It’s the TWENTIETH Tribute to the Troops Special!

Ever since 2002, the WWE has given a taste of home to those fighting to protect America’s freedoms. This is the 20th Anniversary of Tribute to the Troops!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Braun Strowman VS LA Knight; Braun wins.
• Emma & Tamina VS Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler; Ronda & Shayna win.
• Six Man Tag: Ricochet, Sheamus & Drew McIntyre VS Imperium; Ricochet, Sheamus & McIntyre win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Welcome to Tribute to the Troops!

The Indiana National Guard Ceremonial Unit color guard accompany Chief Warrant Officer Dennis White, Army. He was in Joint Base Balad, Iraq, in 2009 and was part of that year’s Tribute to the Troops! And just like back then, White sings the National Anthem.

Over 80 years ago, a tradition began.

“A tribute to the men and women stationed far and wide who serve our nation.” For 20 years, the WWE has continued that tradition. For all that give, this is a way to give back. Superstars and legends honored the greatest fighting force on the face of the Earth, wherever they are all over the world. And now, we celebrate that 20th anniversary!

Braun Strowman VS LA Knight!

For the first time ever, The Monster of All Monster faces off with the Mega Star, YEAH! But given the spooky happenings last night on SmackDown, will Knight be able to focus on Braun? Or will he #GetTheseHands?

The bell rings and fans rally up for Braun. Braun gets them to fire up more and Knight scowls. They tie up, Knight waistlocks then headlocks. Braun powers out and runs Knight over! Fans fire up as Knight scrambles to a corner. Braun TOSSES Knight across the way! Braun runs in at the corner, but Knight POSTS him! Knight then CHOP BLOCKS the leg! Braun crawls to ropes but Knight kicks the leg out! Fans boo but Knight rains down fists. Knight stomps the bad leg, but Braun kicks him out of the ring with the good leg! Braun snarls, storms over, but Knight HOTSHOTS Braun away!

Knight hurries back in and runs, into a BOOT from Braun! Braun runs to run Knight over! The bad leg slows Braun down but he still whips Knight to ropes. Knight kicks the back drop away, runs again and dropkicks, but Braun dodges! Braun drops an elbow! Braun then says he’s done, and he rips off his shirt! He kicks Knight, reels him in, and hits the MONSTER BOMB!! Cover, Braun Strowman wins!

Winner: Braun Strowman, by pinfall

You can only push a monster so far before he loses his cool! Will Braun use this momentum to get after the WWE Intercontinental Championship? Will Knight only feel worse after everything Uncle Howdy’s been doing to him?

WWE introduces Midshipman Morgan Prigmore.

Coming from a multi-generational Marine family, Morgan Prigmore knows the United States flag represents so much more than the states. It represents liberty, freedom, and the pursuit of being better. One thing that separates the USA from the rest of the world is that the US is always improving. That is why she wants to serve and protect those freedoms and rights. The Marine Corps always drew her eye, ever since hearing stories from her grandfather. She made him a promise before he passed, and now she’s here at Annapolis. She chose to serve her country, and Colonel JP McDonough says caring for others is who she is.

She is the Fall Semester Brigade Commander, representing the Midshipman in all things, from physical mission to academics. She is not only able to hold the position, but she is concerned for individuals. She is the one her peers look to for answers. That is symbolic for what they will face in the fleet. This isn’t a career or a degree, any of them could pay the ultimate price to protect this country. Morgan knows she isn’t the first, all the men and women of the service have been selfless from the beginning. She sees a passion to serve, to treat people right, and to do things that no other group is willing to do.

Surrounded by all that love and dedication, they’re all motivated to do better and be better, and that is truly an honor. Graduation is in Spring and she’ll be headed to Quantico, let’s all cheer Morgan Prigmore on in her journey!

Emma & Tamina VS Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler!

The Aussie with attitude teams up with an old friend to take on some common enemies! The Baddest Women on the Planet have been doing whatever they want to whoever they want, but will they learn that no one’s meana than Tamina and Emma?

Tribute to the Troops returns and Emma & Tamina have made their entrance. The teams sort out and the Daughter of Superfly starts against the Queen of Spades. The two tie up, Tamina powers Shayna into a corner, but lets off as the ref counts. Shayna turns things around, grinds her forearms in, but lets off at 4 to trip Tamina. Fans boo but Shayna swaggers to taunt Tamina. Tamina storms up but into a headlock! Tamina powers up, throws Shayna away, and Emma is there. Shayna turns around, dodges Tamina, but she watches out for that Superkick! Ronda tags in and fans are torn as the SmackDown Women’s Champion stares down Tamina.

But wait, Emma wants in! Ronda wants Emma, too, so Tamina tags Emma. Emma and Ronda meet again, they tie up, and Ronda throws Emma down. Emma kangaroo kicks Ronda away, dodges her, then tilt-o-whirls to a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Ronda gets to a corner, Emma whips her corner to corner but Ronda reverses. Ronda runs in but is send into buckles! Emma then reels Ronda into the TARANTULA! The ref counts but fans fire up! Emma lets off at 4 and Ronda flops down. Emma climbs up but Shayna drags Ronda out to save her. Emma just adjusts to SUPER CROSSBODY them both! Fans fire up with Emma while Tribute to the Troops goes to break.

