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.

A Storied Legacy

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.

A Gradual Decline

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.

WWE Moves Forward

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.

WWE may be bringing back Tribute To The Troops for TV next month.

There has been a lot of internal talk about bringing back the TTTT TV special over the last week, according to PWInsider. There’s no word yet on when or where the 2020 Troops Tribute special would air from, but it would air some time in December.

WWE’s Tribute To The Troops has been held annually as a TV special since December 2003, except for last year. WWE actually taped matches and segments with top Superstars and Marines last December at the Marine Corps Air Station New River and Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina, for the 17th annual TTTT special, but it was not taped for TV. Last year marked the first time that the TTTT was taped at a Marine Base.

WWE has aired Tribute To The Troops on either UPN, NBC or the USA Network since 2003. There were rumors on the event possibly airing on the WWE Network last year, but WWE never aired the footage that was taped in North Carolina as it was for locals only. It was seen as very interesting that WWE and the USA Network would pass on airing the event last year as it usually draws more than 1 million viewers on a slow holiday week, plus it brings the kind of PR that WWE goes for.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

The 17th annual WWE Tribute to the Troops reportedly will not air on TV.

As noted, WWE taped matches and segments with top Superstars and Marines on Friday at the Marine Corps Air Station New River and Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina. This was the first time that the TTTT was taped at a Marine Base.

It was reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that the 2019 Troops Tribute was not taped for TV and there is no TTTT TV special this year. Dave Meltzer did not know yet why the event is not airing.

WWE’s Tribute to the Troops has been held every year since 2003, and has aired on either UPN, NBC or the USA Network. There’s also on word yet on if the event might air on the WWE Network this year. It’s very interesting that WWE and USA would pass on airing the event as it usually draws more than 1 million viewers on a slow holiday week, which won’t have a new episode of WWE NXT this year, plus it brings the kind of PR that WWE goes for.

Below is TTTT video that aired during Friday night’s SmackDown episode. Below are match results from Friday’s event:

* Humberto Carrillo and Kevin Owens defeated Drew McIntyre and Andrade

* WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Asuka and Kairi Sane retained over Sarah Logan and Natalya

* The Street Profits defeated Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins

* The OC (AJ Styles, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson) defeated Ricochet and RAW Tag Team Champions The Viking Raiders

* Seth Rollins defeated Erick Rowan in a Boot Camp match.

There were also said to be appearances from Braun Strowman and WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry, among others.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle is with Lacey Evans, Kalisto and other WWE Superstars at Camp LeJune in Jacksonville, Florida today to film material for the 2019 WWE Tribute to the Troops. Matches for the special will likely be taped today as well.

Angle wrote on Instagram, “Today, we are at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina… visiting the high intensity tactical training facility for the Marines. Thanks to ALL who serve in our military. #TributeToTheTroops”

The 17th annual WWE Tribute to the Troops will be the first time the event is held at US Marine Corps bases. WWE issued the following announcement this week, including comments from WWE Chairman Vince McMahon:

WWE® THANKS AMERICA’S ARMED FORCES WITH ANNUAL TRIBUTE TO THE TROOPS®

STAMFORD, Conn. and Jacksonville, NC., – The 17th annual WWE Tribute to the Troops celebration will be held this Friday, December 6 at Marine Corps Air Station New River and Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, marking the first time the event has been held at U.S. Marine Corps bases.WWE began Tribute to the Troops in 2003 to honor our servicemen and women and their families. While at the Marine bases, WWE Superstars will spend time giving back to military personnel and their families. In addition to live, in-ring WWE matches, activities include a Be a STAR bullying prevention rally, autograph signings, meet and greets, hangar tours and other various outreach initiatives across the bases. WWE Superstars will also distribute free Christmas trees to troops and their families in the spirit of the holiday season.

“We thank WWE for choosing Marine Corps Air Station New River and Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune to host WWE’s Tribute to the Troops,” said Colonel Curtis V. Ebitz, Jr., commanding officer of MCAS New River. “The event will give our hard-working, dedicated Marines a morale boost and some well-deserved fun.”

“We are honored to bring WWE’s 17th annual Tribute to the Troops to Marine Corps bases for the first time,” said Vince McMahon, WWE Chairman & CEO. “Our troops are the backbone of this country, and we look forward to presenting them with memories that will last a lifetime.”

Marine Corps Air Station New River and Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune are the largest Marine Corps bases on the East Coast and home to the II Marine Expeditionary Force, the Marine Corps’ East Coast rotary wing and tilt rotor aircraft squadrons, and the Marine Corps’ School of Infantry.

There’s still no word yet on when the 2019 TTTT will air.

Source: Wrestling Inc.