Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
Who knew that the mumps virus was the secret booker of WWE TLC? After all the build up from Monday Night Raw that was honestly fairly underwhelming, a surprise announcement changed the entire show with Roman Reigns and Bray Wyatt ruled out for TLC due to illness.
This meant no more Shield in the main event, but it also meant Kurt Angle would step into the ring for the first time in years. No more would The Demon battle Sister Abigail but AJ Styles would step in and put on a potential dream match with Finn Balor. It suddenly made this show fascinating if also bizarre.
This Week's Monday Night Raw Review
This meant no more Shield in the main event, but it also meant Kurt Angle would step into the ring for the first time in years. No more would The Demon battle Sister Abigail but AJ Styles would step in and put on a potential dream match with Finn Balor. It suddenly made this show fascinating if also bizarre.
This Week's Monday Night Raw Review
When even this match gets enough time to be good, you know WWE has little care for the show.
Sasha Banks def. Alicia Fox
Overview: Sasha Banks had Alicia Fox working off edge for a while before Fox managed to hurt and ground Banks. While The Boss struggled to find an opening, she would not go down eventually catching Fox with a backstabber into the Bank Statement for the submission.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match got good time and was physical from the outset. However, it was also incredibly sloppy. Fox struggled to hit clean moves throughout which made for an awkward middle to the match that was somewhat saved by a strong finish. It was better than expected but still not much to write home about.
Highlights:
- Banks caught Fox with a short arm bronco buster then repeatedly tossed Fox across the ring.
- Fox tried to get Banks to shake her hand with Banks doing so only to quickly dropkick Fox to the floor.
- Fox caught Banks with repeated uppercuts only to get caught by a headscissors slam into the turnbuckle only to have Fox catch Banks flying off the ropes and immediately dump Banks onto the apron to the floor.
- Fox hit back-to-back Northern Lights suplexes.
- Banks booted Fox off her to the floor then caught her back in the ring with a headscissors takedown followed by a boot which Fox answered with her own boot.
Analysis: This match got good time and was physical from the outset. However, it was also incredibly sloppy. Fox struggled to hit clean moves throughout which made for an awkward middle to the match that was somewhat saved by a strong finish. It was better than expected but still not much to write home about.
Rating: 6.75/10
Asuka does her best tribute to Kurt Angle tonight knowing he's likely going to kill himself in the main event.
Asuka def. Emma
Overview: Emma brought her best fight in years, battling Asuka with everything she has. Her aggressive style kept Asuka down for a while, but it almost looked like Asuka was enjoying it. She came rolling back and caught Emma with the Asuka Lock for the submission.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match was fairly competitive which was surprising given Emma's use in recent months. The match got solid time and delivered, but it was not quite the story it needed to be for this match to make sense. Asuka needed to come out dominant here, and instead she came off as a talented performer but not the elite star she can be.
Highlights:
- Asuka rolled Emma into an ankle lock but was then knocked outside followed by a baseball slide and a knee into the barricade.
- Emma caught Asuka in the tree of woe and pulled her hair followed by a running corner crossbody.
- Asuka caught Emma with a series of strikes followed by a diving dropkick then a series of short-arm boots.
- Emma hit Asuka with a running low dropkick.
- Asuka caught Emma for a long time in an ankle lock and still held onto it through a suplex.
Analysis: This match was fairly competitive which was surprising given Emma's use in recent months. The match got solid time and delivered, but it was not quite the story it needed to be for this match to make sense. Asuka needed to come out dominant here, and instead she came off as a talented performer but not the elite star she can be.
Rating: 7.75/10
How can you hate these dapper gentlemen?
Cedric Alexander and Rich Swann def. Brian Kendrick and Jack Gallagher
Overview: Cedric Alexander and Rich Swann's aggressive fast pace was a poor match against the vicious style of Jack Gallagher and Brian Kendrick for a while. However, the faces found an opening late. After chaos got rid of Swann and Gallagher, Alexander hit Kendrick with the Lumbar Check for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: All four of these cruiserweights went all out in this match. It was great to see them get to fully work with time, and Alexander was impressive in particular. This feud has not been well told on Raw but has been quite strong for 205 Live, and this felt much more like it was a match for 205 Live than filler for Raw.
