WWE "Tribute to the Troops" TV Report
December 22, 2010
Taped 12/11 at Ft. Hood, Tex.
Aired on USA Network
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

"WWE Week" continues with a two-hour edition of the "Tribute to the Troops" special tonight. The show opened with a pre-recorded video message from U.S. president Barack Obama.

Announcers: Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler introduced the show from Ft. Hood and noted an estimated crowd of 50,000 at Ft. Hood. The NBC special opened with Diddy. This edition of the special went straight to a 15-man battle royal.

In-ring: John Morrison was the first man out. Current commentary from Cole and Lawler was dubbed into the broadcast noting events at the TLC PPV. Mark Henry, then Ezekiel Jackson, then Chavo Guerrero, then Sheamus rounded out the first five. More ring introductions took place for U.S. champion Daniel Bryan, Chris Masters, Cody Rhodes, Kozlov (boos for the Russian on a U.S. Army base), and Santino to round out the first ten men in the battle royal. Nexus's music hit and out came Otunga, Slater, Gabriel, McGillicutty, and Harris for the next five. Cole noted the "nasty looks" on their faces and referenced Cena taking them out at the TLC PPV.

1 -- 15-MAN BATTLE ROYAL

The non-Nexus members tried to take out the Nexus members, then Nexus members simply bailed out of the ring to retreat. Masters was the first one via clothesline by Sheamus. Chavo then opportunistically eliminated Jackson when Jackson was trapped in a head scissors by Rhodes. Santino then cleaned house with the...Cobra, which drew a reaction. Sheamus knocked down Santino, then Henry slowly approached Sheamus. Cole said the world just stopped. Nexus suddenly re-entered the ring trying to take apart Sheamus and Henry. They eventually eliminated the Russian before turning toward Chavo, who was eliminated. Cody tried to show support for Nexus, but they dumped him out of the ring.

Sheamus and Morrison were suddenly forced into a situation working together along with Henry and Bryan against Nexus. Bryant hen eliminated Gabriel and Sheamus suddenly blasted Bryan with a Brogue Kick to eliminate him. Morrison eliminated Otunga, which dropped Nexus down to three members. Sheamus then battled Morrison, who caught Sheamus with the Flying Chuck.

They reached the ten-minute mark with Morrison being knocked off the apron to the floor. Henry then whipped Slater clear over the top rope to the floor. Henry just took it upon himself to start clearing space, eliminating McGillicutty. Henry then eliminated Harris to clean out Nexus. Sheamus instantly attacked Henry as the crowd rallied behind Henry. Meanwhile, Cole wondered what Barrett thought of Nexus's performance. Henry made a comeback feeling re-energized in his home state before press-slamming Sheamus clear over the top rope and to the floor. Henry wins the battle royal.

WINNER: Mark Henry in 12:00. Fine match playing up Nexus's gimmick and giving Henry a spotlight opportunity for the first time in a while.

Up next: Diddy Dirty Money. Still to come: Cena, Orton, and Mysterio headline the six-man tag main event.

Special Message: Taylor Swift thanked WWE for the special and sent a message to the troops before signing off with her signature two-hand heart symbol.

[Commercial Break]

On-stage: Diddy and his group, Diddy Dirty Money, performed "I'll be Missing You." They included various crowd shots of emotional soldiers and family members.

Still to come: John Cena, Trace Adkins, Sherri Shepherd, Rey Mysterio, Cedric the Entertainer, and Randy Orton. Nice touch including the WWE stars in the same "celebrities still appearing" type video preview to reinforce that WWE wrestlers are "stars" as well.

Smackdown plug: They aired a plug for Smackdown on Syfy this Friday night, presenting it as if WWE will have a first-run episode. It's still the replay of last night's show on USA Network.

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: "Miss USA" Rima Fakih introduced the next tag match as the special ring announcer. This is the Smackdown match that aired on the NBC special. Out first were Kofi Kingston and Big Show. For the heels, Jack Swagger and Dolph Ziggler sans Vickie Guerrero. Three straight nights for Ziggler on WWE TV.

