WWE Tribute to the Troops - 12/24/07
Tikrit, Iraq
Report by: Richard Trionfo of PWInsider.com

WWE Tribute to the Troops Opener:

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring because the WWE spent its holiday in Iraq holding their annual Tribute to the Troops show. This is the fifth time that the Superstars of the WWE took time to entertain the troops and give them a chance to get a taste of home. This is a night when the storylines are put on hold to allow the wrestlers to entertain the troops so we can wait until next week's episode of Raw to see a return to the storylines and find out if Ric Flair will wrestle his final match in a WWE ring against Triple H.

We are live on tape from Iraq and your announcers are Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler.

We start off with footage from Iraq showing things that the troops have done in Iraq. We also see footage from other USO shows that have taken place over the last sixty years.

We see footage from Armageddon when Bradshaw attacked Jericho during his match with Randy Orton.

Randy Orton vs. Chris Jericho

The start:

They lock up and go to a stalemate. They lock up again and Jericho with an arm drag. They lock up again and Orton backs Jericho into the corner and punches Jericho. Orton with an Irish whip but he misses a charge and Jericho with arm drags into an arm bar. Jericho with a knee to the arm but Orton with a head scissors. Jericho gets out of the head scissors and hits a drop kick. Jericho with an arm bar with elbows to the head.

Mid-match notes:

Orton backs Jericho into the corner and he punches Jericho again. Orton poses for the crowd and the troops are not too receptive. Jericho with a rollup and then he tries for the Walls of Jericho but Orton gets to the ropes. Jericho with a baseball slide that sends Orton into the ringside barrier. Jericho with a double jump springboard plancha onto Orton on the ground. Jericho chops Orton on the floor followed by a punch and then he slams Orton's head into the ring steps. Jericho takes a photo of Randy Orton with someone's camera. They return to the ring but Orton with a kick to the head as Jericho returns. Orton with a hanging DDT using the ropes and we go to commercial.

We are back and Jericho gets out of a side head lock but Orton with a knee. Orton with the Garvin Stomp. Jericho moves when Orton tries for a knee drop. Jericho with a kick and forearm to Orton followed by a chop. Orton with a sleeper and he turns it into a reverse chin lock. Jericho with a belly-to-back suplex to get out of the hold. Jericho with punches and chops to Orton followed by a running forearm and shoulder tackle. Jericho goes to the turnbuckles and hits a missile drop kick for a near fall. Jericho with an elbow to Orton but Orton misses a drop kick and Jericho tries for the Walls of Jericho but Orton is able to counter with an inside cradle. Jericho with an enzuigiri and bulldog. Jericho hits the Lionsault but he can only get a two count. Orton with a thumb to the eye followed by a back breaker and then he sets for the RKO with Orton push ups. Jericho counters the hold and tries to get Orton into the Walls of Jericho one more time. He is able to lock it in but Bradshaw's music plays.

The finish:

Bradshaw comes out and he says that he hates to interrupt matches. The first Undisputed Champion and the Legend Killer is often enough but when Bradshaw is in town, this is what they come to see. The referee calls for the bell and then Jericho releases the hold and he goes after Bradshaw. Jericho turns around into an RKO.

Winner: Chris Jericho by disqualification

After the match:

Orton leaves the ring while Bradshaw stands over Jericho and then he hits the Clothesline from Wall Street. We go to commercial.

Video package of WWE Superstars meeting the troops:

We are back with a video package of the WWE Superstars visiting some of the troops around Iraq with comments from the wrestlers. We go to commercial.

Jeff Hardy vs. Carlito

The start:

Carlito refuses to throw his shirt into the crowd so they are clearly behind Hardy. Carlito goes into the ropes. They try to lock up again but Carlito gets into the ropes. Hardy with a kick to Carlito. Hardy with an arm drag take down into an arm bar. Hardy with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Hardy catches Carlito on a leap frog attempt for a slam and gets a two count.

