Welcome to Pope’s Spoken Word Vol. 10. This Volume and many that follow will include a Q&A session where Pope will answer random questions from those that have been posted in the ASK POPE forum at TheElijahExpress.com/forum. With that being said, Pope will touch on a couple of random topics before the Q&A part begins.
From The “You Asked For It Department:”
I remember one time going inside the county jail in Jacksonville to meet another officer. Upon leaving and walking into the vestibule area, I awaited for the staff elevator to come to the floor level. Then about 6 feet away from where I was standing, the inmate elevator opened to reveal an inmate stepping off of it that I previously had dealings with. He was classified as mental, but you’ll be surprised how many go to jail and instantly become mental, manic depressant, suicidal, etc. Almost simultaneously we locked eyes and then without warning he went into his “Bruce Leroy” mode, with full sound effects and all, and began charging at me while punching and chopping the air in front of him. Pope had no time to react, grab pepper spray or a taser gun but one punch later, Pope was on top of him handcuffing and calling for backup. Now did Pope wanna punch the dude? Of course not, but I’d hate to wonder what would’ve happened if I did nothing at all.
So, I’m sure everybody has seen it by now, over and over again. Yes, Pope is talking about the Cop incident involving the 2 females and the 1 officer. Was the officer right or wrong for punching the girl in the face. Well, we all know that there’s more to the story. Pope’s talking 5 minutes before we saw what happen and of course they released more footage to show you what happened after the punch. Pope thinks the officer did what he had to do to protect himself. Could it have been handled differently, sure, but you have to know that this officer was doing a simple “Arrest” but yet was surrounded by numerous people (mostly black from what I could see) and one can assume that he was probably scared out of his pants as the situation began escalating.
Here’s the problem with Law Enforcement and the hiring process: STREET SMARTS/AWARENESS IS NOT REQUIRED! So therefore, you get all of these nerds and geeks (no offense) and people who have never walked down a street where there’s a transit lying on the ground by the local street corner store, or where there’s a gang of kids hanging at the park as they do everyday. So when these master degree carrying people are hired and put in uniform, they freak out when they are placed in the everyday life that others have adapted to on a daily basis. Bottom line is, Pope doesn’t condone hitting a woman EVER, however Pope suggest that when one is confronted with Law Enforcement personnel in which you disagree with, be civilized and fight it in court…Otherwise, you’ll get what you asked for! ~ PHS
Questions & Answers
Q: I have always wanted to be a wrestler since I was 8 in 1985. I have always been a tall slim guy though. After recently being laidoff I decided that now is the time if I am going to make a move. While age and size may be an issue for being a wrestler...I think I would be awesome as a manager or referee...hell I would even set up the ring. Anything to help the wrestling business out. So, the question...do you know a school you trust or like to train a manager/referee? Please help...I don't want to get taken.
A: The two most repetitive questions/comments Pope receive are this one and the other is from the ladies which is,“Enough about Pope, I wanna know more about Elijah!" I hate breaking the news to them, but we’re pretty much one in the same. As for the wrestling school, one should always ALWAYS search out schools via the internet and other methods to learn of the creditability. You should never just take ones word for this, not even mine. While managers are almost a thing of the past, referees and crewman will always be used for the most part. If you choose to go to a school, go somewhere that has a name with trainers that have a good reputation such as Team 3-D, OVW (Nick Dinsmore) and of course there’s FCW.
Q: Do you have any fears about what your future holds?
A: Does Pope have any fears about the Future? NO! My life is a light that shines so others may see in their time of darkness. Pope is here on borrowed time, much like yourself, so why worry (fear) about the future? While one should always plan, and NOT live everyday like its your last day on earth, one must realize that the Earth will continue to rotate even after you have become one with the Earth. So no worries here. Pope’s living to live again. (That’s deep right there….It’s a lil tricky, but you’ll figure it out)
Q: Coming from a music background, I'm very interested in how entrance themes are created. I remember from the Beyond the Mat Documentary Jim Johnston talking about he meets with the wrestler and gets an explanation of the character before he started writing the music. Is that how Dale Oliver writes his themes as well? What was the inspiration for Catholi-Funk?
