Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
Last night at WWE TLC was a strange night mostly because I ended the show with optimism, a hope that WWE could actually build off the success of one of its B-level pay-per-views. It was also strange because it included one of most uncoordinated, silly, and ridiculously entertaining main events in recent memory.
While it may not have been the greatest showcase of professional wrestling, it was a proper fun time that may have advanced multiple stories for Raw that can be build off of with Kurt Angle winning, The Shield standing tall, and Braun Strowman maybe turning face. All that was potential this show could build off of.
WWE TLC 2017 Review
While it may not have been the greatest showcase of professional wrestling, it was a proper fun time that may have advanced multiple stories for Raw that can be build off of with Kurt Angle winning, The Shield standing tall, and Braun Strowman maybe turning face. All that was potential this show could build off of.
WWE TLC 2017 Review
Kurt Angle enjoying his new role as honorary Shield member. Protection by Rollins and Ambrose and a future 2nd Hall of Fame ring just for a 1 night performance.
Kurt Angle Announces Survivor Series Raw vs. SmackDown Matches; Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and AJ Styles def. Sheamus, Cesaro, and The Miz
Overview: Kurt Angle opened the show to talk about Survivor Series, announcing it would once again be Raw vs. SmackDown with every champion vs. champion match as well as men's and women's traditional elimination match. The Miz with Sheamus and Cesaro interrupted and demanded Angle's job for what he did.
Instead, he announced The Miz, Sheamus, and Cesaro vs. Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and special guest AJ Styles. The faces ended up winning when Ambrose and Rollins cleared the ring to set up a Phenomenal Forearm on Cesaro. Afterward, Kane arrived and took out all three faces with the help of the other heels.
Highlights:
Analysis: While I could have done without Angle opening the show for exposition, he at least had important announcements to make for Survivor Series. The match that followed was one of the best TV matches in months. Styles in particular was working at a higher level, looking fantastic whenever he was in the ring.
Instead, he announced The Miz, Sheamus, and Cesaro vs. Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and special guest AJ Styles. The faces ended up winning when Ambrose and Rollins cleared the ring to set up a Phenomenal Forearm on Cesaro. Afterward, Kane arrived and took out all three faces with the help of the other heels.
Highlights:
- Rollins caught Sheamus with a snapmare into an Ambrose running clothesline then Rollins jumping knee drop finished with an Ambrose running elbow drop.
- Ambrose stopped Cesaro's momentum with a knee followed by a running dropkick into a Rollins single-leg dropkick.
- The faces hit simultaneous slingshot planchas onto the heels outside.
- Sheamus and Cesaro hit Ambrose with simultaneous low superkicks in the corner.
- Ambrose suplexed Cesaro then caught Sheamus diving nearly with Dirty Deeds before answering a bicycle knee with a rebound clothesline.
- Rollins caught Miz with a blockbuster then the Falcon Arrow before action broke down with Styles pele kicking Sheamus before taking a big boot from Cesaro then Ambrose hitting Cesaro with a running clothesline.
- Rollins clotheslined Sheamus to the outside before taking a kick to the knee into a low-angle DDT from Miz.
- Styles hit Cesaro with the ushigoroshi then went for the Styles Clash but was distracted and took the pop-up European uppercut.
Analysis: While I could have done without Angle opening the show for exposition, he at least had important announcements to make for Survivor Series. The match that followed was one of the best TV matches in months. Styles in particular was working at a higher level, looking fantastic whenever he was in the ring.
Kane def. Finn Balor
Overview: Kane declared that he wanted to see if Braun Strowman was truly as great as people said. However, he was unimpressed and remained WWE's only monster. Finn Balor interrupted to set up their match. Balor was completely outmatched with Kane catching him going for the Coup De Grace and hitting him with three chokeslams.
Highlights:
Analysis: Kane is being put over massively lately. His dominant showing over Balor was almost shocking given Balor should be in line for a title opportunity soon. He wasn't The Demon though, and Kane has to be massively pushed to sell his war with Strowman when The Monster Among Men returns.
Highlights:
- Balor hit Kane with back-to-back soccer kicks then was caught running and slammed into both the barricade and the apron.
- Kane slammed Balor in the corners with clotheslines followed by a sidewalk slam then Kane Irish whipped him right into the turnbuckles.
- Balor caught Kane with a drop toe hold into the steps then snap kicked Kane as he tried to return to the ring followed by repeated running forearms and Slingblade.
Analysis: Kane is being put over massively lately. His dominant showing over Balor was almost shocking given Balor should be in line for a title opportunity soon. He wasn't The Demon though, and Kane has to be massively pushed to sell his war with Strowman when The Monster Among Men returns.
Welcome to the main roster, Asuka. We got all the headlocks here.
Asuka def. Emma
Overview: Emma once more began this match looking like the smarter competitor, but Asuka refused to stay down. Eventually, Asuka got rolling and caught Emma with the Asuka Lock for a second tap out in as many days.
