Welcome to another edition of Pope’s Spoken Word{s}. Just want to say that Vol.10 had some very interesting questions. Of course Pope couldn’t get to them all, but keep those questions coming as there are more PSW’s in the near and distant future. So if you have a burning desire to ask THAT question, then feel free to do so at TheElijahExpress.com/forum for future Q&A’s during PSW’s.
Wow, can’t believe it’s been a year since MJ has passed! Pope remembers the day it happened and much like everyone else, exactly what they were doing when they got the news. I was preparing to head out the door to pay some bills and run some errands. Pope was in his kitchen dealing business on the phone before when all of a sudden Mama Pope called.
Upon answering, she immediately asked,
“Son, why didn’t you tell me Michael had passed?”
I responded,
“WHAT!? Michael is NOT dead!!”
Mama Pope then told me it was on the news. I immediately went to the television and turned to CNN, and every other channel where it seemed like nothing but a bad repetitive nightmare. I told my mom I’d call her back, and completely forgot about my business call that was on hold.
I stood forever in that one spot in my living room in sheer disbelief to what was going on when all of a sudden while flipping channels, there was hope. Finally someone starting reporting that he was NOT DEAD but in a coma. Pope immediately started praying for the best. While some jumped the gun in announcing MJ dead, others sought confirmation. Then the announcement came, and with it went the GREATEST ENTERTAINER OF ALL TIME! Pope crumbled on his couch, in a state of shock (no pun), ending his day that never really started. I won’t go into much detail about it, but this may be the shortest sentence I ever write when describing what happened that dreadful evening……Pope Wept.
While remembering MJ, I think of some of his greatest songs that are heralded as such, but also some of his least known songs that aren‘t, and should be held on par with some of his other songs. The top three that comes to mind in no particular order are Break of Dawn, Heaven Can Wait, and Butterflies (which should have had a video IMO). All those songs were off of his INVINCIBLE release. One of Pope’s favorite Videos of MJ is his “In the Closet” video featuring Naomi Campbell. The song focuses on MJ’s falsetto voice, and the video shows him at his absolute best and pure genius during his creative dance sequences. Just one setting, so simple, yet so spectacular, and illustrate just how much “Simple is Better” can be. His dancing style and choice of attire in the video says to me that: I love myself, my body, my look, my abilities, and I’m happy with who I am, in the skin in which I live. Check it out when you get time.
While so many are out there paying tribute to the icon, you know that some, if not many, have breathed a sigh of relief knowing that they no longer have to worry about the hurricane called MJ that was about to take the music industry by storm yet again. It’s kind of like Pope walking back into the iMPACT Zone. While some say, ”Good to have you here again”…others are saying, “DAMN, He’s BAAAACCKKKK!” Lol!
Now on to the Questions and Answers portion of Pope’s Spoken Word{s} Vol.11
Q: Was there any one thing that you struggled to do correctly during wrestling training? If not then what was the hardest part?
A: Wow, not many know this, but the hardest part during Pope’s initial training was doing a front forward flip, while landing flat on your back. It seemed like it should’ve been the easiest thing in the world to do for someone who grew up flipping, but the thought of doing it in the ring with the possibility of spiking your head, it’s just nerve wrecking. So that and running across the ring without turning it into a marathon were probably the hardest things during training.
Q: Having the unique insight by I’m sure meeting the real Vince McMahon.. What are you're thoughts on him as a person and the WWE business?
A: Vince is a genius and a smart businessman. Vince is not a reflection of the WWE…The WWE is a reflection of Vince. Vince is a very strong minded individual who never takes no for an answer. No such thing is impossible to this man, which in all honesty should be the mindset of every individual whose goal in life is to achieve GREATER!
Q: Pope, who would you consider somebody that is different on tv than they are in real life? is there somebody who is an evil, evil person on tv that in reality is the sweetest person backstage? or even vice versa? a real nice person on tv who is the devil incarnate behind the scenes?
A: Vince McMahon! This man has more swagger than you think, and is down to earth and more current (except when it comes to fashion) than most people half his age, or more.
Q: What makes you become mad or angry?
A: When Pope see works or gifts from fans to superstars that are left back stage or right out thrown into the trash. Knowing that some have spent their hard earned cash or have put time and effort to think enough of a superstar and bring a gift of sorts to show their appreciation, only to have it treated like garbage saddens/angers Pope. I can’t grasp the reason why some are ungrateful, when it’s YOU the fans who make us who we are. I remember a couple of years ago there was a fan that brought a nice piece of art work that was TRULY REMARKABLE to a very high esteemed superstar. I saw this gift brought back week after week with the crew as the superstar showed no interest in wanting it. After a while, I flat out asked about the status of this remarkable art work, in which I was informed to just take it because it was trash. WOW!!! I couldn’t believe it. There’s NO WAY I was going to let work be destroyed or forgotten. Today, that piece of art is with other pieces of Pope’s prized possessions. One must always remember, “One man’s trash…Is another man’s Treasure!”
