Post by NayNay on Dec 26, 2006 20:24:55 GMT -5
WWE RAW TRIBUTE TO THE TROOPS
DECEMBER 25, 2006
BAGHDAD, IRAQ
-We open with a look at previous troop entertainment tours, including vintage USO tours, which is actually looked pretty good.
To emphasize that this isn't a Raw, we get different theme music leading us in. I can't tell which song it is, but it's a Creed tune.
Match 1 -- John Cena vs. Edge
The match itself is a very impressive bout between these two. There are some decent bumps taken including Cena taking a couple hits to the ringside mats and barricade. Ever the thinking heel, Edge pulls out the Camel Clutch, using WWE history to rile up the crowd, before Cena makes the comeback with his usual stuff. Edge, however, blocks the FU and gets an Implant DDT, and even pulls out the Electric Chair Drop. Eventually, Cena avoids a spear and gets the FU for the victory.
Winner: John Cena
-Next up, Gen. George W. Casey Jr. gives a speech over a montage of troop footage. This is the first of many such scenes we see throughout the show.
-Going into our next break, CM Punk and Shelton Benjamin bring holiday greetings.
Match 2 -- CM Punk vs. Shelton Benjamin
Benjamin does some classic heel work, threatening to leave the match. When he does get back in the ring, he puts his ring technician mastery on display, working consistently on Punk's arm, including getting Move #167 (Buffalo Armbar). Punk has a brief advantage before Benjamin takes over with a wicked top-rope snap suplex. Shortly thereafter, Punk gets a win with a Schoolboy Roll-up, rather than his Anaconda Vice.
Winner: CM Punk
Match 3 -- Johnny Nitro vs. The Undertaker
Well, this could be a good indication of just how much respect Nitro has in the locker room. And really, there isn't much here before he is absolutely squashed by Undertaker.
Winner: The Undertaker
-After the break, we get footage of the WWE setting up when a mortar attack hits close to Camp Victory, the host of Tribute to the Troops. We get some good reporting from the WWE workers who were close to the hit, including Michael Cole.
Match 4 -- Bobby Lashley vs. Bob Holly
Lashley uses the Bulldog Delayed Suplex, the Stone Cold Steve Austin Mudhole Stomp, the Kurt Angle stop-and-go belly-to-belly overhead suplex and eventually the Davey Boy Smith running powerslam to get the duke. To his credit, Lashley uses a Torture Rack Drop.In between, the "tribute" moves, Holly and Lashley get some good exchanges and the two show signs of some decent work together.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
-Going into the break, WWE interviews an Iraqi soldier fighting along side the US Army. Back to the show we go, and Chris Masters throws out the Masterlock Challenge to the troops in a vignette.
Match 5 -- Umaga vs. Jeff Hardy
Looks like Armando Alejandro Estrada didn't make the trip. Umaga gets his usual wicked offence here. Hardy does have a very strong showing here, getting some decent control at one point until Umaga lifts the knees on a Swanton attempted by Jeff. From there, it's academic.
Winner: Umaga
Match 6 -- Carlito vs. Randy Orton
Both men put on a good show, including blocking each other's finishers. Near the end of the match, Orton tries to get the W with his feet on the ropes, but the referee spots the illegal pin, which allows Carlito to get the roll-up for the win, with a handful of tights.
Winner: Carlito
-Backstage, Torrie Wilson, Kristal Mashall and Maria are chatting until Santa Claus comes in.
-Back from the break, Santa comes out to the ring, and calls out the aforementioned Divas to help him give out gifts. Santa gets in the usual jokes on the women, especially on Torrie Wilson. The gifts include tee-shirts, video games and, for some reason, lingerie. Eventually, Chris Masters comes down, bringing Santa into the ring. The two exchange words before Masters issues the Masterlock Challenge to Santa. Mr. Claus accepts.
Match 7 -- Chris Masters vs. Santa Claus (Masterlock Challenge)
This one is short and sweet.
Winner: Chris Masters
-Next up is the troop challenge.
Match 8 -- Chris Masters vs. Jose Avila (Masterlock Challenge)
Avila doesn't look much bigger than Rey Mysterio Jr., just to give you some perspective. As Masters has Avila down, Santa unmasks, revealing John Bradshaw Layfield. JBL kicks Masters in the back, allowing Avila to break the Masterlock.
