Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
How do you make WWE in December exciting? The company itself just goes with having everyone use weapons. At this point, every major rivalry gets a boost by adding tables, ladder, and/or chairs to the carnage, which sort of makes up for lackluster writing.
I want to complain, but there's genuinely a lot of exciting matches set for WWE TLC 2018. I have no idea how WWE could make any month of wrestling uninteresting with this roster, but they've tried pretty hard at this point.
Guys like Daniel Bryan and Seth Rollins as well as women like Becky Lynch and Ronda Rousey are doing everything in their power to keep people invested, and I'm almost buying it.
I want to complain, but there's genuinely a lot of exciting matches set for WWE TLC 2018. I have no idea how WWE could make any month of wrestling uninteresting with this roster, but they've tried pretty hard at this point.
Guys like Daniel Bryan and Seth Rollins as well as women like Becky Lynch and Ronda Rousey are doing everything in their power to keep people invested, and I'm almost buying it.
Don't do it, Seth. Heath's lost all his natural resilience now that he's a referee. He can't take a shot like that.
Monday Night Raw December 10, 2018
The Best Way to Open Raw is By Stating That Raw Sucks
Overview: Seth Rollins opened the show by announcing how bad Monday Night Raw has been before blaming it all on Baron Corbin. This led to a main event with Rollins putting the WWE Intercontinental Championship on the line in a TLC match with The Architect emerging victorious even with referee Heath Slater helping his boss.
Analysis: I have no idea what the writing staff thought they would accomplish with the opening segment of Raw. It was good, but it also was an admission of guilt. The writers told everyone they know why their show sucks, and they are not working to fix it.
Hopefully, Corbin will lose power on Sunday, and this will lead to a fresh perspective on the red brand. Rollins may just be voicing concerns that will be quickly lifted even if they should have never been there in the first place.
The Authors of Pain Almost Had a Chance, And It's Gone
Overview: The Authors of Pain face Bobby Roode and Chad Gable in a 3-on-2 handicap title match with Roode managing to roll up Drake Maverick to steal the Raw Tag Team Championships.
Analysis: Raw's tag team is far better on paper than it has been in practice. This is mainly down to execution. The Authors of Pain and The Revival have particularly suffered. I have no idea why the company can't just use talent like the talent should be used. This was an embarrassing end to a disappointing title reign.
I would try to get excited about Roode and Gable as champions, but it will likely be more of the same.
Conclusion
Raw is still bad, but this was a clear improvement. The wrestling was quality, and the segments were not all that bad. Corbin got way too much time on screen, but he was at least in multiple strong segments thanks to working with Rollins.
WWE TLC on Sunday should feel like a much bigger deal than it is. The card is packed with Raw matches, and only a few genuinely matter. Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose got a boost, but otherwise it's really a forgettable red brand contribution to the show.
Overview: Seth Rollins opened the show by announcing how bad Monday Night Raw has been before blaming it all on Baron Corbin. This led to a main event with Rollins putting the WWE Intercontinental Championship on the line in a TLC match with The Architect emerging victorious even with referee Heath Slater helping his boss.
Analysis: I have no idea what the writing staff thought they would accomplish with the opening segment of Raw. It was good, but it also was an admission of guilt. The writers told everyone they know why their show sucks, and they are not working to fix it.
Hopefully, Corbin will lose power on Sunday, and this will lead to a fresh perspective on the red brand. Rollins may just be voicing concerns that will be quickly lifted even if they should have never been there in the first place.
The Authors of Pain Almost Had a Chance, And It's Gone
Overview: The Authors of Pain face Bobby Roode and Chad Gable in a 3-on-2 handicap title match with Roode managing to roll up Drake Maverick to steal the Raw Tag Team Championships.
Analysis: Raw's tag team is far better on paper than it has been in practice. This is mainly down to execution. The Authors of Pain and The Revival have particularly suffered. I have no idea why the company can't just use talent like the talent should be used. This was an embarrassing end to a disappointing title reign.
I would try to get excited about Roode and Gable as champions, but it will likely be more of the same.
Conclusion
Raw is still bad, but this was a clear improvement. The wrestling was quality, and the segments were not all that bad. Corbin got way too much time on screen, but he was at least in multiple strong segments thanks to working with Rollins.
WWE TLC on Sunday should feel like a much bigger deal than it is. The card is packed with Raw matches, and only a few genuinely matter. Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose got a boost, but otherwise it's really a forgettable red brand contribution to the show.
