Tribute to the Troops 12.24.07

Tribute to the Troops recap from Iraq:

The tribute opened with a video discussing how for years entertainers have visited to lift the spirits of the troops. Various images were shown with superstars such as John Cena, Triple H, Rey Mysterio and Chris Jericho amongst the troops. Camp Speicher was the location for the event, which started with Randy Orton coming out with his WWE title. Michael Cole discussed how Orton survived at Armageddon not long ago. Jerry Lawler joined Michael Cole for commentary.

Chris Jericho vs. Randy Orton

Jericho greeted fans and slapped hands as he made his way down to the ring for this Armageddon rematch. Highlights shown from Armageddon where Jericho had the submission hold on Orton yet JBL came from ringside to interfere. JBL got involved after Jericho was tossed into him at the commentator's table.

Early in the match, Orton backed Jericho to the corner and got in a shot to the midsection. Orton tried to whip Jericho to the corner and went at him. Jericho avoided the charge and used armbar takedowns on Orton. Jericho had Orton down on the mat, but Orton used a headscissor to squeeze around Y2J's neck. Orton took an upperhand as he punched away at Jericho near the ropes. Orton tossed Y2J to the ropes, but Jericho jumped at him and took him down for a pin. Jericho tried for a Lion Tamer from there, but Orton grabbed the ropes.

Jericho eventually knocked Orton outside the ring, then jumped off the corner turnbuckle onto him. Jericho headed to the outisde, where he knocked Jericho into the crowd barrier, then took a picture of him with a soldier's digital camera. Jericho tossed Orton back into the ring, but as he went to get in, Orton kicked him in the face then took control. Raw went to break with Y2J down and Orton in control. Raw returned as Jericho got to his feet. Orton had him in a headlock yet Y2J escaped to run off the ropes. Orton promptly knocked Y2J back down with the knee to the midsection.

Orton began stomping on Jericho down on the mat. Orton went for a knee to Jericho who moved away. Jericho began to fight, kicking and chopping Orton. Orton tossed Jericho the ropes then quickly grabbed him in a sleeper hold. Orton kept Y2J down on the mat with the hold. Y2J got up, still in the hold and managed to escape then slam Orton back. Both men were down but got up to beat the ref's count. Jericho gained momentum, running off the ropes to knock down Orton. Y2J climbed the corner and dropkicked Orton as he stood up. Jericho used a bunch of moves including a bulldog and a Lionsault. Jericho failed at several pins.

Orton regained control and set up for an RKO as Y2J got back up. Y2J eluded it and knocked Orton back down. Jericho locked in the Walls of Jericho on Orton and had him center of the ring. Unfortunately, JBL came walking out from backstage, mic in hand. JBL said he hates to interrupt a match like this. Jericho continued with the hold as JBL entered the ring. The ref called for the bell for a DQ. Jericho stood up and went at JBL who quickly shoved him. Orton hit Jericho with the RKO before leaving the ring. JBL took advantage and attacked Y2J as he was down.

Winner: Chris Jericho wins due to disqualification.

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Commercial shown for next week's Raw which will feature Ric Flair versus Triple H.

A video was shown of a battlefield circulation tour the WWE stars took around Iraq. Kelly Kelly, Rey Mysterio, John Cena, Shawn Michaels, Mr. Kennedy and Jeff Hardy were shown greeting and posing with fans as were several other WWE stars. Vince McMahon was shown posing with 2 soldiers also. Divas were shown dancing or being bench pressed by soldiers. Layla said it's the best experience she's had in her life, and Ron Simmons gave his "DAMN" exclamation with a fan.

Commercial shown for tomorrow night's "Best of ECW" show which will air on Christmas night on Sci Fi.

Carlito vs. Jeff Hardy

The crowd began chanting Hardy as he chased Carlito to a corner. Carlito tried to duck out under the rope, but Jeff dropkicked him in the back. Hardy used a takedown center ring and then an armhold on Carlito. Carlito and Hardy got to their feet and went off the ropes, and Hardy took him down again. Jeff whipped Carlito to the corner. Carlito jumped up as Hardy ran at him, but Jeff grabbed Carlito's legs then dropped him to the mat. Hardy took control center of the ring as he pulled Carlito's legs apart then did a leg drop on his groin/midsection.

