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WWE cancels major show after two decades - Reports

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Vince McMahon and WWE will always be synonymous. The company may have distanced itself from the former chairman, but the billionaire will forever be linked to the largest wrestling company in the world as many events, gimmicks, match types, and other features were created by McMahon himself. Sources are now revealing another signature event that is being done away with in the new era.

JBL came up with the idea for Tribute to the Troops, and Mr. McMahon loved it. The co-creators presented the first TTTT on Christmas 2003, taped from Camp Victory in Iraq. It aired as RAW and SmackDown specials until the first standalone special in 2008. Vince made it a point to bring the tapings to troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan until the events were moved to the United States in 2010, at or near military bases. WWE made a big deal out of Tribute to the Troops, with Vince and the superstars taking time to visit army hospitals, soldiers' families, and so on.

WWE's last Tribute to the Troops aired live on December 8, 2023, as a special SmackDown episode from Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island. The holiday season came and went this year with no announcement on Tribute to the Troops. Word now is that World Wrestling Entertainment has quietly nixed the fan-favorite tradition created by McMahon and Layfield.

Multiple sources have now reported that WWE has quietly done away with Tribute to the Troops. Fightful Select adds that this was largely a McMahon project, and when he was on his way out of power, the format and feeling surrounding TTTT changed greatly.

WWE currently has no plans to continue the Tribute to the Troops specials. It was noted that this is something the company could resume down the line, especially if there's a big upside to bringing the concept back. While nothing is confirmed for the future, it was reiterated that officials will bring TTTT back if they see the benefit of doing so.

The Wrestling God created the Tribute to the Troops concept, then the former chairman continued the tradition for more than two decades. TTTT was described as being very important to Vince and JBL and something they wanted to do each year.

WWE held 21 Tribute to the Troops episodes, with only one never making it to air - the 2019 edition from two Marine Corps bases in Jacksonville, NC. The inaugural event in 2003 was headlined by John Cena defeating Big Show, while the finale in 2023 featured LA Knight and Randy Orton defeating Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso in the main event.

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