WWE Tribute to the Troops 2016
December 14, 2016
Washington, DC
Results courtesy of WWE.com:
With respective Raw and SmackDown LIVE Commissioners Stephanie & Shane McMahon agreeing to put their brand differences aside on WWE’s most patriotic night of year, the 14th annual WWE Tribute to the Troops was a rare occasion in which RAW, SmackDown LIVE and WWE 205 Live Superstars all appeared on the same show.
Mick Foley makes a huge Tribute to the Troops main event
WASHINGTON –
After Lilian Garcia kicked things off with “The Star-Spangled Banner,” United States Champion Roman Reigns emerged to show his appreciation for the real champions —every serviceman and -woman in the crowd and around the world.
WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens, Rusev and Lana soon interrupted The Guy to redirect praise onto themselves and to their respective countries —insulting the United States in the process. With Roadblock: End of the Line coming up this Sunday, it wasn’t long before their war of words turned volatile. Yet, as Owens and Rusev began to circle the ring, Big Cass joined The Big Dog to even the odds.
In light of these events, Raw General Manager Mick Foley decided to create a huge main event showdown: Rusev & Owens vs. Big Cass & Reigns.
Cesaro & Sheamus win a Fatal 4-Way Match and the right to battle The New Day
Looking to earn the right to battle Raw Tag Team Champions The New Day this Sunday at Roadblock: End of the Line, Cesaro & Sheamus, Golden Truth, Gallows & Anderson and The Shining Stars went head-to-head in a Fatal 4-Way No. 1 Contenders’ Match.
In the end of the knockdown, drag-out contest, Cesaro & Sheamus ultimately emerged victorious after they presented Primo & Epico with the holiday gift of an incredible high cross-body block from The Swiss Superman and a pair of Brogue Kicks from The Celtic Warrior.
Apollo Crews def. The Miz
The always-outspoken Miz came to Tribute to the Troops to boast about his starring role in “The Marine” film series and to issue an open challenge. Comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias was on hand to introduce the Superstar who would accept the challenge, Apollo Crews.
At the height of the action that followed, Iglesias began taking selfies of himself with both Maryse and Miz outside the ring, enraging Miz in the process. This caused a disruption that allowed Crews to deliver an earth-shattering kick to The A-Lister and roll him up for the victory.
However, as Crews and Iglesias celebrated, the Intercontinental Champion quickly clarified that his challenge had not been for his title.
Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper & Randy Orton def. Dolph Ziggler & American Alpha
In a heated Six-Man Tag Team Match, the No. 1 contender to the WWE Title, Dolph Ziggler, joined forces with American Alpha against SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Wyatt Family.
In the contest’s final moments, the ominous titleholders emerged from all-out bedlam with the advantage, setting the stage for The Eater of Worlds to hurl Chad Gable into The Viper’s waiting RKO for the three-count.
Bayley def. Dana Brooke
Following an exchange of insults backstage, Bayley went one-on-one against Dana Brooke. In Bayley’s corner sat young Charlie, a special dog from “The Today Show” who is training with America’s VetDogs to become a service dog for veterans and first responders.
When the action moved outside the ring, Bayley hurled Dana into the interfering Charlotte before pinning The Queen’s protégé with the Bayley-to-Belly Suplex.
Rich Swann, TJ Perkins & Jack Gallagher def. The Brian Kendrick, Tony Nese & Drew Gulak
In the 14th Annual Tribute to the Troops, where RAW, SmackDown LIVE and WWE 205 Live Superstars all appeared on the same show, WWE Cruiserweight Rich Swann, TJ Perkins & Jack Gallagher went head-to-head with The Brian Kendrick, Tony Nese & Drew Gulak in a Six-Man Tag Team Match.
After things had completely spun out of control, Swann seized the opportunity and hit Gulak with a monster kick. This allowed the titleholder to pick up the huge victory en route to the WWE Cruiserweight Title Triple Threat Match this Sunday at Roadblock: End of the Line!
The New Day, The Club and The Shield debated what the greatest faction of all time is
Yep, this just happened! Raw Tag Team Champions The New Day, Club members WWE Champion AJ Styles, Luke Gallows & Kurt Anderson and, yes, former Shield cohorts United States Champion Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose stood toe-to-toe backstage to debate which group is the best in a Tribute to the Troops moment to remember.
Roman Reigns & Big Cass def. Kevin Owens & Rusev
Following an earlier altercation, United States Champion Roman Reigns teamed with Big Cass to lock horns with Universal Champion Kevin Owens & Rusev. The showdown a true struggle for momentum as KO is poised to battle The Big Dog for the WWE Universal Championship and Big Cass is ready to take on Rusev this Sunday at Roadblock: End of the Line,
Prior to the match, Enzo Amore returned from a Bulgarian beatdown to take to the mic with Big Cass. But when the talking was over, all four Superstars went to battle, leaving everything on the canvas. In the closing moments of the action, Reigns delivered a Superman Punch to The Prizefighter and Speared The Bulgarian Brute to give his team the huge victory.