WWE Tribute to the Troops 2014 Results
December 17, 2014
Fort Benning, Georgia
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
A video kicks off the show with celebrities and WWE Superstars talking about how they would describe the men and women of the U.S. Military. Celebrities such as Will Ferrell, Dane Cook, Bradley Cooper, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, Michael Strahan, Taylor Swift, and Hugh Jackman are included.
Michael Cole and JBL welcome us to the show. The audience is filled with the men and women of the armed forces as well as their families.
Hulk Hogan and John Cena pay tribute to the troops
Hulk Hogan’s music hits, and the crowd erupts. Eight soldiers salute him as he makes his way to the ring waving the United States Flag. Hogan says, “Well let me tell you something, brother!” Hogan says when he looks out in the arena and sees all of the brave faces and heroes, he remembers how grateful he is to live in the United States of America, brother. All they have given him and sacrificed to protect the freedoms that make this country great, all he can say from the bottom of his heart from everyone in the WWE and the WWE Universe is thank you very much.
The Miz’ music hits, and he makes his way to the stage with his stunt double, Damien Mizdow. The Miz says as the star of “The Marine 3: Home Front,” he’d like to be the first to say, “You’re welcome.” The crowd loudly boos him as he enters the ring. The Miz says portraying the character in The Marine was an absolute honor. It was an incredible feat in his career. It was a privilege and an honor to portray a member of the United States Armed Forces on screen. The Miz says he can only imagine how honored they felt by his representation in the film. When you think of toughness and pillar of strength of the military, you think “The Miz.”
John Cena’s music hits, and he makes his way to the ring to a great reception from the crowd. Cena and Hogan hug in the ring. Cena says he wants to apologize to Hogan and the crowd for The Miz. The Miz has obviously come down with amnesia or spent too much time in the officer’s club drinking too much. Cena reminds Miz that he’s on an army base. When he thinks of toughness, he thinks of the US Armed Forces. The Miz is something a lot more metrosexual. Actually, a whole lot more, like Ryan Seacrest, but Seacrest would kick his butt. The Miz does a big fake laugh before saying, “Really?” The Miz says he’s like Bob Hope on a USO Tour. Miz says he inspires the military to achieve greatness. Before every single mission, their commanding officer says, “Do it for The Miz!” The Miz says that’s how great he truly is.
Cena says many commanding officers have given great speeches before battle, but none of them have ever said that about The Miz. Cena says being here for these people is a big deal. The Miz is standing in the ring with Hulk Hogan, the greatest superstar in the history of the WWE. That’s a big deal. Cena then leaves it up to public opinion and asks the crowd if they think The Miz is a big deal. The crowd loudly boos. The Miz says Cena is embarrassing himself. It’s not that he’s in the ring with Hulk Hogan. It’s that Hulk Hogan is in the ring with The Miz. Cena is jealous of him. Cena is jealous that he beat him at WrestleMania XXVIII. What really hurts Cena is that he knows that he played a more convincing soldier than he ever could. The crowd loudly boos that. A “Let’s go Cena,” chant breaks out. Cena says this isn’t a delusional fantasy. A guy like The Miz isn’t awesome. A guy like him sucks.
The Miz tries to cheap shot him, but Cena cuts him off before throwing him out of the ring. Damien Mizdow stares at him before asking Cena to step aside. Cena does so, and Mizdow fakes like he’s getting punched before throwing himself over the top rope!
Seth Rollins’ music hits, and he makes his way to the ring with Kane and J&J Security. Luke Harper and Big Show also make their entrances and surround the ring. Cena and Hogan are prepared for a fight. The heels get in the ring, and a brawl breaks out. Cena takes on Rollins, Harper, Big Show, and Kane. Hogan takes J&J Security out with some big right hands. Ryback, Erick Rowan, and Dolph Ziggler run down to even the odds. The faces then all lend a hand in throwing Big Show over the top rope.
We’ll see Dean Ambrose face Bray Wyatt in a Boot Camp Match later tonight.
Angelina Jolie is shown in a pre-taped message for the troops. She says that she is so proud to be involved with the movie “Unbroken,” a movie about a World War II veteran and Olympian. She thanks the troops for their service and wishes them a happy and safe holiday season.
-Commercial Break-
John Cena, Dolph Ziggler, Ryback, and Erick Rowan will take on Seth Rollins, Luke Harper, Big Show, and Kane in the main event of the evening.
