WWE Tribute to the Troops

WWE Tribute to the Troops
Created by	Vince McMahon John Layfield
Starring	WWE roster
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	14 (as of December 14, 2016)
Production
Running time	120 minutes
Release
Original network	NBC (2008–2014) UPN (SmackDown: 2003–2004) USA Network (Raw: 2005–2007) (2010-present, 2 hours)
Original release	December 25, 2003 – present
External links
Website

NBC (2008–2014) UPN (SmackDown: 2003–2004)

WWE Tribute to the Troops is an annual event held by WWE and Armed Forces Entertainment in December during the holiday season since 2003, to honor and entertain United States Armed Forces members serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. WWE performers and employees travel to these countries and interact with troops for at least three days, visiting military camps, bases and hospitals, including the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Hospital.

WWE then holds a free show for the troops, which later airs along with videos of troop interaction and messages from soldiers to their families and friends at home, in a televised program of the same title.

The idea of the event is credited to wrestler John "Bradshaw" Layfield, who suggested it to WWE Chairman Vince McMahon.

WWE first held the event in December 2003, from Camp Victory in Baghdad, Iraq and aired it on Christmas Day as a special episode of WWE SmackDown. In the main event, John Cena defeated Big Show, and Stone Cold Steve Austin came out after the match, performed a Stunner on both men, and finally invited all the talent backstage to the ring to celebrate. For this Tribute to the Troops and all others until 2011, commentary was recorded at WWE headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, as commentators were not at ringside.

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Wikipedia