Patriotism and resilience are often key elements in how a nation recovers from tragedy. For America, one of the most impactful tragedies in modern history was the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In the wake of this devastating event, the country came together in unity and strength, and for many, media, especially television, served as a much-needed form of escapism. WWE Hall of Famer John “Bradshaw” Layfield (JBL) became a central figure in bringing joy to the U.S. troops who fought for the country’s honor post-9/11. His annual Tribute to the Troops event became a heartfelt tradition, aimed at offering lighthearted entertainment and a sense of comfort to the military during the holiday season.
In a recent interview on the Something To Wrestle podcast, JBL detailed how the idea for the Tribute to the Troops event came to life, outlining the role he played alongside WWE’s former CEO Vince McMahon and Bruce Prichard in making the show a reality.
The Catalyst: 9/11
JBL recalls that the idea for Tribute to the Troops was birthed from the shock of the September 11, 2001 attacks. On that fateful day, WWE was in Houston, and the world seemed to stop. As the events unfolded, WWE’s scheduled programming was canceled, and the company — like the rest of the world — reeled from the impact of the tragedy. But even amid the chaos, there was a sense of resolve to not let the terrorists win.
JBL explained, “The origin was 9/11,” adding, “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.”
The company moved forward with a defiant stance, sending a clear message that, despite the challenges, WWE would continue on.
A Commitment to the Troops:
JBL’s commitment to the military became even more evident as WWE made its first visit to Ground Zero in 2003, just two years after the attacks. This trip, which came at a time when many Americans were still grieving, was a pivotal moment in JBL’s journey toward creating the Tribute to the Troops show.
“Right after 9/11… WWE was the first group to go down to Ground Zero,” JBL recalled. “I was watching this stuff on the news, and I thought, ‘Man, I just want to go help.’ 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 initiative to take WWE to Ground Zero was one of the driving forces behind the creation of the Tribute to the Troops event, and from that moment on, WWE made a concerted effort to show its support for the U.S. military.
Tribute to the Troops’ Cancellation:
Despite its initial success and warm reception from service members and viewers, Tribute to the Troops was ultimately canceled. According to renowned pro wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer, WWE is now preparing for the debut of its longest-running flagship show, Raw, on Netflix, which is set to premiere on January 6, 2025. The move marks a shift in WWE’s focus, as the company is now under the ownership of Endeavor, part of TKO Group Holdings, and the creative direction has changed.
The last Tribute to the Troops special aired as part of WWE SmackDown on December 23, 2023. Since then, the event has officially been canceled, signaling the end of a beloved tradition for many fans and troops alike.
Conclusion:
JBL’s deep sense of duty to help the U.S. military following the 9/11 attacks led to the creation of Tribute to the Troops, an event that became an iconic part of WWE’s annual programming. The show’s goal was always to bring some light into the lives of those serving in the armed forces, and its impact will be remembered for years to come. As WWE embarks on new ventures under new leadership, the cancellation of Tribute to the Troops marks the end of an era. However, JBL’s efforts to honor the military and bring joy to those who serve will always be an important part of WWE’s history.
If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit Something To Wrestle With Bruce Prichard with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.