MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- A special visit was made by some of World Wrestling Entertainment's stars at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Feb. 5.
The wrestling stars paid the visit to the Station while touring through Japan in promotion for the "Road to Wrestlemania."
Bobby Dillard, Marine Corps Community Services outdoor recreation director, invited eight of the wrestlers to the Station. The invited guest were Lita, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Ric Flair, Chris Benoit, the Hurricane, D-Von and Bubba Dudley.
The day started with Flair, Triple H, Michaels and Benoit lifting weights at the IronWorks Gym.
All eyes were on the wrestlers as they displayed their talents: muscles.
"They're huge," said Cpl. Mike Browning, American Forces Network broadcaster.
Lita, Hurricane and the Dudley Boys continued to surprise Station residents by appearing at the Crossroads Mall to sign autographs.
"We were invited to come to the Station and it was an honor. This is our way of saying thank you to the Marines, " said Lita, the only female wrestler to visit the Station.
"It's great to be here. We just wanted to show our support to the troops," said D-Von Dudley, one-half of the Dudley Boys. "People often times see us as heroes. But it's not us, though. We're not the heroes; the troops are the true heroes. I can't stress this enough. I am deeply appreciative of the troops. Without them I wouldn't be able to do what I love doing. Because of them I feel safe. In every aspect of the word, you guys are the true heroes. Thank you for everything."
The wrestlers will be putting on shows for the "Road to WrestleMania" in Hiroshima, Osaka, and Tokyo, according to Bubba Dudley of the WWE.
The WWE donated over $40,000 worth of tickets to the Station, allowing residents to watch the wrestlers at the Hiroshima Sun Plaza.
"It was a very good show. The crowd participation was lacking, but not from the Marines," said Sgt. Gabriel Maldonado, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron comptroller.
"The WWE is truly generous for giving us the tickets," said Dillard.
"It's the least we can do for the Marines. But it's our way of saying thank you," said D-Von.