Welcome to the TLC Review.
Daniel Bryan, Otis, Chad Gable and Big E vs Baron Corbin, Cesaro, Nakamura and Sami Zayn
All eight men in this match had some sort of problem with each other in recent weeks. The biggest was Zayn and Big E, with the former New Day member looking for any reason to get his hands on the Intercontinental Champion. The match itself was great, a given with all the talent involved. Big E getting the pin on Zayn means he should be getting the next shot at the title.
Bryan, Otis Gable and Big E beat Corbin, Cesaro, Nakamura and Zayn
Drew McIntyre vs. AJ Styles for the WWE Championship (TLC Match)
It is strange that Styles and McIntyre have never fought each other. McIntyre was favoring the left leg early, the one targeted by Styles last week. The main weapon of choice was the ladder, as both men used it to beat the hell of each other. With Styles down after a slam through the table, Miz cashed in the briefcase to make the match a Triple Threat. Omos ran defense with Styles down. A three way reach for the belt ended with Drew grabbing the belt.
McIntyre beat Styles and the Miz to retain the WWE Champion.
Sasha Banks vs. Carmella for the Smackdown Championship.
A very aggressive Carmella started the match attacking Banks every chance she had. Banks actually looked like the underdog as she weathered move after move from Mella. A Three Amigos and a Frog Splash from the Boss got her back in the match. A nasty spike from Carmella dazed Banks and Mella made the time count. A series of pinfalls and submissions moves lead Reginald (Mella’s assistant) pulling her from the ring. Mella tried to use this distraction to her advantage, but Banks put her in the Bank’s Statement and Carmella tapped.
Banks made Carmella tap to retain the Smackdown Championship
The Hurt Business vs. The New Day for the Raw Tag Team Championship
Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander were seconded by MVP. New Day came out swinging, but Alexander and Shelton were able to slow them down. Alexander deserves special mention, as he was able to counter and match Kofi’s energy especially. Benjamin was able to hit a Superplex off the top on Kofi, but Alexander tagged himself in and hit a Lumber check to pin Kofi and The Hurt Business has more gold.
The Hurt Business beat the New Day to become the new Raw Tag Team Champions
Asuka and Charlotte Flair vs. Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler for the WWE Tag Team Championship.
The Queen has returned. Once she got the tag, Charlotte brought the fight to both Nia and Shayna. Nia is a powerhouse and Baszler is the technical marvel, so they were able to slow down and work on Askua. Charlotte finally got to tag back in, and no one could stop her until Nia hit a Samoan Drop. Charlotte hit a natural selection on Baszler for the pin.
Charlotte and Askua beat Jax and Baszler to become the new Tag Team Champions.
Roman Reigns vs Kevin Owens for the Universal Championship (TLC Match)
Owens did not even wait for the title to be lifted into the air before he attacked Reigns. Jey tried to help his cousin, but Owens unleashed a vicious assualt on him as well. This allowed Reigns to attack Owens. The title seemed almost secondary, as the two men wanted to hurt the other. Owens was basically in a handicap match the whole time. A missed spear gave Owens a shot of getting the title. Reigns was able to choke out Owens and grab the belt.
Reigns beat Owens to retain the Universal Championship.
The Fiend vs Randy Orton (Firefly Inferno Match)
At first, it looked like this will be a straight Inferno match, with the winner setting the loser on fire. The ring was not lit in the first few minutes, but a gesture from the Fiend lit fires all around the arena. Some new weapons got introduced, including a pickax ands lighting the chair on fire with Orton in it. This was cinematic without a cinematic match. The Fiend was set on fire and then took an RKO in the middle of the ring. Orton then dumped gas on him and lit him on fire!
Orton beat The Fiend by setting him on fire
Match of the Night
The Entire PPV: A solid card from start to finish. Even the kickoff match was fun. A great way to end the year with one of the strongest PPV
See you next year.
