Arts & Entertainment Downtown Brooklyn

WWE Superstars and Divas raise flag on historic Barclays flagpole

August 26, 2015 Jaime DeJesus
BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP/Photos by Jaime DeJesus
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Before the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Superstars took to the ring for the biggest event professional wrestling held in Brooklyn, 2015’s SummerSlam, they answered the call and gave back.

On Thursday, August 20, WWE Superstars and Divas visited various firehouses and police precincts for the “Answer the Call” initiative of the New York Police and Fire Widows’ Fund.

Following the tour which included meeting cops, firefighters and the families of New York’s true heroes, the superstars were rewarded by Borough President Eric Adams at the Barclays Center Plaza where they proudly raised the WWE flag on the venue’s historic flagpole that stood in Ebbets Field, home of the Brooklyn Dodgers, until 1960.

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Adams also read the stars a proclamation, which meant a great deal to those in attendance including Jimmy Uso, Jew Uso, Big E, Xavier Woods, Summer Rae and Roman Reigns.

“It was phenomenal,” said Reigns of the ‘Answer the Call’ tour and the ceremony. “To be around real life heroes, to be able to look in their eyes and see what their daily routine is and all the things they have to do on a daily basis, is inspiring. I was eating lunch today with the guys and girls and right in the middle of eating food, they get called to duty and in two minutes they are gone to put themselves in danger.”

Adams was pleased at the superstars’ participation throughout the week. “To participate in ‘Answer the Call,’ a nonprofit that really focuses on those that gave the ultimate sacrifice sends the right message,” said the borough president. “Sports is not only what they do in the ring but what they do in the field of life and by them coming out, looking and speaking to our firefighters and police officers, our children not only look up to these athletes but also these symbols of public safety and this is a beautiful message.”

After Adams read the proclamation, the flag was raised and everyone discussed the excitement of the big event, which not only featured Superstars like John Cena, the Undertaker and WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, but also former host of “The Daily Show” Jon Stewart, who hosted.

“It’s a super summer slam going on here,” said Reigns. “New York is home base. We have so much history in New York. I’ve done a few special things over at the Barclays Center so I’m looking to do that again.”

Reigns did just that during SummerSlam on Sunday, August 23 when he and Dean Ambrose won a tag team match against the Wyatt Family.

“The WWE has finally arrived here. All those other stages they performed on, nothing is like Brooklyn,” added Adams. “The energy and atmosphere of having three sold-out shows performing here is great for the WWE and the borough.”


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