WWE Hall Of Famer Recounts Memorable First Trip Visiting The Troops

In a recent episode of the podcast “Something To Wrestle,” WWE Hall of Famer John “Bradshaw” Layfield (JBL) shared some unforgettable stories from his inaugural visit to U.S. troops in Afghanistan. This trip would later evolve into WWE’s annual “Tribute To The Troops” shows, which began in 2003.

JBL, known for his candid nature, didn’t hold back when describing the harsh conditions in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan sucks, I would say no offense, but you can take offense all you want.

The wrestling superstar was among the first civilians to visit the region, facing some unique challenges during his stay.

We were the first civilians to go over there from my understanding, and we had been out all day. And you greet soldiers all day and man, I come in, I’m so tired. Especially in Afghanistan, it was dirty.”

One particularly humorous incident stood out in JBL’s memory, perfectly encapsulating the unpredictable nature of life in a war zone. After a long day of meeting troops, he found himself in a precarious situation…

I’m butt naked, and I’m going to the bathroom. I think, ‘Oh, thank God, thank God, I made it. I made it.’ Right then, two spotlights hit me, because they heard the sound.

The wrestler’s vulnerability in that moment became a source of amusement for the soldiers, demonstrating their need for levity in difficult circumstances.

So I’m standing there, and you can hear them laughing. And I’m just sitting there peeing while these guys are like, with the spotlights on me, and they wouldn’t turn them off. It was absolutely tremendous.

Despite the challenges and occasional embarrassment, JBL’s commitment to supporting the troops never wavered.

I think I had a torn bicep at the time, so I was doing some stuff for Vince around the world and just promotional stuff.

JBL’s early visit to the U.S. military set a precedent for what would become an annual WWE tradition to entertain the troops. His candid recollections offer a unique glimpse into the early days of this important event, highlighting both the difficulties faced by the performers and the profound impact their presence had on military personnel serving overseas.

When I came back, you know, everybody wanted to know about the trip.

This curiosity underscored the importance of the wrestlers’ presence in boosting the troops morale. JBL’s experiences laid the groundwork for what has become one of WWE’s most meaningful annual traditions, bringing a touch of home to servicemen and women stationed in some of the world’s most challenging environments.

What Did Former WWE Champion JBL Say About His Days In The APA Tag Team?

JBL discussed his time as a member of the APA with Ron Simmons and how he sees those days as his favourite he ever had in wrestling, and if he had the choice he would have stayed in the team instead of becoming a singles star.

H/t to 411mania.com