Mid-match notes:

Hardy with an Irish whip and he tries to float over but Hardy slams Carlito into the mat and gets a near fall. Hardy with a reverse atomic drop followed by a leg drop to the groin for a near fall. Carlito with a punch and then he sends Hardy into the corner for more punches. Hardy goes to the floor on an Irish whip and does a lap around the ring and Carlito is not happy. Carlito goes outside and Hardy with a baseball slide. Hardy with a clothesline off the apron and he takes Carlito down. They return to the ring and Carlito backs into the corner. Hardy for the punches of ten and then he tries for a delayed baseball slide but Carlito moves out of the way and Hardy goes down hard. Carlito stomps on Hardy and Irish whips Hardy and follows that with punches. Hardy hits Whisper in the Wind. Hardy with clotheslines to Carlito and a flying clothesline for a near fall. Hardy hits the delayed baseball slide in the corner for a near fall. Hardy tries for the Twist of Fate but Carlito with a neck breaker for a two count.

The finish:

Carlito wants his apple and he takes a bite of it. Carlito tries to spit it in Hardy's face but Hardy with a kick and jawbreaker followed by the Twist of Fate and then he hits the Swanton for the three count.

Winner: Jeff Hardy by pinfall

More highlights with the troops:

We go to another video package about the weather conditions in Iraq and what they miss about home. We see some of the artwork by the troops in Iraq. We go to commercial.

More highlights with the troops:

We are back with a video package of more footage of the wrestlers visiting the forward bases including a member of the military who returned to the dining hall that was attacked by a suicide bomber.

Enter Mr. McMahon:

Vince McMahon comes to the ring. Vince points out that this is the fifth year that they have come to support the troops. Vince says that the WWE supports the troops wherever they are. Vince talks about the Divas match.

WWE Divas "Santa's Little Helper" Match
Kelly and Layla vs. Mickie James and Maria

The match:

The match is joined in progress and Layla with an arm bar and then she sends Maria to the mat. Maria takes Layla down and slams her head into the mat. They roll around the ring but Kelly is tagged in. Maria with a kick to Kelly and then Mickie is tagged in and hits a double sledge to the arm.

Kelly with an Irish whip and then Kelly misses an elbow into the corner. Mickie sends Kelly to the mat and then she rides Kelly around the ring. Mickie with a belly to back suplex and then all four women are in the ring. Maria and Mickie with Irish whips and then it is time for Stereo Bronco Busters but...

Vince interrupts the match:

Vince interrupts and says that they have seen enough. Vince says that Santa is not coming to Iraq this year.

Enter "Santa Claus":

Vince is interrupted by Santa Claus who appears to have recently undergone shoulder surgery. Santa says that Vince has been a naughty boy. Santa says that Vince tried to sabotage Santa's sleigh but it did not work. Santa says that he has bad news for Vince. Santa tells a story about Vince going into a convenience store when he was a child, but Vince stole something from the store. Vince stole a magazine, that magazine was a naughty magazine. Vince says that he knows that this Santa is not the real Santa. Santa is angry that Vince would say that. He has a letter written by a young Vince McMahon to Santa. Santa decides to read the letter. The letter asks for a giant rooster and a Red Rider B-B gun. Vince takes off the beard and it is John Cena and Cena gives Vince an FU. Cena says that he will not let an old as dirt spoil sport ruin Christmas. Cena asks the Divas to hand out presents for the soldiers.

More highlights of the trip:

We go to commercial after another video package.

Highlights of "Re-Enlistment Ceremony":

We are back with footage of a re-enlistment ceremony from earlier in the day that the show was taped.

More highlights of the trip:

We see another video package with photos from the trip to Iraq. We go to commercial.

More highlights of the trip:

We are back with a video package about the Iraqi soccer stadium and talk about what happened in the past during Saddam's time as leader.

