WWE Tribute to the Troops

{{Infobox television

| image = WWE Tribute to the Troops logo.png

| caption =

| creator = Vince McMahon
John Layfield

| runtime = 120 minutes

| starring = SmackDown roster

| country = United States

| network = UPN

| first_aired = {{start date|2003|12|25}}

| last_aired = {{end date|2004|12|23}}

| network2 = USA Network

| first_aired2 = {{start date|2005|12|19}}

| last_aired2 = {{end date|2018|12|20}}

| network3 = NBC

| first_aired3 = {{start date|2008|12|20}}

| last_aired3 = {{end date|2014|12|27}}

| network4 = Fox

| first_aired4 = {{start date|2020|12|6}}

| last_aired4 = {{end date|2023|12|8}}

| num_episodes = 20{{efn|21 shows were produced, but only 20 aired as the 2019 event was non-televised. From 2003 to 2007, Tribute to the Troops aired as pre-taped episodes of SmackDown! and Raw, before being established as a stand-alone special in 2008. The 2023 edition was held as a live special edition of SmackDown.}}

}}

WWE Tribute to the Troops is a former annual American professional wrestling event that was held and produced by WWE and Armed Forces Entertainment. The show aired as a television special during the month of December (specifically during the holiday season), with the exception of the 2019 event, which was a special non-televised show, and the 2021 event, which aired in mid-November. As its name implied, the show honored and entertained United States Armed Forces members. From 2020 to 2023, the event aired on Fox and featured wrestlers primarily from the SmackDown brand. The 2023 event would be the final show as it was quietly canceled in 2024.

From 2003 to 2007, Tribute to the Troops aired as pre-taped episodes of SmackDown! and Raw, before being established as a standalone special in 2008. The 2023 edition, which was the final broadcast, was held as a live special edition of SmackDown. In the early years of the event, WWE put on shows for troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, with performers and employees traveling to these countries and interacting with troops, as well as visiting military camps, bases, and hospitals. Beginning in 2010, the show took place in the US, with events typically promoted at and near domestic military bases, as well as visiting sites such as Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Hospital.{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/community/troops.jsp|title=About WWE's Support of Our Troops...|publisher=WWE|access-date=2009-01-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101208070046/http://corporate.wwe.com/community/troops.jsp|archive-date=2010-12-08|url-status=dead}} The 2021 event was the first not to be held at or near a military base, and the only to not air in December.{{cite web |last1=Wolstanholme |first1=Danny |title=What date will WWE Tribute to the Troops 2021 be telecasted on TV? |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/what-date-will-wwe-tribute-troops-2021-telecasted-tv |website=www.sportskeeda.com |access-date=November 12, 2021 |date=November 8, 2021 |archive-date=November 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112053210/https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/what-date-will-wwe-tribute-troops-2021-telecasted-tv |url-status=live }}

History

File:John Layfield Iraq 1.jpg interacting with soldiers]]

The idea of the event is credited to wrestler John "Bradshaw" Layfield, who suggested it to WWE Chairman Vince McMahon.{{Cite web|last=Mueller|first=The Doctor Chris|title=Why WWE's Tribute to the Troops Is Their Most Important Event of the Year|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/990979-why-wwes-tribute-to-the-troops-is-their-most-important-event-of-the-year|access-date=2020-11-25|website=Bleacher Report|language=en|archive-date=2021-10-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025162018/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/990979-why-wwes-tribute-to-the-troops-is-their-most-important-event-of-the-year|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=WWE Tribute to the Troops Special Returning to Television|url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/wwe-tribute-to-the-troops-special-returning-to-television/|access-date=2020-11-25|website=WWE|language=en|archive-date=2020-11-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125173131/https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/wwe-tribute-to-the-troops-special-returning-to-television/|url-status=live}}