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
Mon, 06/28/2010 - 11:00pm | 
Elijah
Pope, you are the man. Don't change a thing.
Show Vince what a mistake he made by letting you go.
That day is one I'd never forget, it's etched in memory forever. My mother comes in to where I was and says her sister called saying Michael Jackson was in a coma and might be dead. I heard the words Michael Jackson and my heart instantly dropped. I told her it couldn't be true, and that my aunt, who exaggerates, probably had her information wrong. I really wanted it to be wrong! I immediately turned to the national news, CNN at first, then switched another channel on as well to watch both simultaneously. It was infested all over the television. I immediately started praying for Michael Jackson, it was all I could do. The time came when his death was announced, I felt sick, just wanted to throw up. My heart was hurting, and I was saddened. Just thinking of Michael Jackson and how much he meant to not only me, the world, but especially to his family, most importantly his children. A man as such was immortal in many ways. Who would've thought MJ would be dead, and so soon, young at that. A beautiful and tenderhearted man, caring spirit who taught the world to love though he wanted that love himself. None of us are perfect and will never be, no matter how much money characterizes one or how renown one becomes. It always angered me to see MJ ridiculed, how people could be so cruel and heartless, even now. Throughout all his trials and tribulations, MJ was still loved, supported, and never alone. You left us too soon but the goodness of your heart, love, care and legacy will always be here to stay, its everlasting! I hardly go a day without listening to a classic, never can get enough of MJJ! I always thought it was truly impossible to meet a man as such. It never crossed my mind that I could because of his stature. I always would watch old videos of the fans going insane at MJ concerts. As a kid, it tickled me but thinking back now, I would've probably been the same way, lol!
I surely can understand in how you feel pertaining to the last question. Many in this field can certainly and most definitely should learn a thing or two from Pope. It was very thoughtful of you to rescue that artistic work and give it the praise it deserves, it truly went into the right hands.
Pope.. I can relate thoroughly with how you describe that day last June.. It was surreal for me as well. Everyone knew how much Michael meant to me growing up. I looked up to him and was in awe of his talent and charisma. He was larger than life to me growing up. I never stopped being a fan.. despite the controversy and ridicule.. When the critics turned their backs on him and the public snickered at his eccentric ways I always held a dear place in my heart for him. The day he passed away, I pulled into the driveway and at that point, nothing had been announced. I went to turn off the car and heard the news on the local radio station. I cried so hard... I had no idea until that point how much he really was a part of who I as a person. I cried that day like I lost a friend and to me, I did. You took the words right out of my mouth with everything you said and I still cannot believe he is gone, but your right about him not being dead.. He will live forever and a new generation is coming to appreciate his music as fate would have it and I now appreciate his music along with my 13 year old daughter and it is a bond that I never thought we would share together. As a matter of fact.. I taught her the dance to Thriller not to long ago..! I cannot name 1 or 2 songs I love because I cant think of 1 or 2 that I dont.. I love them all from the well known to the least known. Thanks for taking the time to post your story.. It was great to read and well written!
MJ without at doubt is the GREATEST OF ALL TIME... In reverse with your story I was the one to call my mother about the news... We both were VERY heartbroken with the news.... I also remembered the track HEAVEN CAN WAIT (Which is a very good track for those that havent heard the tune) ... His legacy should live on to the test of time... Glad to see someone else that is TRULY and MJ fan..and not a bandwagoner.
That is actually the other one from Invincible that I was gonna refer to. Your Absolutely right. Whenever I hear that song, I think about MJ's last breath, and visualized his spirit detaching from his body. The song says, "Tell the angels no, I don't wanna leave my baby alone, if the angels to me from this earth, I'll tell'em to take me back to her, that's a chance I'll take, heaven can wait." But As I visualize his spiritual detachment from the flesh, I don't believe that he would've took the chance to stay here on this earth, where he's been thru nothing but HELL. After he saw the light, I doubt he wanted to return here.
Pope, thank you for all that you do and for giving us your spoken words. It means a lot. I honestly would have never thought that Vince would be down to earth behind the scenes!
wow that mad/angry section really made me sad that alot of wrestlers to this day still reject the fans gifts like that
props for keeping it real to as many people that u can, no matter your mood during the day!