Rey Mysterio vs. Mark Henry

The start:

Henry has some words for Rey at the start of the match and then he pushes Rey to the mat. Rey with double sledges to Henry's chest but Henry pushes Rey down again. Henry misses a charge into the corner because Rey is too fast for Henry. Henry sends Rey into the corner and he punches Rey and connects with a head butt.

Mid-match notes:

Rey with kicks to Henry in the corner and then Rey with a drop kick but Henry stays up. Rey with kicks to the leg. Henry presses Rey over his head and then he drops Rey behind him. Henry with a casual cover for a near fall. Henry with a boot to Rey and then he steps on Rey's chest again. Henry with a bear hug. Rey bites Henry to get out of the hold but Henry with a shoulder tackle for a near fall. Henry tries for a splash but Rey moves out of the way. Rey with a kick to the head followed by a springboard seated senton for a near fall. Rey with a kick to the leg. Rey with a baseball slide to the World's Strongest Groin.

The finish:

Rey with a drop kick that sends Henry conveniently into the ropes and then Rey with the 619 and springboard seated senton. Rey with a rollup for the three count.

Winner: Rey Mysterio by pinfall

Video highlights of the dangers facing soldiers in Iraq:

We go to another video package that talks about the IEDs that the troops have encountered in Iraq. We go to commercial.

John Cena on patrol:

We are back with a video package of John Cena on patrol with the troops.

Raw Rebound:

We go to the Raw Rebound.

Highlights of Chris Jericho's first visit to Iraq:

It is time for a video package about Chris Jericho's trip to Iraq. We go to commercial.

Enter D-Generation X:

We are back with Shawn Michaels and Triple H. They come to the ring and Shawn Michaels does a few laps around the ring before giving the mic to Hunter. Hunter asks the fans if they are ready.

D-Generation X vs. Umaga & Ken Kennedy

The start:

The match is joined in progress as Michaels punches Kennedy. Michaels with a flying forearm and kip up followed by a reverse atomic drop or two. Michaels punches Umaga on the apron. Michaels with a slam and then he goes up top for the elbow drop and hits it. Michaels sets for Sweet Chin Music but the referee got distracted by Hunter and Umaga with a clothesline and Kennedy with a two count. Kennedy with kicks to Michaels's head followed by an elbow drop.

Mid-match notes:

Umaga tags in and he head butts Michaels in the ribs. Umaga with another head butt to Michaels and then he connects with a knee drop. Umaga with a splash onto Michaels for a two count. Umaga with punches while Michaels with chops. Umaga with an uppercut as he maintains control over Michaels. Kennedy tags in and kicks Michaels followed by a forearm across the chest. Kennedy with an arm bar as Michaels tries to make the tag. Michaels with forearms to Kennedy but Kennedy with a punch. Michaels with chops but Kennedy with a thumb to the eye. Umaga is tagged in and he punches Michaels while still on the apron. Umaga with punches to Michaels and Michaels goes down. Umaga with the nerve hold but Michaels with chops after he gets to his feet. Umaga takes Michaels down with a head butt. Kennedy tags back in and he covers Michaels. Kennedy with a punch but Michaels with a chop. More punches and chops. Kennedy gets Michaels up and hits the rolling fireman's carry slam. Umaga tags in and he goes to the second turnbuckle and he misses a diving head butt. Both men are down and Michaels is able to make the tag to Triple H. Hunter goes after Kennedy and Umaga. Hunter with a high knee to Kennedy. Hunter follows that with the facebuster to Umaga and then he sends Umaga into the ring post.

The finish:

Hunter with a spinebuster to Kennedy and then he sets for the Pedigree but Umaga with an uppercut. Umaga sets for the Samoan Spike but from out of nowhere, Michaels hits Sweet Chin Music on Umaga. Michaels does the same to Kennedy and then Hunter hits a Pedigree for the three count.

Winners: Degeneration X by pinfall

Video Highlights of Tribute to the Troops:

We go to credits with members of the military coming into the ring to celebrate with Hunter and Shawn.

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