WWE first held the event in December 2003, from Camp Victory in Baghdad, Iraq and aired it on Christmas Day as a special episode of SmackDown!.{{Cite web|last=Featherstone|first=Chris|date=2016-11-12|title=WWE News: Next WWE 'Tribute to the Troops' event announced|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-next-wwe-tribute-to-the-troops-event-announced|access-date=2020-11-25|website=www.sportskeeda.com|language=en-us|archive-date=2021-12-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202221710/https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-next-wwe-tribute-to-the-troops-event-announced|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=WWE Tribute to the Troops comes to Washington, D.C.|url=https://community.wwe.com/service/news/wwe-tribute-troops-comes-washington-dc|access-date=2020-11-25|website=WWE Community|language=en|archive-date=2020-12-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202220303/https://community.wwe.com/service/news/wwe-tribute-troops-comes-washington-dc|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=WWE stars grapple onto post for Tribute to the Troops|url=https://www.army.mil/article/179622/wwe_stars_grapple_onto_post_for_tribute_to_the_troops|access-date=2020-11-25|website=www.army.mil|language=en|archive-date=2021-05-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520111706/https://www.army.mil/article/179622/wwe_stars_grapple_onto_post_for_tribute_to_the_troops|url-status=live}} In the main event, John Cena defeated Big Show, and Stone Cold Steve Austin came out after the match, performed a Stunner on both men, and finally invited all the talent backstage to the ring to celebrate.{{cite web|url=https://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/tributetroops.htm|title=Tribute to the Troops results|last=Cawthon|first=Graham|access-date=2009-01-24|archive-date=2016-12-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221033810/http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/tributetroops.htm|url-status=live}} For this Tribute to the Troops and all others until 2011, commentary was recorded at WWE headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, as commentators were not at ringside.

In December 2004, WWE traveled to COB Speicher in Tikrit, Iraq. The television show, Christmas in Iraq, aired on December 23 as another special SmackDown! episode. Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio defeated Kurt Angle and Luther Reigns in the main event.

File:Chris Jericho - Enzuigiri.jpg performs an enzuigiri on Randy Orton during the 2007 Tribute to the Troops]]

On December 9, 2005, WWE held the event at the Bagram Airfield in Bagram, Afghanistan. It aired December 19, this time on USA Network as a special edition of WWE Raw. In the main event, Shawn Michaels beat Triple H in a Boot Camp match.{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/tributetothetroops/2005/|title=WWE: TV Shows > Raw > Tribute to the Troops 2005|publisher=WWE|access-date=2009-01-24|archive-date=2017-08-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817082159/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/tributetothetroops/2005|url-status=live}}

In 2006, the show was taped at Camp Victory in Baghdad, aired on Raw on Christmas Day, and had Carlito pin Randy Orton in the main event. A day before taping, a mortar attack happened near the camp, injuring 14 soldiers. Michael Cole reported details from the scene minutes later.{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/tributetothetroops/2006/|title=WWE: TV Shows > Raw > Tribute to the Troops 2006|publisher=WWE|access-date=2009-01-24|archive-date=2017-08-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824013356/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/tributetothetroops/2006|url-status=live}}

In 2007, WWE returned to Tikrit. D-Generation X members Triple H and Shawn Michaels defeated Umaga and Mr. Kennedy in the main event, which aired on Christmas Eve on WWE Raw.{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/tributetothetroops/2007/|title=WWE: TV Shows > Raw > Tribute to the Troops 2007|publisher=WWE|access-date=2009-01-24|archive-date=2017-08-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817122120/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/tributetothetroops/2007|url-status=live}}

2008's show from Camp Liberty, Baghdad was the first to air in a non-standard WWE timeslot, a one-hour December 20 special on NBC. In its main event, John Cena, Batista and Rey Mysterio defeated Chris Jericho, Big Show and Randy Orton in a six-man tag team match.{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/tributetothetroops/|title=WWE: TV Shows > Raw > Tribute to the Troops 2008|publisher=WWE|access-date=2009-01-24|archive-date=2017-08-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817083059/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/tributetothetroops|url-status=live}}

