WWE PPV Predictions - TLC (Raw 10.22.17)
*UPDATE*
Just two days removed from the TLC PPV, it has been reported by WWE that Bray Wyatt and Roman Reigns will not be able to compete at TLC due to an undisclosed viral infection. Smackdown superstar AJ Styles will be replacing Wyatt in the match against Finn Balor, and wrestling legend and current Raw GM Kurt Angle will be stepping into the main event.
Replacing participants in such high profile matches on the card so closely to the day of the event could have been a disaster, especially since this PPV has pretty much been built around the big Shield reunion. But WWE has gone all-in with their replacement options, likely creating even more excitement for the PPV than ever before.
Finn Balor vs AJ Styles
With both competitors' history with the Bullet Club in Japan prior to their WWE careers, it's exciting to think of this first ever one-on-one match between Balor and Styles. Sure, some might complain about the match being thrown together with no build up or fanfare. I'll chose to sit back and let it steal the show. Prediction: No Contest (Outside interference from "Good Brothers" Anderson & Gallows)
Main Event
Kurt Angle, Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins vs Miz, Kane, Braun Strowman, Cesaro & Sheamus
If there's anything that can compete with the promised Shield reunion after 3 years, it's the sight of something that some though might never happen: Kurt Angle lacing up his boots once again. It's been 11 years (ELEVEN!) years since Olympic Gold Medalist and WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle has wrestled inside a WWE ring. Again, the lack of proper build up will annoy some wrestling fans. But when forced into making a decision, it's hard to blame the WWE for putting together this replacement scenario. Of course it's going to change up the ending, in my opinion, giving the Shield something to come back for and avenge. Prediction: Miz, Kane, Strowman, Cesaro & Sheamus
*Continue reading below for full show predictions:
WWE Raw will be presenting its “TLC” pay-per-view this Sunday 10/22 from the Target Center in Minneapolis, MN. While the big storyline heading into this PPV is the reunion of The Shield, Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns, the absence of a WWE Universal Championship match might make this second-tier PPV seem a little bit like a glorified episode of Raw. With eight talents wrapped up in the 3-on-5 main event match alone, the rest of the card is going to feature some players we don’t normally get to see in the PPV spotlight. The night will feature three Women’s matches and three Cruiserweight segments, an unfathomable amount compared to just a few years ago.
WWE Network Kickoff Show:
Sasha Banks vs. Alicia Fox
These two started their beef while fighting amongst the rest of the women’s roster for the right to face the debuting Asuka at this PPV. I’m a fan of the underutilized Alicia Fox and her erratic character, and adding a where’s-my-merch-complaining-veteran schtick to it has been entertaining. If WWE was interested in building Fox more, she’d pick up the win here. But I think they’ll stick with the happy babyface opening match win to warm-up the crowd. Prediction: Sasha Banks
Drew Gulak PowerPoint Presentation
Drew Gulak, with his “no flips” character (a Cruiserweight version of the Attitude Era’s “Right To Censor” gimmick) is looking to make 205 Live a better, safer show. His presentation will highlight some of the rules he’d like to implement, and will likely be interrupted by a babyface cruiserweight to spoil his plans. Prediction: It Exists
TLC PPV Show:
Cedric Alexander & Rich Swann vs. Jack Gallagher & Brian Kendrick
Things have been shaking up in the Cruiserweight Division for a few weeks now. We’ve seen roster changes, new champions, new pushes, and more visibility on Raw. These four men have been battling it out in singles matches over the past few weeks. Things heated up when Jack Gallagher made his heel turn, and WWE needs to flame that fire to keep this story developing. Prediction: Jack Gallagher & Brian Kendrick
Asuka vs. Emma
“The Empress of Tommorow” Asuka makes her much-anticipated debut on the Raw roster after dominating in NXT with a 523-day reign as champion, and amassing the longest undefeated streak in wrestling history. Emma, as the “talk-a-big-game-but-lose-all-the-time” heel, is the perfect opponent for Asuka’s first contest. There’s no doubt about the outcome of this match, you can easily put this one in the record books already. Prediction: Asuka
WWE Cruiserweight Championship Kalisto (c) vs. Enzo Amore
As I mentioned earlier, WWE has boosted its Cruiserweight Division with some renewed focus thanks to new talents like Kalisto and Enzo being added to the purple brand. Kalisto shocked the WWE Universe by winning the title a few weeks ago on Monday Night Raw. Look for Enzo taking the strap right back at TLC thanks to some interference and chaos from the rest of the roster. Prediction: Enzo Amore
“The Demon” (Finn Balor) vs. “Sister Abigail” (Bray Wyatt)
In the battle of the alter-egos, Finn Balor’s “Demon” persona takes on Bray Wyatt’s “Sister Abigail.” Through some camera trickery and post production effects, we now learn that Wyatt’s Sister Abigail is a split personality. And maybe Wyatt is supernatural too? But then again, the same effects were used with Balor, so maybe they’re both demigod monsters? Balor’s had the upperhand so far in this feud, so I’m picking Wyatt and his debuting persona to pick up the win this time to continue this feud. Prediction: Bray Wyatt
Raw Women’s Championship
Alexa Bliss (c) vs Mickie James
The veteran Mickie James provides a fresh opponent for Bliss, who has been stuck in a rut lately with stale feuds with Sasha Banks and Bayley. As the victim of some age-ism from the bully Bliss, James is getting great white-bread babyface support from a nice portion of the WWE Universe. Of course I see Bliss keeping the belt here, holding on to it until the eventual collision with Asuka at a larger PPV. Prediction: Alexa Bliss
Main Event
Shield vs Miz, Cesaro & Sheamus, Braun Strowman & Kane
The only TLC match on the card, the trio of Reigns, Rollins and Ambrose look to dismantle the Miz, “The Bar” Cesaro & Sheamus, Brawn Stroman and the returning Kane. This match has been constantly changing over the last several weeks, with Kane being added just a few days ago. And despite the odds not being in the Shield’s favor with a 3-on-5 match, there’s just no way the Hounds of Justice get beaten when they just reunited. Prediction: The Shield