Welcome to this weekâs edition of Sean O’Mac’s Pullin’ No Punches (PnP for short). Each week you’ll find Sean’s opinions on one or more topics in the WWE world as well as letters from readers. Remember that you, too, can chime in with your thoughts anytime. I like the props, but love the debates and disagreements too. Just keep them brief or I’ll be choppin’ ya down!
Hey wrestling fans. I’m sure there were at least a couple of you out there wondering what happened to ol’ Sean O’Mac. Well, I’m still alive and kicking. Unfortunately I had an injury that led to a wonderful infection, that was also incredibly painful. Of course, this had to happen on one of my hands, keeping me from at least part of my work for a bit. I’m happy to report that I’m healing nicely now, and can get back to offering my takes and columns.
Now you’ll notice that this edition of Pullin’ No Punches is in a new spot – up on the News section. That’s where you’ll find PnP from now on as we make our Editorials section exclusive to the Superstars now contributing to WZ. So be sure to check up here each week for my usual rants and raves.
So there it goes, another Christmas. I get the full treatment when the holiday comes – decorating a REAL tree, wrapping presents, traveling to see family, watching the kids open their gifts – it’s ironic that such a wonderful time of year can bring such a sense of relief when it’s over.
But believe it or not, one thing this holiday season touched me in one of those warm, fuzzy ways. It was watching the special Tribute to the Troops put on by the WWE on Monday.
Now I planned on getting back to work here at Wrestle Zone by doing a usual Take on the show, but fate it seems frowned upon that idea. You see, one of my presents this year was a nice DVR so that I could record and review the shows I need. I was happy to get it early since I had holiday plans on Monday evening – so I cheerfully set up the new device, tested it, and set Raw to record. Unfortunately for me, something went wrong with the process. I arrived home and began watching the show, only to have it play up to the point where Randy Orton was driving his knee into Chris Jericho’s midsection then jump ahead for me to see Mark Henry dropping Rey Mysterio to the mat.
Hmph.
But the most important thing, to me, was getting to see some of the features they played with Chris Jericho and other wrestlers out amongst the troops. Being a veteran myself, watching these bits actually gave me chills. You see, I remember what it was like to spend a Christmas deployed away from my family. Although it was officially in a “combat zone,” it wasn’t nearly as bad as what some of these men and women see.
Here I am, safe at home now, celebrating Christmas with my family as many of you are. Meanwhile, these men and women are lucky to get a phone call home, a brief dinner that’s above par compared to normal, then strap the guns back on and head back out to a dangerous post.
No matter what your opinion may be of the WWE, bringing a bit of Americana to such a place is a huge undertaking and one that we should never take for granted. They deserve all the praise in the world for what they do each year – from Vince to the Superstars to the crew members.
To the WWE, let me add my thanks for brightening a day in the life of a combat soldier.
To the troops serving our country, at home or abroad, let me say thank you and job well done.
And as DX said before their match against Umaga and Mr. Kennedy (which DX won, by the way):
“For every person around the world, every news outlet, absolutely everybody within the sound of my voice: If you’re not down with the men and women of the United States military, we have got two words for ya! SUCK IT!”
Sean “O’Mac” McGuinney’s day job is as a newspaper editor. He has been a journalist for nearly 10 years and has covered everything from government to sports. The wrestling? Well, that’s just been enjoyed since he was a kid. Don’t ask how long ago that was.
