– Saturday night’s 1-hour WWE Tribute To The Troops special on NBC drew only 1.3 million viewers, a sharp decline from what the show has drawn in recent years. The show put NBC in last place among the major networks for the 9pm (EST) hour, well behind CBS, ABC & FOX.

To get an idea of how bad the viewership has declined from previous years, here are the ratings for WWE’s Tribute to the Troops NBC special since 2009:

2012: 1.3 million
2011: 2.1 million
2010: 2.3 million
2009: 2.4 million

– Here’s the latest installment of WWE’s “Are You Serious?” YouTube series, featuring Holiday #garbagejuice:

Why is Goldust dressed like a Christmas tree? Watch the painful clip in this week’s edition of “Are You Serious?” Plus, find out what Road Dogg got Josh Mathews this holiday season, only on WWE on YouTube!

* News On Former WWE Superstars Returning In Time For The ROYAL RUMBLE

– The Miami Herald is reporting that The Rock has been officially added to the first two WWE television tapings of 2013.

The Rock will be appearing on the January 7th edition of WWE RAW from Tampa, Florida. That show will also feature CM Punk defending the WWE Championship against Ryback in a TLC match.

The Rock will also be appearing at the following night’s SmackDown tapings from his hometown of Miami, Florida (airing 1/11).

* New Pictures of The Rock’s Smokin’ Hot Girlfriend

– Last night’s WWE Tribute to the Troops 10th anniversary special on the USA Network drew 2.34 million viewers. By comparison, Tuesday night’s Super SmackDown show drew 3.33 million viewers.

(Source: PWInsider.com)

WWE legend Mick Foley spoke with the official website of Marvel Comics to promote tonight’s Tribute To The Troops show on the USA Network. Here are some highlights of what Foley said about:

WWE’s Tribute to the Troops Special:: It’s changed a lot in that we’re doing them in the U.S. as opposed to overseas. It’s a major difference. By doing it in the U.S. we’re able to show our support, have a great time, and not put the guys who are on the road full time through quite as much.

His Favorite Tribute to the Troops Moment: “I think my favorite moment was announcing that we have been signing a lot of autographs and that it was time for them to sign some autographs for me. So I threw a t-shirt out into the crowd for them to sign, and an hour later it made its way back into the locker room covered. It was like a work of art. It just had hundreds of signatures in every conceivable place. After holding on to it for several years, I thought that it really should be displayed at WWE headquarters. So I sent it along and I believe it’s framed and hanging there. But I also had the chance dressing up as Santa to vanquish the bad Santa Claus who turned out to be JBL in a Santa’s toy match where I ended up pummeling [him] with an oversized sack. A match so bad it was good.

Foley also talked about comic books and which WWE superstars he would pit comic book hero Captain America against.

* Pictures of MARK HENRY’s Amazing Weight Loss

Tonight on the USA Network, WWE presents the 10th Annual Tribute To The Troops special.

* John Cena vs. United States champion Antonio Cesaro.

* Big Show & Dolph Ziggler vs. Sheamus & Randy Orton.

* Ryback vs. Alberto Del Rio.

* Team Hell No & R-Truth vs. 3MB.

* The Miz vs. Damien Sandow.

* Divas Champion Eve Torres vs. Layla.

* Sin Cara, Great Khali, Brodus Clay & Hornswoggle vs. Tensai, David Otunga, Primo & Epico.

Plus, The Miz hosts Miz TV with his guest, Kermit the Frog and there will be musical performances by Kid Rock and Flo Rida.

John Cena and Sheamus participated in a meida conference call on Thursday to promote next week’s WWE’s Tribute to The Troops specials on USA Network and NBC. Here are some highlights of what John Cena said about:

WWE’s Shift to Family-Friendly Programming: “Our programming has changed so much over the years. I started in 2002, our programming was more TV-14, edgy, anti-hero based, more conflict-hero based. Since then, I think our programming has made a turn for the better into more of a PG environment. All of our programming platform-wise is PG.”

“The reason is simply because the people who attend our events. More families began to attend and more children began to attend. When you have those young and youthful eyes looking at you, you know you’re global, you tend to have choices to make. Me being portrayed as a good guy on our programming, it was an obvious choice. I wanted to do my best to use my TV time to set good examples.”

