John Cena and Sheamus on WWE Tribute to the Troops: The Proudest Day on the Calendar

On December 13, 2012, NBC held a press conference call for WWE Tribute to the Troops — the 10th annual holiday special, airing December 22 at 9 p.m. Eastern on NBC and December 19 at 9 p.m. on USA. Premier Guide Miami was on the call. John Cena, Sheamus, and U.S. Rear Admiral Tim Alexander, Navy Mid-Atlantic Region, joined to discuss the weekend at Naval Station Norfolk and the Hampton Roads area — home to 125,000 active duty members and 830,000 veterans — and what the special means to the men and women in uniform who attend it.

We do in excess of 300 shows a year and this is the proudest day on our calendar.

Ten years — and why it still feels backwards

John Cena has been part of nine of the ten Tribute to the Troops specials, and the recurring theme has never changed: "All the troops really want to say thank you to us and to me that's backwards. We're there to let them know that we completely support them and we want to say thank you." He described the event's purpose plainly: "We set up and perform for them. The whole weekend is built around thanking them but literally everyone we meet wants to thank us for supporting them. It's extremely humbling and flattering and it just goes to show the resolve of the men and women in uniform — they do not under any circumstances put themselves first." He called it the proudest day on WWE's touring schedule, one he places on a parallel with WrestleMania: "You constantly see the dedication of the men and women it takes to keep our country free and it has never wavered in the nine years I've been doing this."

Sheamus — an Irishman living his American dream

For Sheamus, now in his third year doing the special, the weekend carried a particular weight. Born in Ireland, he described growing up infatuated with both WWE and America: "From a very early age I was infatuated by WWE and in ways I was infatuated by America too. I always knew from an early age what I wanted to do." He arrived in the United States five years earlier and never looked back: "This country has given me the greatest of opportunities. It's given me a chance to live my dream with WWE and all these men and women protect, make sure my life and home is protected." The weekend included boarding the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, the destroyer USS Porter, and the submarine USS Boise — experiences he described as things he never imagined he would have. "Getting to meet all the soldiers and the Officers in the Air Force and the people who protect the country where I live — an opportunity to thank them for helping me and letting me live my dream here without any fear is a fantastic opportunity for me."

Domestic vs. overseas — and what it means that more troops are home

Cena was asked about the shift from overseas specials — filmed in Afghanistan and Iraq in the early years — to domestic events. His answer was direct: "It is very good news that more troops are home, are stationed home, are coming home, on the way home." He described the overseas ventures with affection — "We'd fly on the C-17s and all of us kind of go over there and just rough it for a week" — but said the domestic format had its own reward: "You truly get to talk to these families more than we would when we were in the deployed areas. You get to know some of these folks and you do see them at the arena and there is that personal connection that you very rarely get. It's like seeing a friend or a family member in the audience." Sheamus added that the domestic setting meant families could attend together: "You look around that arena and you look around a lot of the meet and greets — a lot of the kids, the soldiers bringing their wives or their husbands and their kids, they all come together. For me that's even more enjoyable."

Rear Admiral Alexander — showcasing the people, not just the ships

U.S. Rear Admiral Tim Alexander joined the call from the Navy Mid-Atlantic Region and described the weekend's impact in a single word: "Fantastic." He elaborated: "The Sailors, the Marines here in the Hampton Roads area, their families were absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to meet the members of WWE and to be able to show them around the bases." He pushed back gently on the idea that the special was primarily about technology: "Our ships are great, our airplanes, our submarines are great — there's no doubt that we have some pretty neat technology — but at the end of the day it's all about the people. The opportunity to reaffirm for Americans what quality young men and women we have serving in our Armed Forces today, as exemplified in this show by our Sailors." He closed with an open invitation: "We look forward to doing it again whenever they're ready."

The show — Kid Rock, Flo Rida, the Muppets, and what's in the ring

The 10th WWE Tribute to the Troops was filmed the previous Sunday at the Norfolk Scope arena and features performances by Kid Rock and Flo Rida, appearances by the Muppets, and matches from WWE's biggest Superstars and Divas. Sheamus teams with Randy Orton to take on Big Show and Dolph Ziggler. Cena competes in a singles match against United States Champion Antonio Cesaro. Cena noted the special is designed to be accessible to anyone: "You don't have to know who's bad, who's good, who's a champion, who's not — you can really just take in the show for what it is." Sheamus called the crowd at the Norfolk Scope "probably the best crowd I've ever been in front of." WWE Tribute to the Troops airs Saturday, December 22 at 9 p.m. Eastern on NBC, and Wednesday, December 19 at 9 p.m. Eastern on USA.

For more upcoming events across South Florida, visit the Premier Guide Miami Events Calendar.