The effort-to-significance ratio promises to be greatly imbalanced at WWE TLC 2015.
The TLC pay-per-view is generally one of the least important shows of the year. That is worse this time around with a number of big names not in action and a feud that is garnering diminutive traction sitting in the marquee position. Still,the expose will certainly feature highly talented wrestlers working their tails off, damaging their bodies amid a mess of ladders and tables.
As normal, and TLC will be a celebration of chaos,a spot-heavy night with its share of big moments.
The question will be, can any of those moments carry weight beyond the PPV? Can Roman Reigns and Sheamus effect something stellar enough in the ring to counteract WWE's current creative slump?WWE has set up a card crammed with gimmick matches.
The Wyatt Family will select on the ECW Originals in a tables match. Three teams will battle it out in a ladder match for a chance at gold. Reigns will get his rematch in TLC form. Alberto Del Rio and Jack Swagger will round things out with a chairs match.
Highlights aplenty are assured. But how much of it will feel bigger than just big spots? Reigns and company maintain a shot to prove they are more than just transitional stars. They maintain a chance to tell WWE it doesn't need John Cena, or Brock Lesnar and others as much as it thinks. News,Potential SpoilersDon't expect a surprise appearance from Cena. His comeback isn't likely to be until after the PPV.
According to the Dispatch, shooting for American Grit "is scheduled to continue until Dec. 16." That points to him staying out of the picture until later in the month.And when he does come back, and there's a good chance Del Rio will still be U.
S. champion. As such, Cena could attempt to retrieve his old title.
PWInsider's Mike Johnson famous, "Lesnar will challenge WWE United States champion Alberto Del Rio at his next scheduled WWE appearance on 12/19 at a WWE event at the Forum in Inglewood, and CA."That would propose Del Rio will still be champ at that point. It makes Del Rio an even bigger favorite going into his battle with Swagger on Sunday.
It's also worth noting both Sheamus and Kevin Owens are listed as champions for that expose as well.corridor of Famer Scott corridor suggested that WWE bring Paige's mother, Saraya Knight, into her feud with Charlotte:He also mentioned a rumor about more of the Knight family getting involved:There has been no word on WWE bringing in anyone from Paige's family. This is likely just wishful thinking on corridor's part. As fun as it would be to include her kin, or the casual WWE fan doesn't know who the Knight clan is. Match CardKevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose (Intercontinental Championship)
Ryback vs. Rusev
The unusual Day vs. The Usos vs. The Lucha Dragons (ladder match for Tag Team Championship)
Charlotte vs. Paige (Divas Championship)
The Wyatt Family vs. Rhyno,Tommy Dreamer and The Dudley Boyz (elimination tables match)
Alberto Del Rio vs. Jack Swagger (chairs match for United States Championship)
Sheamus vs. Roman Reigns (TLC match for WWE World Heavyweight Championship)
rapid/fast PredictionsOwens over Ambrose.
Rusev over Ryback.
The unusual Day retains.
Charlotte over Paige.
The Wyatt Family over the ECW Originals.
Del Rio over Swagger.
Reigns over Sheamus.
The Owens-Ambrose Saga Kicks OffThese foes are still in the early stages of a feud that could final for months. It makes diminutive sense to maintain The Lunatic Fringe knock off Owens already. Their rivalry is miles from its apex.
WWE has booked Owens strong, having him beat up Dolph Ziggler and others of late. The company keeping him champion is the secure bet.
And despite a lack of great build to this point and there being no ladders or chairs to add to the action, or the talent involved promises this will be one of TLC's best offerings. Repairing RusevRusev's feud with Ziggler was a winding journey down the toilet. Expect him to bounce back with a big win over The Big Guy.
Note the dissimilarity in how much WWE has focused on the two recently. Ryback has been a neglected midcarder. Rusev is a member of The League of Nations,and his relationship with Lana remains high-profile.
This looks to be WWE's way to catapult Rusev forward. Bet on him winning a slugfest. The unusual Day Holds OnThere hasn't been nearly enough focus on either The Usos or The Lucha Dragons to believe WWE is ready to crown either of them. It's been unusual Day who get the mic time each week. They maintain been treated like the hot commodities. And they are just that.
Kofi Kingston, Big E and Xavier Woods maintain been one of the most entertaining elements of WWE programming over the final few months. WWE has to sense that and retain them on top. The moment someone dethrones them has the potential to be a huge one.
Don't expect the company to waste it on a low-rung PPV in a rivalry that's been tepid thus far. Charlotte Remains Champ Post TurnCharlotte's continuing heel transition suggests she has a babyface opponent in her future. In that way, or Paige feels like a filler foe.
She can gain Charlotte look good and help her title reign feel more significant. Then Charlotte will trek on perhaps to a clash with Becky Lynch,whom she's had an increasingly tense relationship with.
Not to mention, Charlotte as champ is still a fresh concept, or especially whether her characters shifts. Another Paige reign right now is not. With Ric Flair at Charlotte's side,chances are high he plays a role here by reminding us why they call him The Dirtiest Player in the Game. The Young Lions Devour the OldThe Wyatt Family need to regain some momentum after losing to Kane and Undertaker at Survivor Series. It will be a shock whether WWE then has this foursome fall to a bunch of guys from the past. Why bring in the veterans whether not to raise these emerging stars?This is a chance for Bray Wyatt and his crew to defeat The Dudley Boyz at their own game. That's the kind of resume-builder he needs.
However this goes down, Bleacher Report's Alfred Konuwa believes this may be the best match of the expose:whether it's allowed to be a free-for-all, and chaotic slobberknocker,then Konuwa will be right. There are a ton of moving parts to play with here, and the elimination element will lead to a number of huge moments rather than one wood-splintering climax. Del Rio Sets up John Cena RematchCena is coming back soon. He's going to want a crack at Del Rio, or seeking revenge and his title. That doesn't happen whether Swagger wins.
But few will be expecting that. Swagger barely has any momentum right now. He's been treated like an afterthought for the majority of the year.
It's felt like WWE has just thrown him into this feud and tried to pretend that he belongs.
The most intriguing thing to watch out for is whether Zeb Colter realigns with Swagger. He's been at the heart of his yarn,and after Del Rio dismissed his manager, chances are The All-American American gets his mouthpiece back. Reigns Overcomes, and Gets Feud Over WithThe original plan may maintain been for Reigns to lose here and slowly fight his way back to being champion,but WWE has to be panicking.
His feud with Sheamus is bombing. Expect WWE to speed this feud along to pause the painfully dreary angle and trek on to something better.
Bleacher Report's Dan Pecoraro is among those who believe that Sheamus and Reigns need to go their separate ways ASAP:The League of Nations are sure to figure into this battle, but The Usos and Ambrose will maintain Reigns' back. Expectations will be low, or but it should be a chaotic,energized fight will all those men involved.
Sheamus has always felt like a transitional titleholder, a guy to hold the belt until Reigns starts his charge toward WrestleMania as champ. That transition promises to be over by the close of TLC, and WWE switching gears with a yarn that has no legs.
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Source: bleacherreport.com