Quick hits on WWE Tribute to the Troops
• I’m not going to critique Wednesday night’s Tribute to the Troops special the way I do other wrestling programs because, quite frankly, it’s not like any other wrestling show. It’s not about advancing story lines, who wins and loses matches or TV ratings; it’s simply about putting on a show for the men and women of the military. As I have said in the past, watching WWE’s annual Tribute to the Troops show has become as much of a holiday viewing tradition in my house as “A Christmas Story,” “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Miracle on 34th Street.”
• WWE chairman Vince McMahon has often said that Tribute to the Troops is carrying on the tradition of the Bob Hope USO Christmas shows. To that end, this year’s production – which took place before an estimated crowd of 50,000 at a military base in Fort Hood in Texas rather than in the Middle East – featured more than just WWE stars doing their thing in the ring. Entertainers and celebrities such as R&B star Diddy, country music singer Trace Adkins, comedian Cedric The Entertainer, “The View’s" Sherri Shepherd and Miss USA Rima Fakih appeared on the show in Fort Hood. In addition, there were video messages from President Barack Obama, former President George W. Bush, singer Taylor Swift, NBA star Kobe Bryant and others.
• As I said, who wins the matches on Tribute to the Troops is really inconsequential, but since it’s a feel-good show, usually all of the babyfaces go over, and that’s what happened this time. In the main event, John Cena, Randy Orton and Rey Mysterio defeated The Miz, Wade Barrett and Alberto Del Rio in a six-man tag match. In the other matches: The Big Show and Kofi Kingston defeated Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger; Mark Henry eliminated Sheamus to win a 15-man battle royal; R-Truth defeated Ted DiBiase Jr; and Natalya, Kelly Kelly and The Bella Twins defeated Lay-Cool, Melina and Alicia Fox in a Divas Santa’s Helpers Match.
Photo of John Cena at 2010 Tribute to the Troops show courtesy of WWE
To read a 2009 Baltimore Sun story on Tribute to the Troops, click here.
To watch a 2008 interview with John Cena talking about Tribute to the Troops, click here.
To read highlights of a 2008 conference call with John Cena talking about Tribute to the Troops, click here.
To read a 2007 Q&A with JBL talking about Tribute to the Troops, click here.
Comments
Kent, It's always a fun show, but what was annoying was how they had one commentary to make it sound like the Tribute show was before TLC and another to make it sound like the Tribute show was after TLC...like fans wouldn't see it twice? who would be dumb enough to believe that the six man tag main event happened both before and after tlc??
RESPONSE FROM KE: Kent?
Posted by: John Schema | December 23, 2010 9:15 PM
Clark,
Do you think Sherri Shepherd was looking for MVP?
Posted by: Aleksandr | December 24, 2010 12:12 AM
First, I liked the idea that they took the time and effort to create 2 different commentaries for the 2 different airings. Maybe they thought that most people would only watch it once.
Second, I know this event isn't for me so I don't want to sound critical of it, but I liked this show much better before they started doing it with NBC. A large portion of the show used to show all the interaction with the troops during their visit which I thought was always the best part of the show.
Anyways, like you Eck this has also been a staple in my household during the holidays. I look forward to it every year.
Have a nice holiday Eck, try not to destroy your family during the Feats of Strength.
Posted by: Bill H | December 24, 2010 2:54 PM
And in the next Ring Posts Extra episode, we see journalist Kevin Eck saving the streets of Baltimore as the Man of Steel Cages, SUPERECK!!! Saving the world from nonsensical plotlines and morbidly-obese radio hosts one blog at a time.
Merry Christmas!!
Posted by: JETZexc | December 25, 2010 8:10 PM
Kent, LOL. Maybe he was doing his Jericho purposely mispronouncing names schtick.
Posted by: Anonymous | December 27, 2010 2:49 AM