His Match Against Antonio Cesaro: “I’ll be competing in a match, and the great thing about our Tribute to the Troops show – whether in its extended form on USA or abbreviated form on NBC – it’s a great watch. It’s not something that you necessarily have to be up-to-date on all the WWE storylines or all the plots. It really is just a general entertaining program, which is why we have a guest host in the Muppets or musical guests. I, myself, am in a singles match against our current United States champion Antonio Cesaro.”

* SPOILERS For Next Week’s TRIBUTE TO THE TROOPS Special

(Credit to PWTorch.com for the transcript)

– Kane may have tweaked his knee at Sunday’s WWE Tribute To The Troops tapings from Norfolk, VA. Several fans who were in attendance sent in word that Kane appeared to stumble as he made his entrance. Kane teamed with Daniel Bryan and R-Truth vs. 3MB and is not expected to miss any ring time.

*Spoilers* WWE Tribute To The Troops Tapings Results

– ECW original Justin Credible was backstage at Tuesday night’s SmackDown taping from Bridgeport, Connecticut.

– Here’s the latest episode of WWE Inbox:

What’s the most awkward topic to come up on a date? See what Kaitlyn and her fellow Superstars had to say in this edition of “WWE Inbox.”

(Partial Source: PWInsider.com)

The following are tweets from WWE Superstars and Divas regarding Sunday night’s WWE Tribute To The Troops special from Norfolk, Virginia, premiering December 19th on the USA Network:

John Cena: “Wonderful weekend at Naval Station Norfolk. Thanks to all involved. Steel horse headed to Newark for @WWE #Raw”

Zack Ryder: “Tonight we filmed Tribute to the Troops! #TTTT It was SSSIIICCCKKK!”

Eve Torres: “Had such a fun time at #tributetothetroops! It was an honor to spend the weekend with the men and women that serve our great nation.”

Lilian Garcia: “Backstage in Norfolk, VA 4 the @WWE #TTTT show! Sooo excited to have sang the anthem 4 such brave men&women in our armed forces! #Honored”

Kofi Kingston: “Tribute to the Troops was great tonight. You’ll enjoy it when it airs. Eyes now set on Newark. #RAW”

Rosa Mendes: “At Tribute To The #Troops, Kid Rock is singing his heart out! Loving it! Don’t miss it, it airs Wednesday December 19 at 9pm ET on the USA Network”

Here are spoiler results from Sunday night’s WWE Tribute to the Troops taping from Norfolk, Virginia. Thanks to reader Donald Keimig.

The special airs Wednesday, December 19th at 9 PM on the USA Network and Saturday, December 22nd at 9 PM on NBC.

* Lillian Garcia opened the show with the National Anthem

* Kid Rock did a set of 5 songs.

* Michael Cole and JBL are the announce team and Justin Roberts is the ring announcer.

* Sheamus and Randy Orton team up against Dolph Ziggler and The Big Show. Orton and Sheamus are the winners. Randy hits RKO on Big Show followed by a Brogue Kick from Sheamus.

* Ryback vs. Alberto Del Rio is up next. Ryback wins via disqualification with interference from Ricardo Rodriguez. Ryback hits Shellshocked on both.

* Kane, Daniel Bryan and R-Truth vs Heath Slater, Drew McIntyre and Jinder Mahal. Team Hell No and R-Truth win when R-Truth hit his finisher on Heath Slater.

* Miz TV with the The Muppets is next. The Miz wants to know if Kermit truly loves Ms. Piggy. Damien Sandow interrupts and Miz challenges him.

* The Miz vs. Damien Sandow. Miz wins with roll up.

* Layla vs. Eve Torres non title match. Layla wins with her kick to the head.

* Primo, Epico, Tensai and David Otunga vs. Brodus Clay, Sin Cara, The Great Khali and Hornswoggle. The faces win with Hornswoggle’s tadpole splash.

* Flo-Rida next with 4 songs.

* John Cena vs. Antonio Cesaro in a non-title match for the main event. Cena wins with the Attitude Adjustment.

