WWE TLC is broadcasted tonight via the WWE Network from Boston Massachusetts. The pay per view is sponsored by Kay Jewelers and Toys R Us. We are treated to a six match card, and nothing is mentioned regarding the kick-off bout.
First question and problem: Where are Dolph Ziggler, Tyler Breeze and Stardust? The young talent, who can wrestle their tails off, aren’t even booked or promoted on the card? Unless there will be a 6-man kick off bout. The prediction for the kickoff bout is Primetime Players, Ziggler and Neville versus Miz, Stardust, Tyler Breeze and one of the Ascension members.
Roman Reigns versus Sheamus in the TLC stipulated bout is the feature contest of the evening. Will Roman fulfill his dream? Realistically, no. This feud finally has some sizzle in it, but you know the League of Nations (especially Barrett who isn’t even on the card, and a tragedy that he isn’t) will probably interfere somehow with a Winds of Change or Wasteland of Roman through a table. Sadly, this match may not have the pizzazz in-ring like it will on paper.
Many detractors still think the limited move set and “the Rocky Miavia” push hurts Roman. It also explains why they don’t believe in him, or buy into him fully. Ironically, it should be Ambrose who should’ve been pushed. Ambrose is the better wrestler, as opposed to Roman Reigns. Some people say, based on Dean’s move-set, and not having a lineage (unlike Roman) means Dean has to work harder to get “over”; and doesn’t have a family heritage as a booster of some sort. Ambrose is the better wrestler, but has a more shallow character. But, the fans believe in Ambrose and pop more for Dean than they do for Roman. Booking error ET tu, WWE Creative? Imagine what would’ve happened at the past pay per view if a swerve occurred; having Dean beat Roman to win the vacated belt?
Perhaps, if Dean doesn’t win in his bout, we can finally see the long-awaited, long-projected heel turn of Ambrose. Ambrose has been held back for too long, and they’ve had him lose critical matches and title matches- all of which have hurt his credibility, mostly as a baby-face. A change of turns, perhaps as a heel will propel Ambrose in a higher level. Although Dean is on the Family; it would better suit him because he needs and deserves to be a singles star. He needs to stand out; and having him be a shallow character good guy and in useless tag matches is a waste of Dean’s talent. A heel turn by Dean would also build the “chase” for Roman. It would be another tried and true, aw shucks moment to better build Roman in having another mountain to conquer.
Given the proposal just indicated, Kevin Owens will defeat Dean Ambrose in the best contested bout of the evening. These guys have “it”. They have the in ring chemistry. Through many crazy bumps, high spots and false finishes should make this a hotly contested match. With Ambrose losing this match, again gives him incentive to turn heel during the Roman bout. Ambrose being the loose cannon that he is can depose the Uso’s and attack them in the back. Ambrose being the “red-headed” stepchild to Roman, where it’s all ROMAN, ROMAN, ROMAN who outshines in his “mystique and edginess” translates to Dean being the baby brother syndrome (like Bret and Owen Hart in 1994). This set up and plan can bide jealousy in Dean. It’s an easy way to aid in his heel turn versus Reigns. A heel turn and swerve would give the hook that this pay per view needs, and have fans tune in the next night on RAW.
The New Day versus Uso’s and Lucha Dragon’s is the high-light reel, lucha libre style match that makes fans pop. See to it that the Uso’s will be like Superfly Snuka, and do a daredevil splash off the ladder during a spot. The New Day is entertaining and will regain their tag team titles. It is hard to boo the New Day as heels because they are entertaining. Predictably, The Uso’s will come so close, and not win. Some shenanigans will happen where they do not get the belts. An easy way to re-create the feud and not hurt Uso’s, is to have Lucha Dragon’s take the brunt, and lose the match for both opposing teams- thus keeping Uso’s strong by not being involved in the decision.Kalisto, being the proverbial jobber will take the biggest bump and aid in a New Day victory with all the hoopla and action going on. Some sort of cheap heat and New Day “controversial” win, means a rematch clause and a “hook” for RAW on Monday night. Just a thought….
In a lame stipulation of a Tables match is true to the ECW history and hardcore elements. But in an 8-man match up, with two teams of four, it is lame. The first member of a team to go through a table means a lot must happen first and over-teasing of table use, false finishes before the actual finish. Ideally, a better executed way for this match is the old War Games cage match. Have a drawing, to drum up excitement and something fresh. Have combatants entered one on one, and intervals via the aforementioned drawing mean a member of a team enters the fray next. Let’s see the baby faces in jeopardy, and makes them all more properly built and superior when they overcome the odds.
We’ve already seen so many different tables matches, and it always ends the same. A War Games cage match with weapons around the cage is better than “just” a tables match. A Hell in the Cell wouldn’t work because it would burn out this feud too quickly, and with 8 men isn’t feasible possible to have them all in the ring at the same time; and everyone to properly digest everything and every move that 8 different guys do. But digressing, it is a tables match.