The Usos vs. Gold and Stardust
Goldust will start the match against Jey Uso. They lock up, and Goldust powers him to the corner and punches him. Jey punches him back, and Goldust throws him out of the ring. Goldust taunts the crowd and turns around to take a clothesline from Jey. Stardust is tagged in, and they lock up. Stardust applies a side headlock, but Jey whips him off. Stardust slides through his legs and goes for a clothesline, but Jey ducks it. Jey goes for a back suplex, but Stardust flips through it and struts around the ring before hissing at the crowd. Stardust punches him before having a whip to the corner reversed on him. Stardust goes for a slingshot, but Jey didn’t go underneath him. Jey then body slams him down before tagging in his brother, Jimmy. Jimmy hits a low clothesline before hitting a flipping senton for a two count. Jimmy wrenches the arm, but Stardust backs him to the ropes. Stardust distracts the referee, and Goldust gets in a cheap shot. Goldust tags back in, and he puts Jimmy in the corner before punching away at him. Goldust whips him across the ring, but Jimmy slingshots over him. Jimmy then tells Goldust to hold up while he does a dance. Goldust then runs into a right hand before being thrown out of the ring. Stardust runs in, and The Usos clothesline him over the top rope. The Usos then take out Gold and Stardust with stereo over the top rope planchas. Jimmy completely missed Stardust and took a nasty bump.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Jey punching Goldust. Goldust reverses a whip, and Stardust pulls the top rope down to get Jey out of the ring. Stardust stomps away at Jey at ringside before ripping his shirt off. Stardust throws him into the ring and stomps him. Stardust taunts the crowd before stomping on Jey’s hand and kicking him in the face. Stardust stomps the midsection before hissing at the crowd. A “Let’s go Usos,” chant breaks out. Stardust applies a chin lock, but Jey gets out with an arm drag. Stardust drops down and kicks him in the temple for a near fall. Goldust tags in, and he stomps Jey before hitting a short-arm clothesline for a near fall. Goldust applies a chin lock, but Jey fights up. Goldust cuts him off with a kick and whips him to his corner, but Jey punches Stardust off the apron. Jey elbows Goldust in the face before giving him a back body drop over the top rope.
Jimmy and Stardust are tagged in. Jimmy hits a pair of clotheslines before kicking him in the midsection and giving him an uppercut. Jimmy ducks a clothesline and hits a Samoan Drop. Jimmy takes him down with a forearm shiver in the corner before ducking a clothesline from Goldust and connecting with a running hip bump. Goldust blocks a kick, but Jimmy catches him with an enzuigiri that knocks him out of the ring. Jey then takes Goldust out with an over the top rope plancha. Stardust goes to roll Jimmy up, but he holds the ropes. Stardust ducks a clothesline and hits a Disaster Kick for a near fall. Stardust laughs maniacally before getting to his feet. Jimmy elbows him in the face before connecting with a corkscrew plancha for a near fall. Stardust blocks a punch and goes for Dark Matter, but Jey superkicks him. Goldust runs in, and The Usos give him a double superkick. The Usos climb opposite turnbuckles and hit Gold and Stardust with stereo Superfly Splashes for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: The Usos
Florida Georgia Line will perform, next.
Lester Holt of the NBC Nightly News has a special message for the troops. Holt’s father was a war veteran. He also reported from several war zones. There is no greater deed in this world than protecting this country. Holt thanks the troops for their never-ending service and dedication.
-Commercial Break-
The cast of NBC’s “The Voice” thank the troops and wish them a happy holiday.
Florida Georgia Line performs “Anything Goes.” The crowd was really into it and there were some pyrotechnics going off. They’ll be back to perform again later.
Paige and The Bella Twins are seen talking backstage. Coming up next, we’ll see a Santa’s Helper Battle Royal.
-Commercial Break-
Tom Brokaw talks about his early memories of the heroism of the military from World War II. Brokaw thanks the WWE and the troops for what they do.
Santa’s Helpers Divas Battle Royal
Paige vs. Naomi vs. Summer Rae vs. Emma vs. Natalya vs. Rosa Mendes vs. Cameron vs. Alicia Fox vs. Brie Bella vs. Nikki Bella
In a Divas Battle Royal, they don’t have to go over the top rope. The bell rings, and everyone begins brawling. Emma knocks Rosa Mendes down and does her dance. Emma lifts up Rosa’s skirt and embarrasses her. Rosa steals Emma’s hat, so Emma punches her down. Rosa then throws Emma out of the ring while she picks up her hat. Rosa does a dance before Summer Rae cuts her off to show her how it’s done. Rosa tries to show her up, and they soon begin arguing. The Divas then team up to take Rosa and Summer out of the match. Cameron is checking herself out in a mirror, and Naomi steals it from her. Naomi drops it near the ropes and throws Cameron out as she goes to pick it up. Paige head-butts Naomi down and taunts the crowd. The Bella Twins team up on Alicia and take her out with punches and stereo dropkicks. They then roll Alicia out under the bottom rope. Paige is hanging out on the ring post. The Bella Twins approach her, and she holds up some mistletoe as a gesture of goodwill. They then kick her off the apron and eliminate her.
