Thank you to all those who defended the United States of America.

WWE once again presents Tribute to the Troops, to thank and honor the US Armed Forces. But will Shinsuke Nakamura ACKNOWLEDGE Roman Reigns?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Big E VS Dolph Ziggler w/ Robert Roode; Big E wins.
• Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan; Belair wins.
• Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman VS Shinsuke Nakamura w/ Rick Boogs; Reigns wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Lilian Garcia sings the National Anthem!

WWE salutes our US Armed Forces.

We owe a debt to those who sacrificed their lives to keep up a free people. For 19 years and counting, the WWE and its superstars have given back to the real heroes of the United States. The proudest tradition continues this year, on Fox!

Big E VS Dolph Ziggler w/ Robert Roode!

The WWE World Champion gets to open this great event, and he’s taking on a familiar foe in the Show-Off! Will Big E get to give his best to this Tribute? Or will Ziggler ruin Big E’s momentum going towards Survivor Series?

The bell rings and Ziggler circles with Big E. The two tie up, Ziggler gets a leg then a waistlock then goes for the cobra twist. Big E fights that off, pries the waistlock open and dumps Ziggler with a big fireman’s carry throw! Big E thrusts and swivels at Ziggler but Ziggler kicks him back. Ziggler throws hands, shows off his swivel, then runs, but Big E drops, hurdles and gets Ziggler for the abdominal stretch! Big E starts up the clubbing to the rhythm, “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Big E lets Ziggler out to shove and CLOBBER him! Big E drags Ziggler to the apron, CLUBS him, then takes aim. Fans fire up and Big E runs, APRON SPLASH! Direct hit and Ziggler is sputtering!

Big E high-fives all the front row fans before going into the ring. Ziggler goes back to an apron, Big E goes out after him again, but Ziggler gets in. Big E drags Ziggler out to join him, but Ziggler fights the suplex! Ziggler gets in the ring, Big E ROCKS him, but Roode grabs at E! Big E kicks Roode away but Ziggler SUPERKICKS Big E down! The champion is down as Tribute to the Troops goes to break.

TTTT returns and Ziggler is on Big E as a sleeper hold backpack! Big E stays on his feet, fans rally up and Big E powers up to throw Ziggler off! Big E then gets Ziggler for an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! And then another! Ziggler runs, Big E dodges to get the SIDE Belly2Belly! Big E stands over Ziggler to swivel the hips, then he runs side to side to BIG SPLASH! Fans rally up as Big E claps, and Ziggler scrambles to the apron. Big E runs but into a knee! Ziggler jumps up, jumps on, FAMOUSER! Cover, TWO! Big E survives but Roode coaches Ziggler up. Ziggler drags Big E up but Big E is too big, and he fireman’s carries Ziggler instead.

Ziggler slips off, rakes the eyes, ZIGZAG!! Cover, TWO!! Ziggler can’t believe Big E survived his best! But Ziggler sees Big E slowly get up, takes aim and runs in but Big E dodges! Ziggler elbows back, hops up, leaps, but into Big E’s arms! Big E pops Ziggler up, BIG ENDING!! Cover, Big E wins!

Winner: Big E, by pinfall

But then “Big Bob” attacks from behind! Roode stomps away on Big E, throws off his vest, then demands Big E get up! Facelock, but Big E wrenches out to scoop, BIG ENDING for Roode! Now that was glorious! Will Big E make an even bigger impact on Survivor Series when he faces the Universal Champion?

WWE introduces us to Lance Corporal Nhatalyne Bordes.

Bordes joined the Marines to give back to the country that has so greatly given to her. Her joining during a time of war was a remarkable thing to Major Kevin Hoffman. Bordes knows there are those out there fighting to protect the rest of us. “It’s a rare person that joins the Marine Corps. and succeeds at it as she does.” To have the opportunity to go to Columbia University, but then saying “No, thank you,” to join the Marines is itself impressive. Bordes learned to do chin-ups, swim, and now excels at them both. She pushes herself hard, working out even at 5 AM. “If you’re not tired, that means you didn’t push yourself.”

Her specialty is legal services, and making sure good order and discipline is in ever marine. She loves her job, she loves her family, and she loves her community. That leadership is what we need in your young Marines. Her commitment to excellence has been recognized many times, and she devotes herself to the cause. She could even be a senator one day. But for now, she is honored to serve her country as a Marine.

WWE introduces us to Corporal Matheus Stitt.

