Tribute to the Troops is an initiative carried out by WWE to honour the US armed forces, giving them a performance customised for their entertainment, with patriotic themes and strong babyfaces. Unfortunately, the modern day smarter wrestling fan often feels a disconnect with the watered down content portrayed at such events.
Tribute to The Troops was a pretty by-the-numbers show that came to us from Washington DC, with many military men in attendance. We at Sportskeeda Wrestling News present the best and worst from the show, for your pleasure.
#1 Best: Greatest factions square off!
Tribute to the Troops was a show presented by both Raw and SmackDown Live. As a result, we got to see an epic confrontation backstage that we had never expected. The New Day, celebrating their record-breaking title reign, were confronted by The Club and while AJ Styles, Gallows and Anderson are on separate brands, it was awesome to see them reunite once again.
As the heels were cutting a promo, lo and behold, we saw the reunited Shield. Reigns, Ambrose and Rollins, are all babyfaces now; so can a Shield reunion happen very soon?
We urge WWE to take a cue from Lucha Underground and introduce a Trios Championship. There is money in booking The Shield vs. The Club for sure!
#1 Worst: Miz takes another pinfall
This week on SmackDown Live, The Miz was the first man eliminated in the Fatal Four Way main event. This time once again, Apollo Crews, a man who’s been off WWE television since forever, pinned the Intercontinental Champion. This is a worrying trend at a time when there are few stars in WWE.
The Miz is someone who’s brilliantly over as a heel and getting pinned so frequently will definitely hurt his character. Especially by a man who’s little more than a jobber, based on how WWE’s booked him thus far.
#2 Best: The Return of Enzo
Enzo Amore got accosted and assaulted by The Bulgarian Brute Rusev when he went to get intimate with Rusev’s wife Lana in a hotel room. This week on Raw, Big Cass looked out of place in a singles environment, struggling to cut a promo without his trusted mouthpiece at his side.
The return of Enzo, albeit in an injured avatar just adds a whole new energy, even to Big Cass. This week Lana even pushed him into the steel steps, and their chemistry will certainly be interesting to watch in the weeks that follow. The main event was just another match in which the foreign heel ate the pin.
#2 Worst: A reunion we didn’t want
The commentary in recent weeks, since the brand split, had picked up with the addition of Corey Graves and Mauro Ranallo. But this time we saw the reunion of the dreaded trio once again. Reminding us of how bad the commentary on Raw was, prior to the brand split, the commentary for Tribute to the Troops was a chore to sit through.
The only way that the booth could have been worse would have been with the addition of David Otunga, who was thankfully not present. When Michael Cole is the best thing about a commentary booth, you know there’s something wrong.
#3 Best: Smarky soldiers
WWE should really revisit its content in 2016. We understand why they showcase evil European heels like Rusev at such events but is that a dated concept? Today, the very patriotic American Alpha got almost no reaction from the crowd comprising of several members of the armed forces.
Instead, Randy Orton, aligned with the Wyatt family, got the most massive pop of the night, with near deafening RKO chants. It’s not always cool to cheer for the babyfaces, and the US military knows that. How long will it take for WWE creative to realise that, as well?
#3 Worst: Dana Brooke in the ring
Dana Brooke may just be, hands down, the worst worker in WWE today. The last time we saw Eva Marie at NXT, she was working on her chops and had quite an impressive bout with Bayley. Today Bayley and Dana Brooke stank up the place.
We all know it wasn’t Bayley’s fault at all. Dana Brooke was called up too soon. She needs to head back to NXT, work on her chops and maybe then return to the main roster again.
Let's end like we began. This time with an annoyed Maryse looking smokin’ hot. Goddam, you Miz!
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