WWE again traveled to Iraq in 2009. In the main event from Joint Base Balad, John Cena retained his WWE Championship against Chris Jericho. It aired on December 19, 2009 on NBC.{{cite web|url=http://fans.wwe.com/go/thread/view/691/21814705/Tribute_to_the_Troops_airs_Dec_19_on_NBC|first=Corey|last=Clayton|title=Tribute to the Troops airs Dec. 19 on NBC|publisher=WWE Universe|date=2009-11-11|access-date=2009-11-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091114065351/http://fans.wwe.com/go/thread/view/691/21814705/Tribute_to_the_Troops_airs_Dec_19_on_NBC|archive-date=November 14, 2009}}

In 2010, WWE held its first domestically hosted Tribute to the Troops, from Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas on December 11. It aired on NBC December 18 for one hour, with a message from former president George W. Bush.{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/tributetothetroops/|first=T|last=K|title=Tribute to the Troops airs Dec. 18 on NBC|publisher=WWE Universe|date=2010-11-07|access-date=2010-11-07|archive-date=2017-08-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817083059/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/tributetothetroops|url-status=live}} A two-hour version of the show aired December 22 on USA Network.

The 2019 edition marked the first and so far only time that the event was not aired on television.{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/wwe-tribute-to-the-troops-reportedly-wont-air-this-year/|title=WWE Tribute To The Troops Reportedly Won't Air This Year - 411Mania.com|date=December 10, 2019|access-date=December 13, 2019|archive-date=December 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213184040/https://411mania.com/wrestling/wwe-tribute-to-the-troops-reportedly-wont-air-this-year/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/wwe-hasnt-discussed-airing-tribute-to-the-troops-as-wwe-network-special/|title=WWE Hasn't Discussed Airing Tribute to the Troops As WWE Network Special - 411Mania.com|date=December 12, 2019|access-date=December 13, 2019|archive-date=December 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213002720/https://411mania.com/wrestling/wwe-hasnt-discussed-airing-tribute-to-the-troops-as-wwe-network-special/|url-status=live}}

The 2020 edition returned to television, this time being broadcast from Orlando's Amway Center, by way of the WWE ThunderDome bio-secure bubble. The one-hour special aired on Fox on December 6, adjunct to NFL coverage.{{cite web|title=18th Annual "WWE Tribute to the Troops" to Air on FOX|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2020/11/11/18th-annual-wwe-tribute-to-the-troops-to-air-on-fox-384404/20201111fox01/|work=The Futon Critic|date=November 11, 2020|access-date=November 11, 2020|archive-date=November 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123050823/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2020/11/11/18th-annual-wwe-tribute-to-the-troops-to-air-on-fox-384404/20201111fox01/|url-status=live}}

The 2023 edition was broadcast live as a special episode of SmackDown on December 8, 2023, from Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island.{{Cite web |last=McGuire |first=Colin |date=2023-12-08 |title=WWE SmackDown Tribute to the Troops live results: CM Punk returns |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/results/wwe-smackdown-tribute-to-the-troops-live-results-cm-punk-returns |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=WON/F4W - WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, AEW News, AEW results |language=en}} To cross promote the Army–Navy Game occurring the following day at Gillette Stadium, CBS college football commentator Brad Nessler made a guest appearance.{{Cite web |last=O'Neill |first=Robert |date=2023-12-09 |title=Brad Nessler appears on WWE Smackdown, calls match |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/wwe/brad-nessler-appears-on-wwe-smackdown-calls-match.html |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=Awful Announcing |language=en-US}}

The Tribute to the Troops event was not held for 2024 with no tapings held. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported on December 24, 2024, that Tribute to the Troops was done, "for the time being". Following the ousting of McMahon in January 2024 amidst the ongoing sex scandal, Meltzer said that a WWE source confirmed it to him without the company's acknowledgment.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/updates-on-future-of-wwe-tribute-to-the-troops-nxt-level-up/|title=Updates on future of WWE Tribute to the Troops & NXT Level Up|date=December 24, 2024|last=Nason|first=Josh|work=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online|access-date=December 24, 2024}}