The final four are The Bella Twins, Naomi, and Natalya. Naomi takes Nikki down with a Thesz Press and some punches. Nikki reverses a whip to the corner and catches Naomi attempting a slingshot with an Alabama Slam. Nikki throws Naomi out of the ring, but she hangs on to the ropes. Brie tries to eliminate Natalya with a baseball slide, but Natalya avoids it, causing Brie to eliminate herself. Natalya and Naomi team up to eliminate Nikki. Naomi then kicks Natalya off the apron to win the match.
Winner: Naomi
A video showcases all the great things the WWE Superstars have done with the troops during their time with them this year.
Sergeant Slaughter is shown backstage. Slaughter tells everyone to stick around because a Boot Camp Match is coming up, next.
-Commercial Break-
Katherine Heigl thanks the troops for their sacrifices and wishes them happy holidays.
Sergeant Slaughter is in the center of the ring. The front three ropes on the camera side are covered in camouflage. The ring posts are also covered in camouflage. Slaughter says the following match is a Boot Camp Match between Dean Ambrose and Bray Wyatt. There will be no disqualifications. Anything goes. Slaughter says, “Suit up, maggots! You’re going into battle!”
Boot Camp Match
Bray Wyatt vs. Dean Ambrose
Charles Robinson, the greatest referee of all time, is the official for this match. The bell rings, and they slowly circle the ring. Ambrose says he’s ready to go to war. They start wildly punching each other. Ambrose comes out on top and punches him in the corner. Ambrose hits Wyatt in the midsection with a camouflage backpack before punching him against the ropes. Ambrose then takes him down with a dropkick. Wyatt comes back with an uppercut before raking his face on the ropes. Wyatt chokes him on the middle rope before punching him. Wyatt body slams him down before taunting the crowd. Wyatt head-butts him before punching him in the corner. Wyatt picks up a head of steam for a clothesline, but Ambrose follows him and clotheslines him in the corner. Ambrose then takes him down with a bulldog. Wyatt rolls out of the ring to recover. Ambrose then gets the crowd going before hitting Wyatt with a suicide dive.
Ambrose throws him face-first into the ring post before slamming him off a container. Wyatt hits him in the midsection with the same container before throwing him into the ring. Sgt. Slaughter is seen seated at ringside watching. Ambrose throws a bunch of chairs in the ring and wedges one in between the ropes in the corner. Ambrose pulls him by the hair, but Wyatt cracks him in the head with a kendo stick. Wyatt cracks him in the back and midsection with the kendo stick before sending him into the ropes for a clothesline with the kendo stick. Wyatt punches away at him for a two count. Ambrose punches back at him, but Wyatt uppercuts him in the throat. Wyatt then sends him headfirst into the chair that Ambrose wedged in the corner. Wyatt taunts the crowd as we go to commercial.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Ambrose trapped in a neck vice. Ambrose soon fights up and punches out. Wyatt quickly knees him in the midsection before head-butting him down. Wyatt swings the kendo stick at him, but Ambrose ducks. Ambrose hits the ropes, but Wyatt takes him down with a back elbow (with assistance from the kendo stick) for a near fall. Wyatt punches and kicks him before going to the second rope. Wyatt then jumps into a punch to the midsection that turns him inside out. Ambrose grabs the kendo stick, and Wyatt looks worried. Ambrose looks around, and the crowd is buzzing. Wyatt tries to beg him off, but Ambrose viciously beats him down with the kendo stick. Ambrose hits a side Russian leg sweep with the kendo stick. Ambrose then goes to the second rope with a steel chair and drops an elbow on Wyatt with the chair for a near fall.
