McMahon ready to lead WWE invasion of Iraq (Pics)

SUNTIMES ^ | 12/21/03 | BlackjackBrown

[Pikamax]

McMahon ready to lead WWE invasion of Iraq

December 21, 2003

BY BLACKJACK BROWN Advertisement

The WWE will celebrate Christmas this year by giving a little back to the troops in Iraq. Next week's edition of ''SmackDown'' will be shown from the battlefields of the Middle East as Vince McMahon and the company try to bring some of the U.S. over to the men and women of the military.

In addition to performing two shows, the WWE will be touring the entire region to greet the forces as well as give them care packages as part of ''Operation USO Care Package.''

''The participation of a great organization like the WWE is essential to the success of a program like 'Operation USO Care Package,''' said Brigadier General Michael Teilmann, executive director of the USO. ''Having the WWE superstars not only promote this program, but then deliver the packages, provides an added dimension and brings that extra bit of home to our troops. I think it's tremendous.''

Most of the ''SmackDown'' stars will be on the tour. ''We are looking forward to visiting the troops and providing them with the most unusual, entertaining live event ever produced for the holidays,'' McMahon said. ''We plan on carrying as many care packages as we can to deliver to the troops, along with greetings from the American public.''

[Pikamax]

American wrestler Steve Austin, left, known as 'Stone Cold' signs for U.S. soldiers after a wrestling performance by wrestlers who flew to Iraq (news - web sites) to entertain the troops at Baghdad International Airport, Saturday Dec. 20, 2003. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

U.S. soldiers cheer, laugh and wave after a wrestling performance by American wrestlers who flew to Iraq (news - web sites) to entertain the troops at Baghdad International Airport, Saturday Dec. 20, 2003. Some soldiers wore Santa Claus hats, while others held up American flags. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

U.S. soldiers cheer, laugh and wave after a wrestling performance by American wrestlers who flew to Iraq (news - web sites) to entertain the troops at Baghdad International Airport, Saturday Dec. 20, 2003. Some soldiers wore Santa Claus hats, while others held up American flags. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

World Wrestling Entertainment superstars, 'The Big Show' Paul Wight and John Cena, perform for troops at Camp Victory, on Saturday Dec. 20, 2003 in Baghdad Iraq in the phto released by the US Air Force. (AP Photos/ US Air Force, TSGT Lisa Zunzanyika) AP - Dec 22 11:36 AM

[TheBigB]

Just send over Lita, Stacy Kiebler, Torrie Wilson, and Trish Stratus. If that's not motivation, nothing is.

[Bikers4Bush]

Now that's awesome.

[TheBigB]

You've got the wrestling ping list, right CCC?

[cateizgr8]

ping :)

[cpprfld]

Bump

[shotgun]

I wonder if the Iron Sheik is on tour with them:

[CounterCounterCulture]

You've got the wrestling ping list, right CCC?

Oh hell yeah!

[mn-bush-man]

What night is 'Smackdown' on?

[Hatteras]

He's dead Jim...

[CounterCounterCulture]

I wonder if the Iron Sheik is on tour with them

"Iran, numba one, Russia, numba one, USA, hack, ptooey!"

[shotgun]

When has that ever stopped them from parading around their corpses? Also, how'd you guess my first name?

[ItsOurTimeNow]

SWEET!

Hopefully, Sgt. Slaughter will make an appearance.

[Saundra Duffy]

Cool.

[CounterCounterCulture]

Iron Sheik is not dead. The original Sheik is, died this year, age 76 (aka, Edward Farhat).

[cibco]

Thursday...

[CounterCounterCulture]

See 15

[Ex-Dem]

Good for them. Is Kurt Angle going to be there?

[flair2000]

The original "Shiek" (lived and ran a promotion in Detroit) is the one that is dead. The "Iron" Shiek is alive and well.

[Moleman]

thanks for the ping