* At the conclusion, all the Superstars came on stage while Cena thanked the Military for their service. Santa Claus came out in a sleigh with Superstars dressed as reindeer. The Usos, Zack Ryder, PTP, Santino Marella, Justin Gabriel and Yoshi Tatsu were reindeer. I think Mick Foley was Santa but I couldn’t tell from where I was seated. Triple H was present but only made an appearance at the conclusion. I saw John Laurinaitis, Dean Malenko, Road Dogg, Micheal Hayes during the conclusion as well. Other superstars at the conclusion were AJ Lee, Kaitlyn, Ted DiBiase, Alicia Fox and others.

– Jey and Jimmy Uso have their sights set on making history in WWE. Saturday on Twitter, the twin duo vowed, “We will be the first brothers to hold separate titles and Tag titles at the same time!! Mark our words!!! #HISTORY #USOOO.”

– WWE will tape its annual Tribute to the Troops event tonight in Norfolk, Virginia at the Norfolk Scope Arena. Free tickets are available for active members of the military.

– On the latest episode of the “JBL and Michael Cole Show,” John “Bradshaw” Layfield and Michael Cole disown professional sports. The synopsis reads, “Watch the latest episode of the hilarious, new “JBL & Cole Show,” as “The Wrestling God” and one of the most outspoken announcers in WWE history lay down their views on the worst owners in professional sports and the Tout of the week – featuring a certain cowboy-hat-wearing former WWE Champion!”

– WWE will be taping this year’s “Tribute To The Troops” show tomorrow night from the Norfolk Scope Arena in Virginia. Tickets are still available to active members of the military.

– HamptonRoads.com has an article up looking at John Cena, Eve Torres and other WWE stars visiting with wounded sailors and Marines at the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center in Virginia this week.

– Over the past few weeks, there has been a push from several WWE main event stars for the company to re-hire former mid-card talents that were released in the past but were considered quality workers. With the WWE roster stretched very thin and WWE looking to groom a fresh crop of young stars, management is expected to begin reaching out to the former superstars in the coming weeks.

COMMENT BELOW and tell us which former WWE mid-carters you want to see brought back. John Morrison? Carlito? Chris Masters?

– Here is the latest episode of WWE Backstage Fallout:

(Partial Source: PWInsider.com)

WWE’s Vince McMahon, The Miz, R-Truth, Eve Torres and Layla are currently overseas visiting United States troops stationed abroad in the Middle East. Footage from the trip will air during WWE’s 10th annual Tribute To The Troops show. The two-hour show will premiere on the USA Network on Wednesday night, December 19th (9pm EST), with a one-hour version airing that weekend, Saturday, December 22nd (9pm EST).

Layla tweeted the following picture of the WWE crew on board a US Navy vessel –

– WWE.com has published a list of “15 Strange (But True) WWE Facts.

– The AMC television channel has published the following bonus footage from WWE Champion CM Punk’s appearance on Sunday night’s “Talking Dead” show.

– This year’s WWE Tribute to the Troops taping will take place on December 9th from from the Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. Tickets for the event will be given to military personnel and their families stationed at the following locations:

* Naval Station Norfolk
* Naval Air Station Oceana
* Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek/Fort Story
* Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads
* Naval Medical Center Portsmouth
* Norfolk Naval Shipyard
* Naval Weapons Station Yorktown.

WWE is taping the special from the Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, VA on 12/9/12. Celebrities appearing at this year’s 10th annual Tribute to the Troops show include Kid Rock, Flo Rida and the Muppets.

– WWE.com is reporting that at 372 days, CM Punk has now surpassed “Macho Man” Randy Savage’s 1988-1989 WWF title reign, which ended at WrestleMania 5 at 371 days. Punk tweeted this morning:

Randy Savage. #respect

— player/coach (@CMPunk) November 26, 2012

CM Punk now has the 6th longest WWE title reign in history. Punk’s next milestone will be on December 4th, when he’ll tie John Cena’s 380-day reign. Once he surpasses that, he’ll have the longest WWE title reign since Hulk Hogan’s 4-year reign in the 1980’s.