Awards and honors

File:WWE superstars.jpg

In 2004, the United Service Organizations (USO) of Metropolitan Washington awarded WWE with the first-ever Legacy of Hope award "for its extensive support of our troops and the USO's Operation Care Package program".
In 2005, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) awarded WWE the first-ever Three-Commander Coin Award "for WWE's support of its partnership with AAFES to improve the quality of life for our troops by supporting service members and their families worldwide".
During the 2006 show, Director of Air Force Morale, Welfare and Recreation Art Myers presented WWE Chairman Vince McMahon with the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Public Service Award. McMahon immediately presented the award to John Bradshaw Layfield, who had the idea for the show.{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/tributetothetroops/2006/exclusives/34428341|title=WWE: TV Shows > Raw > Tribute to the Troops 2007|publisher=WWE|last=Cole|first=Michael|access-date=2009-01-24|archive-date=2009-02-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227140654/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/tributetothetroops/2006/exclusives/34428341|url-status=live}}
In 2007, WWE received the first Corporate Patriot Award at the annual GI Film Festival in Washington, D.C., "in recognition of its ongoing support and appreciation of the U.S. military and their families, particularly its annual holiday Tribute to the Troops tour to entertain troops in war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan".
In 2008, then President George W. Bush aired a message during the show, thanking WWE for giving US troops the gift of entertainment every Christmas.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}} He did so again in 2010.{{Cite web|last=Vassallo|first=Colin|title=US President George W. Bush Tapes Video Message for Tribute to the Troops Show|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/88621-us-president-george-w-bush-tapes-video-message-for-tribute-to-the-troops-show|access-date=2020-11-25|website=Bleacher Report|language=en|archive-date=2021-10-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025163049/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/88621-us-president-george-w-bush-tapes-video-message-for-tribute-to-the-troops-show|url-status=live}}
In 2011 and 2012, WWE aired messages from President Barack Obama during the broadcasts, expressing his gratitude for the Armed Forces for their service in Iraq and Afghanistan.{{Cite web|title=ShieldSquare Captcha|url=http://validate.perfdrive.com/sportskeeda/captcha?ssa=bbb42fcd-fac9-b94e-bf41-0f38c402b8ad&ssc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportskeeda.com%2Fwwe%2F5-politicians-who-ve-appeared-in-wwe%2F2&ssi=964ffafc-a33a-9217-599a-79d3a6191100&ssk=contactus@shieldsquare.com&ssm=08568084834854489102194178996128&ssn=6c7092568e14e8d359e05f095c423b0a917bb332cf98-2f0d-1353-1e38f5&sso=d2f75a91-13ae222faa22a2b5dde6b24b88768e8190282d69307ec7d3&ssp=89517311101606336295160639087108846&ssq=02642322475900350848824759982932180215982&ssr=MjA4LjgwLjE1NC44MQ==&sst=citoid&ssw=|access-date=2020-11-25|website=validate.perfdrive.com|archive-date=2021-10-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023201223/http://validate.perfdrive.com/sportskeeda/captcha?ssa=bbb42fcd-fac9-b94e-bf41-0f38c402b8ad&ssc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportskeeda.com%2Fwwe%2F5-politicians-who-ve-appeared-in-wwe%2F2&ssi=964ffafc-a33a-9217-599a-79d3a6191100&ssk=contactus@shieldsquare.com&ssm=08568084834854489102194178996128&ssn=6c7092568e14e8d359e05f095c423b0a917bb332cf98-2f0d-1353-1e38f5&sso=d2f75a91-13ae222faa22a2b5dde6b24b88768e8190282d69307ec7d3&ssp=89517311101606336295160639087108846&ssq=02642322475900350848824759982932180215982&ssr=MjA4LjgwLjE1NC44MQ==&sst=citoid&ssw=|url-status=live}}{{Citation|title=President Obama addresses the WWE Universe|url=https://www.wwe.com/videos/president-obama-addresses-the-wwe-universe|language=en|access-date=2020-11-25|archive-date=2020-04-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416061354/https://www.wwe.com/videos/president-obama-addresses-the-wwe-universe|url-status=live}}
In 2015, WWE themselves began presenting a custom WWE Championship belt to the servicemen and women who had helped in hosting the event and for their continued service to the country. The custom belt featured side plates that commemorated the year's event.{{cite tweet|user=TripleH|author=Triple H|author-link=Triple H|number=674402311381233664|date=December 8, 2015|title=Honored to present a Troops WWE World Heavyweight Championship to Captains Stacey K. Wright and Scott Gray at US Navy}}{{Additional citation needed|date=November 2020}} They subsequently presented custom belts at every event thereafter.{{cite tweet|user=TripleH|author=Triple H|author-link=Triple H|number=808835276768473088|date=December 13, 2016|title=This Championship is in recognition of all you do for our country. Thank you Cmd. Sgt Troxell, Elaine Rogers & Maj. Gen. Becker}}{{Additional citation needed|date=November 2020}}