Team ECW Originals versus the quartet of Wyatt Family is this bout. Buh-Buh and Devon, the Dudley’s team up with Dreamer and Rhino, as team one. Their opposition is Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, Erick Rowan and Braun Strowman. Seeing how this is the ECW ace in the hole, and history linking the tables and one whole team- it’s predicable and easy (for Creative) to have ECW team winning it. However, a swerve, or perhaps a cage match is better suited to hype and propel the violence and excitement of pops to get people invested in this bout.
Alberto Del Rio defends his United States title in a chairs match. His opponent is Jack Swagger. Honestly, it would be nice to see interference from a new member of the Legion; and give the swerve best needed for this match. The fake teasing and break up of Colter and Mexi-America when Del Rio is still fresh with this angle, and been back for only a couple months is rather pedestrian. Seeing a fake break up does little for this match, and the combatants; as it is too simplistic Creatively. In this match, if a swerve isn’t done, or an event to make this bout memorable; then it’s a throw-away, when Creatively, could be so much better. Now, it’s only a role reversal from 2012, with Del Rio who was cheered as a Mexican champion pitting a heel Swagger. Now, switch the roles, and what has changed? Nothing.
Ideally, if a surprise element is in store- a new angle can be shot off of this match. A returning Sami Zayn who is Canadian would give the best unexpected move for this match. It gives the League a Canadian, another foreigner to properly give all “nations” covered in this faction. It is also a way for Zayn to get his feet wet on the main roster, and add a new wrinkle to Zayn. Sami’s promo would be (as a heel)
“Linking history and 1997, it was all about selfish Nationalism. Do you all remember how you all spit and jeered versus your hero Bret Hart? As a fan, as a Canadian and as a man, I never forgot that, and now I make sure you don’t either. Bret Hart was treated as coldly as an Anti-American suggests ego-centrism in America. America only cares about risks, and sending guys like me just to pop for the fans- like sheep. It was all about doing all that Sami Zayn can do to please them. While Sami Zayn was out on sabbatical, the cheers and aid stopped; and created resentment in me. While Sami here was down and out, nobody really cares about him or Canadians- it’s always about USA”.
This type of action and promo generates good heat. A heel turn means a new development for this wrestler, but also a chance to showcase his talent with a faction and on the main roster. Turning heel means he will be seen as more of a character, and with promo work- making fans notice Sami, and other aspects of Sami. It is not about just being in the ring “wrestling”. In Sami’s case (if a heel turn) he can explain how he wants to be treated fairly and not NXT cattle. Or perhaps, they could take Zayn as the “lackey” who does all the dirty work in aiding the heels in this League faction.
In other action for the women’s championship, Paige will be defeated by Charlotte. Charlotte will regain her title, and in a non-clean finish. Becky Lynch will find her way to ringside and cause Paige to lose. Perhaps she is not heeding the words of Paige? Or is this a temporary move to lull Charlotte in getting her guard down later? Who better to remove any other competition in Paige, than Becky Lynch herself? Ideally, and realistically- a smart performer would not forget all these little nuances of losing the match to Charlotte in a unscruplous manner from someone who is Lynch’s friend. So, Becky would want to stick it to Charlotte and when it hurts the most. Becky would best achieve this by eliminating all other opposition (including Bella’s in the future) and by going after Charlotte and her title, herself. This scenario makes the Women’s title bout more interesting rather than a simplistic ending, and just someone winning and the other individual losing. Furthermore, how is Team Bad, more particularly Sasha Banks so underutilized, and not even booked? They too may cause a disruption and make it a fatal four way: Of Charlotte, Paige, Becky and Sasha?
In what will be the first live PPV match, it will be a singles bout of Ryback versus Rusev. Nothing personal against the talent involved or what they do and give to perform- but why should people care about this match? What’s so special about it, and to properly give the life, the legs for fans to watch (and stay watching) this pay per view? This may be the most generic match on the show, and does little to advance either performer’s persona or logical issues as a character.
Needless to say, this pay per view must succeed. NXT is better than the primetime brands, simply put. Ideally, NXT London should’ve been tonight, on Saturday December 12th as a nice lead in, and way to drum up TLC. It should be about action and showcasing the brands, and doing the three day event for a pop, just like August Takeover and Summerslam the following night. Instead, fans have to wait and see the better show on December 16th.
Given the theme (as well as fan expectations) TLC must hit a home-run. Boston is similar to New York in the sense that we are a passionate fan base, and expect good sports, and good shows to be entertained. We, like New York crowds are honest and really let you know if things are good are bad. Hell, we in Boston boo our baseball players if they are in a slump, and razz the officials if they miss a call during a Patriots game. What should make pro rasslin any different?
In closing, this current PPV model isn’t what it used to be, and buy rates fluctuate at times; and are not as high as they should be. Ratings are in the toilet, RAW isn’t “must see” anymore. RAW is lacking compelling hooks and angles to engage casual fans, as well as any new viewers. Smackdown quite frankly is Sesame Street, and a re-hash of RAW. This PPV must hit a homerun and fulfill expectations, and exceed those in some respects. Hopefully, with the predictions as indicated here, and subsequent precipitating swerves, will make TLC a much better PPV. It is not the talent that’s bad. But over-producing, and the execution of said ideas (Creatively) are lame, and simplistic, or lacking the “hook” needed to drive a surprise element, or compelling programming as a whole.
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