Highlights:
- Alexander caught Kendrick with a springboard handstand headscissors into a dropkick.
- Gallagher tripped Alexander only to take a rolling plancha from Swann into a suicide dive from Alexander.
- Kendrick slammed Swann's head into the turnbuckle with a cravate then Gallagher hit him with double palm shots to the chest.
- Alexander caught Gallagher with the handspring roundhouse then an enzuigiri off the apron into a springboard forearm.
- Kendrick caught Alexander with a boot into a superkick then locked in the Captain's Hook with Swann breaking it up with a Phoenix Splash.
Analysis: All four of these cruiserweights went all out in this match. It was great to see them get to fully work with time, and Alexander was impressive in particular. This feud has not been well told on Raw but has been quite strong for 205 Live, and this felt much more like it was a match for 205 Live than filler for Raw.
Rating: 8/10
Wow, wow, wow, Mickie, let's not be making height jokes. That's in poor taste.
Alexa Bliss def. Mickie James to Retain the Raw Women's Championship
Overview: Mickie James took Alexa Bliss to the limit, but she was ground down by the physical damage to Mickie's arm. Bliss seemed to be trying to get away from Mickie but managed to sucker her in, pulling her into the turnbuckle followed by a DDT for the win. Afterward, Mickie was interviewed and said she was proud of her performance.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match was better than I could have hoped thanks to good time and Mickie putting on her strongest performance in a while. She looked great and fluid throughout only let down by a fairly bland work over the arm focus to the contest and a finish that was fairly ineffective.
Highlights:
- Bliss repeatedly whipped Mickie to the mat with her easily kipping up before Mickie responded by sending her hard to the mat.
- Mickie took out Bliss with a headscissors off the top rope but walked into a right hand which began a strike battle that ended with side-by-side high knees.
- Mickie went for the Mick-DT with Bliss nearly reversing it before Mickie went right for a roll up only for Bliss to kick out and hit a quick sunset bomb.
- Bliss knocked Mickie off the top rope onto her knee but missed the Twisted Bliss followed by a missile dropkick from Mickie.
Analysis: This match was better than I could have hoped thanks to good time and Mickie putting on her strongest performance in a while. She looked great and fluid throughout only let down by a fairly bland work over the arm focus to the contest and a finish that was fairly ineffective.
Rating: 7.5/10
No wonder Neville left. You can be hated backstage and be terrible in the ring and still become a two-time cruiserweight champion.
Enzo Amore def. Kalisto to Become the New WWE Cruiserweight Champion
Overview: Enzo Amore was short with his promo this time because he had lost his voice. Throughout the match, Enzo used every trick in the book to keep Kalisto from flying. He eventually poked Kalisto in the eye behind the referee's back and took out Kalisto followed by the Jawdonzo. Afterward, Enzo bragged about his win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was Enzo's best singles match I can remember, but that is not saying too much. He had strong chemistry with Kalisto which made up for a fairly unstructured bout where the finish was confusing at best. Enzo had to win the title back, but I still hate to see the title switching hands so much.
Highlights:
- Kalisto took out Enzo with a suicide dive then rolled him back inside only have Enzo force separation then trip him into the tunrbuckle.
- Enzo teased a dive but taunted the crowd, stepped back to the floor, only to be tripped by Kalisto.
- Enzo sent Kalisto into the bottom turnbuckle followed by a diving DDT.
Analysis: This was Enzo's best singles match I can remember, but that is not saying too much. He had strong chemistry with Kalisto which made up for a fairly unstructured bout where the finish was confusing at best. Enzo had to win the title back, but I still hate to see the title switching hands so much.
Rating: 7/10
Wait, this isn't right. I was promised pumpkin Demon Balor. I want pumpkin Balor!
Finn Balor def. AJ Styles
Overview: Finn Balor and AJ Styles fought with the pride and fire you would expect of these similar veterans of the ring. Styles hit Balor with his best shots which was not quite enough to take down The Demon. Balor dodged a 450 then hit a corner dropkick to set up the Coup De Grace for the win. The two made sure to Too Sweat afterward.