Tribute to the Troops returns again and Ronda SLAMS Emma down hard! Cover, TWO! Tag to Shayna, but Emma fights back with elbows and boots! Emma BOOTS Ronda again, crawls for her corner, but Shayna drags her back! Shayna swings but Tamina avoids it! Emma slides under, hot tag to Tamina! Tamina ROCKS Shayna, bumps her off buckles, then runs her over with an elbow! Tamina aims, Shayna stands, SUPERKICK! Cover, Ronda breaks it! Emma kicks Ronda and throws her out, then keep son her outside. But Ronda whips Emma hard into barriers! Shayna rolls Tamina up, TWO!

Shayna runs into a fireman’s carry, SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!! Shayna survives and Tamina grows frustrated. Tamina hurries to a corner and climbs up top! Fans fire up but Shayna GAMANGIRIS Tamina first! Shayna goes up, CLUBS her, then brings her up. Tamina fights back, and HEADBUTTS Shayna away! Shayna distracts the ref, Ronda hurries up to KICK Tamina! Shayna then hurries to DUMP Tamina down, KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! Tamina taps, Shayna & Ronda win!

Winners: Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler, by pinfall

But Shayna doesn’t let off until she feels like it’s been enough! The bullies win again, will they be looking to have more than just the SmackDown Women’s Championship in the New Year?

WWE introduces Master Sergeant Matthew Williams.

The Medal of Honor represents the greatest our nation has to offer. The USA is the greatest country on Earth, and going to work knowing you’re participating in the greater good and providing freedom, then you’re doing something greater than you. HE was part of the best of the best in the Green Berets. April 6th, 2008, the mission was to capture and kill a high value target, but that turned into just getting out alive. The chopper couldn’t land, they had to jump out, and then it all broke loose. Williams knew they were pinned down but he got the team up the mountain, fought back, and helped wounded soldiers. Williams kept going up and down the mountain for six hours.

President Donald Trump honored and awarded Matthew Williams with the Medal of Honor, and Williams’ new mission was to represent his team and what the medal means. For someone to go out and die for those beside them, that ultimate willingness to serve and protect, Williams hopes he represents that legacy and puts a positive light on those who serve and have served.

WWE looks back on 20 years of Tribute to the Troops.

John Cena narrates as footage plays of the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida back in 2003. WWE superstars and staff volunteered time to entertain those who risk it all to defend America’s freedoms. And no one then expected this was just the first step of a 20 year journey. Tensions were high as they were headed into a warzone. Final destination: Camp Victory, Baghdad, Iraq. Vince McMahan said on behalf of the WWE and the United States, “Thank you.” It was bringing a piece of home to those so far from home. And 20 years later, it is a tradition like no other.

From Baghdad to the US, the WWE will go to thank the troops who serve and remain steadfast. It is a debt that can never be fully repaid, but as we celebrate 20 years of Tribute to the Troops, we have one message: Thank you for protecting the freedoms of the United States of America.

WWE introduces Bradley Fighting Vehicle Commander Steven Green.

He loves the USA, this is his home and he will defined it no matter what. He trains soldiers in the making at Fort Stewart, Georgia. Green isn’t just a leader, but a counselor, mentor and teacher. He grew up in a military family, his father was Navy. He saw how his father was as a leader and learned a lot from him. Green is the first one up, last one out, and is always there for his trainees. His men know they are better soldiers thanks to his training. Green also works with armored vehicles and light tanks. When he’s in one of those, Green feels like he could take on the world. The Bradley has always been near and dear to him.

Green signed up to put his life on the line so there is no one harmed back home. He wants everyone to have the freedom and opportunity to live out their dream. This passion has been with him as a young boy, and it isn’t going away any time soon.

Six Man Tag: Ricochet, Sheamus & Drew McIntyre VS Imperium!

The One and Only fought as hard as anyone could, but Der Ring General was just too tough! Gunther still holds the WWE Intercontinental Championship, but now Ricochet has back-up! Will the Celtic Connection be just what the King of Flight needs to turn the tables? Or will having Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci be just what Gunther needs to keep the momentum going?

Tribute to the Troops returns as Ricochet makes his entrance, followed by Sheamus and then McIntyre. The teams sort out and the Pride of Italy starts against Ricochet. They tie up, Ricochet waistlocks then headlocks. Vinci powers out but Ricochet rolls off his back, rolls under and handsprings to headscissor! Vinci gets up, into a DROPKICK! Fans fire up and Ricochet brings Vinci up to wrench the arm. Vinci chinbars back, Ludwig tags in, whip and arm-drag! Kaiser scrapes his soles off Ricochet’s face! Fans boo but Ludwig runs, and he blocks a boot! Ludwig shouts, “NEIN!” and then UPPERCUT!