Carlito gained brief control of Jeff in the ring, but Jeff managed to reverse things and got out of the ring. Carlito chased him outside, and Jeff returned to the ring. With Carlito standing near the side apron, Jeff did the slide dropkick, then jumped off the ropes after Carlito got back up. Back in the ring, Carlito dropped Hardy to the mat. Jeff and Carlito both fell to the mat at one point, with Jeff getting up to gain momentum. Jeff began running off the ropes to knock Carlito down. After a failed pin, Jeff ran at a seated Carlito in the corner and dropkicked him.

Jeff went for the Twist of Fate, but Carlito reversed and did a neckbreaker. Carlito failed at a pin, then went over and asked someone to hand him his apple. Carlito began to eat the apple, preparing to spit in Jeff's face. Carlito turned to go at Jeff, but Jeff dropped him down with a neckbreaker. Hardy followed using the Twist of Fate and then a Swanton Bomb to capture the pin!

Winner: Jeff Hardy wins via pinfall over Carlito.

A video shown of the dry desert and dull colors of Iraq. One soldier was shown at the end of the highlights who created a special painting to lift his fellow troops' spirits.

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Video shown of superstars visiting the various camps. A dining facility was highlighted where a suicide bomber struck in December 2004. A soldier recalled how painful it is to visit the dining hall after losing so many fellow soldiers to the incident. A gym was converted to a makeshift dining facility following the event so that soldiers could receive a Christmas meal.

Vince McMahon came out wearing a bright red suit coat in the spirit of Christmas. Vince spoke about the tribute and said WWE supports them wherever they are in the world. Vince said it was now time for a divas match.

Kelly Kelly & Layla vs. Mickie James & Maria

In a unique choice of tag team partners, the ECW divas faced off against the Raw divas. Each of the divas came down the ramp and hugged and kissed fans prior to the match.

Raw returned from a commercial with the match in progress. Layla twisted Maria's arm then threw her to the mat. Layla posed but just then Maria got up and tackled her. The two divas began to battle with Maria punching away at Layla on the mat. Layla got up and pulled Maria over to tag in Kelly. Mickie also tagged in. Mickie took control of Kelly with a neckbreaker and several other moves. Eventually all 4 girls got into the ring, with Kelly and Layla getting tossed to the corner. With the two girls seated in the corner, Maria and Mickie ran at them for the Bronco Busters. Just then, Vince McMahon came down to the ring saying the fans have had enough of this match. Vince also told the troops would not be visited by Santa either. Just then, Christmas music came on, and a Santa wearing a cast came down to the ring.

Santa told Vince McMahon he was bad this year, and that Santa's sleigh was built army tough so he was able to visit the troops. Santa recounted how Vince has always hated Santa because Vince has always been a very bad boy. Santa discussed how Vince stole a very naughty magazine. Vince took the mic and told Santa he knew he wasn't real. Santa took the mic back and said he has proof, as he has a letter written by a young Vince, possibly 100 years old.

Santa read the letter in which a young Vince asked for a Rooster and a red rider BB gun. Vince grabbed the mic then ripped the beard and hat off Santa to reveal John Cena. Cena quickly grabbed Vince up on his shoulders and did the FU on him, slamming him to the mat. Cena then asked the divas to spread the Christmas cheer and pass out gifts from the Santa's bag. The divas tossed clothing items out to the crowd and went out to pose with troops. Cena threw CD's from the ring.

Winner: No contest due to Vince McMahon stopping the match.

Video shown of troops and how they've helped make the streets safer, especially for children to walk around.

An ad was shown in a subway car where WWE superstars such as Umaga, Finlay, Batista, Randy Orton and HBK began to brawl. The Royal Rumble will be held on January 27th.

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Task Force Iron Re-Enlistment Ceremony was shown from earlier, where several soldiers were sworn in inside the ring. A slideshow of various images from around the bases with the WWE stars was shown set to the "This is Christmas" song.

The soccer stadium was shown which is being used for tonight's WWE event. it was recalled how proud Iraqi's were of the team, but Saddam Hussein had the soccer team slaughtered once they walked onto the field. John Cena remarked how great it was to see American flags up in the bleachers at the stadium for the troops and the WWE event.

Rey Mysterio vs. Mark Henry

Henry shoved Mysterio down as the bell started. Rey got up and charged at him, but Henry shoved him back again. Rey began to use quick moves to elude Henry, but Henry cornered him. Henry began to headbutt and beat on Rey in the corner. The ref warned Henry about the attack and Rey recovered. Rey began to come off the ropes and dropkicked Henry. Henry stayed on his feet and grabbed Rey with one hand off the ropes. Henry then pressed Rey overhead and dropped him to the mat.

