WWE’s ninth annual “Tribute To The Troops†from Fort Bragg was a special one indeed.
Something happened this year that didn’t happen the other eight: it was a fact that the troops were coming home, as confirmed in a pre-taped statement from President Barrack Obama to open the show.
Now WWE could’ve just done a throwaway show and they did in some ways, but they also used the matches/segments on the show to promote TLC, which was smart as it made the show more enjoyable.
Matches:
Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett: Michael Cole played up Barrett’s “mind games†with Orton. Orton began the match with an upper hand, but Barrett took over and after a superplex, some powerslams and backbreakers, the match ended abruptly with a double countout. David Otunga ran into the ring as Orton attempted to put Barrett through a table and Barrett was the victim of an RKO and as he rolled his way out of the ring and up the ramp, Otunga was the one who ate the table via a powerbomb. Lame ending, but post-match action made up for it.
Jack Swagger (w/Dolph Ziggler) vs. Zack Ryder (w/Sergeant Slaughter): In a match to hype Ryder’s showdown with Ziggler on Sunday, these two tangled in the ring. When the action spilled to the outside, Ziggler attacked Ryder, Slaughter attacked Ziggler and Swagger attacked Slaughter. After that madness, the match ended shortly thereafter with a Rough Ryder for the 3-count.
Bella Twins/Natalya/Beth Phoenix vs. Maria Menounos/Kelly Kelly/Eve/Alicia Fox: In an eight-women tag extravaganza, the action was non-stop. For her Broadcast background, Menounos actually showed some fiery skill in the ring as she got the win with a sunset flip pin.
Daniel Bryan vs. Cody Rhodes: Booker T, who’s feuded with Rhodes the last few weeks, joined the commentary team. Plenty of submissions and great use of in-ring psychology. Rhodes stared down Booker, and Booker retaliated with a punch through the ropes and Bryan rolled Rhodes up with a school boy for the win. Rhodes called out Booker and when Booker answered and got the better of their exchange, Rhodes backed off briefly before he entered again and got punched again, Rhodes backed off for good and Booker did the spin-a-rooni.
Kofi Kingston/Evan Bourne vs. Primo/Epico (w/Rosa): Energetic bout as the new tag team pulled out the victory over Air Boom with a backbreaker on Bourne by Epico. Surprisingly pleasant result. Excited to see where this goes.
Sheamus vs. Drew McIntyre: A McIntyre thumb to the eye to Sheamus provoked a well-deserved brogue kick to his skull that topped the icing on the cake for Sheamus as he owned McIntyre throughout.
The Miz/Alberto Del Rio/Mark Henry vs. CM Punk/The Big Show/John Cena: In a main event bout that entertained to the fullest, it was Cena who got the win for his team via the Attitude Adjustment to Henry.
Final Thoughts: Seven matches in two hours is never a bad thing, so lack of wrestling wasn’t a problem. It was by no means a perfect show however, but for what it was, it was perfectly acceptable. Could’ve done without the Mary J. Blige performance and really could’ve done without the Nickelback performances, but aside from that, a mostly solid show that hyped Sunday’s PPV great. Matches entertained and segments served a purpose.
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