Stitt came to America to serve in its military. He is an air traffic controller for the Marine Corps, and Capt. Christopher Tilque knows he is very driven to succeed. Master Sgt. Michael Nelson knows Stitt takes a lot of pride in what he does. Stitt was born in Brazil, and his father was a Marine in 1984. Stitt always looked up to his father, and his father always said the ultimate challenge was the Marine Corps. Stitt moved away from home to come here, with unheard of personal fortitude. Stitt won the Noncommission Officer of the Quarter Award, and what proved him worthy was the care and attention he puts into helping those under his command.

Stitt says helping others and becoming like a family helps when you’re away from immediate family. It is an honor to serve, to be in the Marines, and he enjoys the discipline, sense of fulfillment, and knows there is a purpose to his decision to serve. Others give their time to defend our freedom, he couldn’t do any less.

Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan!

The EST and the LIVing Embodiment have to work together at Survivor Series as part of Team Raw, but will Bianca put the EST in testing Liv’s readiness?

TTTT returns and the #1 contender to the Raw Women’s Championship makes her entrance. The bell rings, fans fire up to see the EST, but there’s emotions abound for both women. They tie up, Bianca gets an arm and wrenches to a wristlock then wrangles Liv down. Liv kips up, wrenches back and has the wristlock. Bianca slips through, wrenches, but Liv touches her toes to wrench through. Bianca reels Liv into a headlock and takeover! Liv rolls it to a cover, TWO! Bianca holds on, Liv headscissors, but Bianca kips free. Liv hurries to headlock but Bianca blocks the takeover to power out. Liv wheelbarrows to victory roll, TWO! Bianca has the cover, TWO!

Bianca runs in to run Liv over! Bianca smiles and shrugs, things speed up and Bianca handsprings over to then say “Kiss this.” Liv lets it slide, all in good fun. Things speed up again, Liv jumps over then comes back to RANA! Bianca rolls to a corner and Liv playfully waves to Bianca as we go to break.

TTTT returns again, Liv brings Bianca up but Bianca shoves her away. Liv dropkicks Bianca to a corner, then runs in, but Bianca puts her in the corner! Liv staggers into a SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Bianca gets up as fans rally, and Bianca brings Liv up to reel her in. Bianca lifts, Liv fights the bomb then makes it a sunset flip! TWO, and Bianca stands into an ENZIGURI! Liv and Bianca are both down but Bianca is in the corner! Liv gets to ropes, drags herself up, then runs in at the corner. Bianca dodges again, runs in but into a BOOT! Liv goes up, leaps, but Bianca blocks the rana! She gets Liv up to ALLEY OOP onto buckles!

Bianca torture racks for the KISS OF DEATH!! Cover, Bianca wins!

Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall

Liv did her best but that always isn’t enough to beat the EST! Will these two be an even stronger team for Survivor Series?

WWE introduces the legendary Hershel “Woody” Williams.

“Individuals sacrificed their life so that we could have all the privileges we have, and have the opportunity and the thrill of saying, ‘I am an American.'” We are here today because others made it possible. 27 Medals of Honor awarded for the campaign of Iwo Jima. Only 13 survived it, and Woody is the last living of that group. He was a flamethrower operator with a team of four to protect him, and they eliminated seven pillboxes, losing two of the four as they protected him. Receiving the medal depended on them as much as what he did. He wears his medal today in their honor.

Woody has been called a hero, but he is not. The real heroes are the ones who never came home. The Woody Williams Foundation give help to those who lost someone serving in the military. It keeps families believing that that lost member served with purpose. “We owe a debt to those who sacrificed their lives to keep us a free people. They did it for a cause greater than themselves, and they are never going to be forgotten. This is what America is all about.” Semper Fi, Marines!

WWE introduces us to Matt Lewis.

He loves to say he has served his country, and that he was part of securing our freedoms. Lewis recently retired after 10 years, he can’t imagine his life any other way. The Navy brought him up so he’s giving back at Naval Station Norfolk. They are a family, but he does have a family of his own now. His wife, Liv, and his children, Alaina and Adam, are very proud of who he is and what he’s done. President John F. Kennedy said there is no greater sacrifice. Lewis will always be proud to say he was a sailor in the U.S. Navy.

WWE introduces us to Cadet Holland Pratt.