Ambrose gets the crowd into it before leaving the ring to grab some tables. The crowd erupts at the sight of the table. Ambrose sets up the table in the ring. Ambrose doesn’t see Wyatt behind him doing the crabwalk. Wyatt then gives Ambrose a one-armed slam through the table for a near fall! Wyatt kicks away at Ambrose before sliding out of the ring. Wyatt goes under the ring and brings out another table. Wyatt slides the table into the ring before getting in Sgt. Slaughter’s face. Wyatt threatens him as Slaughter scowls at him. Wyatt challenges Slaughter to punch him, but he doesn’t oblige. Wyatt gets in the ring and sets up the table. Slaughter takes off his boot and taunts Wyatt. Ambrose then rolls Wyatt up for a near fall. Wyatt quickly uppercuts Ambrose, but he rebounds off the ropes with a big clothesline. Slaughter tosses his steel-toed boot into the ring, and Ambrose hits Wyatt in the head with it. Wyatt falls onto the table, and Ambrose punches away at him. Ambrose then goes to the top rope, salutes the troops, and drops a big elbow on Wyatt through the table! Ambrose crawls over and picks up a win over Wyatt!
Winner by Pinfall: Dean Ambrose
Dean Ambrose and Sgt. Slaughter celebrate in the ring as replays are shown of the final moments of the match.
Replays are shown from earlier in the night when Seth Rollins, Big Show, Luke Harper, Kane, and J&J Security attacked Hulk Hogan and John Cena. Dolph Ziggler, Ryback, and Erick Rowan came down to even the odds and clear the ring.
John Cena, Dolph Ziggler, Ryback, and Erick Rowan will take on Seth Rollins, Big Show, Luke Harper, and Kane in the main event.
Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz take their time to show their love to the men and women of the armed forces.
-Commercial Break-
The Kardashian Sisters thank the troops for their sacrifices.
Daniel Bryan stops Rusev and Lana from criticizing the troops
Rusev is waving the Russian flag in the center of the ring with Lana. The crowd is loudly booing them. Lana says they are thrilled to be there. It is their honor to be in the presence of true dominance, the United States Champion, Rusev. Rusev takes the microphone and says he has crushed every American hero. Rusev says he’s proven the dominance of Mother Russia over and over again. Lana takes the microphone back and says they’re all pathetic. A “USA” chant breaks out. Lana angrily tells them to shut up. Lana says the super athlete stands here and all they can say is “USA.” Rusev screams for the troops to sit down, but there is a deafening “USA” chant going on. Lana says the super athlete stands before them, and they boo out of stupidity. If they will not kneel for the great super athlete, then they should kneel for their future leader, Vladimir Putin. An image of Putin is shown. Lana says the American soldiers disappoint her. They can’t handle the truth. If Putin were their leader, they would be a great superpower instead of a pretend on. Lana cannot believe they disagree. Who will stand up for the country?
Daniel Bryan’s music hits, and the former WWE World Heavyweight Champion makes his way out to the stage doing a “YES!” chant. The crowd is going wild for him. Bryan says this is the thing the two of them don’t understand about Americans. No matter what the circumstances are, they don’t back down. It doesn’t matter if you’re 5’5, 7’2, Democrat or Republican; we fight for what we believe in. Bryan says we believe that if Rusev doesn’t like it here, then he needs to go back to Russia. A huge “YES!” chant breaks out. Lana says that was a passionate speech before mocking him. Lana says she wants to see Bryan fight back before calling him a “stupid American little troll.” Rusev says he doesn’t worry about Bryan. Bryan cannot defeat him. Rusev challenges Bryan to come down to the ring so he can crush him.
Bryan asks if he’s serious. Bryan knows that intelligence isn’t Rusev’s strong suit. Is he sure he wants to do this in front of the troops? Bryan says Rusev doesn’t understand one thing about proud Americans. They will come from anywhere to defend their freedoms. When you challenge him, you challenge everyone in the arena. Bryan says proud American can come from anywhere. They can come from over the wall (two soldiers jump the wall and stand on the apron) and they can come from the sky (two soldiers rappel down from the rafters). Bryan says if Rusev wants to fight, they can fight. Bryan walks down to the ring and stands in the ring with Rusev. Rusev looks around at the Bryan and the troops on the apron. Rusev then slowly leaves the ring in retreat. Bryan’s music plays, and a big “YES!” chant breaks out as a giant American Flag unfurls above the ring.
Tonight’s main event will see John Cena team with Dolph Ziggler, Ryback, and Erick Rowan to take on Seth Rollins, Luke Harper, Kane, and Big Show. Florida Georgia Line will perform, next.
The crew on The Today Show thank the troops for the sacrifices, dedication, and courage.
-Commercial Break-
Larry The Cable Guy says the true heroes are those who put it all on the line every day. Larry thanks the troops and wishes them happy holidays.
Florida Georgia Line comes back to perform their song, “Cruise.” FGL thanks WWE for having them and thanks the troops for all they do.
