WWE Tribute to the Troops
WWE Tribute to the Troops is a professional wrestling event held every year since 2003 by WWE and Armed Forces Entertainment in December around Christmas and Hanukkah. The shows are made to honor the United States military. The event features wrestlers from WWE competing in matches against each other and are free for any troop member to visit.
| WWE Tribute to the Troops | |
|---|---|
 WWE Superstars during the 2003 Tribute to the Troops | |
| Created by | Vince McMahon John Layfield |
| Starring | WWE roster |
| Country of origin | United States |
| No. of episodes | 21 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 120 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | UPN (2003–2004) USA Network (2005–2018) NBC (2008–2014) Fox (2020–2023) |
| Release | December 25, 2003 – present |
From its first show in 2003 until the 2009 edition, Tribute to the Troops took place on open fields in Iraq and Afghanistan as special episodes of SmackDown or Raw. Along the travel, wrestlers and employees stopped at autograph sessions and local hospitals to visit those who fight and may have been injured in war.[1] Since 2010, Tribute to the Troops is held in the United States.[2] Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Hospital were among the hospitals visited by WWE's employees.[1]
In 2004, USO of Metropolitan Washington awarded the WWE the first Legacy of Hope award for their extensive support of their troops and the USO’s Operation Care Package program.[1] In 2006, WWE received the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Public Service award. It was presented to WWE Chairman, Vince McMahon and other wrestlers.When he got the award, McMahon gave it to wrestler, John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL), noting that Tribute to the Troops was his original idea. WWE also got recognition from General Casey, the Commander of Multinational Forces Iraq.[3] The WWE generally stayed for three days.
Overall, 21 events have taken place since 2003. They air December every year, as they are intended to be a holiday treat for the troops (excluding the 2021 edition, which was held in October and aired in November). Not every WWE wrestler and employee attends them, but any wrestler willing to go may attend. The shows feature wrestlers from all brands.
Dates and Venues
change| No. | Date | Airdate | Venue | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | December 20, 2003 | December 25, 2003 | Camp Victory | Baghdad, Iraq | This was a special episode of SmackDown. |
| 2 | December 18, 2004 | December 23, 2004 | Camp Speicher | Tikrit, Iraq | |
| 3 | December 9, 2005 | December 19, 2005 | Bagram Air Base | Bagram, Afghanistan | This was a special episode of Raw. |
| 4 | December 8, 2006 | December 25, 2006 | Camp Victory | Baghdad, Iraq | |
| 5 | December 7, 2007 | December 24, 2007 | Camp Speicher | Tikrit, Iraq | |
| 6 | December 5, 2008 | December 20, 2008 | Camp Victory | Baghdad, Iraq | |
| 7 | December 4, 2009 | December 19, 2009 | Holt Memorial Stadium (Balad Air Base) | Balad, Iraq | |
| 8 | December 11, 2010 | December 18, 2010 | Fort Hood | Killeen, Texas | |
| 9 | December 9, 2011 | December 19, 2011 | Norfolk Scope | Norfolk, Virginia | |
| 10 | December 11, 2012 | December 13, 2012 | Crown Coliseum | Fayetteville, North Carolina | |
| 11 | December 11, 2013 | December 28, 2013 | Joint Base Lewis-McChord | Tacoma, Washington | |
| 12 | December 11, 2014 | December 17, 2014 | Columbus Civic Center | Columbus, Georgia | |
| 13 | December 8, 2015 | December 23, 2015 | Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena | Jacksonville, Florida | |
| 14 | December 13, 2016 | December 14, 2016 | Verizon Center | Washington, D.C. | |
| 15 | December 5, 2017 | December 14, 2017 | Naval Base San Diego | San Diego, California | |
| 16 | December 4, 2018 | December 20, 2018 | Fort Hood | Killeen, Texas | |
| 17 | December 4, 2019 | N/A | Marine Corps Air Station New River | Jacksonville, North Carolina | This was a non-televised event. |
| 18 | December 2, 2020 | December 6, 2020 | Amway Center | Orlando, Florida | |
| 19 | October 15, 2021 | November 14, 2021 | Toyota Arena | Ontario, California | |
| 20 | November 11, 2022 | December 17, 2022 | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Indianapolis, Indiana | |
| 21 | December 8, 2023 | Amica Mutual Pavilion | Providence, Rhode Island | This was a live special episode of SmackDown. | |
References
change- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "About WWE's Support of Our Troops..." World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2014-09-07. Retrieved 2008-12-10.
- ↑ K, T (2010-11-07). "Tribute to the Troops airs Dec. 18 on NBC". WWE Universe. Archived from the original on 2017-08-17. Retrieved 2010-11-07.
- ↑ Cole, Michael (2006-12-08). "WWE receives highest award". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-12-10.