“The United States represents that symbol of hope across the world.” To be part of that same giving up hope, that’s what shapes you. Pratt went to West Point for a few reasons. Her grandmother grew up in post WWII German, after her father was killed in a concentration camp. At one time, the entire village hid under a bridge. But then someone saw and said, “It’s okay! It’s the Americans!” Pratt’s grandmother has since then lived a wonderful life, and has a wonderful family. That is all because of the sacrifice the soldiers made, so Pratt was compelled to join that same mission. People have been wearing the uniform since 1802, so that itself is an honor.

Colonel Wilson Rutherford says Pratt is the sixth female First Captain since 1990 that is in charge of all 4400 cadets. She rewards those who do excellent. Service means opportunity to empower positive change. No one is more ready to lead than Holland Pratt. If you can make even one small improvement in the world, any risk is worth it. West Point has made her into someone who sees the bigger picture. She wants to be the symbol of hope for the next generation. When she graduates, it isn’t the end of a journey but the start of an even greater one. She can’t even put it into words how much that is worth.

Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman VS Shinsuke Nakamura w/ Rick Boogs!

The Tribal Chief, the Universal Champion, is taking on the King of Strong Style, the Intercontinental Champion! Will Roman make Nakamura ACKNOWLEDGE him? Or will there be a new top champion on Friday Night SmackDown?

TTTT returns and Roman is finally in the ring. He raises his title, but there’s no pyro. That’s because Boogs is on stage rocking out! He introduces himself, as well as the Intercontinental Champion, Shinsuke NakamurAAAAAA~! And there’s certainly fan video of Pat McAfee rocking out, to the chagrin of Roman and the confusion of Heyman. The bell rings and fans rally for Nakamura. Roman is annoyed by that but he circles with Nakamura. They tie up, Nakamura waistlocks but Roman pries the hold apart. Roman wrenches, wristlocks, but Nakamura reaches for ropes. Roman keeps him away, Nakamura endures as Roman leans on the wristlock, but he rolls, kips and cartwheels to wrench back!

Nakamura headlocks, but Roman pulls hair to get the headlock himself. Nakamura throws body shots, powers out and things speed up, JUMP KICK! Cover, ONE!! Nakamura drops a knee! Cover, TWO! Roman crawls to a corner, Nakamura drags him up and throws body shots. Nakamura then gives Roman some GOOD VIBRATIONS~! Boogs rocks out with it, then Nakamura lets off to air guitar. Nakamura runs in but Roman ROCKS him with an uppercut! Roman runs in to throw clothesline after clothesline on Nakamura! The fans count all the way to 10, then Roman runs to LEAPING LARIAT! Roman holds up his finger to say #WeTheOnes, as TTTT goes to break.

TTTT returns once more and Nakamura has Roman down. He reels Roman into a sleeper, but Roman flails and throws Nakamura off. Nakamura comes back, into an URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Roman is surprised, but Nakamura is the King of Strong Style for a reason. Fans rally up, Roman goes to the corner and adjusts his golden glove. Roman locks ‘n’ loads, but Boogs rips ‘n’ shreds on his ax! Roman is annoyed all over again, but Heyman has Roman stay in the ring. Heyman begs of his Tribal Chief to simply focus on his match. Nakamura dodges the Superman punch! Roman dodges one kick but not the WHEEL KICK!

Boogs rocks out again, fans are with him as Nakamura takes aim! Roman rises but the Usos mug Boogs!! Nakamura goes out after them and throws them all around! Roman hurries out after Nakamura, FLYING SUPERMAN PUNCH!! “You already know!!” Roman throws Nakamura in, lets out the battle cry, and SPEARS Nakamura down! Cover, Roman wins!

Winner: Roman Reigns, by pinfall

The Bloodline works together again, and that is why Roman is standing tall. They stand tall, fingers to the sky. Will no one be able to stop the Tribal Chief and his family from doing what they want in the WWE?

My Thoughts:

A good show for Tribute to the Troops this year, just as any year. Great profile vids from both young and old, not so much stars but notable names of the military. I for one am glad to know we’ve got some great young people ready to defend the US.  And obviously this wasn’t going to be the most thrilling hour of wrestling, but it was still decent stuff. Big E, Bianca and Roman were clearly going to win, even with Liv being a contender for the title. This was recorded before Raw so it wasn’t going to follow that. But I should’ve figured The Usos would help Roman win somehow. Nakamura really should be given a chance at the Universal Championship, but he might have to lose his Intercontinental title first.

My Score: 8/10