Smackdown Superstars under fire in Iraq

[Guest Trivia247]

From WWE.com:

 

OUTSIDE TIKRIT, Iraq – Mick Foley was eating breakfast with Big Show, Charlie Haas, Eddie Guerrero and some others at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Paliwoda last week, when he heard a loud explosion.

 

“We were assured by one of the officers that it was outgoing,” said Foley, in Iraq with a team of WWE Superstars for a holiday SmackDown! broadcast.“ A moment later, we heard another explosion. That was incoming. Soldiers went scrambling around for their (bulletproof) jackets and helmets, and we did, too.

 

“And through it all, Big Show continued to eat his corn pops.”

 

It’s a frightening story – but one not nearly as unnerving as a conversation I had with Luther Reigns about his visits to U.S. military bases around this war-torn nation.

 

“If I was 20 years old, I’d join the military,” he claimed.“ It’s a license to kickbutt legally, and that’s what I like to do.”

 

Honestly, I wasn’t too shocked by this comment; Luther’s known to utter things like that. It’s this next exchange that gave me pause for thought.

 

“Did you fire any guns while you were here?”

 

“No,” Luther responded, smiling demonically. “Heidenreich did.”

 

It’s been a busy week for the SmackDown!” crew. Days before the show, the Superstars landed in Iraq, and splintered into groups, visiting troops in various locations. I ended up here, just miles from Saddam Hussein’s hometown, at FOB Speicher – site of the program. A few hours later, I heard some Christmas carols emanating from a recreation hall.

 

I walked in to see former WWE Tag Team Champions Kenzo Suzuki and Rene Dupree among a group singing “God Bless Ye Merry Gentlemen.” Suzuki struggled with a word sheet, while Dupree was holding a candy cane and smiling.

 

Senior Airman Lawrence O’Neill, 21, of Wayland, MI, could use the holiday cheer. When he embarked on his first mission on Sept. 16, he immediately came under fire on the road back from Mosul.

 

“I aimed towards some buildings, like I knew where it was coming from, and the shooting stopped,” he recounts. “Ten minutes later, we got hit with an IED (improvised explosive device) rolled up in a tube. A piece of shrapnel actually landed in the truck with me. I picked it up, and have it in my room.

 

“Then, when we got back to the base, we got mortared. That was my first day.”

 

While the majority of the troops I’ve encountered are committed to the U.S. effort in Iraq, I also came across a few who’ve grown to question their government. Army Specialist Jim Hrehowsik isn’t one of them.

 

“I don’t see this as a war,” the 27-year-old native of Sewaren, NJ, told me while displaying his “girlfriend,” Becky – an M-249 that fires between 700 and 1,000 shots per minute.“ I see this as rebuilding a country.”

 

To show his confidence, he pulled a freshly minted Iraqi “dinar” from his pocket. “Look,” he continued, “I’m collecting dinars. Right now, eight dinars equals one penny. But I expect the value to go up – and to become a very wealthy man.”

 

He also has another strategy for Thursday’s SmackDown! show.When his commander carries the Delta Company 701st Main Support Battalion flag towards the ring – as part of the pre-match ceremonies – Hrehowsik intends to make his move.

 

“When the unit’s all around him, I’m breaking away,” he promised, “and getting myself aplace in the front row.”

[GreatWhiteNope 0]

“And through it all, Big Show continued to eat his corn pops.”

Gold.

[Guest Trivia247]

“And through it all, Big Show continued to eat his corn pops.”

Gold.

That just says it all...

 

I wouldn't be surprised if someone puts that in their Sig one day...

 

Hell maybe I will

[BHK 0]

[LivingLegendGaryColeman 0]

I'm a big nasty bastard... gotta have my Pops!

[Guest Trivia247]

INCOMING!!!

 

GAS MASKS!!!

 

Big Show: No Wait..Im just a Little Gassy

[Guest LooneyTune]

I actually thought this was serious... until I read the sub-header. HIGH-larious Big Show.

[Sideburnious 0]

Ah I can see where Show is coming from. He's probably too big and slow to dodge a blast, get out of the line of fire, and hide and his hands are too big to fire back, so he's pretty much fucked every way.

