WWE Tribute to the Troops Results
December 17, 2014
Taped 12/9 in Columbus, Ga.
Aired on USA Network
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

The Troops special opened with Michael Cole introducing the show from Fort Benning as Florida Georgia Line played in the background. WWE went to a crowd shot of Army personnel chanting "U-S-A" in the arena. Hulk Hogan's music then played to bring out Hogan waving an American flag walking through a row of saluting troops. Cole and JBL were shown on-camera introducing the show as Hogan hit the ring posing for the crowd.

In the ring, Hogan gave a pep talk to the troops before he was interrupted by The Miz's music. Miz walked out to sweetened boos, then Damien Sandow emerged to sweetened cheers. Miz and Sandow stood on the stage, where Miz addressed "Hulk." He said that on behalf of the troops and as the star of "Marine 3," he would like to say, "You're welcome." The crowd booed. Miz talked about the honor of playing the movie role, and he can only imagine how honored each person was by his representation in that movie. Because when you think of toughness, you think ... The Miz. (Boos)

Suddenly, John Cena's music played. Out came Cena pumping up the troops as Cole extolled Cena's virtues. Cena stormed the ring to stand with Hogan as Miz and Sandow mock-applauded Cena. Cena said he would like to apologize for The Miz, who has obviously come down with amnesia. Because he doesn't realize he's at an Army base. And when he thinks of toughness, he thinks of the U.S. Armed Forces. When he thinks of Miz, he thinks of something a lot more metrosexual. Like a Ryan Seacrest. Actually, he would kick Miz's butt.

Miz mock-laughed, unimpressed by Cena's jokes. He said he's the modern-day Bob Hope inspiring the U.S. military to achieve greatness. By doing it for The Miz. "That's how great I truly am," Miz claimed. Cena said he is sure that has never, ever been said before. And he thinks he's a big deal. But, he doesn't even realize that he is standing in the ring with Hulk Hogan. "That is a big deal," he said. Cena asked for public opinion. Is Miz a big deal? (Boos) Miz laughed, saying Cena is embarrassing himself. It's not that Miz is in the ring with Hulk Hogan, but Hulk Hogan is in the ring with Miz.

Miz continued that Cena is jealous - jealous of losing to him at WrestleMania 27. And, he is better-looking than Cena. But, the #1 reason is because he played a more convincing solder in The Marine than Cena ever could. Suddenly, a "Let's Go Cena / Cena Sucks" chant broke out. Cena said he'll take the kid gloves off, just him straight. He said a guy like Miz just sucks. Miz tried a blow, but Cena knocked him out of the ring. Sandow was left in the ring contemplating his next move. Sandow asked Cena to step aside, then he re-created the exchange, sending himself flying over the top rope to the floor.

After Cena and Hogan applauded, Seth Rollins's music played. Out came Rollins, Kane, and J&J Security. Then, Luke Harper showed up. Big Show was out next. JBL noted the history between Hogan and Show as Cena and Hogan tried to stand their ground in the ring. The heels hit the ring apron, then Rollins led the heels into the ring. But, Dolph Ziggler's music played to bring out Ziggler, Ryback, and Erick Rowan to set up a giant brawl. The faces eventually cleared the ring, including dumping Show over the top rope for a battle royal elimination.

Cena's music played as he stood tall in the ring with Hogan, Ryback, Ziggler, and Rowan. Ringside, Show waved the heels up the stage to the back as Cole announced Bray Wyatt vs. Dean Ambrose in a Boot Camp match later tonight.

Video Message: Angelina Jolie talked up her movie "Unbroken," documenting the incredible Louie Zamperini. This was recorded to air on any holiday show.

[Commercial Break]

Back on the show, Cole announced tonight's main event: Cena & Ziggler & Ryback & Rowan vs. Rollins & Show & Harper & Kane in an eight-man tag match.

1 -- THE USOS (JIMMY & JEY USO) vs. GOLDUST & "STARDUST" CODY RHODES

Light, house show fare early on before The Usos cleared the Rhodes Bros. to the outside and double-splashed them. Cole sent the show to break with The Usos standing tall.

[Commercial Break]

The heels controlled Jey back from break, then a hot tag was made. Chaos broke out, then Cody entered Stardust mode looking for a corner attack, but Jimmy blocked with an elbow smash and followed with a corkscrew splash for a two count. All four men in the ring, then the Usos climbed to the top rope and delivered double splashes for a double three count and the win.