Highlights:
Analysis: Styles cannot have a bad match, and Balor was basically the perfect opponent for him. With no real story here though, this was just a well-wrestled showdown of athletes with nothing on the line. That let down a great performance from both men. They worked well together, but they have better they can give.
Highlights:
- Balor caught Styles with an enzuigiri off the apron followed by a surfboard.
- Balor rolled through Styles' grip into a dropkick then ran right into the running forearm of Styles.
- Styles caught Balor with an early Phenomenal Forearm.
- Balor sent Styles to the floor from the top rope with a step-up enzuigiri then connected with a suicide dive.
- Balor ran right into the ushigoroshi then went for the Styles Clash but a reverse forced him to turn it into a wheelbarrow slam.
- Styles rolled Balor into the Calf Crusher with Balor forced to slam Styles repeatedly into the mat to break it.
- Balor caught Styles mid-springboard and knocked him to the floor then dropkicked him into the barricade with Balor deciding not to take a count out only to be tackled over the announce table.
- Balor and Styles hit back-to-back simultaneous running crossbodies.
- Styles took a pele kick then reversed Balor's repeated attempts to hit the 1916, taking an elbow before finally taking the 1916.
- Styles tripped Balor on the top rope then hit a springboard Frankensteiner before missing the springboard 450.
Analysis: Styles cannot have a bad match, and Balor was basically the perfect opponent for him. With no real story here though, this was just a well-wrestled showdown of athletes with nothing on the line. That let down a great performance from both men. They worked well together, but they have better they can give.
Rating: 9/10
Did Elias get 3 pay checks for tonight given his 3 segment appearances? I mean, he deserves them given he almost got Jason Jordan over.
Jason Jordan def. Elias
Overview: Before the match, Elias ran down Jordan for having ruined his attempts to have concerts earlier. Elias dominated this match throughout with Jason Jordan unable to keep up with the physicality of Elias; however, he had one advantage in his quickness. Jordan caught Elias with a cradle for a three count and escaped with a win.
Highlights:
Analysis: Elias and Jordan are talented guys, and they got time to deliver here. However, it was not much more than a solid TV match especially given all the awkward segment build-up throughout the night. The finish to this match was complete garbage and made the rest feel irrelevant.
Highlights:
- Elias pushed Jordan off him and took a capture suplex that sent him rolling to the floor.
- Jordan caught Elias jumping with a running powerslam then a dropkick as Elias tried to escape outside.
- Elias sent Jordan into the second turnbuckle with a jumping back knee.
- Jordan went for a standing switch but walked into a standing abdominal stretch.
- Elias caught Jordan with a snap knee followed by dumping Jordan leg first into the bottom rope.
Analysis: Elias and Jordan are talented guys, and they got time to deliver here. However, it was not much more than a solid TV match especially given all the awkward segment build-up throughout the night. The finish to this match was complete garbage and made the rest feel irrelevant.
Rating: 7/10
Cool of Ambrose to bring his dad to work for the day and let him feel like a member of the cool kids.
Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and Kurt Angle def. Braun Strowman, Kane, Sheamus, Cesaro, and The Miz
Overview: Kurt Angle came out with Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins all in Shield vests and quickly grabbed steel chairs to take out everyone. After Angle was taken out though, it looked like the numbers game would be too much. Miz even brought out a garbage truck to throw away Ambrose and Rollins.
However, Kane and Braun Strowman turned on one another with the heels ultimately throwing Strowman into the truck. Angle then returned to save the match and leave Miz alone. Miz took the Ripcord Knee into Dirty Deeds into the Ankle Slam followed by the triple powerbomb.
Highlights:
Analysis: How do you rate a match this entertaining yet also completely illogically booked and orchestarted? The whole contest made little sense, and it hardly accomplished anything. However, the combination of the stupidity and the high energy nostalgic moments made it enjoyable to watch.
I wish I could give an accurate rating for this contest, but it just would accomplish very little. Angle looked ridiculous throughout, yet it was fun to watch him take people out. Ambrose and Rollins barely did a single wrestling move beyond steel chair shot, yet they were the heart of the match.
