2008 Tribute to the Troops Recap

2008 WWE Tribute to the Troops Recap

The show opens with a video of highlights discussing the entertaining of American Troops overseas. In the past it was entertainers like Bob Hope and Marilyn Monroe, and now the WWE continues the efforts in a Tribute to the Troops. Superstars and divas were shown embracing and hanging out with the troops including Batista, Jeff Hardy, Mickie James, Kelly Kelly and John Cena.

A video message was shown from President George Bush announcing his pride in the WWE performers and personnel for entertaining the troops. George Bush reminded everyone that our troops are our finest citizens for serving and sacrificing for our nation.

Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler welcomed everyone to the Sixth Annual Tribute to the Troops in Camp Victory, Baghdad, Iraq. Cole and Lawler commentated from the WWE Headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut.

R-Truth, CM Punk & Jeff Hardy vs. John Morrison, The Miz & JBL

Cole mentioned Hardy as the new WWE Champ and Miz Morrison as World Tag Champs despite the fact they weren't wearing the belts. The event had been taped prior to the title changes. R-Truth appeared from the crowd performing "What's Up" to get the crowd riled up. JBL was driven out in a Hum-V to serve as his limo. He handed the drive a tip before arriving to the ring in bulletproof and a helmet with his cowboy hat on.

The troops erupted into a USA chant as the match began with Truth and Morrison. Morrison began beating on Truth in the corner early, but as he whipped him across the ring, Truth did a backflip from the corner then took Morrison down before tossing Miz out of the ring. JBL came in to attack, but Truth ducked down and Jeff Hardy rushed into dropkick JBL. Miz, Morrison & JBL wound up on the outside and Hardy, Punk and Truth dove over the top rope at once onto them as the show took a commercial break.

Later in the match, Punk was getting triple teamed by the heels as they kept him away from a tag. Punk finally managed to tag in Jeff Hardy. Jeff had control against Miz, but Morrison came in to break things up. Punk did a springboard off the ropes to take out Morrison and the two rolled to the outside to battle. Hardy kicked Miz causing him to propel back towards the ropes where JBL slapped his back for a tag. Hardy was about to hit Twist of Fate on Miz, but JBL ran in to clothesline Jeff down. Truth came in and clotheslined Miz to the outside. Jeff and JBL were left inside the ring where JBL managed to stay in control briefly. Jeff was eventually able to duck JBL's Clothesline from Hell, then hit Twist of Fate. Hardy followed up with a Swanton Bomb off the corner onto JBL for the pin.

Winners: Jeff Hardy, CM Punk & R-Truth win via pinfall over JBL, The Miz & John Morrison.

A video was shown of the divas and superstars observing the day to day operations of the troops and thanking them for their efforts. The video was set to Stand By Me and included Mickie James, Maria, Eve, CM Punk, Mysterio, Cena, Kelly Kelly, Alicia Fox, The Miz, Batista, Cryme Tyme, Hardy and R-Truth.

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Cryme Tyme came out dressed in Santa costumes. Shad and JTG introduced Santa's helpers. WWE Divas Kelly Kelly, Maria, Eve Torres, Alicia Fox, Mickie James and Maria came out and threw items to the crowd such as T-Shirts and replica belts. Mickie posed with a weapon at the crowd while other divas gave kisses to the troops.

A video was shown to wish the soldiers Happy Holidays through letters written and read by children.

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Video shown discussing the progress that has been made in Iraq since 2 years ago. Much is being done to stimulate Iraq's economy and educational system while encouraging more business and activity throughout the cities of Iraq.

Rey Mysterio, Batista & John Cena vs. Chris Jericho, Randy Orton & The Big Show
Six Man Tag Match

Cole mentioned that this was the first trip ever to Iraq for Batista. Mysterio ran and dove into the audience for a brief crowd surf before the match.

Batista and Orton started off the match with Orton trying to beat up Batista in the corner. As Orton whipped Batista to the other corner, Batista reversed it and clothesline Batista. Batista set up for the Bomb, but Orton ducked down and clipped Batista's leg. Jericho tagged in and was in control until Batista hit a side slam then tagged in Mysterio. Mysterio went wild as he leapt off the top rope onto Jericho. Jericho tried to whip Mysterio to the ropes, but ended up getting kicked into the ropes. As Mysterio ran to hit the 619, Big Show was outside the ring and grabbed Mysterio's legs to pull him out. Show tossed Mysterio down as the Tribute show went to a break.

Later still in the match, Jericho took control of Mysterio and brought him to the corner. Jericho and Show began to argue as Jericho slapped Show twice to tag him in. Show entered the ring and Chokeslammed Jericho down then headbutted Orton down. Show exited the ring leaving his tag partners down in the ring as he walked to the back smirking.

Mysterio managed to jump over for a tag to Cena just as Jericho tagged Orton. Cena came in on a rampage knocking Orton down, then hitting the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena had Orton up for the FU, but Jericho ran in to kick him. Batista came in to knock Jericho out of the ring, but Orton was back up and knocked The Animal down. As Batista rolled out of the ring, Orton prepared for the RKO on Cena. Cena got up but was able to shove Orton away causing him to crash into Orton in the ring. The two men conveniently fell onto the middle rope and Rey was back into the ring for the 619 on both men. From there, Batista grabbed Jericho for a Batista Bomb while Cena grabbed Orton for the FU. Cena took the winning pinfall on Orton.

Winners: Batista, Rey Mysterio & John Cena win via pinfall over Randy Orton, Chris Jericho & Big Show.

The show concluded with a video of the superstars making the trip over to Iraq and spending time with the troops there around the camp.

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List of music from 2008 WWE Tribute to the Troops