Winner: Jose Avila
-Post-match, JBL, gives the Clothesline From Hell on Masters and celebrates with the Divas to close the show.
DECEMBER 25, 2006
BAGHDAD, IRAQ
-We open with a look at previous troop entertainment tours, including vintage USO tours, which is actually looked pretty good.
To emphasize that this isn't a Raw, we get different theme music leading us in. I can't tell which song it is, but it's a Creed tune.
Match 1 -- John Cena vs. Edge
The match itself is a very impressive bout between these two. There are some decent bumps taken including Cena taking a couple hits to the ringside mats and barricade. Ever the thinking heel, Edge pulls out the Camel Clutch, using WWE history to rile up the crowd, before Cena makes the comeback with his usual stuff. Edge, however, blocks the FU and gets an Implant DDT, and even pulls out the Electric Chair Drop. Eventually, Cena avoids a spear and gets the FU for the victory.
Winner: John Cena
-Next up, Gen. George W. Casey Jr. gives a speech over a montage of troop footage. This is the first of many such scenes we see throughout the show.
-Going into our next break, CM Punk and Shelton Benjamin bring holiday greetings.
Match 2 -- CM Punk vs. Shelton Benjamin
Benjamin does some classic heel work, threatening to leave the match. When he does get back in the ring, he puts his ring technician mastery on display, working consistently on Punk's arm, including getting Move #167 (Buffalo Armbar). Punk has a brief advantage before Benjamin takes over with a wicked top-rope snap suplex. Shortly thereafter, Punk gets a win with a Schoolboy Roll-up, rather than his Anaconda Vice.
Winner: CM Punk
Match 3 -- Johnny Nitro vs. The Undertaker
Well, this could be a good indication of just how much respect Nitro has in the locker room. And really, there isn't much here before he is absolutely squashed by Undertaker.
Winner: The Undertaker
-After the break, we get footage of the WWE setting up when a mortar attack hits close to Camp Victory, the host of Tribute to the Troops. We get some good reporting from the WWE workers who were close to the hit, including Michael Cole.
Match 4 -- Bobby Lashley vs. Bob Holly
Lashley uses the Bulldog Delayed Suplex, the Stone Cold Steve Austin Mudhole Stomp, the Kurt Angle stop-and-go belly-to-belly overhead suplex and eventually the Davey Boy Smith running powerslam to get the duke. To his credit, Lashley uses a Torture Rack Drop.In between, the "tribute" moves, Holly and Lashley get some good exchanges and the two show signs of some decent work together.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
-Going into the break, WWE interviews an Iraqi soldier fighting along side the US Army. Back to the show we go, and Chris Masters throws out the Masterlock Challenge to the troops in a vignette.
Match 5 -- Umaga vs. Jeff Hardy
Looks like Armando Alejandro Estrada didn't make the trip. Umaga gets his usual wicked offence here. Hardy does have a very strong showing here, getting some decent control at one point until Umaga lifts the knees on a Swanton attempted by Jeff. From there, it's academic.
Winner: Umaga
Match 6 -- Carlito vs. Randy Orton
Both men put on a good show, including blocking each other's finishers. Near the end of the match, Orton tries to get the W with his feet on the ropes, but the referee spots the illegal pin, which allows Carlito to get the roll-up for the win, with a handful of tights.
Winner: Carlito
-Backstage, Torrie Wilson, Kristal Mashall and Maria are chatting until Santa Claus comes in.
-Back from the break, Santa comes out to the ring, and calls out the aforementioned Divas to help him give out gifts. Santa gets in the usual jokes on the women, especially on Torrie Wilson. The gifts include tee-shirts, video games and, for some reason, lingerie. Eventually, Chris Masters comes down, bringing Santa into the ring. The two exchange words before Masters issues the Masterlock Challenge to Santa. Mr. Claus accepts.
Match 7 -- Chris Masters vs. Santa Claus (Masterlock Challenge)
This one is short and sweet.
Winner: Chris Masters
-Next up is the troop challenge.
Match 8 -- Chris Masters vs. Jose Avila (Masterlock Challenge)
Avila doesn't look much bigger than Rey Mysterio Jr., just to give you some perspective. As Masters has Avila down, Santa unmasks, revealing John Bradshaw Layfield. JBL kicks Masters in the back, allowing Avila to break the Masterlock.
Winner: Jose Avila
-Post-match, JBL, gives the Clothesline From Hell on Masters and celebrates with the Divas to close the show.