2 -- BIG SHOW & KOFI KINGSTON vs. JACK SWAGGER & IC champion DOLPH ZIGGLER

Show landed an early frying pan-like chop to the chest on Ziggler before standing on his chest. The announcers talked about Ziggler escaping TLC with the IC Title as Ziggler made a comeback on Kingston. Kingston then landed a big monkey flip followed by ten punches in the corner. The action moved to the apron where Swagger dropped Kofi across the ring apron behind the ref's back to give the heels the advantage working on Kofi. Big Show eventually made his way back into the ring and cleaned house before dropping Swagger with a chokeslam for the win. Rima made it official as Show and Kofi celebrated the win.

WINNERS: Show & Kingston in 5:00. Basic house show tag match with the heels getting their comeuppance at the end.

Still to come: Divas tag match, message from George W. Bush, and a performance by Trace Adkins.

[Commercial Break]

Video Message: Kobe Bryant of the L.A. Lakers, which also aired on the NBC special.

On-stage: Trace Adkins performed "I Got My Game On."

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: R-Truth rapped his way to the ring with Eve for the next match on the show. Eve danced all the way down the WrestleMania-length entrance ramp to the ring. Truth asked Ft. Hood what's up before Ted DiBiase's music hit to bring out DiBiase and Maryse. They cut to a crowd shot of a little girl quietly giving DiBiase a firm thumbs down.

3 -- TED DIBIASE (w/Maryse) vs. R-TRUTH (w/Eve)

Truth opened things with a hard slap for DiBiase as the announcers plugged George W. Bush's new book prior to him delivering a message. The announcers had one of those "stereotypes of women" type conversations you can always expect from WWE as the wrestlers knocked each other down and remained on the mat. Cole said he empathizes with Maryse, saying she really wants to be with a winner and DiBiase has been struggling lately. Maryse got on the ring apron to distract Truth, but Eve yanked Maryse to the ground. DiBiase tried to capitalize with Dream Street, but Truth countered with the Lie Detector for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Truth in 4:00. Basic house show singles match. The announcers referenced win/loss records, which would be a nice touch for WWE to keep track of in 2011 to enhance a story if a wrestler is on a winning/losing streak and the announcers can actually present hard figures supporting the stories.

Still to come: More from Diddy, Rey Mysterio, Cedric, John Cena, and WWE champion The Miz.

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: Kelly Kelly's music hit to bring out Kelly, Divas champ Natalya, and the Bella Twins. Shouldn't it be automatic privilege for the champion to have his or her music played if a group of people come to the ring together? Lay-Cool's music hit to bring out Layla, Michelle McCool, Alicia Fox, and Melina, who was fresh off her apparent heel turn on Natalya on Raw. (This was taped ten days ago, hinting at Melina's turn on Raw.)

4 -- Divas champion NATALYA & BELLA TWINS & KELLY KELLY vs. LAYLA & MICHELLE MCCOOL & MELINA & ALICIA FOX

The heel Divas quickly took control of the match to work on Brie Bella. Kelly eventually took a tag tag and cleaned house while repeatedly smashing McCool's face into the mat. The action completely broke down before Kelly was left alone in the ring to drop McCool with the Rocker Dropper for the pin and the win. The babyface Divas did a curtain call for the audience to conclude the action.

WINNERS: Team Kelly in 3:00. Surprising to see McCool, of all people, take the loss. It was a house show finish with Kelly getting a measure of revenge on Lay-Cool for all of the "Smelly Kelly" jokes in 2010.

Special Message: The cast of NBC's "30 Rock" delivered a message to WWE and the Troops.

[Commercial Break]

Special Message: Former U.S. president George W. Bush presented his message from Dallas, Tex. This also aired on the NBC special. Bush sent a message of thanks to the troops assembled at Ft. Hood and noted WWE wrestlers visiting troops overseas and around the U.S. over the past several years. ... They showed a brief video package on soldiers pretending to read Bush's new plug. Lawler joked about nothing being subtle in WWE.

On-stage: Diddy Dirty Money & Diddy performed the Tribute theme song, which opened the NBC special. After the performance, Diddy thanked the troops for their sacrifice and commitment to defending the U.S.

