple locations along Hillsborough Ave + Adamo
Hoagies + coffee + clean bathrooms. Solid late-night stop.
→ NAVIGATE
08
Walkable Food + Fun
🚶 NEAR HOME BASE · LOW EFFORT OPTIONS
🛹 Armature Works · Heights Public Market
1910 N Ola Ave, Tampa 33602
Where The Muffin Man + The Baker Man + Patty Cake skated before. Restored 1910 streetcar maintenance facility, now a 22,000 sq ft food hall — 16+ stalls including Butcher N' Barbeque, plus bars, coffee, ice cream. Outdoor lawn + Riverwalk path adjacent. Skating works on the perimeter sidewalks and lawn paths. Charlie can come on the outdoor lawn, patios, and Riverwalk; the indoor public market itself is not pet-friendly — order at counter, eat outside.
Columbia Restaurant · Ybor City
2117 E 7th Ave, Tampa 33605
FL's oldest restaurant (1905). Cuban-Spanish, sangría, flamenco shows. Iconic. ~5 min drive.
Centro Ybor
1600 E 8th Ave, Tampa 33605
Outdoor entertainment complex. Restaurants, bars, AMC theater, cigar shops. Easy Friday dinner alternative.
7th Avenue · Ybor City Strip
7th Ave between 14th–22nd, Tampa 33605
National Historic Landmark district. Bars, restaurants, cigar lounges, live music. Walkable strip once you're there.
→ NAVIGATE
Tampa Riverwalk
Downtown waterfront
Walking/biking promenade. Connects parks + Sparkman Wharf + arena. Easy daytime stretch.
Sparkman Wharf
615 Channelside Dr, Tampa 33602
Outdoor food hall + lawn games + bars. Walking distance from arena post-show.
09
Wrestler Hunt · Patty Cake's Op
⭐ HOTELS · ARENA INGRESS · STAGE EXIT
⏱ SATURDAY TIMING WINDOW · VERIFIED
FRI EVE — SAT AM
Hotel sightings peak. Talent flies into Tampa Friday afternoon/evening. JW Marriott Water Street is the WWE flagship — 0.1 mi from arena. Lobby, Anchor and Brine restaurant, 26th-floor rooftop bar are all public. Tampa Marriott Water Street (skybridge-connected) and The Tampa EDITION are secondary.
11 AM — 1 PM
Optimal hotel scout window. Talent up + having breakfast/lunch/coffee in lobby restaurants. Before they head to arena. Camp the Anchor and Brine seating area or the lobby couches at JW Marriott Water Street.
12:30 — 3 PM
Talent arrives at arena. WWE call times are early afternoon for evening shows. Pre-event rideshare drop-off circle is the spot — a 15-minute circle just east of Morgan St & Channelside Dr intersection. Talent and high-profile arrivals pass through here. Ride-arrivers, Ubers, and even private cars use this circle. Stand on the sidewalk along Channelside Dr just west of the circle for the best vantage.
3 — 4 PM
Thunder Alley + west entrance. Outside west entrance of arena. Fan congregation zone before doors. Live music, giveaways, plaza energy. Some talent passes through to reach press / merch obligations on this side. Decent secondary spot if the rideshare circle is too crowded.
4:00 PM
Doors open for fans. 60-90 min before 5:30 ticketed start, per Benchmark Arena. Bag check + security here. NO RE-ENTRY after this point. Once you're in, you're in.
5:30 PM
In your seat. Pre-show / Kickoff begins. Possible dark match in this 30-min window before bell. PPV — don't miss any of it.
6:00 PM
🔔 BELL TIME. Main card begins. Backlash starts a special early start (vs WWE's typical 8 PM) to avoid clashing with UFC 328 the same night.
~9:30 PM
Show ends. 3-3.5 hr PLE. Stay in your seats 5-10 min after the listed final match — sometimes a surprise segment, post-show dark match, or victory speech follows the broadcast.
9:30 — 11:30 PM
⭐ STAGE EXIT WINDOW. Talent doesn't use the public rideshare pickup spots (those are at Jefferson/Eunice, Nebraska/Eunice, etc — fan zones). Talent uses private exits near the arena loading dock — same vicinity as the pre-event drop-off circle just east of Morgan & Channelside. Position there. Top stars wait longer (showers, debriefs, media) — give it the full 2 hr window. Squad's track record has been here.
🏨 CONFIRMED TALENT HOTELS
JW Marriott Tampa Water Street
510 Water St, Tampa 33602
The closest luxury hotel to Benchmark Arena. WWE pattern: JW Marriott properties are common talent hotels for major events. Lobby, Anchor and Brine restaurant, and 26th-floor rooftop bar are all public-access.