Events

class="wikitable sortable"
# ! Date ! Airdate ! Venue ! Location
1 \| {{dts\|2003-12-20}} \| {{dts\|2003-12-25}} \| Camp Victory \| Baghdad, Iraq
2 \| {{dts\|2004-12-18}} \| {{dts\|2004-12-23}} \| Camp Speicher \| Tikrit, Iraq
3 \| {{dts\|2005-12-9}} \| {{dts\|2005-12-19}} \| Bagram Air Base \| Bagram, Afghanistan
4 \| {{dts\|2006-12-8}} \| {{dts\|2006-12-25}} \| Camp Victory \| Baghdad, Iraq
5 \| {{dts\|2007-12-7}} \| {{dts\|2007-12-24}} \| Camp Speicher \| Tikrit, Iraq
6 \| {{dts\|2008-12-5}} \| {{dts\|2008-12-20}} \| Camp Victory \| Baghdad, Iraq
7 \| {{dts\|2009-12-4}} \| {{dts\|2009-12-19}} \| Holt Memorial Stadium (Balad Air Base) \| Balad, Iraq
8 \| {{dts\|2010-12-11}} \| {{dts\|2010-12-18}} \| Fort Hood \| Killeen, Texas
9 \| {{dts\|2011-12-9}} \| {{dts\|2011-12-19}} \| Norfolk Scope \| Norfolk, Virginia
10 \| {{dts\|2012-12-11}} \| {{dts\|2012-12-13}} \| Crown Coliseum \| Fayetteville, North Carolina
11 \| {{dts\|2013-12-11}} \| {{dts\|2013-12-28}} \| Joint Base Lewis-McChord \| Tacoma, Washington
12 \| {{dts\|2014-12-11}} \| {{dts\|2014-12-17}} \| Columbus Civic Center \| Columbus, Georgia
13 \| {{dts\|2015-12-8}} \| {{dts\|2015-12-23}} \| Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena \| Jacksonville, Florida
14 \| {{dts\|2016-12-13}} \| {{dts\|2016-12-14}} \| Verizon Center \| Washington, D.C.
15 \| {{dts\|2017-12-5}} \| {{dts\|2017-12-14}} \| Naval Base San Diego \| San Diego, California
16 \| {{dts\|2018-12-4}} \| {{dts\|2018-12-20}} \| Fort Hood \| Killeen, Texas
17 \| {{dts\|2019-12-4}} \| Not televised \| Marine Corps Air Station New River Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune \| Jacksonville, North Carolina
18 \| {{dts\|2020-12-2}} \| {{dts\|2020-12-6}} \| Amway Center \| Orlando, Florida
19 \| {{dts\|2021-10-15}} \| {{dts\|2021-11-14}} \| Toyota Arena \| Ontario, California
20 \| {{dts\|2022-11-11}} \| {{dts\|2022-12-17}} \| Gainbridge Fieldhouse \| Indianapolis, Indiana
21 \| {{dts\|2023-12-8}} \| {{dts\|2023-12-8}}{{efn\|name=TTTSD\|The 2023 edition was held as a live special episode of SmackDown.}} \| Amica Mutual Pavilion \| Providence, Rhode Island

class="wikitable sortable"

! Date

! Airdate

! Venue

! Location

| {{dts|2003-12-20}}

| {{dts|2003-12-25}}

| Camp Victory

| Baghdad, Iraq

| {{dts|2004-12-18}}

| {{dts|2004-12-23}}

| Camp Speicher