Tribute to the Troops

WWE Chairman Vince McMahon and 19 Superstars and Divas have just returned from bringing holiday cheer to U.S. troops stationed in Iraq on its fifth Tribute to the Troops tour held from December 4-8. Hosted by Armed Forces Entertainment, the tour marks the fifth holiday “Tribute to the Troops” event WWE has produced since 2003. The tour and live event will be chronicled in a two-hour holiday special -- “WWE Tribute to the Troops” -- on USA Network on December 24 at 9 p.m. (ET/PT).

The WWE “Tribute to the Troops” tour marks the largest celebrity production to visit troops in Iraq , with WWE Superstars visiting 20 bases throughout the country over three days. In 2006, WWE received the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Public Service Award for exceptional public service for bravery, patriotism, and dedication to serving the men and women of the United States Armed Forces during operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Whether touring the front lines for Armed Forces Entertainment or making individual visits to military installations and injured troops in the United States , WWE’s efforts brought needed respite and produced a resounding public outpouring of patriotic sentiment that reached all levels of leadership in the Department of Defense.

This year McMahon and WWE Superstars Triple H, John Cena, Shawn Michaels, WWE Champion Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, Rey Mysterio, JBL, WWE Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy, and Divas Maria, Layla and Kelly Kelly were among the talent traveling to Iraq in support of the troops. The WWE Superstars visited, slept and ate with military personnel through a series of appearances with the troops at 20 Forward Operating Bases across Iraq . The tour culminated with a live performance at Camp Speicher near Tikrit.

"Keeping troop morale high is one of the most important functions of Armed Forces Entertainment,” said U.S. Air Force Colonel Edward Shock, Chief of Armed Forces Entertainment. “And during the holiday season, when troops are missing the comforts of home, WWE stands tall and brings a piece of America to our military men and women. We are grateful for the continued support from Vince McMahon and World Wrestling Entertainment, which gives our military personnel serving overseas something to look forward to, taking their mind off combat duties,” said Shock.

The “Tribute to the Troops” special program will feature exciting matches from the live performance, as well as taped features that will share with the American public the experience of daily life for U.S. service men and women in Iraq as they continue to fight in the name of freedom.

Armed Forces Entertainment is the lead Department of Defense agency for providing entertainment to US military personnel serving overseas, with priority given to those in contingency operations and remote and isolated locations. The Department of the Air Force is the executive agent of Armed Forces Entertainment.

Founded in 1951 Armed Forces Entertainment brings a touch of home to more than 500,000 troops annually, embracing the best of Americana that stretches across all genres of entertainment. Visit www.armedforcesentertainment.com for more information.For more information on the Tribute to the Troops tour, and WWE’s activities to support U.S. troops in general, visit troops.wwe.com.

WWE Goes To Iraq

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The WWE just got done taping in Iraq and as much as I appreciate that they give tribute to our troops and boost moral during the holiday season I can't help but question Vince McMahon's motivation. Vince is the kind of guy who will do anything to make a buck and I think that is all this is, a promotion tour. I have a hard time believing that he actually sees the troops, or any fans for that matter as anything more than marks with cash. I could be wrong and he really does care about the troops and sees this as an opportunity to help and maybe get a little promotion in the process. I just wonder if this trip to Iraq would happen if there were no cameras and he did not get his name in newspapers and websites all over the world praising the WWE for their "Tribute to the Troops".

Tribute to the Troops (SPOILERS)

Credit: Wrestlingobserver.com

- Chris Jericho defeated Randy Orton via DQ when JBL interfered and attacked Jericho and laid him out with a clothesline

- Jeff Hardy defeated Carlito with a swanton. Hilarious finish. Jeff missed it when he was supposed to hit it. Vince ordered Carlito to lay down again so Jeff could do it for a retake

- Vince gives a speech and brings out the Divas

- Layla & Kelly Kelly vs. Maria & Mickie James ended when Vince told the servicemen they had seen enough and stopped the match

- Vince was doing a promo when Santa Claus ripped on him. Santa was John Cena and he and the women tossed DVDs to the crowd

- Rey Mysterio defeated Mark Henry with a roll-up

- Ron Simmons defeated Bob Holly with a spine buster

- HHH & Michaels as DX defeated Umaga & Kennedy when HHH pinned Kennedy after a pedigree

Jake "The Snake" Roberts Enters Rehab

- Two days ago, wrestling legend Jake "The Snake" Roberts was placed in a nine-week rehab program by World Wrestling Entertainment. It appears Roberts was the first former WWE superstar to take the company up on their offer of paying for rehab for past talents.

Tons of WWE news regarding the Raw 15th Anniversary show!

The planned outline for the Raw 15th Anniversary show Monday night is for various stars, both from the past and the current roster to humiliate Vince McMahon and or lay Vince out with their finishing move. Steve Austin, Hulk Hogan, Eric Bishoff, Trish Stratus and Mick Foley are all heavily advertised.