However, Kane and Braun Strowman turned on one another with the heels ultimately throwing Strowman into the truck. Angle then returned to save the match and leave Miz alone. Miz took the Ripcord Knee into Dirty Deeds into the Ankle Slam followed by the triple powerbomb.
Highlights:
- Ambrose and Rollins set up Kane and Strowman on announce tables then hit a diving elbow and diving splash off the ladder through the tables.
- Cesaro, Sheamus, and Miz went for a triple powerbomb with Ambrose and Rollins breaking it up followed by Angle German suplexing everyone.
- Angle twisted Kane down into an ankle lock before Strowman broke it up, pulled Angle outside, and threw Angle into the barricade.
- Strowman running powerslammed Angle through a table.
- The heels whipped Rollins head-first into a steel chair in the corner.
- Kane accidentally hit Strowman with a steel chair which almost caused tension.
- Cesaro and Sheamus dumped Ambrose onto a table with a double crucifix then Strowman set it up in the corner to throw Ambrose through the table.
- Ambrose and Rollins were thrown into a garbage truck only to fight out and dive onto everyone but Miz.
- Kane turned on Strowman and chokeslammed him through a table off the stage then dumped a bunch of hanging chairs on top of him.
- Kane double chokeslammed Ambrose and Rollins through tables.
- Angle returned, dodged a Brogue Kick, then Angle Slammed Sheamus then Angle Slammed Cesaro through a table.
- Kane went for a Tombstone Piledriver on Angle with Ambrose saving him with a steel chair.
- Miz caught Angle with a Skull Crushing Finale for a nearfall with Angle then locking him in the Ankle Lock with Miz pushing him off.
Analysis: How do you rate a match this entertaining yet also completely illogically booked and orchestarted? The whole contest made little sense, and it hardly accomplished anything. However, the combination of the stupidity and the high energy nostalgic moments made it enjoyable to watch.
I wish I could give an accurate rating for this contest, but it just would accomplish very little. Angle looked ridiculous throughout, yet it was fun to watch him take people out. Ambrose and Rollins barely did a single wrestling move beyond steel chair shot, yet they were the heart of the match.
Rating for Entertainment: 8.5/10
Rating for Quality: 4/10
Final Notes: Miz, Sheamus, and Cesaro complained about their situation change in the main event with Strowman unaffected and Kane asking for first shots at Angle. Elias began a special concert only for Jordan to throw vegetables at him. When Elias tried again later, Jordan threw more at him and ran him off.
In an interview before her match, Bliss promised to put down Mickie. Angle was preparing backstage for his match when Ambrose and Rollins gave him a Shield vest. Miz talked to his team right before their music hit and promised to throw their opponents out like garbage.
Conclusion: This show accomplished very little in moving forward the product, but it ended up being a fairly strong show because everyone got the time to wrestle and deliver. This whole show will likely be forgotten by the end of the year, but it was better than it had any right to be.
It was clear throughout that buying time was a constant goal, and it was messy throughout. The interviews were completely unnecessary, and no match truly stood out. However, I would be lying if I did not say I enjoyed the show from start to finish.
This was the most filler of filler PPVs, but it was entertaining, well-wrestled filler. Raw will likely be able to feed off the energy of this show and have a strong show tomorrow, and there was a clear sign that WWE can do right at these events. I do hope they take some pointers from the positives of this show.
In an interview before her match, Bliss promised to put down Mickie. Angle was preparing backstage for his match when Ambrose and Rollins gave him a Shield vest. Miz talked to his team right before their music hit and promised to throw their opponents out like garbage.
Conclusion: This show accomplished very little in moving forward the product, but it ended up being a fairly strong show because everyone got the time to wrestle and deliver. This whole show will likely be forgotten by the end of the year, but it was better than it had any right to be.
It was clear throughout that buying time was a constant goal, and it was messy throughout. The interviews were completely unnecessary, and no match truly stood out. However, I would be lying if I did not say I enjoyed the show from start to finish.
This was the most filler of filler PPVs, but it was entertaining, well-wrestled filler. Raw will likely be able to feed off the energy of this show and have a strong show tomorrow, and there was a clear sign that WWE can do right at these events. I do hope they take some pointers from the positives of this show.