Tampa Marriott Water Street
505 Water St, Tampa 33602
Connected to JW Marriott via 3rd-floor glass skybridge. 727 rooms — bigger capacity for production crew. Garrison Tavern restaurant + waterfront marina + rooftop pool deck all public.
The Tampa EDITION
500 Channelside Dr, Tampa 33602
Boutique luxury. Lower volume than the Marriotts but used by VIP-tier talent who want more privacy. Lilac restaurant + Lobby Bar are public-access.
📍 ARENA INGRESS / STAGE EXIT POINTS
🚪 Pre-Event Rideshare Drop-Off Circle
15-min circle east of Morgan St & Channelside Dr
Per official Benchmark Arena policy: rideshare drop-off only operates pre-event at this circle. Talent + production + high-profile guests pass through here. Stand on Channelside Dr sidewalk, west of the circle, for the cleanest sightline. This is also the post-show exit vicinity.
→ NAVIGATE
⚡ Thunder Alley · West Entrance Plaza
West side of arena, off Florida Ave
Outdoor plaza outside the West entrance. Live music, giveaways, food carts pre-event. Some talent passes through here for press / merch obligations. Secondary scouting spot if the rideshare circle is too crowded.
→ NAVIGATE
10
Late Night · Baker Man + Patty Cake
🌃 POST-SHOW · DATE NIGHT · SUNDAY 11 AM CHECKOUT REGARDLESS
After dropping The Pie Man + Charlie + The Muffin Man at Home Base, The Baker Man + Patty Cake have the night. Quiet hours don't apply when you're out. Tradeoff: same 11 AM checkout regardless. Pre-pack Saturday night so Sunday morning is a clean exit.
Ybor City · 7th Avenue
7th Ave, Tampa 33605
Closest nightlife strip to Home Base. Cigar lounges, bars open to 3 AM, live music venues, late-night Cuban food.
→ NAVIGATE
Sparkman Wharf
615 Channelside Dr, Tampa 33602
Some bars stay open late. Walking distance to where the show ended.
Water Street District
Water St, Tampa 33602
JW Marriott's 26th-floor rooftop bar (highest in Tampa) is open to the public. Wrestler hunt + late-night view in one trip.
→ NAVIGATE
Late-Night Eats Search
Multiple locations · Tampa
Wawa, Taco Bus, late-night Cuban, Denny's, IHOP — all available within 10 min.
→ SEARCH MAPS
11
Dog-Friendly · For Dad + Charlie
🐕 INDOOR · A/C · DAD CAN EAT WITHOUT LEAVING CHARLIE
Whenever Pie Man arrives — Friday, Saturday, Sunday — he's got Charlie. These are indoor + dog-friendly spots so he can sit, eat, drink, A/C, and Charlie's at his feet.
Sparkman Wharf · Pet-Friendly
615 Channelside Dr, Tampa 33602
Outdoor food hall stalls allow dogs at picnic tables. Some attached bars allow inside on slower hours.
Armature Works · Heights Public Market
1910 N Ola Ave, Tampa 33602
Indoor not allowed for dogs but the lawn + outdoor patio + perimeter is dog-friendly with shade. Multiple food stall options for take-out.
→ NAVIGATE
Water Works Park · Ulele
1810 N Highland Ave, Tampa 33602
Riverside park + Ulele restaurant has dog-friendly outdoor with covered seating + fans. Native Florida cuisine.
→ NAVIGATE
Channel District Search
Channel District, Tampa
Multiple dog-friendly cafes + breweries. Tap to see live results.
→ SEARCH MAPS
Closest Dog Park
Search live
For Charlie's energy burn before show. Multiple options nearby.
→ SEARCH MAPS
12
Achievements
✓
SQUAD
ROLLS
ROLLS
FRI 8 AM
✓
BBQ #1
4 RIVERS
4 RIVERS
FRI 12:30
✓
FRIDGE
STOCKED
STOCKED
FRI 3 PM
✓
CHECKED
IN
IN
FRI 4 PM
✓
SMACK-
DOWN
DOWN
FRI 8 PM
✓
BBQ #2
BUTCHER
BUTCHER
SAT 1 PM
✓
PIE MAN
LANDS
LANDS
SAT 3 PM*
✓
BELL
TIME
TIME
SAT 6 PM
✓
BACKLASH
WATCHED
WATCHED
SAT 9:30
✓
STAGE
DOOR HIT
DOOR HIT
SAT 10 PM
✓
CHECKED
OUT
OUT
SUN 11 AM
✓
TRIP
COMPLETE
COMPLETE
SUN 8 PM
13
House Rules
No smoking inside · including vaping. Smokers welcome to smoke outside as long as the doors and windows are closed and you're not standing right next to them.