Henry went for a pin by putting 1 foot on Rey, but Rey kicked out. Henry stepped on Rey again then picked him up in a bear hug to squeeze the life out of Rey. Rey escaped and tried to run off the ropes, but Henry knocked him back down once again. Henry went for a huge splash off the ropes, but Rey rolled away. Rey hit the West Coast Pop and knocked Henry to the mat for a pin. Henry kicked out, but Rey knocked him to the corner.

Rey managed to score the 619 and then a springboard off the ropes, landing onto Henry. Rey finished it up by rolling up Henry for a quick pinfall victory!

Winner: Rey Mysterio wins via pinfall over Mark Henry.

Video shown about I.E.D. attacks which are the #1 killer of American troops in Iraq. These involve explosive devices going off in the iraq deserts. Troops recounted being involved in explosions and sustaining concussions or other injuries. The troops responsible for finding and dismantling the devices were also shown.

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John Cena was shown at Patrol Base Olson where troops from 101st Air Borne Division were stationed to make life a living hell for the enemy. Cena introduced a young soldier from Illinois specialist Jeremy Haley who sent a message out for his wife. Cena thanked the soldier for all he's done.

Raw Rebound highlighted the Ric Flair versus Umaga match. Flair survived a 10 count with Umaga outside the ring to win the match. Flair was then congratulated by HHH backstage later, but Vince McMahon showed up to spoil things. Vince informed Flair he will face HHH on New Year's in yet another "Career Threatening" match.

Video shown of the trip to Iraq with Chris Jericho recalling his experience. Jericho said he's never made the trip before so this is a first for him. Jericho was shown greeting fans, signing autographs and posing for pictures. Jericho said with 17 years in the wrestling business this could be the best experience he's had.

Commercial shown for this Friday's Smackdown which will highlight the greatest matches of 2007..

Mr. Kennedy & Umaga vs. D-Generation X

Prior to the match HBK and Michaels posed in the ring after greeting the troops. HHH took a mic and asked the troops if they were ready. HHH discussed the honor of being in the ring in front of the troops serving the USA. The troops began to chant U-S-A and Triple H exclaimed "Let's Get Ready to Suck It!" Michaels took the mic and said "for every person around the world if you're not down with the men and women of the US military, there's 2 words for ya..". Umaga then made his way down to the ring, followed by Kennedy.

The match was in progress with Michaels knocking Kenendy to the mat. Michaels continued to unload and went over to punch Umaga off the apron. HBK climbed to the corner and connected with an elbow on Kennedy. HBK set up Sweet Chin Music, but Umaga entered the ring and clotheslined him down. Kennedy took advantage trying to pin the fallen HBK. After the failed pin, Kennedy tagged in Umaga who began to punish HBK with knee drops off the ropes. The troops began to chant HBK. Michaels got to his feet to chop at Umaga, but the Samoan Bulldozer knocked him back down. Umaga and Kennedy continued to keep Michaels away from a tag and beat him up.

Kennedy scored a Samoan drop to slam HBK down, but HHH entered the ring to break up the pin. Kennedy and Umaga continued to isolate Michaels. Umaga went to the corner for a headbutt, but Michaels rolled out of the way. With both men down, HBK and Umaga crawled over to their partners for the tags. HHH came in and immediately knocked Kennedy down. Umaga also in the ring tried to whip HHH to the ropes, but HHH tossed him onto the corner. Kennedy ran at HHH and got hit with a spinebuster. Kennedy got to his feet and HHH set up the Pedigree. Umaga came over to break it up, but just then Michaels got to his feet and hit Sweet Chin Music on him. With Kennedy alone versus DX, Michaels hit Sweet Chin Music and HHH hit the Pedigree.

Winners: D-Generation X wins via pinfall over Umaga and Mr. Kennedy.

Tribute to the Troops closed out with DX inviting troops into the ring to celebrate their victory . Michael Cole noted the music selections Feels Like Tonight - by Chris Daughtry, So This is Christmas by John Lennon as well as Foo Fighters and Staind songs A final video was shown set to Daughtry's "Feels Like Tonight". Highlights wee shown of the WWE superstars hanging out with and greeting the soldiers as Raw left the air.

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