Around the holidays, World Wrestling Entertainment can be counted on to put on a special show for the troops, WWE’s “Tribute to the Troops.” For a time, wrestlers even traveled overseas to Iraq and Afghanistan to duke it out live in front of service members on Christmas. The wrestlers spent a few days interacting with the deployed troops, sending messages to their families back home, and preparing for the actual event
Since 2010, however, the event has been held domestically on or near military installations. Being stateside has opened the door for more celebrities to join in on the event, and thus made some of the matches as legendary as anything seen in WrestleMania.
6. The Usos and Rey Mysterio defeat The Shield (2013)
In 2013, The Shield was a dominant heel (villain) stable. They arrived in what, to this day, is still one of the most bad-ass entrances in WWE history: The team stepped out of a Stryker and into the ring.
They still lost to the face (hero) team of Rey Mysterio and the Uso Brothers, but still — they arrived in a Stryker!
5. Rey Mysterio defeats Mark Henry (2007)
There’s just something special about rooting for the underdog in a fight. Watching a 5’6″, 175-pound luchador take on a 6’4″, 399-pound power-lifter is akin to watching someone defy gravity. The fact that the match took place during the heights of both of their careers and in front of troops in Tikrit, Iraq made it that much more awesome.
Okay, yeah. People who struggle to suspend their disbelief enough to fully enjoy what is essentially a physically demanding theatrical performance can at least appreciate the effort and dedication of the performers.
4. John Cena retains WWE Championship against Chris Jericho (2009)
The only time WWE Championship matches were held during Tribute to the Troops was at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. Fairly short in comparison to the rest on this list, the match was fast-paced and packed with many of the superstars’ trademark moves.
Whether you love the guy or hate how he’s booked, Cena is still one of the most patriotic superstars in pop culture, even if you can’t see him.
3. John Cena, CM Punk, and Daniel Bryan defeat The Wyatt Family (2013)
This match technically counts as three, but the buildup lasted the entire show. Daniel Bryan was fighting Bray Wyatt until the match was disqualified due to the outside interference of Luke Harper and Erick Rowan. So, Daniel Bryan brings in friend CM Punk to fight the two newcomers. The match is again disqualified when Bray Wyatt shows back up in the ring.
It all culminates in Daniel Bryan joining CM Punk and John Cena to fight off the entire Wyatt Family.
2. Shawn Michaels defeats Triple H in a “Boot Camp” match – No Holds Barred (2005)
This is the type of match that everyone associates with the WWE.
These former best friends were both powerhouses in the “Attitude Era” of 1990s wrestling. The chaotic match spilled out of the ring and into a Tactical Operations Center. Since it was technically a “no holds barred” match, they hit each other with whatever they felt like. Everything from sandbags to a mop was fair game.
1. John Cena defeats Big Show (2003)
This match is ranked at the top for one reason and one reason only: After the match, we got Stone Cold Steve Austin in Baghdad, Iraq on Christmas Day.
It was one of his final appearances in the ring and the only time we got to see Stone Cold give his finishing move, the Stone Cold Stunner, to John Cena.
Don’t Miss the Best of Mighty Entertainment
We Are The Mighty is a celebration of military service, with a mission to entertain, inform, and inspire those who serve and those who support them. We are made by and for current service members, veterans, spouses, family members, and civilians who want to be part of this community. Keep up with the best in military culture and entertainment: subscribe to the We Are The Mighty newsletter.