WWE’s Tribute to the Troops
December 19, 2009
Joint Base, Balad, Iraq
Report by: Mike Tedesco of WrestleView.com
?Yes, sir, we promised you a great main event?? The WWE video leads us into the show. They took out Hulk Hogan’s voice and put in Ted DiBiase saying, ?Everyone has a price!?
A video plays hyping up the legacy of Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Marilyn Monroe as people who have gone over to entertain the troops. WWE continues the tradition tonight. This is one of my favorite shows of the year. They really do a great job with the soldiers.
Michael Cole and Jerry ?The King? Lawler welcome us to the show. Our Main Event, for the WWE Championship, is John Cena vs. Chris Jericho. This was obviously taped before he lost the WWE Championship for those of you who are confused. Brigadier General Paul Wentz is shown at ringside. As CM Punk comes to the ring, he yells at a soldier for chewing tobacco.
Rey Mysterio & Mark Henry vs. Carlito & CM Punk
The match begins with CM Punk and Rey Mysterio. The soldiers chant for the 619 and Punk asks for silence. Punk and Mysterio go for a test of strength and Punk comes out on top. Punk taunts the crowd until Mysterio gets up, kneels on his neck, and rolls him up for a two count. Punk kicks him and forearms. Punk sends him into the ropes but Mysterio holds on. Punk charges into a drop-toe-hold on the ropes. Mysterio goes for the 619 but Punk shoulder blocks him down. Punk taunts the soldiers and then Mysterio. Mysterio gets up, goes into the ropes, slides under Punk’s legs and tags in Mark Henry.
Henry comes in and avalanches him. Henry hits a head-butt before sending him into the ropes for a clothesline. Henry goes for a powerslam but Punk wiggles off. Punk goes into the ropes right into a gorilla press front slam. Mysterio is tagged in and he jumps off Henry’s shoulder onto Punk for a two count broken up by Carlito. Henry comes in and takes him out with a big boot. Mysterio dropkicks Punk into position next to Carlito. Mysterio then hits a double 619! Henry comes in and he hits Carlito with the World’s Strongest Slam as Mysterio splashes Punk for the win!
Winners by Pinfall: Rey Mysterio & Mark Henry
Match Rating: * ?
Rey Mysterio and Mark Henry celebrate with the soldiers who give them a standing ovation.
Still to come tonight is United States Champion The Miz taking on Intercontinental Champion John Morrison. Also we?ll see John Cena defend his WWE Championship against Chris Jericho.
A video of still photos plays to the sounds of Bob Dylan’s ?Forever Young.? It’s the superstars having a good time with the soldiers. They have some really great shots.
-Commercial Break-
The Black Lions at the Coordination Center wish us Happy Holidays along with John Cena, R-Truth, and the Bellas.
Eve Torres, the ring announcer for tonight, welcomes Santa Claus. R-Truth then comes out as Santa Claus rapping his song. This is pretty damn funny. R-Truth says he can?t do it anymore ? people are talking about him. They say Santa has put on a few pounds because we all leave goodies for him. He’s got a sweet tooth and asks them to say ?Amen? if they have a sweet tooth. R-Truth then calls for the Divas to come out to appease everyone’s sweet tooth. R-Truth cut a really entertaining promo as Santa.
The Bellas, Alicia Fox, Layla, and Kelly Kelly come out handing out gifts. They give kisses and gifts away to the soldiers as R-Truth sings ?Jingle Bells.?
President Barack Obama is shown in a video message. I get to recap the president? Cool! ?As Americans across the country gather with family and friends at this joyful time of year, Michelle and I would like to wish our men and women in uniform a safe and happy holiday season. We are grateful for your service and we honor your sacrifice, and our thoughts and prayers are with all those who will be spending this holiday far from home. May God bless you and may God bless the United States of America.?
-Commercial Break-
Still to come tonight is John Cena defending the WWE Championship against Chris Jericho.
A video package airs of the Superstars sharing their thoughts on the soldiers. They had some nice things to say. The soldiers even let them fire some guns. Rey Mysterio even gave away the mask he wore with Eddie Guerrero in Iraq. That was nice.
-Commercial Break-
The soldiers at Al Asad Airbase sing ?We Wish You a Merry Christmas.?