Quiet hours 10 PM – 7 AM. The schedule has us up early Sat (BBQ + show) and Sun (checkout) — sleeping during quiet hours fits the schedule anyway.
Charlie protocol Saturday. Long walk before show. Put away anything he might chew. Set out his normal toys, treats, and blanket so he's comfortable while we're gone.
Stocked fridge wins. Founders Centennial in the fridge saves $130+ vs arena beer. (Optional unless Kyle wants maximum BBQ.)
Exterior cameras outside. If you're on a sensitive call or doing something private, a short walk away from them solves it.
14
Arena Rules
Bag limit: 12×12×12 inches. Anything bigger goes through X-ray. Smaller is faster. Clear bags + small clutches breeze through.
Amber's tote / Alexa Bliss doll. Fine if the tote stays under 12×12×12. The doll's no problem — toys/figures aren't on the prohibited list. Plush bag or no-bag protocol is even faster.
What's banned: outside food + drink (water bottle exception — bring an empty plastic bottle, fill at the touchless filler inside), bottles + cans + coolers, professional cameras (detachable lens), video/audio recording gear, large signs + signs on poles, anything VSG considers hazardous.
Cameras: small "point-and-click" only. Phones obviously fine. No GoPros on poles / no detachable-lens cameras. Binoculars OK; binocular bags are not.
NO RE-ENTRY. Once you're in, you're in. If you leave the arena, you don't come back. Plan your last smoke + bathroom + food run before the gates.
Smoking outside — designated area: Per the arena's standing policy (which used to be on the Amalie site verbatim), smoking is permitted outside via the southwest stair tower, exiting on level 2. BUT — no re-entry. So one cig outside before you go in, then you're inside until the show ends.
Vaping inside the arena — gray area. Officially not on the prohibited list (some fans report being denied entry, some report no issue). Stealth vape strategy for Patty Cake: bring the gold nicotine vape. Take a quick puff in a stall during a bathroom run between matches. Quick, discreet, doesn't miss the show. If a worker catches you, just put it away — they'll ask you to stop, that's all.
Tickets in Apple/Google Wallet before Saturday. Confirm Friday night while waiting for SmackDown — not in the parking lot during bag check.
15
Insider Tips
📺 SMACKDOWN FRIDAY NIGHT
Last SmackDown before Backlash. Surprise returns + last-minute Backlash card additions + final promos.
Where: USA Network, 8 PM ET.
If house TV doesn't have USA: Kyle's Sling account → cast to TV via whatever we brought (Chromecast, Roku, Fire TV).
Backup-backup: Watch on a phone or tablet if casting fails.
Where: USA Network, 8 PM ET.
If house TV doesn't have USA: Kyle's Sling account → cast to TV via whatever we brought (Chromecast, Roku, Fire TV).
Backup-backup: Watch on a phone or tablet if casting fails.
⭐ MEETING TALENT · HOW
Three confirmed windows (full timing in section 09):
1. Hotel lobbies, 11 AM – 1 PM: JW Marriott Water Street (510 Water St) is the WWE flagship. Anchor and Brine restaurant + lobby + 26th-floor rooftop bar are public-access. Tampa Marriott Water Street (skybridge-connected) and The Tampa EDITION are secondary.
2. Pre-event arena ingress, 12:30 – 3 PM: The 15-minute rideshare drop-off circle just east of Morgan St & Channelside Dr is the spot. Talent + production pass through here on arrival. Sidewalk on Channelside Dr west of the circle gives the cleanest sightline.
3. Post-show stage exit, 9:30 – 11:30 PM: Same vicinity as the pre-event drop circle. Talent doesn't use the public rideshare pickup zones (Jefferson/Eunice etc.) — those are fan zones. Top stars exit later (showers, debriefs). Give it the full 2 hours.
1. Hotel lobbies, 11 AM – 1 PM: JW Marriott Water Street (510 Water St) is the WWE flagship. Anchor and Brine restaurant + lobby + 26th-floor rooftop bar are public-access. Tampa Marriott Water Street (skybridge-connected) and The Tampa EDITION are secondary.
2. Pre-event arena ingress, 12:30 – 3 PM: The 15-minute rideshare drop-off circle just east of Morgan St & Channelside Dr is the spot. Talent + production pass through here on arrival. Sidewalk on Channelside Dr west of the circle gives the cleanest sightline.
3. Post-show stage exit, 9:30 – 11:30 PM: Same vicinity as the pre-event drop circle. Talent doesn't use the public rideshare pickup zones (Jefferson/Eunice etc.) — those are fan zones. Top stars exit later (showers, debriefs). Give it the full 2 hours.
