On December 19, 2005, WWE hosted a special Monday Night Raw episode directly from Afghanistan, creating an emotional evening as the wrestling organization honored American troops stationed overseas. However, the WWE Raw Afghanistan Tribute Episode drew controversy after Vince McMahon’s opening remarks took a divisive approach, prompting discussions about media portrayal and the exploitation of patriotism in entertainment.
WWE’s Dedication to Entertaining U.S. Troops Overseas
The show began by acknowledging a longstanding tradition: American entertainers traveling to conflict zones to boost the morale of U.S. military personnel. WWE, aiming to continue this custom, assembled a high-profile card, but the night’s mood quickly shifted when Vince McMahon addressed the assembled soldiers. He told the troops that negative media voices in the United States had forgotten about them, positioning himself—and by extension, WWE—as their true supporters in front of a live military audience and television viewers back home.
This speech was immediately divisive, as it cast the media and war critics as unsympathetic to those serving in Afghanistan. McMahon’s words were constructed to elicit sympathy and camaraderie, but these comments were perceived by some as opportunistic, turning the soldiers’ sacrifices into a vehicle for taking shots at segments of the American public and press.
After the contentious address, McMahon introduced Lilian Garcia, who appeared in a Santa suit and performed the national anthem, offering the first of many symbolic gestures to honor the assembled troops.
Announcers and Their Roles: A Stark Contrast to Previous Years
Throughout the night, Joey Styles, one of the event’s announcers, acknowledged the privilege of calling the show from WWE studios rather than in Afghanistan, providing clarity compared to previous years in which commentary implied direct participation overseas. This more transparent approach was seen as a thoughtful adjustment, further emphasizing the show’s attempt to spotlight the troops rather than the commentators themselves.
As Lilian Garcia sang the Star Spangled Banner, the event took on a ceremonial tone, reinforcing the tribute’s purpose amidst its unfolding drama and spectacle.
Honoring and Interacting with Soldiers
Between matches, WWE aired clips showcasing their wrestlers meeting injured troops and uplifting those stationed far from home, reinforcing the company’s message of support. News stories and headlines of WWE’s visits underscored both the positive and contradictory aspects of media involvement, as McMahon’s earlier comments stood in contrast to visible press coverage of the tribute.
John Cena and Trish Stratus were highlighted visiting Afghan media members, with Cena explaining that their goal was to bring joy to U.S. forces and to bridge cultural gaps. Cena’s words captured the spirit:
“Our visit here has been spectacular,”
— John Cena, WWE Superstar. He added,
“Everybody here has been friendly. In a time of conflict and crisis, I didn’t know what to expect.”
— John Cena, WWE Superstar.
Showcasing Wrestling Action for the Troops
The WWE Raw Afghanistan Tribute Episode featured a series of matches designed to entertain the troops while maintaining the show’s storyline continuity. The night opened with Carlito facing The Big Show, with the latter dominating and celebrating with the troops post-match. Such matches were more about delivering uplifting moments for the audience than advancing in-ring rivalries.
Throughout, the style of bookings favored rapid, decisive victories, often featuring established stars overpowering their opponents. John Cena, a central figure of the night, faced Chris Masters in a match that demonstrated resilience and resolve, rallying the audience’s spirit as Cena overcame adversity for the win.
The spectacle also included a comedic holiday-themed showdown, with JBL and Mick Foley performing as rival Santas. JBL, donning a tan suit, taunted the troops with controversial declarations:
“Mr. McMahon says the world has forgotten about our troops. Well, who cares.”
— JBL, Wrestler. His persona continued to antagonize the crowd:
“Santa is cancelling everything. There will be no more holidays. I am cancelling your leave.”
— JBL, Wrestler. As the parody continued, JBL added a distinctly irreverent line:
“I am going home to room service and cold beer.”
— JBL, Wrestler. The segment blended irreverence, humor, and tributes, as Mick Foley, dressed as the ‘real’ Santa, countered with a challenge:
“I propose a no ho-ho-holds barred match where anything go-ho-ho-hos.”
— Mick Foley, Wrestler.
The Foley versus JBL match, played for laughs, was won by Foley in signature style, ending the comedic exchange on a positive note.
Celebrity Guests and Media Involvement
The episode also incorporated notable guest Rita Cosby, who traveled with WWE in Afghanistan, interviewing troops and raising pointed questions. Her journalistic presence added another dimension: military personnel recounted the ever-present danger of landmines, and soldiers reflected on sacrifices made by comrades. A cameraman from MSNBC described the camaraderie among everyone present, highlighting the shared respect that permeated the event.
The blend of media personalities, including Rita Cosby and coverage from organizations like MSNBC, further complicated McMahon’s early claims that the media had abandoned the troops, demonstrating their active participation and investment in the story unfolding in Afghanistan.
Further Matches and Entertaining Moments
The action progressed with matches such as Gene Snitsky defeating Shelton Benjamin, punctuating the evening with hard-hitting displays. Jerry Lawler and Joey Styles, serving as commentators, hyped a marquee confrontation between John Cena and Chris Masters, which ended in victory for Cena after resilience and signature moves.
The voice of Maria echoed the mood, noting the importance of bringing joy to the military audience—a theme that was reinforced throughout the broadcast. Soldiers expressed their gratitude, holding signs for loved ones and the cameras, as John Cena remarked:
“They’re the heros, because without them, we’ve got nothing,”
— John Cena, WWE Superstar.
The card continued with Ric Flair, introduced by Coach, who referred to Flair’s declining career. In a brief but memorable exchange, Flair kept his words to a minimum:
“I have but one word for you. Whoo!”
— Ric Flair, Wrestler. Flair quickly defeated Coach, adding another celebratory moment for the troops in attendance.
Women Wrestlers and Audience Reactions
The show included a tag team match starring Candice Michelle and Maria against Trish Stratus and Ashley. Joey Styles noted the anticipated interest from the servicemen:
“This may be the favorite match of these servicemen.”
— Joey Styles, WWE Commentator. The match itself featured visual comedy and showmanship, underscoring WWE’s approach to entertaining this particular live audience.
Beyond the spectacle, a tribute package honored soldiers who had saved lives and reflected on those lost in combat, adding gravity and genuine emotion to the entertainment-focused night.
Main Event Spotlight: Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H
The climax of the evening featured Shawn Michaels facing Triple H in a main event that energized the crowd with dramatic wrestling action both inside and outside the ring. The match saw intense back-and-forth offense, accidental referee knockouts, and dramatic crowd participation. Michaels ultimately secured victory with a well-executed superkick, prompting Lawler to offer a poignant summary:
“Michaels was the winner in the match, but we’ve all been winners tonight,”
— Jerry Lawler, WWE Commentator.
Joey Styles echoed the sentiment, closing with:
“It has been an honor to pay tribute to our troops.”
— Joey Styles, WWE Commentator.
Music, Closing Scenes, and Final Messages
The show ended with a music video montage chronicling the journey of the WWE crew, including candid scenes of travel, camaraderie, and continued interactions with the troops. Vince McMahon appeared once more at the finale, declaring, in his signature style, that America stands behind the soldiers, a message intended to unite and inspire, yet shaded by his earlier divisive remarks.
Despite the turbulent start, the WWE Raw Afghanistan Tribute Episode ultimately focused on the admiration and support for the soldiers serving overseas, concluding on a powerful emotional note, even as debates continued about patriotism, entertainment, and media coverage during wartime.