WINNERS: Usos at 10:45. Solid house show match delivering a satisfying finish on the feel-good show.

Up Next: Florida Georgia Line.

Video Message: Lester Holt from NBC News delivered a message to the troops. Again, this was recorded to air on any holiday show.

[Commercial Break]

Video Message: The cast of "The Voice" delivered a message to the troops. Blake Shelton inserted a reference to the show by introducing Florida Georgia Line.

On-stage: Florida Georgia Line performed "Anything Goes."

Backstage: The Bellas and Paige prepared for a Divas battle royal.

[Commercial Break]

Video Message: Tom Brokaw from NBC News

2 -- DIVAS BATTLE ROYAL

Participants were Summer Rae, Emma, Rosa Mendes, Natalya Alicia Fox, Nikki Bella, Brie Bella, and Paige. Mid-way through, Summer and Rosa broke into a dance-off. They were quickly eliminated. The Final Four were the Bellas, Naomi, and Natalya after the Bellas eliminated Paige. Brie accidentally eliminated herself, then Naomi eliminated both Nikki and Natalya to win. Naomi celebrated in the ring after picking up the win.

WINNER: Naomi at 3:50. The announcers framed this as Naomi's consolation prize after not winning the Divas Title on Smackdown.

Video Package: WWE stars visited Ft. Benning.

Up Next: Sgt. Slaughter ordered a Boot Camp match.

[Commercial Break]

Video Message: Katherine Heigl delivered a message to WWE and the Troops.

In-ring: Sgt. Slaughter was standing by, where the ring rope facing the hard camera had been changed to an Army-themed ropes course. Bray Wyatt's music then played to bring out Bray in a darkened arena lit up by cell phones. Dean Ambrose was out next sporting a military hat to go with his zip-up jacket and jeans. Dean chucked the hat into the crowd, then prepared to scrap with Bray.

3 -- DEAN AMBROSE vs. BRAY WYATT -- Boot Camp match

"Are you ready to go to war?" Ambrose asked Bray before they locked up. Bray raked Dean's forehead across the top rope, then roughed him a bit. But, Dean came back with a bulldog that sent Bray to the floor. Dean followed up with a suicide dive on the outside. Dean chucked Bray into camouflage netting over the ringpost, then picked up a foot locker, which he bashed into Bray's gut.

Dean retrieved various weapons as the troops chanted for tables. Dean took his eye off Bray for a second, allowing Dean to pop him with a Kendo Stick. Another stick to the gut, then Bray bashed it over Dean's back. Cole called about collecting G.I. Joe action figures as Bray continued to assault Ambrose. Bray then ran Dean face-first into a chair wedged in the corner. Cole sent the show to break with Bray in control.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Ambrose tried to fight back against Bray as Sgt. Slaughter sat ringside. Bray used the kendo stick to keep Ambrose subdued, then Bray lit up Dean with forearms and kicks. But, Bray lost control of the stick, allowing Dean to pick it up. Bray begged off, but Dean popped him with the stick over and over. Then, a side Russian Legsweep using the stick. Dean played to the troops, then climbed to the second rope with possession of a chair to deliver a flying elbow chair drop for a two count.

Ambrose decided he needed something else to get the win, so he went under the ring and retrieved a table. Dean set up the table in the ring, but turned around and took a uranage through the table. Bray wins the tables match! Nevermind. Bray covered Dean for a two count. He then went to the outside and retrieved a table of his own. But, he stopped to chat with Sgt. Slaughter, asking if he wants to dance with the devil. Bray is terrific with his character.

Back in the ring, Bray taunted Dean, then looked at Slaughter, who approached ringside with a loaded boot. Dean then small-packaged Bray from behind for a two count. Slaughter slid his boot to Dean, who popped Bray in the face. Then, Bray came off the top with an elbow drop through Bray's table. Dean wins the tables match! Nevermind. Dean covered Bray and it was good for a three count to get the win. Cole said Dean got his win back after losing to Bray on Sunday.

WINNER: Ambrose at 14:35. Is this the first time a PPV main event has been the lead-in for a match on Tribute to the Troops? Solid effort all-around.

Announcers: Cole and JBL recapped events on the show thus far.

Video Message: Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz, looking like Michelle Beadle, hyped their new movie, "Annie."

[Commercial Break]

Video Message: The Kardashians delivered a message to the troops.