Up Next: Kane in an Arm Wrestling Challenge.

[Commercial Break]

Video Message: U.S. Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn.

In-ring: Already in the ring was Gen. William Grimsley for an arm wrestling challenge against Kane. The announcers maintained continuity noting Kane is the former World champion. Ref Chioda oversaw the challenge as Kane sold for Grimsley before turning it back over in his favor. Grimsley showed some personality telling Kane he could quit anytime. Suddenly, Edge's theme music hit to interrupt. Edge, in a military uniform, stormed the ring as the announcers noted Edge is the new World champ. Edge avoided a chokeslam, ducked a clothesline, and hit the spear to clear Kane out of the ring. Edge and Grimsley then celebrated after the No Contest in the contest.

"Earlier Today": They showed an edited version of Cedric the Entertainer's comedy routine. Cedric self-deprecated on his "Cedric the Entertainer" handle before the Raw theme music randomly hit sending it to break. He was pretty good in the portion they showed.

Video Message: They aired a message from Jimmy Fallon that was recorded last week when Miz was on Fallon's NBC show. The Miz interrupted Fallon's lame-by-design monologue and suplexed "Fallon." The camera showed only Fallon's hand waving good-bye from the floor as Miz smiled for the camera.

[Commercial Break]

On-stage: Trace Adkins performed his second song of the show.

Special Message: The Army Chief of Staff, four-star general George W. Casey, Jr., presented a message thanking the soldiers for their commitment to the military and WWE for visiting troops overseas.

In-ring: Rey Mysterio's music hit to set up the six-man TV main event tonight. This was also the main event on the NBC special. Randy Orton was out next, followed by John Cena running to the ring. Cole linked the recent storyline of Cena being "liberated" from Nexus and being able to be himself performing for the Troops. They cut to break ahead of the main event.

Special Message: NBC's "Today Show" staff recorded a message thanking WWE for the show. It's one thing for celebrities and various stars to submit a message talking up WWE, but it should raise eyebrows when Today Show's reporters submitted a message, especially when WWE has utilized the morning talk show to push out propaganda in the face of criticism over the years.

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: Wade Barrett came to the ring first for the heels back from break. Cena glared at Barrett, then they cut to a shot of Alberto Del Rio rolling up in his non-military vehicle. Del Rio did his usual mannerisms as they cut to a shot of Rey glaring toward him. And, finally, The Miz rounded out the field with Alex Riley. Cole gloated about Orton going through a table at TLC as they showed Orton with a blank stare toward Orton. Cole said there is no instant replay in WWE, which reinforces the "booking by convenience" criticism of WWE re-starting the Orton vs. Miz match at the TLC PPV. Or, Cole is just playing delusional commentator trying to defend Miz.

5 -- REY MYSTERIO & RANDY ORTON & JOHN CENA vs. WWE champion THE MIZ (w/Alex Riley) & ALBERTO DEL RIO & WADE BARRETT

Miz and Cena started things off and the heels quickly took control working on Cena. Cole declared that Del Rio proved he belongs in the "big time" after the four-way TLC match at the PPV. Orton then tagged in and teased the RKO on Barrett, but Miz ran interference to allow Barrett to regain control. The heels then picked up an attack on Orton. They cut to break with the heels in control working on Rey.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, the heels were still working on Rey. The heels tagged in and out before Rey eventually made a hot tag to Cena. Del Rio also tagged in and accepted the Classic Cena Comeback. The action broke down and Orton gave the Angle Slam to Miz. Suddenly, Del Rio and Barrett found themselves on the middle rope. Rey hit a double 619, Cena hit the Attitude Adjustment on Del Rio, Orton hit the RKO on Barrett, and Cena pinned Del Rio for the pin and the win.

WINNERS: Team Cena in 13:00. Standard house show main event to send the crowd home happy.

Rey, Cena, and Orton did a curtain call to celebrate for the fans as Cole called it the "entertainment and holiday tradition" known as "Tribute to the Troops." Cole and Lawler said it's about "putting smiles on the faces of the troops." They cut to a final shot of Cena celebrating in the ring before a video package capturing the entire special aired to conclude the show.

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