In the wake of the 9/11 attacks, America faced one of the most profound and tragic events in its history. The country, still reeling from the shock, found itself searching for a way to cope, and for many, the media, especially television, served as a form of escapism. One of the most impactful ways WWE contributed to the healing process was through the Tribute to the Troops event, which was established to honor the U.S. military and provide some lighthearted joy to the troops who volunteered to defend the country after the tragedy.
In a recent interview on the Something To Wrestle podcast, WWE Hall of Famer John “Bradshaw” Layfield (JBL) opened up about how Tribute to the Troops came to life and the crucial role he played in its creation.
Origins of Tribute to the Troops:
JBL explained that the origins of Tribute to the Troops began in the immediate aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. According to JBL, he and the WWE team were in Houston when the attacks occurred. He described how the world as they knew it changed on that fateful day, and how the tragic events led to a dramatic shift in the company’s programming.
“The origin was 9/11,” JBL said. “We were in Houston when 9/11 happened… Of course, the show got canceled; the world got canceled… The world changed that day… 9/13, I believe it was Thursday… we had the first mass gathering in the United States. I drove back down to Houston. Vince [McMahon] had a meeting with us and told us that no one had to appear at the show. It was your own free will if you wanted to, but we were going to send a message that they [the terrorists] weren’t going to stop us.”
WWE’s First Visit to Ground Zero:
In 2003, WWE became the first entertainment group to visit Ground Zero, two years after the attacks. JBL’s drive to contribute on a deeper level, combined with the company’s desire to show support, led to the conception of Tribute to the Troops.
“Right after 9/11… WWE was the first group to go down to Ground Zero… I was watching this stuff on the news, and I thought, ‘Man, I just want to go help,’” JBL recalled. “So I called the WWE office in Stamford, and I said, ‘Hey, can I go down to Ground Zero? All I want to do is help.’ Vince and WWE, like everybody else in New York, was helping any way they could… Vince got word that I wanted to go to Ground Zero, and he said if you’re going, the whole company is going with you. So, we planned the whole company trip off of that.”
JBL’s initial desire to help led to the company’s symbolic gesture of visiting Ground Zero, and from that point on, WWE began planning the Tribute to the Troops event, which would later become an annual holiday tradition.
Tribute to the Troops’ Cancellation:
Despite the positive reception and emotional impact the show had on troops and fans alike, the Tribute to the Troops programming was eventually canceled. Veteran wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer reported that WWE is focusing its attention on other projects, such as the debut of Raw on Netflix, which is set to air on January 6, 2025. With Vince McMahon stepping down and the company now under the ownership of Endeavor, as part of TKO Group Holdings, creative priorities have shifted, leading to changes in the way WWE produces special content like Tribute to the Troops.
The Tribute to the Troops special aired its last edition as part of WWE SmackDown on December 23, 2023. As the company evolves, it seems the focus on such events has diminished, though the impact of Tribute to the Troops remains significant in WWE’s history.
Final Thoughts:
JBL’s dedication to giving back to the military, especially in the aftermath of 9/11, was a driving force behind the creation of Tribute to the Troops. What started as a personal mission to bring light to those who served the country grew into one of WWE’s most heartwarming and patriotic traditions. As WWE continues to adapt to a new era under new leadership, it remains to be seen whether such tributes will return in another form, but Tribute to the Troops will always hold a special place in the company’s legacy.
If using quotes from this article, please credit “Something To Wrestle With Bruce Prichard” and Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
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