• Wrestling News & Wrestling Rumors – WWE & TNA

Thanks to our buddy Shane Howard of hittheropes.com for the following recap:

Say what you will about the WWE but tonight the WWE presented their annual Tribute to the Troops show and it is a great thing to take in. I don’t advocate war and I feel our troops need to be pulled out from Iraq and abroad but the WWE does a great service with this yearly trek for our brave soldiers. Thank you JBL (who the announcers give credit during the first match) and the WWE for doing this every year now.

The only issue with the show is the fact that it was taped ahead of time and we have John Cena still being shown as WWE Champion.

Match #1: Rey Mysterio and Mark Henry vs. Carlito and CM Punk

Mysterio comes down the ramp with a camouflaged get-up. He gives his mask to one of the soldiers. Carlito? He’s deemed that important to be invited abroad? As Punk comes down the ramp a soldier takes out a piece of chewing tobacco causing Punk to ask, “What are you doing?”

Punk and Mysterio start the match off and Punk uses his power advantage to take Mysterio down. Rey Rey is able to use a few kicks before bounding up Punks body and get a pin attempt. Mysterio tags in Henry. Henry slams Punk and tags Mysterio back in. Using Henry’s shoulders, Mysterio hits a splash on Punk. Carlito breaks up the pin, Henry comes in and delivers a kick to Carlito’s head, followed by a drop kick from Mysterio that sends Punk into the ropes, next to Carlito. 6-1-9 hits both men. Top-rope splash to Punk while Henry hits World’s Strongest Slam to Carlito.

Winner: Mysterio and Henry via pinfall

After the match we get a slideshow of the troops and wrestlers with Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young” playing in the background.

After the break, Eve Torres welcomes Santa Truth. Yes folks, Santa is an African-American, at least for the day. What’s Up? A rapping Santa, apparently. Truth says that the reason why he’s gotten so fat is because we always leave a lot of treats for him when he comes down the chimney. Santa has a sweet tooth and he has something to quell our sweet tooth. In comes Santa’s Helpers in the form of Layla, Alicia Fox, Kelly Kelly, the Bella Twins. I envy the men who got to kiss Layla and Alicia Fox on the cheek.

The message from President Barack Obama airs where he thanks the men and women of the armed services.

A video package of the superstars and the servicemen greets us after the break. It looks like the soldiers and the wrestlers had a great time. A nice part was Mysterio giving one of the soldiers who won a dance contest the mask he wore to his first Tribute show where his tag partner was Eddie Guerrero.

Another package that highlights the great things that the soldiers do around the world.

Match #2: The Miz vs. John Morrison

Former tag partners match up again. Morrison still has the Intercontinental Championship here. Michael Cole informs us that Morrison lost the title to Drew McIntyre at the Tables, Ladders, and Chairs pay-per-view. Morrison tries to get the crowd hyped up at the onset of the match. A kick to the stomach and then a punch by Miz drops Morrison. Morrison hits a dropkick on Miz after avoiding a clothesline. Standing Shooting Star gets a near fall. Morrison goes up to the top rope but Miz pushes him off and JoMo goes careening into the guardrail area. Back in the ring, Miz hits the corner clothesline before trash talking with the soldiers. Miz goes to the top but Morrison crotches him and goes up for a Superplex. Starship Pain is averted after Miz rolls out of the way. Miz takes JoMo down and covers him using the ropes as leverage.

Winner: The Miz via pinfall

A video of John Cena thanking the troops and showcasing his love for the men and women of the military.

Match #3: Chris Jericho vs. John Cena

The men with reversed initials go head-to-head. CJ isn’t very popular but JC is extremely popular. Another clarification by Cole to explain Cena no longer having the WWE Championship due to his loss at TLC to Sheamus.

Jericho is on the offensive first, throwing some shoulders into Cena’s midsection while holding him in the corner. Cena hits a suplex and goes for the pin but Jericho kicks out. Jericho is back on the attack and hits a headbutt and a punch to knock Cena down. Springboard dropkick knocks Cena to the outside. Commercials. Before getting back to the match we see some of the Black Lions brigade pledging their allegiance.

Back to the action, Cena has the Walls of Jericho locked in. Cena is able to roll Jericho over and get the STF on him. Jericho crawls to the bottom rope. Cena goes after Jericho and gets met with an elbow to the face. Jericho goes to the top and Cena goes up to try a top-rope Attitude Adjustment. Jericho headbutts him off. A flying crossbody from the top by Jericho knocks Cena down but Cena rolls through and hoists Jericho up to hit the Attitude Adjustment.

Winner: John Cena via pinfall

A final video package of the superstars landing in Iraq and interacting with the soldiers.

Thank you WWE. Thank you U.S. military.

Match Results

Rey Mysterio and Mark Henry def. Carlito and CM Punk

The Miz def. John Morrison

John Cena def. Chris Jericho