WWE Diva Eve Torres tweeted on Thursday night that she’s heading to the Middle East to visit United States troops stationed overseas:

Heading out on a redeye to NY then on to the Middle East to visit our troops! I'm excited to visit and express America's gratitude!

— Eve Torres Gracie (@EveTorresGracie) November 23, 2012

As previously reported, Eve will be joined by Vince McMahon, The Miz, R-Truth and Layla. Footage of their visit will be shown on WWE’s upcoming Tribute to the Troops special

– Speaking of Eve Torres, she appears in this new video from The Combos Files, where she samples pumpkin pie flavored Combos:

WWE issued the following press release concerning their annual Tribute to the Troops holiday special on USA Network and NBC. Among those announced to appear at the event are Disney’s The Muppets, Kid Rock and Flo Rida.

KID ROCK, DISNEY’S THE MUPPETS AND FLO RIDA JOIN WWE®’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF “TRIBUTE TO THE TROOPS” HOLIDAY SPECIAL

STAMFORD, Conn., November 12, 2012 – WWE (NYSE:WWE), USA Network and NBC will honor the United States Armed Forces with its 10th annual holiday special, WWE Tribute to the Troops presented by Slim Jim. The 10th anniversary holiday extravaganza will air as a two-hour television special on Wednesday, December 19 at 9/8C on USA Network and as a one-hour television special on Saturday, December 22 at 9/8C on NBC.

WWE Tribute to the Troops has become a holiday tradition and is considered TV’s most patriotic and heartwarming show. In the grand tradition of Bob Hope, the holiday special will feature performances by Grammy Award-nominated, international superstars Kid Rock and Flo Rida, and WWE’s biggest Superstars and Divas for thousands of military personnel and their families at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, VA.

The show will also feature appearances by Disney’s The Muppets, Access Hollywood and NBC Sports’ Michelle Beadle and more. Kid Rock and Flo Rida join a renowned list of legendary performers who have entertained at WWE Tribute to the Troops including Mary J. Blige, Nickelback, Sean “Diddy” Combs’ group Diddy – Dirty Money and Trace Adkins.

WWE is proud to have worked jointly with Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell in selecting Navy installations in the Norfolk, VA area for this annual celebration.

“We are excited to host WWE Tribute to the Troops in the Norfolk and Hampton Roads area,” said Governor Bob McDonnell. “Virginia has long been committed to supporting our troops and this is another opportunity to thank them for their service. We are home to 125,000 active duty members, 830,000 veterans and so many military families. Naval Station Norfolk is the crown jewel of the United States Navy and it’s important to pay tribute to and salute the brave men and women of the military and their families who serve our country. It’s great to see that the WWE has chosen Virginia as the place to continue this holiday tradition.”

“This is a proud moment for WWE to once again recognize America’s servicemen and women as part of the 10th anniversary of WWE Tribute to the Troops,” said Vince McMahon, Chairman and CEO, WWE. “We are honored to bring our unique brand of family-friendly entertainment to those who have sacrificed so much for our country.”

This trip marks the 10th consecutive year that WWE will bring its one-of-a-kind entertainment to our service men and women to thank them for their commitment to the country and recognition of their sacrifices. WWE Superstars and Divas will spend the weekend doing activities designed to give back to sailors and their families including a Be a STAR anti-bullying rally and hospital visits as well as spending time with our servicemen and women.

WWE Tribute to the Troops will also chronicle WWE’s goodwill visit to our troops overseas. WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon, WWE Superstars The Miz® and R-Truth and WWE Divas Eve and Layla will travel overseas to spread some much needed holiday cheer to the men and women serving our country far from home during the holiday season.

– NBC will broadcast a shortened, one-hour version of WWE’s Tribute to The Troops show on December 22nd at 9PM.

– David Otunga will be appearing on the November 4th episode of Oprah’s Life Class on her OWN network.