- Hulk Hogan being brought in is surprising to many, because he is being part of an ensemble cast, and not the main star. This is all due to Austin and other being on the show. Hogan is dealing from the weak position for the first time in a long time, due to his current personal problems. Many feel as if this is a form of revenge on the part of McMahon for all of the difficult times he had with Hogan over the years.

- Bret Hart was invited to be a part of the show, but declined. WWE is working to get him on the show as a surprise, but that seems unlikely at this time. This is all due to conflicts over the book he published. Hart was working on a deal with WWE to promote and distribute the book in the US, and they had agreed on a verbal deal with WWE agreeing to no changes in the book. Dean Miller, the man in charge of WWE books then informed Hart that they had planned changes to nearly 400 of the 553 page book, and that ended the deal between the parties.- McMahon has been obsessed with bringing Hart back to the WWE fold, especially since they worked together on the WWE released DVD. But that seems to be a line that Hart has been determined not to cross. McMahon has worked hard to get Hart in, offering the special referee spot at WrestleMania in 2002. He also was working on a Hart vs. McMahon street fight for 2006, but that never came to be.

- Ric Flair is scheduled to be a part of the show. Flair was scheduled to return in Charlotte, but no scheduled to wrestle until this week's Raw. But plans were changed and they went ahead with the Orton vs. Flair match, which Flair was admittedly not in shape for. The audience grew for that match by 1,205,000 viewers, which was one of the largest growths all year for Raw. Vince McMahon is behind the angle, but many felt that his promo didn't make sense, as he never explained himself. Flair was directed not to make verbal comebacks to McMahon or Orton during the segment.

- Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has been advertised in commercials and Internet banners for the show, but Johnson had denied the invitation sighting a vacation from the public. He doesn't plan on making any public appearances until he starts work on Witch Mountain in January. Plans are for WWE to run videos of "Rock Moments" on the show.

Credit: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Carlito Staying with WWE

Carlito has decided to stay with WWE and I could not be happier. Carlito has always been a guy who I thought had a lot of potential but was never utilized well. He can cut a good promo and has good in ring skills. Now if he would just get rid of that stupid apple. I think he would be a good fit with Santino Marella. "The tag champs everyone loves to hate". Some in fighting between the two of them would make for some funny moments. Let hope the WWE finds the right place for him and maybe revamp his character a little. Calito could be a main eventer.

Vince McMahon Announces the Greatest RAW Superstar Ever

Vince McMahon Announces the Greatest RAW Superstar Ever this Monday on the three hour anniversary RAW. So who do I think it will be? Well Vince McMahon of course. I can not see Vince naming anyone but himself the greatest superstar ever. I think that would be the right thing for his character to do. It fits his persona of the pampas jackass, (its easy to play the roles most like your real life personality). Now we have to ask who is going to be the most offended by this and beat him up. I still would like to see Bischoff kick Vince's ass but I can not see him claiming to be the greatest superstar ever. Hulk Hogan is the obvious choice and my bet on who is going to beat up Vince.

Beyond The Mat

WWE's first Jamaican Superstar

Kofi Kingston, from Kingston, Jamaica. Wow creative worked hard on that name. When he comes to the ring we are going to hear "From Kingston, Jamaica Kofi Kingston". That just sounds silly. Hopefully they change the name of his finisher "Cool Runnings". This guy looks good and has some personality. I have not seen him wrestle but he definitely has potential. Lets hope the WWE does not screw it up.

Grand Theft Auto IV - Trailer 3

I know this has nothing to do with wrestling but I am really looking forward to this game and I wanted to share this video.

WWE Monday Night RAW’s 15th anniversary special

Monday Night RAW’s 15Th anniversary special is coming up this Monday (12/10) and WWE has announced some pretty big names for the show. They include Trish Stratus, Lita, Hulk Hogan (I think he needs the money right now), Steve Austin, Eric Bischoff, and Mick Foley. Sadly The Rock turned them down, I would have loved to see him on RAW one more time. Bret Hart would be another great surprise but I don't think we will ever see him in WWE again. I am looking forward to the McMahon's all getting together and how they deal with Hornswoggle. This might be the night we find out that Hornswoggle is not really Vince's son, that storyline is getting old. Steph hinted last Monday that a lot of the invited guests want to beat up Vince. So who will it be? Austin again, I have seen him stun Vince enough times. Now Eric Bischoff beating up Vince would be nice to see, I bet Bischoff would enjoy it as well. WWE should have Trish and/or Lita stay for a while if they would, (I bet they have their price). The woman's division needs some help and needs woman that can actually wrestle not just models they teach a few moves to and stick in the ring. Things like what happened to Candice are the result of that. Should be a good show even though most of the special guests they have announced are people that we see on RAW a few times a year anyway.