Obama to Appear on WWE Special

(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

President Obama will participate in the seventh-annual World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) special "Tribute to the Troops" by taping a holiday message for American troops, TV Week is reporting.

The program will show a trip to the Middle East by WWE "Superstars and Divas," who visited with and performed for troops. According to the Associated Press, it will also feature Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of American military forces in the Middle East, delivering holiday wishes.

Mr. Obama's greeting, which has reportedly already been recorded, has him following in the footsteps of his presidential predecessor: last year's special kicked off with a taped message from then-president George W. Bush.

Obama is no stranger to sports or pop culture appearances. In November, he appeared in a PSA with three NFL players to promote a campaign to combat childhood obesity; he has appeared on The Tonight Show and gave Oprah a tour of the White House as part of her recent Christmas special.

The president has even been involved with the WWE before – albeit when he was still a candidate. Check out the video at left, recorded in April of April of last year, which features then Senator Obama exclaiming, "Do you smell what Barack is cooking?"

"Tribute to the Troops" will air this Saturday at 9 pm EST on NBC.

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