– Here is a video of John Cena answering fan questions from the WWE Hell in a Cell pre-show:

* Rumored Top Matches For SURVIVOR SERIES, What’s Next For RYBACK & More

– The USA Network will be airing 3 straight nights of WWE programming in December:

* December 17th (8-11pm EST): WWE Monday Night RAW
* December 18th (8-10pm EST): Live WWE SmackDown Special
* December 19th (9-11pm EST): WWE Tribute To The Troops

– Sut Jhally, the writer and director of “Wrestling with Manhood: Boys, Bullying, and Battering” says that WWE’s Attitude Era under then CEO Linda McMahon was “disastrous for culture,” saying it taught millions of young males that to be a real man, you have to be “abusive, degrading, and disrespectful to women.”

Jhally, a communications professor at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, says he did not produce the documentary for political reasons but believes that McMahon should be held accountable for WWE’s influence on society during her time with the company.

— WWE has rescinded their contract offer to Ring of Honor star Chris Hero after results from his drug test showed elevated testosterone levels, according to a report at Wrestling News World. We’ll be be looking into this story today and will follow up when we’ve got an update.

— WWE will hold a Raw live event in Moscow, Russia on April 11, 2012 at Luzhniki Small Sports Arena.

— WWE.com has posted footage of Nickelback performing “Animal” at Tribute to the Troops.

— WWE: Greatest Superstars of the 21st Century, which was released last July on DVD, will air on iN DEMAND pay-per-view during January.

– Tuesday night’s Tribute to the Troops special on USA drew a 1.93 rating with 2.77 million viewers. Unlike RAW’s recent trend of losing viewership throughout the show, Tribute to the Troops started off with 2.75 million viewers in the first hour and rose to 2.78 million in hour two.

By comparison, last year’s Troops special – which aired on a Wednesday night, did a 2.0 rating with 3.01 million viewers.

• Backstage Pictures From WWE’s Tribute to The Troops Taping

– WWE announced a new executive hire on Wednesday. Andrew Judelson will be WWE’s new Executive Vice President of Sales & Partnership Marketing, effective January 2, 2012. Judelson, previously a senior executive from Sports Illustrated Group, the NHL and most recently U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA), will be “a key member of WWE’s senior management team and responsible for all sales and key marketing partnerships for the company including talent endorsement deals.”

To read the full press release, head over to MarketWatch.com.

WWE taped Tuesday night’s Tribute to the Troops special on Sunday night from Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Check out this gallery of pictures from the event:

Tribute To The Troops

Credit to SEScoops.com readers Byron and Angela for the following spoilers from Sunday night’s WWE Tribute to the Troops tapings in Fayetteville, North Carolina. These will air December 14th on the USA Network and December 17th on NBC.

Backstage Pictures From WWE’s Tribute to The Troops Taping

* The Crown Coliseum was just about packed to the max and the crowd was hot all night.

* The dark match was Santino Marella beating Jinder Mahal who played the heel to the Troops.

* Lilian Garcia stunned everyone with the Star Spangled Banner to open the show.

* After a Troops video package, Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett kicked off the show. David Otunga ran in and attacked Orton, causing the DQ. Barrett set up a table but left before he could use it. Orton RKO’d Otunga and then put him through the table.

* Another nice Troops video.

* Zack Ryder, who had Sgt. Slaughter in his corner beat Jack Swagger. Slaughter ended up throwing Dolph Ziggler over the announcer’s table.

* Booker T joined Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole on commentary.

* Cody Rhodes and Daniel Bryan fought until Booker T interered. Booker attacked Cody and then did a Spin-A-Rooni to a big ovation.

* Mary J. Blige performed a few songs and the crowd loved it.

* Maria Menounos, Eve Torres, Kelly Kelly and Alicia Fox beat The Bella Twins, Natalya and Beth Phoenix in the usual Divas match. Menounos got the pin on Beth.

* Primo and Epico with Rosa Mendes beat Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston in a non-title match.

* Sheamus defeated Drew McIntyre. Into the match, Sheamus wouldn’t stop beating on Drew so the referee disqualified him. They kept filming and Sheamus brought Drew back in the ring, hit the Brogue Kick and got the pin for the win.

* Nickelback was the next performance and they did the RAW theme song.

* Rey Mysterio appeared backstage to a big pop. He says he can’t compete. Alberto Del Rio and The Miz walk in. They went on about TLC when CM Punk walked in to chat with Rey.

* Comedian George Wallace performed next. We weren’t sure if this will air on TV but it was good.