Ludwig bumps Ricochet off buckles, tags Vinci back in, and Vinci slaps Ricochet around. Vinci kicks and toys with Ricochet but Ricochet hits haymakers! Vinci shoves, Ricochet BLASTS Ludwig, and Ricochet escapes a scoop! He ELBOWS Vinci but Ludwig grabs a foot! Ricochet kicks Ludwig away but Vinci CLOBBERS Ricochet! Vinci drags Ricochet up to RAM him into buckles! Tag back to Ludwig, he taunts McIntyre and Sheamus while Vinci POSTS Ricochet! Then Imperium meets at the corner, TRIPLE BOOTS! Ricochet flops down and Imperium stands tall while fans boo, and Tribute to the Troops goes to break.

Tribute to the Troops returns once again and Imperium mugs Ricochet as Gunther kicks him in the ribs! Gunther stomps Ricochet, glares at McIntyre and Sheamus, then turns back to Ricochet. Gunther puts Ricochet in a corner to CLUB him down! Gunther digs his boot in, the ref counts and Gunther lets off at 4. Gunther shoves Ricochet to CLUB him on the back! Ricochet snarls as he drags himself up but Gunther drags him up to shove again, but Ricochet ROCKS Gunther! Ricochet laps but Gunther catches him to keep him from the Celtics! SPINEBUSTER, into a BOSTON CRAB! Ricochet endures and fans rally!

Ricochet claws his way forward, brings Gunther with him, but Gunther drags Ricochet back to STOMP him down! Gunther paces while Imperium applauds. Fans boo but Gunther tags Ludwig. Ludwig drags Ricochet to a knee drop! Ludwig drags Ricochet up by his ears, bumps him off buckles, and Ricochet shakes out the cobwebs. Ludwig CHOKES Ricochet on the ropes! The ref counts, Ludwig lets off, but Sheamus gets the fans to rally up. Ludwig drags Ricochet up, tags Gunther, and Imperium mugs Ricochet again. Gunther wraps on a SLEEPER! Ricochet fights up to hit a JAWBREAKER! Ludwig swings, misses, and Ricochet DECKS him!

Vinci rushes in but Ricochet whips him out! Gunther BOOTS Ricochet back down! Gunther says this is done, and he hauls Ricochet up. Ricochet slips out of the bomb, ducks the lariat, but Imperium trip the Celtic Connection! McIntyre is sent into steel steps! Gunther brings Ricochet up again, but Ricochet SUNSET BOMBS! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up and Sheamus is back, but Tribute to the Troops goes to break!

Tribute to the Troops returns once more, and Sheamus is rallying on Imperium! He CLOBBERS Ludwig, CLOBBERS Vinci, then hits Ludwig in a corner! Vinci BOOTS but Sheamus scoops and SLAMS him! Then Sheamus scoops and SLAMS Ludwig! Fans fire up with The Fella, and he has Ludwig on the ropes! Fans fire up for the BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! Sheamus goes all the way to nine, winds up, and hits TEN! Vinci runs in, but into WHITE NOISE! Gunther tags and CHOPS Sheamus down! Cover, TWO! McIntyre and Gunther stare down, McIntyre steps in but the ref keeps him back. Sheamus HEADBUTTS Gunther!

Sheamus staggers over, hot tag to McIntyre! Fans fire up as the Scottish Warrior has Gunther in his sights! Gunther wants McIntyre to hold on, and then they fire off CHOP for CHOP back and forth! Gunther swings, McIntyre ducks it and CLOBBERS Gunther! And again! McIntyre clinches to OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! McIntyre dodges again to NECKBREAKER! McIntyre kips up and fans fire up! McIntyre goes to a corner and the countdown starts! Three! Two! One! LARIAT from Gunther!! Gunther crawls over now, hot tag to Vinci! Vinci drags McIntyre up, tags Ludwig, and Ludwig hops up. Vinci brings McIntyre in, but McIntyre back drops free!

Ludwig leaps but McIntyre DECKS him! Ricochet builds speed to FLY onto Vinci and Gunther! Fans fire up again as McIntyre tags Sheamus! The countdown is back, “Three! Two! One!” BROGUE-MORE!!! Tag to Ricochet, and he goes up top! SHOOTING STAR PRESS!! Cover, Ricochet & The Celtic Connection win!

Winners: Ricochet, Sheamus & Drew McIntyre, by pinfall

A huge win for redemption! The Impeccable German could not withstand that assault, he loses this one for Der Ring General! And with the Miracle on 34th Street Fight next week, will Ricochet redeem himself more with Braun Strowman by his side? Will we see Tribute to the Troops go another 20 years?

My Thoughts:

A really fun Tribute to the Troops here, but being another afternoon showing kinda shows this isn’t as big as it used to be. It was programmed right after a NCAA basketball game that went long so it was delayed by over twenty minutes. Granted, these are pre-recorded, but still. Great profiles on select members of the military, and great memories of the past Tribute to the Troops specials, especially getting to see footage of past superstars like Eddie Guerrero and Cryme Tyme. Really fun matches, but of course Braun won against Knight and of course Ronda & Shayna beat Emma & Tamina. And obviously, we finish strong and happy with the Six Man Tag, the Faces winning so fans can be cheering to end the show. I just wish this wasn’t on Fox.

My Score: 8.4/10