General David Petraeus had this to say: ?Hi, I?m General Dave Petraeus, Commander of the United States Central Command, and on behalf of the more than 230,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and coast guardsmen deployed in the central command area, I want to say thanks to the WWE for this great tribute to our men and women in uniform. Our troopers are doing magnificent work in Afghanistan and Iraq and, indeed, throughout the world. Many of them will celebrate the holidays while deployed, defending our nation’s freedoms, far from home and far from loved ones. They and their families have made enormous sacrifices, in many cases deploying multiple times, and enduring long separations from those at home while carrying out important missions in challenging conditions against tough enemies. They, and their families, are most deserving of the tribute you are paying to them. Please take a moment to remember how truly blessed our country is to have the remarkable men and women of our Armed Forces who serve so courageously and so selflessly. They truly are America’s new greatest generation.?
A video package plays of all the good work the soldiers are doing over in the Middle East. They showed the soldiers showing their families as well.
The Miz’s music hits. The United States Champion is making his way to the ring. Intercontinental Champion John Morrison makes his way to the ring. He lost it to Drew McIntyre at TLC but this was taped before then. They even mention it was taped earlier.
The Miz vs. John Morrison
This non-title bout is being overseen by my favorite referee Charles Robinson. Morrison gets the soldiers into it. Miz quickly kicks and punches him down. Miz knees him in the back before sending him into the ropes. Morrison slides through Miz’s legs and dropkicks him down. Morrison then hits a STANDING Shooting Star Press for a near fall. Morrison has a whip to the corner reversed on him. Miz charges into a back elbow and Morrison sits on the top rope. Miz quickly recovers and pushes him off. Morrison hits the ground hard and the back of his head hits the barricade. Ouch!
Miz throws Morrison back into the ring and covers for a near fall. Miz backs up as Morrison gets up in the corner before charging and hitting his patented clothesline. The soldiers chant that he sucks as Miz goes to the top rope. Morrison crotches him on the top rope and superplexes him for a near fall. Morrison’s neck was hurting so he couldn?t immediately capitalize on that. Morrison goes for Starship Pain but Miz moves. Morrison lands on his feet so Miz quickly rolls him up with his feet on the ropes for the cheap win!
Winner by Pinfall: The Miz
Match Rating: * ?
A video airs of John Cena sharing his thoughts on his sixth Tribute to the Troops special. He cut a really nice speech after his match to the troops talking about his love for them and thanks them on behalf of the WWE Universe and the United States.
Coming up next we?ll see him defend the WWE Championship against Chris Jericho.
-Commercial Break-
The soldiers at Camp Liberty in Balad, Iraq wish us happy holidays.
WWE Championship Match
Chris Jericho vs. John Cena (c)
Mike Chioda calls for the bell and this championship match begins. Jericho gets a quick kick and some punches. Jericho bounces his face off the corner and hits some shoulder thrusts. Cena reverses a whip to the corner and hits Jericho with a fisherman’s suplex for a two count. Cena sends him into the ropes but lowers his head and eats a kick. Jericho kicks Cena in the head and covers for a near fall. Jericho hits a head-butt and a punch. Jericho hits a springboard dropkick, knocking Cena off the apron to the floor. We?ll take a break here.
-Commercial Break-
A video airs of a reenlistment ceremony. Vince McMahon, John Cena, R-Truth, Rey Mysterio, and the Bellas were in attendance.
Back to the action Jericho slides out of an Attitude Adjustment attempt and Jericho locks on the Walls of Jericho. Cena fights and counters out. Cena gets the STF on but Jericho wiggles over to the bottom rope. Cena walks into a back elbow and Jericho brings him to the second rope. Cena attempts an Attitude Adjustment but Jericho gets out and knocks him down to the mat. Jericho drops him with a cross-body but Cena rolls through and picks him up. Cena hits the Attitude Adjustment for the win!
Winner & Still WWE Champion: John Cena
Match Rating: * ?
John Cena celebrates with the soldiers as Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler thank the artists who gave music to the show.
A final video package airs of the WWE superstar’s trip to Iraq. They did a tremendous job this year, as with every year.
Quick Match Results
Rey Mysterio* & Mark Henry def. CM Punk* & Carlito
The Miz def. John Morrison (non-title)
John Cena def. Chris Jericho to retain the WWE Championship
Bump of the Night: Morrison being knocked off the top rope to the outside!
Match of the Night: Morrison vs. Miz * ?
Mike’s Thoughts
It’s shows like this that make me proud to be a fan of professional wrestling. Kudos to WWE for giving another great show for our troops.
I just want to send a quick thank you from myself to all the men and women in uniform all over the world for their bravery in defending my freedoms and country. I wish you all Happy Holidays and I hope you all return home safely. God Bless you all.
Final Rating: *** ?
E-Mail ? MikeyT817@hotmail.com
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