A shot of John Cena backstage with Dolph Ziggler, Erick Rowan, and Ryback is shown. Cena is holding a piece of paper up that says, “Game Plan.” This same video was used last week on Smackdown before the main event. The main event is next.
-Commercial Break-
Seth Rollins, Luke Harper, Big Show, and Kane vs. John Cena, Dolph Ziggler, Erick Rowan, and Ryback
Ryback will start the match against Seth Rollins. They lock up, and Ryback powers him to the corner. Rollins ducks a punch and puts some distance between himself and Ryback. Rollins punches and kicks Ryback to the corner before kicking him down. Ryback quickly picks him up and powers him to the corner before hitting some shoulder thrusts in the corner. Ryback throws him across the ring for a two count. Ryback wrenches the arm and tags in Erick Rowan. Rowan punches him before hitting a body slam. Rowan hits a body splash for a two count. Rowan applies a side headlock and drives him headfirst into the turnbuckle. Dolph Ziggler is tagged in, and he punches Rollins before hitting a neckbreaker. Ziggler drops an elbow for a two count. Rollins quickly punches him in the face before Harper tags in. Harper hits a throat thrust before attempting a suplex, but Ziggler slides out and tags in Ryback. Ryback then comes in and hits Harper with an impressive delayed vertical suplex for a two count! Ryback powers him back to the corner and tags Ziggler in. Ziggler punches him before dropkicking him down. Ziggler stops Harper from making a tag, and Harper hits a throat thrust.
Rollins is tagged back in, and he elbows away at Ziggler. Rollins pulls the hair before going for a back suplex, but Ziggler flips through and dropkicks him down. Ziggler splashes him in the corner and goes for a neckbreaker, but Rollins twists out of that. Rollins kicks him and goes for a Curb Stomp, but Ziggler counters with a big DDT. Harper breaks up the pinfall. All four teams run in, and a brawl breaks out. The smoke clears, and Rollins is left standing in the ring taunting the crowd.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Big Show punching Ziggler down. Big Show stands on top of Ziggler before picking him up by his face. Big Show puts him in his corner and tags Kane in. Kane stomps Ziggler before picking him up and hitting a suplex for a two count. Kane applies a chin lock, but Ziggler soon fights up and punches him. Kane clubs him down and whips him to the corner. Ziggler kicks him in the knee, but he soon runs into a sidewalk slam for a two count. Kane grabs him by the ankle, and Rollins tags in. Rollins stomps him and taunts Cena. Rollins holds Ziggler back from making a tag. Rollins stomps him a few times before punching away at him. Rollins taunts Ziggler and stomps his hand. Rollins tries to stomp the limb again, but Ziggler moves and connects with a famouser.
Cena and Harper are tagged in. Cena hits him with a pair of shoulder blocks before hitting a back suplex powerbomb. Cena connects with the Five Knuckle Shuffle before trying for the AA, but Rollins runs in. Cena punches Rollins away and goes for the STF on Harper, but Kane runs in. Kane attacks Cena, but Rowan runs in and hits him with a spin kick. Rollins then takes Rowan out with a flying knee to the side of the head. Ryback military presses Rollins over the top rope onto Kane and J&J Security. Big Show then grabs Ryback and delivers a Chokeslam. Big Show catches Ziggler by the throat and goes for a Chokeslam, but Ziggler gets out and superkicks him. Cena then gives Big Show an AA. Cena then picks Harper up and gives him an AA on Big Show for the win!
Winners by Pinfall: John Cena, Dolph Ziggler, Erick Rowan, and Ryback
John Cena, Dolph Ziggler, Erick Rowan, and Ryback celebrate for the crowd. Hulk Hogan’s music hits, and the Immortal Hulkster makes his way down to the ring waving the American Flag. Hogan stands in the center of the ring waving the flag as the show comes to an end.
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Quick Match Results
The Usos def. Gold and Stardust
Naomi won a Santa’s Helpers Divas Battle Royal
Dean Ambrose def. Bray Wyatt in a Boot Camp Match
John Cena, Dolph Ziggler, Erick Rowan, and Ryback def. Seth Rollins, Luke Harper, Big Show, and Kane
E-Mail – MikeyT817@gmail.com
Twitter – @MikeTedescoWV
Thank you to all the men and women serving in the armed forces around the world. You’re truly the greatest, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for making such great sacrifices to defend my freedoms and this country. Happy Holidays to each and every one of you.
Please check out my live recap of RAW every Monday at 8 PM EST. Also take a look at my recap of last night’s Smackdown by clicking here, and check out my thoughts on that show by clicking here as well.
Happy Holidays! Thanks for reading!