SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
WWE TRIBUTE TO THE TROOPS REPORT
DECEMBER 14, 2016
TAPED TUESDAY IN WASHINGTON D.C.
AIRED ON USA NETWORK
MATCH RESULTS
(1) SHEAMUS & CESARO vs. THE GOLDEN TRUTH & LUKE GALLOWS & KARL ANDERSON & THE SHINING STARS
WINNERS: Sheamus & Cesaro to earn a WWE Tag Team Title shot at “Roadblock: End of the Line.”
(2) APOLLO CREWS vs. THE MIZ – Non-Title match
The Miz said he is an inspiration to the Marines. He issued an open challenge. Gabriel Iglesias introduced Crews as being the man who could beat The Miz. During the match, he took selfies with Miz and Maryse in the background. Crews won with an enzuigiri.
WINNER: Crews after an enzuigiri.
(3) RANDY ORTON & BRAY WYATT & LUKE HARPER vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER & AMERICAN ALPHA
Alpha replaced the scheduled Hype Bros.
WINNERS: Wyatt & Orton & Harper.
(4) BAYLEY pinned DANA BROOKE
Before the match Charlotte and Dana called Bayley a dog.
WINNER: Bayley.
(5) RICH SWANN & T.J. PERKINS & JACK GALLAGHER vs. BRIAN KENDRICK & ANTHONY NESE & DREW GULAK
WINNER: Swan & Perkins & Gallagher.
(6) RUSEV (w/Lana) & KEVIN OWENS vs. BIG CASS (w/Enzo) & ROMAN REIGNS
Before the match, Enzo and Cass said they’d turn Rusev & Reigns “red, white, black, and blue.”
Late in the match, the heels isolated Reigns. Owens landed a senton splash on Reigns at ringside, then yelled at him. “It’s my title. I’m the man, I’m the guy, I am the whole damn show!” He stomped away at Reigns and threw him back into the ring. Owens then tagged in Rusev. Cole noted that for the first time, every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces is present for a “Tribute to the Troops.” They cut to crowd shots of various members of the U.S. Military cheering in the crowd. Cole noted that Owens has reminded the crowd he’s from Canada, as if that would make him the enemy of the U.S. Military. Owens tagged back in and stomped away at Reigns, saying that he must be making his country proud. Rusev tagged back in and a “USA” chant broke out.
When Reigns hot-tagged Cass, JBL said everything just changed. Cole called him a “walking skyscraper.” He threw Empire Elbows and then stood and yelled, “How’a’you doin’!” Lana then blindsided Enzo, charging at him and knocking him into the ringside steps. Cass hit splashes on both Owens and Rusev in opposite corners, but then was distracted by Lana and Enzo. Rusev then surprised Cass with a superkick. Owens then landed a big splash for a near fall. Cass kicked out. They cut to some troops smiling and applauding, but otherwise there wasn’t much of a pop. Cass hit Owens with a big boot, then crawled over and hot-tagged Reigns.
Reigns gave Rusev a Samoan Drop and then barked. Then he hit Owens with a Superman Punch to knock him off the ring apron. Reigns speared Rusev out of mid-air and scored the pin.
WINNERS: Reigns & Cass.
OTHER NOTES
-Lilian Garcia returned to WWE to sing the National Anthem.
-A vignette showed highlights of previous Tribute to the Troops shows dating back to 2003.
-Roman Reigns cut a promo thanking the troops. Kevin Owens interrupted and said he’d turn the U.S. Title to the Canadian Championship. Rusev interrupted and said he’d crush Reigns like he crushed Enzo Amore. Big Cass came out to even the odds. That set up the main event later.
-The commander in chief of the USO introduced the special and said they’d deliver a Superman Punch to anyone against the United States of America.
-A soundbite aired with Shane and Stephanie McMahon saying they came together for the troops.
-The New Day talked about setting the tag team record and bragged about being the best team ever. A.J. Styles, Karl Anderson, and Luke Gallows touted their international accomplishments. The three members of the former Shield came out to offset Styles, Anderson, and Gallows, which the crowd popped for.
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