The Seventh Annual Tribute to the Troops 2009

First Match: Rey Mysterio & Mark Henry vs. CM Punk & Carlito. This was a random tag match with a blend of SmackDown vs. RAW superstars, and as we learn from later matches that seemed to be the theme. How was CM Punk suppose to win with a partner like Carlito, who hasn't won a match since....? I challenge the reader to find out when. The referee was really lenient throughout, especially when all competitors were in the ring at the same time. After executing a double 619 to Punk and Carlito, both Mark Henry and Mysterio executed their finishing moves. The ref granted Mysterio the pinfall, seeing as he and Punk were the legal man in the ring.

Champion vs. Champion Match: John Morrison vs. The Miz. Obviously this special was recorded earlier this month, because Drew McIntyre is the current Intercontinental champion, not Morrison. The troops had fun booing The Miz and cheering for Morrison, the fight been good and evil - or awesome and arrogance. Similar to their encounter at Bragging Rights, Morrison came up short, except this time, it was with the assist from the top ropes that Miz got the pinfall. Where was Teddy Long to restart the match? That's what I thought! He only restarts matches when it benefits him.

"Santa" Truth meets the Troops. Santa Clause, noticeably played by R-Truth, asked the troops "What's Up?" And it doesn't matter who Santa Clause is, whether its John Cena or JBL, the Divas will always play Santa's sexy helpers. The Bellas, Layla, Alicia Fox, and Kelly Kelly were the helpers this year, passing around WWE merch and stealing kisses from the brave soldiers who protect our freedom, here in the states.

WWE Championship Match: (C) John Cena vs. Chris Jericho. I hate it when they say, "Don't adjust your TV set - so and so is in fact here tonight." Well, when this special was recorded, John Cena was the WWE Champion, and Chris Jericho was still one-half of the Unified Tag Team Champions. No, Chris Jericho, as a member of the SmackDown brand, could not officially contend for RAW's WWE Title; but because this is for the troops - we can make an exception. Chris Jericho did not amount much of an offense against Cena, he pretty much let him do his set moves to break the walls. John Cena won with the Attitude Adjustment and retained the WWE Championship. No title has ever changed at a Tribute to the Troops special, because this is not for the WWE Universe, this was for the Armed Forces.

Final Assessment: The whole night was rather laxed, with no sense of urgency from either superstar. The night wasn't meat to keep with storyline, instead it was meant to entertain the troops, not us.