WWE Wrestlers Body-Slam Illiteracy

Worldwide Wresting Entertainment (WWE) has been the subject of both media and public scrutiny and discord for many, many years. Attempts by the federal government to prosecute its Chairman, Vince McMahon, for alleged steroid distribution to wrestlers, attacks by various conservative watchdog groups, and the shocking and untimely deaths of legendary grapplers like Owen Hart, Eddie Guerrero, and Chris Benoit, all placed a dark and eerie cloud over the organization and its enormous roster of talent. In the midst of all the controversy, one thing remained constant: the global fan base of the WWE.

The unyielding fan support probably stems from the fact that the WWE is actively involved with a number of national, charitable organizations, like the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and initiatives targeting disadvantaged kids all across the country. Truth be told, the WWE has even helped The G-man on two occasions. The first time was in 1999. I wrote a news story detailing how a 9-year old boy was viciously mauled and nearly killed by a pit bull in Far Rockaway, New York. Amazingly, his courage and desire to be as tough as his favorite wrestler, "Stone Cold Steve Austin", was what saved his life. After discovering the boy's deep affection for "The Rattlesnake", I contacted WWE headquarters and eventually faxed a copy of the story to Ms. Sue Aitchison, Director of Public Relations. It was then presented to Stone Cold, and he immediately sent a get-well package to the little boy's home. His parents gave him the package at the hospital, and the doctors said it made all the difference in the world, in terms of his remarkable recovery The package included Stone Cold tee shirts, wristbands, videos and an autographed photo that read, "You're one tough S.O.B.! Hope you feel better real soon. Your pal, Stone Cold Steve Austin." Sadly, these are the stories about the WWE that never get press coverage.

In 2002, I was affiliated with a mentoring program at a New York City high school. The program was created to help young men that were arrested, on the verge of becoming gang members or had a history of being severely abused. Many of the kids, who ranged from 15 to 17-years-old, noted they were loyal fans of the WWE. I contacted Aitchison again, but this time I requested that one of their wrestlers make a special guest appearance. Their hectic schedules prevented this from happening, but representatives sent a three-foot by five-foot box full of WWE merchandise to the high school. Needless to say, these emotionally and mentally distraught kids were ecstatic. The organization touched the hearts of these kids and lifted their troubled spirits. Again, sadly, these are the stories about the WWE that never get press coverage.

In my continuous effort to accentuate the positive aspects of the WWE, I recently requested an interview with the Vice-President of Corporate Communications, Gary David, after hearing about "Reading Across America". David graciously allowed me the opportunity to pose several questions regarding this phenomenally successful program, which aims to help and encourage kids all over the country and the world to read.

G-man: Why did the WWE decide to get involved with a project of this type?

Davis: Since 2001, WWE has undertaken a national literacy effort to encourage teens and kids to read. The program, called Get R.E.A.L. Read, started with our Superstars and Divas reading to kids at public libraries in the summer. We also started to support the national Teen Read Week in October that is held by the American Library Association's Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), providing reading posters to libraries and schools featuring our performers. This evolved into the national WrestleMania Reading Challenge, which this year engaged more than 30,000 high school and middle school students and more than 1,100 school and public libraries across the U.S. The program will be expanded to "tween-age" kids (grades 5 and 6) this year. A version of the program is held in the United Kingdom with the National Literacy Trust with similar results. Having our stars participate in Read Across America this year was a natural extension of these efforts.

You and your "G-fans" may have seen this article on our website, WWE.com. In the event that you haven't , here's the link: http://www.wwe.com/inside/overtheropes/news/readacrossamerica. I also invite them to obtain more information on the WrestleMania Reading Challenge via the following link: http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/exclusives/readingshowdown.

G-man: I'm sure both veteran and newfound fans of the WWE will want to visit those links to find out more about this truly amazing program. Now, the Superstars and Divas are constantly on the road performing. Given this fact, how does the program impact the hectic schedule of the wrestlers?

Davis: Most of the time, we are able to schedule appearances at public libraries and schools around the live event touring schedule of our performers. For instance, on June 23, we will be doing a photo shoot with some of our performers for this year's Teen Read Week poster in San Antonio where Monday Night RAW will be performed.

