WWE’s 2009 Tribute to the Troops Report
Taped at Joint Base Balad, Iraq
Report by Chris Shore, Prowrestling.net
[Q1]A video package highlighted the trip…Michael Cole and Jerry “The King” Lawler welcomed us to the show. They said they were calling the action from WWE Headquarters. They hyped the Cena/Jericho main event…Rey Mysterio made his ring entrance wearing camouflaged gear.Mark Henry was out next, followed by Carlito and then Punk. A solider put in dip right in front of Punk as he made his entrance. Nice…
1. Rey Mysterio and Mark Henry defeated Carlito and CM Punk at 3:02. The crowd started a 619 champ as Punk and Mysterio started. Punk got the better of Rey in a test of strength, but Rey worked his quick offense and turned it into a roll up for two. Rey hit the ropes and Punk shoulder tackled him. He dared Rey to do it again. Rey slid under him and tagged in Henry.
Henry leveled Punk and then slammed him around. He tagged in Rey and Rey climbed on his shoulders. He hit a splash on Punk and covered. Carlito broke it up and Henry hit a big boot on him. Carlito set himself up, and Rey hit a drop toe hold on Punk to set them both up for 619. He hit it on both. Henry hit the World’s Strongest Slam on Carlito as Mysterio hit the springboard splash for the win…
A video package showed still photos from the trip as Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young” played…
[Q2]Back from commercial, Eve Torres was in the ring. She introduced Santa Claus who came out and did R-Truth’s lame ass entrance. Santa cut a promo and said he couldn’t do it anymore. He said everybody gave him crap for putting on a few pounds. He said it was their fault for leaving goodies out. He called out Santa’s helpers and the Divas came out and handed out presents and played with the troops…President Obama’s message aired. He did not mention WWE by name…[C]
Back from commercial, the announce team hyped the main event, which is a WWE Championship match…Another video package recapped the trip. Rey Mysterio gave away the mask he wore the first time he came to Iraq and teamed with Eddie Guerrero. Straight class folks, straight class…[C]
[Q3]Back from commercial, a group of troops and Divas sung “We Wish you a Merry Christmas”…A video message from General David Petraeus put over the men and women of the Armed Forces…The Miz made his ring entrance. Morrison was out next. They billed it as a Champion vs. Champion match which it was when it was taped…
2. The Miz defeated John Morrison at 2:57. Miz started out with strikes, but Morrison hit a drop kick and the standing SSP for two. He went to the second rope and Miz pushed him to the floor. He rolled Morrison back in and covered for two. Miz hit his clothesline in the corner and went to the top. He argued with the crowd and Morrison climbed up and hit a superplex. He went for Starship Pain but Miz moved. Morrison landed on his feet, but Miz rolled him up with feet on the ropes for the win…
A John Cena in Iraq video aired…The announce team hyped the main event…[C]
[Q4]Back from commercial, The Bella Twins and a group of soldiers wished everyone Merry Christmas…Chris Jericho made his ring entrance. Cena was out next…
3. John Cena defeated Chris Jericho at 7:53. Jericho started out in control, but Cena hit a surprise suplex for two. Jericho kicked Cena to retake control. He stomped Cena near rope. Cena stood on the apron and Jericho hit the springboard dropkick to send Cena to the floor. He recovered into the break…[C]
Back from commercial, a video package showed a re-enlistment and a promotion ceremony…Back to the match at the 6:07 mark, Jericho locked in Walls of Jericho. Cena powered out and locked in the STFU. Jericho made the rope. They fought in the corner and Jericho pushed Cena down. He hit a crossbody, but Cena rolled through and stood up with Cena. He hit the Attitude Adjustment for the win. Post match, Cena celebrated with the troops…
The final video package aired…