Highlights:
Analysis: Once again, these two had a solid match; however, it was too Emma-focused. Asuka barely got to show off her dominance here when she absolutely needs a strong showcase for a new audience. I can only imagine that dominant performance is coming, hopefully.
Highlights:
- Asuka rolled Emma right into a fujiwara armbar.
- Emma sent Asuka face-first into the post then pulled her back into the ring for a rain of elbows and butterfly suplex.
- Asuka caught Emma with a forearm into German suplex then a running low-angle hip attack.
Analysis: Once again, these two had a solid match; however, it was too Emma-focused. Asuka barely got to show off her dominance here when she absolutely needs a strong showcase for a new audience. I can only imagine that dominant performance is coming, hopefully.
Mickie James Shuts Up Alexa Bliss
Overview: Alexa Bliss came out surprisingly annoyed as she felt she was being underappreciated. She demanded the fans chant "You deserve it" at her; however, they just kept booing. Mickie James came out and quickly planted Bliss with a Mick-DT and made clear Bliss absolutely deserved that.
Analysis: I would have assumed Bliss is done with Mickie, but I guess there's really no one else for now. Bliss cannot build her feud with the SmackDown women's champion on her own, so they will probably have her not do it much at all. I also am just going to assume now that Bliss vs. Natalya is not the plan for Survivor Series, probably Bliss vs. Charlotte instead.
Analysis: I would have assumed Bliss is done with Mickie, but I guess there's really no one else for now. Bliss cannot build her feud with the SmackDown women's champion on her own, so they will probably have her not do it much at all. I also am just going to assume now that Bliss vs. Natalya is not the plan for Survivor Series, probably Bliss vs. Charlotte instead.
If nothing else, at least Jordan has his angry face.
Jason Jordan def. Elias By Disqualification
Overview: Elias attempted to pull off an uninterrupted concert in Green Bay, but Jason Jordan ruined it by affecting his sound. As Jordan began running over Elias, the musician decided enough was enough by grabbing his guitar and smashing it across the face of a charging Jordan, causing a disqualification but leaving Jordan on the floor in pain.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match was honestly growing interesting with Jordan getting aggressive then it ended abruptly. I am glad Elias and Jordan are paired together as they can help each other and are at the same point on the roster. The frequent disqualifications by guitar shot from Elias could get old though.
Highlights:
- Jordan caught Elias's leg for a capture suplex followed by a second that sent him to the floor then Jordan ran him right into the barricade multiple times.
Analysis: This match was honestly growing interesting with Jordan getting aggressive then it ended abruptly. I am glad Elias and Jordan are paired together as they can help each other and are at the same point on the roster. The frequent disqualifications by guitar shot from Elias could get old though.
Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar Accept Jinder Mahal's Challenge with Mocking Laughs
Overview: Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar came out laughing with Heyman talking down everything that Jinder Mahal has done in comparison to Lesnar's title reign. The Advocate made clear Lesnar accepted the challenge and warned him that Lesnar was ready to completely annihilate The Modern Day Maharaja.
Analysis: I have no idea who could possibly want to see this match. It is just the worst possible match of styles. Heyman did his best here though to make Mahal the face here. Heyman completely ran him down which sold the idea that he is truly the underdog. It is easy but effective storytelling.
Analysis: I have no idea who could possibly want to see this match. It is just the worst possible match of styles. Heyman did his best here though to make Mahal the face here. Heyman completely ran him down which sold the idea that he is truly the underdog. It is easy but effective storytelling.
Fox should just teach all of Team Raw how to do Northern Lights suplexes. They'll never lose if they make them look this good.
Alicia Fox def. Sasha Banks and Bayley to Become the Team Captain for Raw at Survivor Series
Overview: Alicia Fox's wild style allowed her to get both Sasha Banks and Bayley off their game. She ended up taking out Bayley with a mock Bayley-to-Belly then falling into the Bank Statement. She fought out and threw Banks head first into Bayley before pinning Banks to win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match was a showcase for Fox, and she made the most of it. Her crazy antics made this a memorable contest, and she ended up winning on top of it all. This also looked like the true start of Banks turning on Bayley in frustation. That slow burn heel turn should be special.
Highlights:
- Fox took out Banks then hit Bayley with a Northern Lights suplex then hit Banks with one as well.
- Bank rolled through a tilt-a-whirl into a roll up then a headscissors into the turnbuckle followed by a running double knee strike.
- Bayley got back into the match just in time to hit a Tower of Doom.
- Fox decided to end the match early by ringing the bell herself, but she returned to the ring right into a Bayley-to-Belly with Banks breaking it up.
Analysis: This match was a showcase for Fox, and she made the most of it. Her crazy antics made this a memorable contest, and she ended up winning on top of it all. This also looked like the true start of Banks turning on Bayley in frustation. That slow burn heel turn should be special.