G-man: Wow! San Antonio is going to be jumping that night, and I suspect many area kids and adults are going to show up and convey strong support for the program, as well as watch their favorite wrestler in action. Is there a WWE superstar that serves as the official spokesperson?

Davis: We annually rotate the Superstars and Divas who will be spokespersons for our WrestleMania Reading Challenge and other literacy efforts. This year it will be MVP, Mark Henry, Matt Hardy and Layla. In past years, The Rock, Mick Foley, Rey Mysterio, Big Show, Kane, Maria, Shelton Benjamin, John Cena, C.M. Punk, Matt Striker, and The Miz have been featured on posters. Many more participate in the school and library visits.

G-man: Is this a long-term initiative?

Davis: Our program has been underway since 2001, so yes. We are very pleased that it has expanded successfully into the UK, and we are looking to expand it to other countries.

G-man: What has proved to be the most challenging aspect of the program?

Davis: Logistics are always the main challenge, particularly when you undertake a program that is national, and fast becoming global, in scope.

G-man: What has proved to be the most rewarding aspect of the program?

Davis: The most rewarding aspect is knowing that you are positively influencing more and more young people to read. We regularly hear from librarians about how our WrestleMania Reading Challenge is inspiring reluctant readers to start coming to the library, some for the first time, to start reading. One school librarian told us the first year she undertook the program, she was meeting high school seniors for the first time. They had never been to the school library until they showed up to participate in the WrestleMania Reading Challenge.

G-man: The answer may be obvious, but I beg your indulgence. What is the ultimate objective of the program? Is there a target number number you're aiming for, with regard to youth participation?

Davis: No, there is no target number. The ultimate objective of the program is to persuade more teens and tweens to make reading a habit. Reading is fundamental to success in our society, and, like WWE, it is great entertainment.

Davis went on to note the Wrestlemania Reading Challenge was held in April, in Orlando, FL, and hometown hero David Silva of the Orlando Public Library and Ajoura Gwinn of the Carnegie Library of Homestead, PA, were crowned 2008 WrestleMania Reading Challenge National Champions. Silva, the national middle school reading champ, and Gwinn, the national high school reading champ, received the coveted trophies along with ringside seats to WrestleMania XXIV at the Florida Citrus Bowl. This is the second year of the national competition held by WWE and the YALSA.

"Silva and Gwinn had the most correct responses to questions about the books "Stuck in Neutral" by Terry Trueman and "Ball Don't Lie" by Matt de la Pena. The authors served as judges while the finalists were quizzed by WWE Superstars CM Punk, The Miz and Matt Striker. Punk, Miz and Striker all served as spokespersons for YALSA's national 2007 Teen Read Week", said Davis. "From the more than 30,000 participants representing more than 1,170 libraries across the country who competed, 10 finalists were selected to face off in Orlando to become national champion. Gwinn and four others competed in the 9-12 grade division; Silva and the other four finalists competed in the 7-8-grade division. Each of the finalists won airfare, hotel, and spending cash for two to Orlando, tickets to WrestleMania XXIV, $2,000 for their local or school library, and the opportunity to compete in the WrestleMania Reading Challenge finals."

Davis acknowledged this year's regional finalists were in two categories, grades 7-8 and grades 9-12. The finalists in the grades 7-8 category were: Chris Thompson, Cave City, Ky., from LeGrande Elementary, Lacunae Deen, Homestead, PA, from Carnegie Library of Homestead, Emily Hardy, Seattle, WA, from McClure Middle School, Beau Snoad, Napolean, OH, from Napoleon Middle School Library, and David Silva, Orlando, FL, from Orlando Public Library. Finalists in the grades 9-12 category were: Zacary Harper, Lake Wales, FL, from Lake Wales Public Library, Ajoura Gwinn, Munhall, PA, from Carnegie Library of Homestead, Amber Dales, Des Moines, IA, from Southeast Polk High School, Arun Natarajan, Hicksville, NY, from Hicksville Public Library, and Kady Marie Peters, Orlando, FL, from Orlando Public Library.

The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) is the fastest-growing division of the American Library Association. For more than 50 years, YALSA has been the world leader in selecting books, films, and audio books for teens. For more information about YALSA or for lists of recommended reading, viewing and listening, go to www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists, or contact the YALSA office by phone, 800-545-2433, ext. 4390; or e-mail: yalsa@ala.org.