A: Catholi-Funk was inspired by an old school jam that Pope listens to. It just spoke “Pope” to me and I wanted something different from the rap beats and rock beats that everyone comes out to today. The name was implemented on a last minute basis before it got back to me, but had I named it, the theme would be called “Funkology.” As far as the documentary, what one does in their federation doesn’t applies to another.
Q: Ribs......what was the wildest rib pulled on you and one you pulled on someone in the biz?
A: Don’t do “ribs.” Ribs are often times taken too far. Once you start, its fair game and it’s anything goes rules. While Pope is cool with his co-workers, I’ll never cross that line and don’t expect any to do it to me as well, cause I’d hate to have to put someone in their place for being childish and immature (as far as pranks goes). Usually the vets know how to do certain ribs and keep it respectable if they like you. Like one time, ‘Taker had me thinking that an injury I received was worse than what was being told to me by the trainer, who of course followed ‘Takers lead.
Q: Bubble guts.....have you ever wrestled with "bubble guts" or has someone you know had to?? please answer in detail thank mr.pope.....moving along......lol
A: Not “bubble guts” but definitely “butterflies”. Pope still get butterflies til this day in the ole tummy. There have been some to let out a nice scent or two in the ring if you get my grip. Just nasty I tells ya. If you wanna see an actual incident, you might wanna search to see if you can find Jim Cornette on YouTube, where he was in a six-man tag match, I believe with The Midnights against…I really can’t recall, but I think it was Memphis area. He was wearing his regular full body outfit while wrestling, and at some point during the match, there’s a wet stain on his backside that’s spreading more and more.
Q: Well I've always wondered, has the Pope ever smoked weed before?
A: Pope has never smoked weed.
Q: What's the worst thing you've ever done?
A: Be a bad child. Every time I think of all that I took my mom through as a kid and teenager, it hurts me to my heart. My mom is the BEST MOM IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD and I honor her everyday for never leaving me, giving me up, giving up on me, believing in me, and most importantly, for never throwing me in a trash can or flushing me down the drain.
Thanks for all the questions….If yours was not selected this time, it may be selected in the future. Until next time:
"If you can't CHANGE the people around you, then change the people AROUND you!"
~ PHS
Sun, 06/20/2010 - 11:00pm | 
Elijah
Interesting Pope, I bet that you have tons of stories and encounters from days of when you was a cop on the force. That sounded like one quick thinking tussle handled with swiftness, I can just imagine Pope and Bruce Leroy!!
Law enforcement personnel have to endure so much in their profession. With the story that hit the media last week pertaining to the officer and the young girl, in my opinion, it could have been handled differently. I understand the quick thinking of what one has to do in a career as such, because your life is always at stake and on the line. He punched a woman and that wasn't a very wise thing to do. But he was also surrounded by several bystanders, some probably angry and questioning his duties, people who were probably egging on the situation and not helping it. In that type of situation, he really had to think quick and that punch came out as that fast thought entered. In a big city, any individual with familiarity know the city's rules and regulations. Common sense would tell someone as Southern as me from a not so large city that jay-walking would be an offense, come on now, why would this young lady be excluded from jay-walking. She seemed to be asking for trouble in her unwillingness, this whole situation could have been avoided, especially with her friend using force and putting her hands on a law enforcement officer. She deserved whatever punishment is coming to her. It will teach her to not only follow laws and respect authority, but to also have respect for herself, because she really made herself look stupid. The officer felt it was necessary to do what he did after the encounter and being without backup, who could blame him.
Anywho...to Q's & A's
Pope's living to live again, I feel you in that and if I grasped it correctly, I surely understand as we all should be doing the same. What peaks my interest is the last question, and your answer of the worst thing you've done. I'd like to say to Pope, you've repented in those ways and became a better person, son and friend to and for your mother and also for yourself. With that said and the changes you've made, the powerful love and care that you have, hold, and show to Mother Pope should be any reason not to let your heart hurt because of what you did as a kid and teenager. Through spiritual guidance, faith and love itself, you've overcome that and you should allow the hurt that sometimes penetrate your heart diminish and go away.Your mother's love and understanding is another reason, and she loved you then and she still loves you now.
You picked some good questions & gave some very good answers pope. PSW is...PIMPIN
Good questions! and I hear ya on the law thing! Street smarts would be an interesting course! lol
Thank you for taking time to answer everyone's questions. It was very interesting to hear some of these answers!