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WWE SMACKDOWN TRIBUTE TO THE TROOPS REPORT: PUNK SPEAKS, CODY SPEAKS, CODY AND PUNK SPEAK TO EACH OTHER, THE TOURNAMENT BEGINS, DEJA VU . . .KIND OF WITH THE WOMEN, AND MORE

Your announcers are Michael Cole, John Layfield, and Kevin Patrick.

We start off with a performance of God Bless America.

Match Number One:  Dragon Lee versus Santos Escobar in a First Round Match in the Number One Contender Tournament for the United States Championship

Before the referee can start the match, Dominik Mysterio and his t-shirt skirt makes his way to the ring to watch, and probably distract someone in the match.

Santos misses a boot and Lee with punches and a kick.  Lee clotheslines Escobar over the top rope ot the floor.  Santos and Dom have some words.  Escobar misses a clothesline and Lee with a head scissors to send Santos to the floor.  Lee with a flip dive onto Escobar.  Lee with a slingshot head scissors that sends Santos into the turnbuckles.  Lee with a leg sweep and a slingshot kick.  Lee with a super kick for a near fall.   Lee goes to the ropes with a wrist lock and Santos knocks Lee off the ropes.  Santos with a hanging neck breaker in the ropes.  Santos gets a near fall.  Santos taunts Lee and head butts him in the corner.  Santos is sent to the apron by Lee and Lee punches Santos.  Lee goes for the head scissors take down over the ropes to the floor but Santos blocks it and power bombs Lee on the apron.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Lee with punches to Santos followed by a flying double sledge and clothesline.  Santos escapes Lee and Lee sends Escobar onto the turnbuckles and Lee follows with a super kick.  Lee with a hesitation drop kick in the corner.  Lee with a snap mare and he gets a near fall.  Lee is caught by Santos but Lee gets off Santos' shoulders.  Lee with a German suplex and kick.  Santos with a super kick for a near fall.  Lee counters the Phantom Driver with an inside cradle for a near fall.  Lee with a sit out power bomb for a near fall.  Lee with a running kick to the head that sends Santos to the floor in front of Dom.  Lee gets Santos and puts him back in the ring.  Lee says something to Dom and then Lee sends Santos into the turnbuckles and kicks the turnbuckle to send Santos to the mat.  Santos gets Lee on his shoulders and hits the Phantom Driver for the three count.

Winner:  Santos Escobar (advances to face winner of Bobby Lashley versus Karrion Kross)

After the match, Dom gets in the ring and he stands over Lee and spits on him.  

We take a look back at Randy Orton's big decision.

Nick Aldis is in his office and Randy Orton shows up.  He wants to know why he was in a tag match tonight.  Nick says that LA Knight saved Randy and Randy says he did not need saving.  He doesn't know who LA Knight is and now he has to trust him.

Nick says him and Knight both want The Bloodline and he wants to see the match.

Randy gives Nick the check for the fine and Nick says the fine was $50,000 but the check is for $100,000.

Randy says it is for next time.

We go to commercial.

We are back with a look at some of the photos from previous Tribute to the Troops.

Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.

Cody looks around and he asks what do you want to talk about.

He says he knows what they should be talking about.  He says tonight is a special night and that is why he asked to be here.  Tonight is Tribute to the Troops.  He says he is proud to be the team carrying this tradition for twenty-one years.  Cody says thanks to the servicemen and women in attendance tonight.  He thanks everyone watching at home.  

We take a look at Tribute to the Troops with a video package.

Cody says the American Nightmare can stand in this spotlight and the American Dream can stand resolute.  Cody introduces the US Army Drill Team.

Brad Nessler, who will call tomorrow's Army-Navy game, joins the commentary team.

Bobby Lashley mentions that his father served in the Army for 26 years and he follows his footsteps into the Army.  He learned about fighting for something bigger than yourself.  He thanks the troops.

Montez Ford mentions that he was in the Marines from 2008 to 2012.  He says he was honored to serve this country and use everything he was taught to be the man he is today. 

Match Number Two:  Bobby Lashley versus Karrion Kross (with Scarlett) in a First Round Match in the United States Championship Number One Contender Tournament

Kross with a knee in the corner and punches.  Lashley misses a clothesline and Kross sends Lashley into the corner and kicks him again.  Kross with an Irish whip and Bobby with an elbow and he goes for the Hurt Lock but Kross gets to the ropes.  Kross with a forearm and it knocks Bobby to the floor.  Kross tries to Irish whip Bobby into the steps but Bobby leaps over it and hits a clothesline off the steps.  Bobby with a clothesline into the corner followed by an overhead belly-to-belly suplex.  Bobby sends Kross to the floor.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Bobby with a punch but Kross with a knee and forearm.  Kross with a clothesline into the corner followed by a back elbow and a forearm.  Kross gets a near fall.  Kross with a clothesline for a near fall.  Lashley stops Kross and hits a flatliner.   Kross misses a splash and Bobby with a clothesline.  Bobby with a clothesline in the corner followed by a punch.  Bobby with a swinging neck breaker and he hits a suplex.  Bobby get Kross up but Kross escapes and he gets a knee up in the corner.  Bobby with a spinebuster.  Bobby with a spear for the three count.

WInner:  Bobby Lashley (advances to face Santos Escobar)

After the match, Montez and Angelo come out to celebrate with Bobby after his victory.

We take a look back at Kairi Sane versus Bianca Belair from last week.

Asuka is in the back preparing for her match and Bayley shows up.

Bayley apologizes for last week and she volunteers to stay in the back tonight.  Bayley suggests that they all stay in the back since this is a Wrestlemania rematch.

Dakota says it is a good idea for Bayley to stay back but they are going to be at ringside with Asuka.

We go to commercial.

Coverage Continues on Next Page

 

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