Highlights of the WWE Tribute to the Troops Conference Call

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On December, 9th 2008, John Cena and Art Myers were available to field questions from the press during the WWE Tribute to the Troops Conference Call.  The following is highlights of the call.

How did you get involved in this event?

John Cena: Believe it or not, this was all the brainchild of a Superstar we have called John Layfield about eight years ago. He got in – was going to see troops in Kuwait and that spawned a relationship with Armed Forced Entertainment. Mr. Layfield then approached our Chairman, Vince McMahon, about possibly taking an entire crew over there not on a handshake tour like most celebrities do, but to actually perform which is something that, you know, athletes and celebrities don’t usually get to do when they go on those good will tours into a war zone. So our Chairman loved the idea and it took a little bit of planning. But six years ago we made our first trip over there and we filmed our first Tribute to the Troops special, and it’s been getting better every year.

What do you think, being over there five years now, is the biggest misconception we have about the troops?

John Cena: I’ll tell you, I’ve been over there five years. I’ve been to Iraq four and I’ve been to Afghanistan one. And I’ve seen progress being made over there. But the biggest surprise to me every single year that I go over there is morale is unbelievably high and that is across the board. I mean I’ve been to forward operating bases pretty much on the front line and these people are proud to be doing what they’re doing. I think every once in awhile some reinforcement from the folks back home – I really am impressed with the whole Support the Troops movement. I think people here domestically have no idea what that does to everybody overseas. The fact that people at home — whether they’re for or against what’s going on — the fact that they just support the people that are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for this great nation, I think that makes just worlds of difference to the people over there. But that was the biggest surprise to me, the fact that morale has just been really, really high every time I’ve been over there.

Can you just explain to everybody how humbling this is for you year and after?

John Cena: Well I mean I can only speak from a personal standpoint. I guess everybody has their reasons for going and getting emotional. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: I support the military. If I wasn’t doing what I was doing I’d probably be attempting to be the best soldier I could be. I don’t know if I could hack it. They got a pretty tough life over there. But it just gives me such a sense of great pride to be able to do something for the men and women who defend the freedom of this country. I love the United States of America. I truly believe it’s the greatest country in the world. And those folks that are over there in the situation where yes, they did sign up for it, yes they’re proud to do their duty but like any human being you want to be in a family situation for the holiday. And they can’t be there, so what we do in the WWE is try to give them a little bit of slice of home. And in turn, they remind us how much it boosts their morale. But they have no idea that just me being surrounded by that element is such a morale boost to myself as well.

How dangerous is it? I mean are you not worried at all? You have to be somewhat concerned, right?

John Cena: No, even the first I went over there in 2003, the – it – I’m surrounded by the – I call them the most – the bravest, most confident group of ass-kickers in the universe. They – I’ve never felt safer in my entire life. They certainly take great care of us and all – I mean stepping outside of your house is always a risk. There’s a risk in everything and I know certainly that I’m in a combat zone. But they put our safety first and foremost, even when we travel to the very front lines. They always brief us on what to do in case of an emergency, what to do if something happens. And these men and women certainly have their areas protected. A lot of the conflict comes with when they bring their parties out on search parties or patrols. IED’s are a big problem, which I said, which is an explosive landmine device. There’s not much incoming fire. They’ve done a good job of suppressing that. But it is risky. But I – like I said, I’ve never felt safer in my life. Those men and women certainly have their act together over there.

What effect the WWE Superstars have on the morale of the troops?

Art Myers: Well it is the biggest event of the year. In fact, we just came back and I’m already getting emails from the military personnel when they’re coming back. The WWE Entertainment is a lot different than others. We have big name entertainers go over there and they put on a big show at one or two bases, and they’re gone. But with the WWE we go over there a few days early and we fly to the most remote sites you can find throughout the country and we actually meet the troops, talk to the troops. I mean do whatever. So it’s really one-on-one. So it is probably the biggest morale boost of all. Now one thing I want to tell you about John Cena, you know, in 2007 he was injured. So early on, you know, I’d talked to Vince McMahon. I said we got to get John to go. And of course, there was no question of him going. So even though he was injured he went. And one other thing about John, John is a superstar in the ring. He is the Champion. He is a role model. I go to high schools, they talk about John Cena. The military talks about John Cena. But what you see in the ring you see in life. John is a champion and a role model outside of the ring. And no matter what military personnel asks him to do, he is there. He visits our military bases if they’re near where they’re going to have an event and so forth. So he is really a role model and the WWE does have the biggest impact on the military no matter where they go.

For the complete transcript of the conference call, click here.  Stay tuned to Pulse Wrestling as I’ll have the Tribute to the Troops recap shortly after the show ends tonight.

Paul Marshall has been with Pulse Wrestling since September 2007. He currently does a weekly WWE Column titled "This Week In 'E". Follow him on Twitter here.