Results and Highlights from WWE SmackDown Tribute to the Troops: Who Emerged Victorious?

WWE SmackDown Tribute to the Troops Results: Winners, Live Grades, Highlights, More!

WWE has long called its annual Tribute to the Troops show the most important of the year, and Friday night on SmackDown, the company produced a star-studded broadcast featuring appearances from CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, and other top competitors as it said “thank you” to the members of the armed services in Providence, Rhode Island and around the world.

With a blockbuster tag team main event pitting Orton and LA Knight against The Bloodline’s Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso, the show also promised the continuation of top storylines as the company neared the conclusion of 2023 and the beginning of the road to Royal Rumble.

Find out what went down, who emerged victoriously from the in-ring action, and how each segment graded out with this recap of the December 8 broadcast.

Lineup
Advertised in advance for Friday’s show were:
– LA Knight and Randy Orton vs. Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso
– Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka
– United States Championship No. 1 Contender’s Tournament: Dragon Lee vs. Santos Escobar
– United States Championship No. 1 Contender’s Tournament: Bobby Lashley vs. Karrion Kross
– Appearances by CM Punk and Cody Rhodes

United States Contender Tournament: Dragon Lee vs. Santos Escobar
Santos Escobar advanced in the United States Championship Contender Tournament Friday with a win over Dragon Lee.
The contest, a rematch from Survivor Series, highlighted the in-ring chemistry of the competitors. With that said, it was hardly the showcase two immensely talented individuals should have.
Interrupted by a commercial break, and with the dark cloud of NXT North American Champion Dominik Mysterio hanging overhead, the match was merely good when it had the potential to be great.
Hopefully, we have an opportunity to see Lee and Escobar tear it up for 20 minutes on a premium live event one day.

WWE @WWE
.@realLAKnight wants #TheBloodline. @RandyOrton wants #TheBloodline. 😤🩸
Can they both send a message to @WWERomanReigns by defeating Jimmy @WWEUsos and @WWESoloSikoa tonight? #SmackDown
pic.twitter.com/Qv2BkuvVGK
Backstage, Randy Orton questioned Nick Aldis’ decision to pair him with LA Knight against The Bloodline later tonight, then handed over a check to pay the fine for his RKO to the boss a week ago.
A check for double the money, “for next time.”
Result
– Escobar defeated Lee
Grade
– B-
Top Moments and Takeaways
– JBL comparing Mysterio to Gandhi and Nelson Mandela as leaders who emerged from prison better off was certainly a choice.
– Mysterio appearing at ringside during Lee’s match was a nice way to create interest in Saturday’s NXT Deadline event.

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