WWE Tribute to the Troops is a special event produced annually by the sports entertainment juggernaut. The first-ever Tribute to the Troops occurred two decades ago in Baghdad, Iraq. The show is produced in conjunction with WWE and Armed Forces Entertainment.
WWE Tribute to the Troops has delivered a lot of hidden gems over the years. The show has featured singles, tag team matches, and some gimmick bouts. The idea of the show is credited to Hall of Famer JBL.
With the 2023 edition of Tribute to the Troops set to go down this Friday night on SmackDown, let’s take a look at the five best WWE Tribute to the Troops matches of the two past two decades (in no particular order):
Rey Mysterio & The Usos vs. The Shield (Tribute to the Troops 2013)
The Shield made a huge statement with their epic main roster debut at Survivor Series 2012. The trio took on Rey Mysterio and The Usos just a year later at WWE Tribute to the Troops 2013. Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, and Roman Reigns got an epic entrance for this match.
All six men put on a great match for the crowd in attendance. The Shield worked like a well-oiled machine against the epic trio of Rey Mysterio, Jimmy and Jey Uso. In the end, the babyfaces prevailed over the heels.
Drew McIntyre, Ricochet & Sheamus vs. Imperium (WWE Tribute to the Troops 2022)
WWE taped the 20th anniversary of the Tribute to the Troops special on November 11 at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Downtown Indianapolis. The promotion aired the event on Fox the following month.
Drew McIntyre, Ricochet and Sheamus headlined the event in a six-man tag team match against Imperium. All six-men delivered a fast-paced match with some incredible moves. Ricochet emerged as the MVP of the match by putting on some incredible aerial offense.
John Cena vs. Cesaro (WWE Tribute to the Troops 2012)
John Cena and Cesaro have always had incredible chemistry. Their matches against each other between 2014 and 2015 are among the best matches in the red brand’s history. It is worth noting that their first match against each other didn’t take place on RAW or SmackDown.
In fact, Cena and Cesaro collided for the first time at the WWE Tribute to the Troops special event in 2012. This was a relatively quick match where Cesaro played the foreign heel against the patriotic babyface Cena.
Despite the short length of the match, the two superstars delivered some explosive action that provided a subtle tease for their future matches.
Eddie Guerrero vs. Chris Benoit (Tribute to the Troops 2003)
Eddie Guerrero and Chris Benoit battled all over the world prior to their arrival in WWE. The two best friends had some incredible matches against each other on televised shows and at pay-per-view events.
The pair battled each other at the second annual Tribute to the Troops television special. This was a technical masterclass from two of the best in the business at the time. Latino Heat went on to pick up a sneak win over the Rabid Wolverine.
Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H (Boot Camp Match – December 19, 2005)
Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H is considered one of the greatest rivalries in WWE history. The best friends brought out the best in each other whenever they got inside the squared circle. Their Street Fight at SummerSlam 2002 is widely regarded as one of the best comeback performances ever.
The Heartbreak Kid and The Game traveled to the Air Base in Bagram, Afghanistan in 2005. They main evented the third annual WWE Tribute to the Troops special. Michaels wore a military-inspired gear for his match. Both men put on a great match that lasted for nearly 15 minutes. The Showstopper put a stop to The Cerebral Assassin with a perfectly-timed Sweet Chin Music.
Honorable Mentions
- John Cena vs. Edge (WWE Tribute to the Troops 2006)
- Chris Jericho vs. Randy Orton (Tribute to the Troops 2007)
- CM Punk & Daniel Bryan vs. The Wyatt Family (Tribute to the Troops 2013)
- Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt (WWE Tribute to the Troops 2014)
Also read: Montez Ford On Being Part Of WWE Tribute To The Troops: It Means Everything