In-ring: U.S. champion Rusev and Lana were standing by to deliver an anti-U.S. speech aimed at the troops. Daniel Bryan provided the interruption, returning to TV after a few weeks away while recovering from injury. Cole said Bryan is what the U.S. Army is all about - grit, heart, determination, standing up to everyone, and not backing down. JBL said he needs a haircut, though.

From the stage, Bryan said Rusev and Lana do not understand that Americans do not back down. Bryan said it doesn't matter if you're 5'5" or 7'2" because we fight for what we believe in. He told Rusev to go back to Russia if you don't like it. "Yes!" chants from the crowd. From the ring, Lana mocked Bryan's "touching" speech. She talked down to Bryan about returning bigger and stronger, like a little troll. Rusev asked Bryan if he thinks he can defeat him, the super-athlete Rusev? "Yes!" chants from the crowd. Rusev shouted over the crowd that he will crush Bryan.

Bryan asked if he's serious, then asked Rusev if he really wants to do this in front of these people. Because here's the thing he doesn't understand - Americans will come from anywhere to defend freedom, so when he challenges him, he's challenging everyone in this arena. Suddenly, soldiers hit the ring apron. Another one repelled from the ceiling. Then another. So, if Rusev wants to fight, they can fight right now.

Bryan marched down to the ring and hopped on the ring apron, then slid into the ring. Rusev contemplated the situation as "Daniel Bryan" chants broke out. Rusev then shook his head and slipped out of the ring with Lana. As the heels retreated, Bryan and the soldiers led the crowd in "Yes!" chants. Then, a giant U.S. flag dropped from the ceiling, angering Rusev and Lana.

Video Message: The hosts of NBC's "Today Show" sent a message to WWE fans and the troops.

[Commercial Break]

Video Message: Larry the Cable Guy offered a message.

On-stage: Florida Georgia Line performed, "Cruise."

Backstage: John Cena was holding a piece of paper titled "Game Plan" while consulting with Dolph Ziggler and Ryback. Ziggler acted as if they were really talking strategy, Ryback rubbed his beard, and Erick Rowan acted disinterested, kind of looking around behind his sheep mask.

[Commercial Break]

4 -- JOHN CENA & DOLPH ZIGGLER & ERICK ROWAN & RYBACK vs. BIG SHOW & SETH ROLLINS (w/Jamie Noble and Joey Mercury) & KANE & LUKE HARPER -- eight-man tag match

In-and-out tags early on as JBL talked about the history of the "Troops" special. Cole acknowledged families who have lost soldiers fighting overseas. Ziggler then dropped Rollins with a snap DDT for a two count, which brought everyone into the ring for a big brawl. The action spilled to the outside, then settled down in the ring with Rollins in control of the action.

[Commercial Break. Nearly every commercial break had the same trio of Wrangler, Snickers, and Burger King spots.]

Back from break, Ziggler booted Show in the gut, but Show clubbed him down to the mat. "We Want Cena" chant as the heels continued to work on Ziggler. Rollins mocked Cena with "You Can't See Me" before pounding away on Ziggler. Then, he taunted Ziggler by pulling out his tag hand and stomping it. "C'mon, make the tag!" Rollins taunted before trying another stomp, but Ziggler pulled away and hit a Fameasser.

Hot tag to Cena, who came in hot on Harper. Cena hit a sit-out slam, then delivered a Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena wanted an AA, but Rollins hit the ring. Cena cleared him, then put Harper in the STF, but Kane broke it up. A parade of men entered the ring, then Ryback pressed Rollins out of the ring onto heels. Show chokeslammed Ryback, then wanted to end Ziggler, but Ziggler slipped out and superkicked Show into Cena, who Feat of Strengthened Show into the air to deliver an AA. One for Harper, too. Cena covered Harper for the win.

WINNERS: Team Cena at 13:18. Solid house show main event action capping off the feel-good show.

Post-match, Cena led the babyfaces celebrating in the ring as troops celebrated in the crowd. Hulk Hogan's music then played to bring out Hogan waving an American flag on the stage. Hogan waved the flag down to the ring as the troops chanted, "U-S-A," in the crowd. Cena then took a victory lap as Cole thanked all of the troops serving in the U.S. or around the world. Cole listed all of the military branches. "God Bless and good night from Ft. Benning," Cole signed off as the faces celebrated in the ring.

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