* Big Show, John Cena and CM Punk beat The Miz, Alberto Del Rio and Mark Henry in the main event. Del Rio drove his car into the arena and John Cena got one of the biggest reactions I’ve ever heard at a WWE event. Cena also got the pin for his team.

After the main event the entire roster came out to the stage and the ring. Triple H and BG James, among others, were there but we couldn’t spot any of the McMahon family. Cena closed the show with a speech about the Troops.

— SmackDown Diva Lilian Garcia has released her first music video, U Drive Me Loca. The video, which was shot in August in Los Angeles, California, features appearances by former WWE Divas Candice Michelle and Torrie Wilson.

To see it, click here.

— Rey Mysterio, who has been sidelined since August due to knee surgery, is reportedly scheduled for this weekend’s Tribute to the Troops festivities.

— WWE Classics On Demand has not aired advertised shows due to legal reasons, notably two episodes of Prime Time Wrestling from June 1989, a September 10, 1988 house show, as well as events emanating from Madison Square Garden.

source: F4WOnline.com

NBC TO AIR “WWE TRIBUTE TO THE TROOPS,” FEATURING MARY J. BLIGE, NICKELBACK, MARIA MENOUNOS, GEORGE WALLACE AND MISS USA ALYSSA CAMPANELLA ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17 AT 9 P.M. ET

NBC will join forces with the WWE once again to honor the United States Armed Forces with the fourth annual holiday telecast of “WWE Tribute to the Troops.” This year, WWE’s biggest Superstars, Divas and special guest stars, will travel to Fort Bragg, North Carolina for the hour-long special airing Saturday, December 17 at 9 p.m. on NBC.

In the grand tradition of Bob Hope, the most patriotic holiday special of the year will feature performances by Grammy Award winning R&B sensation Mary J. Blige, Multi-platinum rock band Nickelback, comedian George Wallace, and WWE’s biggest Superstars and Divas for thousands of Fort Bragg military personnel and their families at the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, NC.

Miss USA, Alyssa Campanella will make a special appearance along with Extra’s Maria Menounos, who will lace up her boots and step into the ring for a special Diva’s match.

The special will also include messages of encouragement and thanks from various celebrities such as Matthew McConaughey, Hugh Jackman, The Muppets, Robin Williams, Bradley Cooper and Nicole Kidman among others.

In keeping with the spirit of “WWE Tribute to the Troops” and bringing a little piece of Americana to service men and women overseas, the special will also chronicle WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon and Superstars Kofi Kingston, Brie Bella and Nikki Bella’s goodwill visit to troops in Afghanistan.

This trip marks the ninth consecutive year that WWE will bring its Bob Hope inspired entertainment to our service men and women to thank them for their commitment to the country and recognition of their sacrifices.

— This year’s WWE Tribute to the Troops event will not be open to the public when it takes place December 11 in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Only military personnel will be permitted to attend the event, which is why it has not been publicized. Last year’s event at Ft. Hood in Killeen, Texas was open to the public as a free show.

— Shelly Martinez will be participating in shooting for a television pilot next week in Las Vegas, California.

She tweeted, “OMG got a pilot to shoot next week in VEGAS!!!!!!!!! Details soon ;) #kayfabe.”

— Chris Jericho turns 41 years old today while Nick Patrick turns 52.

source: PWInsider.com

— NBC announced their lineup of holiday programming for 2011 and it’s noted that WWE’s annual Tribute the Troops special will air Saturday, December 17 from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. EST.

The press release states: “The network will once again honor the United States armed forces as World Wrestling Entertainment in conjunction with NBC, will air the fourth annual holiday special ‘WWE Tribute to the Troops.'”

— Big Show is currently in Japan promoting WWE’s upcoming Raw live events at the Yokohama Arena. He participated in an interview with wwe.co.jp and discussed his return to the ring, whether he prefers competing as a singles wrestler or in a tag team, his favorite Japanese food, and more.

— WWE Hall of Famers Pat Patterson and Tito Santana have been added to K & S Wrestlefest, which takes place Saturday, December 3 at the Ramada Philadelphia Airport 76 Industrial Hwy. Essington, Pennsylvania.