 

 

And breakfast is the most important meal of the day

[Guest The Shadow Behind You]

I recall last year the army guys told everyone to duck behind something if anything happened and then Rhyno or someone said "I'll just duck behind show".

[Art Sandusky 0]

So how long are they there in total?

[Guest The Shadow Behind You]

The weekenda and today/tom. I believe It's taped tonight or tom as usual; then they are off until next tuesday's tapings.

[Guest Fook_Theta]

It’s a frightening story – but one not nearly as unnerving as a conversation I had with Luther Reigns about his visits to U.S. military bases around this war-torn nation.

 

“If I was 20 years old, I’d join the military,” he claimed.“ It’s a license to kickbutt legally, and that’s what I like to do.”

 

Last week word surfaced that Luther Reigns, after it being announced to the wrestlers that the trip was voluntary, told WWE talent VP John Laurinaitis that he wasn't going to go.  He was told by Laurinaitis, in so many words, that even though the tour was optional, Vince McMahon expected everyone asked to go and was either told or it was strongly implied to him that if he didn't go, there would be heat on him for exercising his right to skip the trip from Vinnie Mac.  After being told that, Reigns reconsidered and went.  From what I was told, Reigns had no problem going on the trip when it was initially scheduled to be to Qatar but reconsidered when he was told they would be going to Iraq, which of course is a war zone.

I see kayfabe is alive and well. Oh that Luther, what a card. He is flipflopping Kerry to JBL's Dubya Bush.

[Vyce 0]

“And through it all, Big Show continued to eat his corn pops.”

Gold.

If I were Big Show's agent and / or a member of the WWE marketing team, I'd be clamoring for an endorsement deal STAT.

[strummer 0]

 

My particular favorite.

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

Corn Pops > War

[2GOLD 0]

Big Show is now my hero.

He's the real American Soldier.

[Boner Kawanger 0]

I can't tell...is JBL wearing a HAZMAT suit or Iraqi garb?

[Guest Phenom]

Where are my spoilers? We've got Big Show eatin' cereal and Layfield in a beekeeper's suit, but no spoilers!

[Guest Trivia247]

Where are my spoilers? We've got Big Show eatin' cereal and Layfield in a beekeeper's suit, but no spoilers!

this isn't a spoiler thread

[Guest Phenom]

Where are my spoilers? We've got Big Show eatin' cereal and Layfield in a beekeeper's suit, but no spoilers!

this isn't a spoiler thread

Same damn difference! There is no spoiler thread, but we've got a picture of JBL in a Goddamn beekeeper's suit!

[Guest netslob]

and they wonder why Van Dam didn't want to go.

[Twisted Intestine 0]

and they wonder why Van Dam didn't want to go.

Big Show would eat all his Corn Pops?

[Guest Phenom]

and they wonder why Van Dam didn't want to go.

Big Show would eat all his Corn Pops?

RVD: Dude, I'm so high right now...I need me some munchies!

Rey: Yeah...hey Show! Give us some Pops!

TBS: No way, guys! I've gotta have my Pops!

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

Where are my spoilers? We've got Big Show eatin' cereal and Layfield in a beekeeper's suit, but no spoilers!

From the looks of this weeks show....you probably would've been happier with the beekeeper and Corn Pops new spokesman...

[Guest Phenom]

Which sounds better: John "Bucko" Layfield, or John "Beekeeper" Layfield?

[Guest Trivia247]

Which sounds better: John "Bucko" Layfield, or John "Beekeeper" Layfield?

had we had the SD at Kabul it would be John Burka Layfield

[Art Sandusky 0]

It could have been really tragic:

 

CNN: 20 dead in rocket attack on mess hall

[AndrewTS 0]

 

The old Corn Pops mascot doesn't exactly scream "appetizing."

 

It looks like Mr. Hanky's cousin from Texas.

[cbacon 0]

Have they even done the tapings yet? Seems strange that spoilers haven't been reported...

[Fökai 0]

Who's able to report the spoilers, though?