WWE SmackDown live tonight on USA Network from the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
The only thing WWE has officially announced and advertised heading into the show this evening is an appearance by Undisputed WWE Champion “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes.
WWE’s beloved Tribute to the Troops specials have officially come to an end. According to Dave Meltzer on a recent episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, a source within WWE confirmed that the company will no longer produce the long-running tradition.
Tribute to the Troops first debuted in December 2003, spearheaded by WWE Chairman Vince McMahon and Hall of Famer John “Bradshaw” Layfield. Designed as a heartfelt gesture to honor the men and women of the armed forces, the show began as a live event in Baghdad, Iraq, aired during the Christmas season.
Over the years, WWE evolved the format, shifting from international deployments to holding the specials at U.S. military bases. Later, the event transitioned to standalone television specials broadcast on NBC and FOX. With a legacy of two decades, Tribute to the Troops became one of WWE’s most cherished annual events.
Despite its historical significance, the show’s prominence faded in recent years. After 2009, WWE moved away from international tapings, and by 2010, the program was primarily filmed stateside. Only one episode, in 2019, did not air on television. The most recent installment aired in December 2023, marking the end of its 20-year run.
The decision to discontinue Tribute to the Troops is a significant shift for WWE, which has long balanced sports entertainment with charitable and patriotic outreach. While no specific reason has been given for the change, it could reflect WWE’s evolving focus on other large-scale events and partnerships.
Fans who grew up watching the specials will undoubtedly feel the absence of this tradition, which showcased a unique blend of gratitude, wrestling action, and heartfelt moments with the troops.
As WWE continues to innovate and expand its global reach, the spirit of Tribute to the Troops will remain a cherished chapter in the company’s history.
AEW Worlds End live on Pay-Per-View – Saturday December 28, 2024 – 8 p.m. ET (Zero Hour Pre-Show starts at 6:30 p.m. ET) – Addition Financial Arena in Orlando Florida
CARD
AEW World Championship Match: Jon Moxley vs. Orange Cassidy vs. Hangman Page vs. Jay White
AEW Women’s World Championship Tijuana Street Fight: Mariah May vs. Thunder Rosa
AEW Continental Classic: Kyle Fletcher vs. Will Ospreay
AEW Continental Classic: Ricochet vs. Kazuchika Okada (c)
AEW Contintental Classic Finals: TBA vs. TBA
Dynamite Dozen Ring Match: MJF vs. Adam Cole
AEW TBS Championship: Mercedes Mone vs. Kris Statlander
AEW International Championship: Konosuke Takeshita vs. Powerhouse Hobbs
Zero Hour: Jeff Jarrett vs. QT Marshall
Zero Hour: Toni Storm vs. Leila Grey
Zero Hour: The Outrunners & Top Flight vs. Lio Rush, Action Andretti & Murder Machines (Brian Cage & Lance Archer)
As previously reported here on Wrestling News Blog, WWE had been exploring the idea of introducing a new championship to highlight the intense rivalry between Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa. However, according to the latest update from The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, those plans have officially been shelved.
The feud between the two Bloodline leaders has been brewing for months, with both Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa vying to establish themselves as the true Tribal Chief. At Survivor Series: WarGames 2024, Reigns solidified his dominance by pinning Sikoa in a high-stakes WarGames match. The event saw the Original Bloodline, alongside CM Punk, clash with the New Bloodline and Bronson Reed, leaving fans buzzing about the heated familial warfare.
The rivalry is far from over, as Reigns and Sikoa are set to collide in a Tribal Combat match on the premiere episode of RAW on Netflix next month in Los Angeles. The bout promises to be another brutal chapter in their ongoing saga.
While early speculation suggested that WWE was considering creating a “Tribal Championship” to symbolize the ultimate prize in their feud, recent reports confirm that such a title will not be introduced. Instead, the focus will remain on the ula fala, a traditional Samoan necklace that has become a symbol of leadership within the Bloodline storyline.
“Regarding reports of a new title being added called the Tribal Chief title, we’re told that’s not happening,” the Observer noted. “Now will guys feud over the ula fala? Yes, obviously.”
With the rumored championship off the table, the ula fala remains at the heart of this epic Bloodline conflict. The unique stakes and cultural significance of the ula fala have added depth to an already captivating story, allowing Reigns and Sikoa to channel their personal and professional tensions into one of WWE’s most talked-about rivalries.
Fans can expect fireworks when Reigns and Sikoa square off in Los Angeles next month. Will Reigns continue to assert his dominance, or will Sikoa rise to the occasion and claim his spot as the rightful Tribal Chief?