Kalisto, Mustafa Ali, Cedric Alexander, Rich Swann, and Gran Metalik def. Enzo Amore, Drew Gulak, Ariya Daivari, Tony Nese, and Noam Dar
Overview: With Enzo Amore under the weather, Drew Gulak delivered his prepared statement with all the heels chipping in. Enzo tried hard not to get involved at all in this match before he was left alone to tag in. He then took a Salida Del Sol off the apron for the loss.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match felt needlessly rushed as a war between the two sides of the cruiserweight division could have been saved for Survivor Series. Instead they just had it tonight with no build up. The crux of the match that was well told was Enzo trying to avoid Kalisto and being overwhelmed when he was forced into the match.
Highlights:
- Gulak blocked the suicide dive of Kalisto only to get smacked to the floor.
- Swann and Ariya Daivari collided in the middle of the ring with crossbodies.
- The cruiserweights all took each other out, leaving Enzo the only man for Daivari to tag in after he took an enzuigiri.
- Kalisto took out Enzo with a handspring roundhouse then a rolling senton into a low roundhouse.
- Enzo hit Kalisto with a diving DDT, causing a mess of action where Alexander and Swann hit somersault planchas on the heels followed by a Metalik moonsault.
Analysis: This match felt needlessly rushed as a war between the two sides of the cruiserweight division could have been saved for Survivor Series. Instead they just had it tonight with no build up. The crux of the match that was well told was Enzo trying to avoid Kalisto and being overwhelmed when he was forced into the match.
Angle just wanted friendly brand competition. He didn't realize how serious these kids take this stuff.
Shane McMahon Declares Monday Night Raw Under Siege
Overview: As Angle was ready to announce his lineup for Survivor Series, Shane appeared with an assortment of SmackDown stars. They stormed the ring and ran Angle backstage before beating up many on the Raw roster. They ended up dragging Angle back to the ring with Shane officially declaring war with Angle left shocked.
Analysis: When Shane appeared earlier in the night, it was clear he would have some role in this main event, but the actual content was such a mess. It was a shocking sight but completely unearned and unnecessary. A weird assortment of SmackDown stars beat down Raw stars for the sake of brand pride I suppose.
There was no explanation for the violence as WWE never could have come up with one. If this brawl had come after escalating incidents for weeks or been built up as Shane's personal vendetta against Raw, this might have worked. Instead, it was purely a shock value moment to set up Survivor Series as bigger than it is with brand warfare focus.
Analysis: When Shane appeared earlier in the night, it was clear he would have some role in this main event, but the actual content was such a mess. It was a shocking sight but completely unearned and unnecessary. A weird assortment of SmackDown stars beat down Raw stars for the sake of brand pride I suppose.
There was no explanation for the violence as WWE never could have come up with one. If this brawl had come after escalating incidents for weeks or been built up as Shane's personal vendetta against Raw, this might have worked. Instead, it was purely a shock value moment to set up Survivor Series as bigger than it is with brand warfare focus.
Final Notes: Shane found Angle in his office, and the two traded friendly barbs about who would win at Survivor Series. Angle seemed ready to announce Bayley and Banks co-captains for the Team Raw, but Fox interrupted with Angle announcing the three would face off in a triple threat to crown the captain.
Kalisto made clear he would invoke his rematch clause on 205 Live but first would win alongside his team with Ali, Swann, Alexander, and Metalik appearing to hype it all up.
Conclusion: I enjoyed this whole show because it maximized its minutes with an understaffed roster. The six-man tag was stellar as expected, but, after that, it was many surprises. From Fox's best performance in years to Kane returning to dominance, it was a night of new (and old stars emerging).
The best part of this show was its storytelling. WWE clearly had a direction for many of the wrestlers planned out and has set them in motion. However, the main event threw everything out and let down the night. It was a unnecessarily big moment that could have been stronger later.
Brand warfare always makes little sense. It blurs lines and makes wrestlers forget their own rivalries. WWE has done little to assuage any concern I have over going for round two especially with the card right now underwhelming. I just hope the positive signs from this show are not just outliers on a poor road to Survivor Series.
Kalisto made clear he would invoke his rematch clause on 205 Live but first would win alongside his team with Ali, Swann, Alexander, and Metalik appearing to hype it all up.
Conclusion: I enjoyed this whole show because it maximized its minutes with an understaffed roster. The six-man tag was stellar as expected, but, after that, it was many surprises. From Fox's best performance in years to Kane returning to dominance, it was a night of new (and old stars emerging).
The best part of this show was its storytelling. WWE clearly had a direction for many of the wrestlers planned out and has set them in motion. However, the main event threw everything out and let down the night. It was a unnecessarily big moment that could have been stronger later.
Brand warfare always makes little sense. It blurs lines and makes wrestlers forget their own rivalries. WWE has done little to assuage any concern I have over going for round two especially with the card right now underwhelming. I just hope the positive signs from this show are not just outliers on a poor road to Survivor Series.