On a recent episode of the “Something To Wrestle With” podcast, WWE personality JBL unveiled the origins of the WWE’s Tribute To The Troops event. Here are some excerpts from the conversation:
Speaking about the inception of the Tribute to the Troops event in response to 9/11, JBL said, “After the tragedy of 9/11, which prompted the wars and invasions, we were in Houston. Like most people, we remember vividly where we were and how the events unfolded. When America was under attack, it changed the world as we knew it and grounded most of us at the hotel in Houston. That’s when the event got cancelled.”
He talks about how they decided to carry on with their show as a sign of resilience. “Around 9/13, we had the first mass gathering in the U.S. Vince McMahon told us that participation was voluntary, but it was important to show that we wouldn’t let the terrorists disrupt our lives. The event was a chance to distract people from the disturbing events and signal that America would continue to live. We didn’t know if anyone would attend, or if even more attacks were imminent. So, when 20,000 people turned up, all waving American flags, it was an overwhelming and emotional moment,” he explained.
JBL also talked about visiting the wartime soldiers for the special. “I believe I made two trips – the first one being the year after 9/11. I reached out to the WWE office in Stamford expressing my desire to help at Ground Zero, and Vince McMahon decided the entire company would go. Despite a scare of anthrax, we became the first group to visit Ground Zero. It was a remarkable experience watching the first responders tirelessly hunting for bodies in the rubble. The following Christmas, I was part of the first civilian tour to Afghanistan – another truly momentous experience,” he concluded.