🛹 ARMATURE WORKS · MELLOW
Where The Muffin Man + The Baker Man + Patty Cake skated before. Free parking until 4 PM. Lawn + perimeter + Riverwalk path adjacent.
Saturday: if mood hits. Skip if not.
Friday option: if Pie Man arrives Scenario A (Friday), maybe a small skate near the house when he's resting with Charlie.
Charlie: if he's here, he stays on the lawn while Bakery rolls. Eating: Butcher N' Barbeque take-out → picnic tables outside.
Saturday: if mood hits. Skip if not.
Friday option: if Pie Man arrives Scenario A (Friday), maybe a small skate near the house when he's resting with Charlie.
Charlie: if he's here, he stays on the lawn while Bakery rolls. Eating: Butcher N' Barbeque take-out → picnic tables outside.
⚡ ALLIGATOR ALLEY
SunPass required. $3.75 toll, no card payment at plaza.
Fuel up first. Only one gas station in the 80-mile crossing.
~2 hours across the Everglades. Phone signal spotty — download maps offline.
Fuel up first. Only one gas station in the 80-mile crossing.
~2 hours across the Everglades. Phone signal spotty — download maps offline.
🐕 CHARLIE LEFT ALONE SATURDAY NIGHT
Pre-show: long walk in the neighborhood. Tire him out. Fresh water. Treats.
Setup before leaving: his normal toys + treats + blanket out, anything chewable put away.
Window: alone roughly 5 PM – 10 PM (or 11 PM if anyone hangs at stage door longer).
Pie Man's option: if Dad arrived early enough, he could come back from arena once during the show to let Charlie out — Home Base is ~7-10 min away. Decision happens at the 4 PM Charlie-prep slot Saturday.
Backup if anxiety is a real concern: Rover.com drop-in visit ($25).
Setup before leaving: his normal toys + treats + blanket out, anything chewable put away.
Window: alone roughly 5 PM – 10 PM (or 11 PM if anyone hangs at stage door longer).
Pie Man's option: if Dad arrived early enough, he could come back from arena once during the show to let Charlie out — Home Base is ~7-10 min away. Decision happens at the 4 PM Charlie-prep slot Saturday.
Backup if anxiety is a real concern: Rover.com drop-in visit ($25).
🚗 DRIVE VS UBER TO ARENA
Distance: Home Base is ~7-10 min from Benchmark Arena.
Drive pros: control the timing both ways, can leave when ready, Pie Man can make a Charlie-check run if he wants.
Drive cons: parking ($25-40 nearby lots), traffic out post-show. Channelside Garage + Pam Iorio Garage are closest.
Uber pros: drinks at the arena without DD concern, drop right at the rideshare zone (Channelside Dr & Morgan St — same spot as the stage door).
Uber cons: surge pricing post-show is real. Expect $25-40 each way for 4 people.
Decision point: Saturday 8:30 AM Bakery morning slot. Either works.
Drive pros: control the timing both ways, can leave when ready, Pie Man can make a Charlie-check run if he wants.
Drive cons: parking ($25-40 nearby lots), traffic out post-show. Channelside Garage + Pam Iorio Garage are closest.
Uber pros: drinks at the arena without DD concern, drop right at the rideshare zone (Channelside Dr & Morgan St — same spot as the stage door).
Uber cons: surge pricing post-show is real. Expect $25-40 each way for 4 people.
Decision point: Saturday 8:30 AM Bakery morning slot. Either works.
📦 PRE-PACK SATURDAY NIGHT
Clean Sunday morning exit. Whoever stays up late shouldn't slow whoever wakes up early.
Saturday after show, before bed: bags zipped, leftovers consolidated, toiletries staged for one last shower each, Charlie's gear in one pile.
Sunday morning: coffee, photos, last hangs, drop bags in cars, walk through, lock up.
Laundry: if anyone wants on-site laundry, ask Saturday — Home Base doesn't list it as an amenity, but worst case is laundromats on Hillsborough Ave.
Saturday after show, before bed: bags zipped, leftovers consolidated, toiletries staged for one last shower each, Charlie's gear in one pile.
Sunday morning: coffee, photos, last hangs, drop bags in cars, walk through, lock up.
Laundry: if anyone wants on-site laundry, ask Saturday — Home Base doesn't list it as an amenity, but worst case is laundromats on Hillsborough Ave.
16
Contacts
🔑 ROOM MANAGER · BERKAY (KAI)
🏟️ BENCHMARK ARENA
🆘 AIRBNB SUPPORT (US)
🐾 EMERGENCY VET · BLUEPEARL TAMPA
🚓 TAMPA POLICE NON-EMERGENCY