Romance is in the air at WWE’s Performance Center! Among the many NXT Superstars whose relationships have captured fans’ hearts, one couple has just taken their love story to the next level.
Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo, a key member of The Family faction on NXT, and Arianna Grace (the daughter of Santino Marella) have announced their engagement! The pair, who have charmed fans with glimpses of their relationship through social media and live streams, are now preparing to tie the knot.
On Friday morning, Arianna Grace took to social media to share the exciting news, expressing her joy over the proposal. “It was perfect,” Grace wrote, adding a touch of romance to an already thrilling moment.
With both Lorenzo and Grace continuing to make waves in NXT, their engagement marks a special milestone in their personal and professional lives. Fans can expect even more heartfelt moments from the couple as they move toward their wedding day.
Congratulations to the happy couple!
The wrestling world is mourning the loss of Jeremy Laymon, better known to fans as Jax Dane. The National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) announced Dane’s passing on Thursday, revealing that the former NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion died on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, at the age of 48 due to complications from a heart attack he suffered in late November.
Jax Dane began his professional wrestling career in 2012, making his debut with NWA Houston alongside Raymond Rowe—now known as Erik of WWE’s War Raiders. Together, they formed the tag team “The Path of Resistance,” establishing themselves as a force in the NWA scene.
Dane’s career soon skyrocketed, with appearances in New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) in 2013, where he squared off with internationally renowned talents like KUSHIDA, Shelton Benjamin, and the team of Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson.
In 2015, Dane achieved a rare feat, capturing both the NWA National Heavyweight Championship and the prestigious NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship. He claimed the world title by defeating Hiroyoshi Tenzan, a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion, cementing his place in NWA history. Dane held the gold for an impressive 419 days, one of the longest reigns of the modern NWA era, before losing it to Tim Storm in 2016.
After his world title reign, Dane ventured into other major promotions. He appeared in Ring of Honor, Ohio Valley Wrestling, and even IMPACT Wrestling under the name Wilcox. Despite his travels, Dane’s connection to the NWA remained strong. He returned to the organization in 2020, where he secured the NWA National Heavyweight Championship twice more.
Most recently, Dane was seen wrestling in October 2024 on an episode of NWA Powerrr, where he teamed with Tim Storm to defeat Jake Dumas and Zyon. This return to the ring showcased his enduring passion for the sport and his continued commitment to the NWA.
Tim Storm, a former rival and later a tag team partner of Dane, expressed his admiration and grief in a statement shared by the NWA.
“Very few people have been as influential to my wrestling career as Jax,” Storm said. “He was completely unselfish. That is no more evident than in our current tag team. He put me squarely on his shoulders and made it happen.”
Dane’s legacy in professional wrestling is one of strength, resilience, and generosity. From his dominant title reigns to his willingness to elevate others, Jax Dane’s impact on the sport will not be forgotten.
As fans and fellow wrestlers reflect on his storied career, Jax Dane will be remembered as a powerhouse in the ring and a mentor outside of it. His contributions to the NWA and the wider wrestling world leave a lasting imprint, ensuring his legacy endures for years to come.
Rest in peace, Jax Dane.
AEW taped the Ring of Honor Boxing Day Brawl episode on Saturday Night at the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan, New York.
The ROH Boxing Day episode with air Thursday, December 26 exclusively on WatchROH.com.
Former WWE Superstar Becky Lynch made a surprising appearance in the latest trailer for WWE RAW on Netflix, leaving fans buzzing about the potential return of “The Man” to the wrestling world.
Lynch, who stepped away from WWE in June, has dropped hints that her departure may not be permanent, keeping the door open for a future comeback. Her inclusion in the trailer, which aired during the NFL’s Christmas Day coverage, alongside other high-profile Superstars, has reignited speculation about when fans might see her back in action.
WWE RAW is set to debut on Netflix on January 6, featuring an impressive lineup of matches. Notably, CM Punk and Roman Reigns are set to headline the all-star card, promising a thrilling start to this new era of WWE programming.
In addition to RAW, international WWE fans will gain access to an extensive selection of WWE content on Netflix, including SmackDown, NXT, premium live events, and classic footage from the company’s archives.
With Lynch’s involvement in the promotional material and the high-stakes matches scheduled, WWE is kicking off its Netflix partnership with significant momentum. Fans are eager to see what surprises lie ahead as WWE expands its reach on the streaming platform.
AEW Dynamite on 34th St. Christmas Special on TBS from New York City.
WWE Raw airs tonight on the USA Network from TD Garden in Boston, MA.
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