Grade: C-
For one year, we added Stairs to TLC. Now it's a kendo stick.
SmackDown Live December 11, 2018
Charlotte Will Win the Title Asuka Should Win
Overview: Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair closed the show with The Empress of Tomorrow pushing The Queen to her limit until Charlotte snapped, grabbing a kendo stick and striking until she got disqualified. Becky Lynch got in on the fighting with Asuka standing tall over both.
Analysis: In order for 30 women to fit in the Royal Rumble, everyone needs to be on deck except the current champions. This means that, in order for Ronda Rousey and Charlotte to fight, they need to both be champions by the Rumble, so The Queen is winning her 9th championship.
It's a shame because Asuka would be a far more interesting SmackDown Women's Champion. She feels ready for that spotlight, and she still is the best women's in-ring performer in the company by a solid margin.
Mustafa Ali Should Just Move Over to SmackDown Live
Overview: Mustafa Ali interrupted Daniel Bryan insulting the crowd, questioning why he has changed. The two fought in a physical match that ended with the WWE Champion making The Heart of 205 Live tap to a heel hook.
Analysis: 205 Live has run out of stories for Ali. He's on an incredible roll, but he has no opponents. The champion is someone he's already fought to the limit countless times. The best thing would be to at least temporarily let him work the blue brand instead just like The Lucha House Party and Lio Rush work Raw.
Ali would add an incredible new element to SmackDown. He could work with anyone and have a great match. I just want more Ali vs. Bryan where they don't use the commercial break for their best spots.
Conclusion
SmackDown has been better at delivering strong wrestling and moments over the past few months, and this was certainly no different. The blue brand has a great start and end with quality wrestling that was filled with strong segments throughout to fill the time.
Even if SmackDown verges on being overly silly, there's no doubt the talent involved is staggering. This brand's contribution to TLC is far more effective and interesting with matches like Lynch vs. Flair vs. Asuka and Bryan vs. Styles giving the Sunday show its real spark.
Overview: Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair closed the show with The Empress of Tomorrow pushing The Queen to her limit until Charlotte snapped, grabbing a kendo stick and striking until she got disqualified. Becky Lynch got in on the fighting with Asuka standing tall over both.
Analysis: In order for 30 women to fit in the Royal Rumble, everyone needs to be on deck except the current champions. This means that, in order for Ronda Rousey and Charlotte to fight, they need to both be champions by the Rumble, so The Queen is winning her 9th championship.
It's a shame because Asuka would be a far more interesting SmackDown Women's Champion. She feels ready for that spotlight, and she still is the best women's in-ring performer in the company by a solid margin.
Mustafa Ali Should Just Move Over to SmackDown Live
Overview: Mustafa Ali interrupted Daniel Bryan insulting the crowd, questioning why he has changed. The two fought in a physical match that ended with the WWE Champion making The Heart of 205 Live tap to a heel hook.
Analysis: 205 Live has run out of stories for Ali. He's on an incredible roll, but he has no opponents. The champion is someone he's already fought to the limit countless times. The best thing would be to at least temporarily let him work the blue brand instead just like The Lucha House Party and Lio Rush work Raw.
Ali would add an incredible new element to SmackDown. He could work with anyone and have a great match. I just want more Ali vs. Bryan where they don't use the commercial break for their best spots.
Conclusion
SmackDown has been better at delivering strong wrestling and moments over the past few months, and this was certainly no different. The blue brand has a great start and end with quality wrestling that was filled with strong segments throughout to fill the time.
Even if SmackDown verges on being overly silly, there's no doubt the talent involved is staggering. This brand's contribution to TLC is far more effective and interesting with matches like Lynch vs. Flair vs. Asuka and Bryan vs. Styles giving the Sunday show its real spark.
Grade: B
How can so many great wrestlers be so boring? It's an anomaly.
NXT and NXT UK December 12, 2018
Bobby Fish Still Feels Like the Odd Man Out in Undisputed Era
Overview: EC3 fought Bobby Fish one on one, taking the win with a surprise small package. Afterward, Undisputed Era hit the ring, but Heavy Machinery made sure EC3 stayed safe with the three faces standing tall over the heels.
Analysis: I'm not the biggest fan of UE, but they are clearly a major force in NXT. This make it even more obvious when there's a weak link among them. While Fish is certainly not a bad performer, he just cannot match up to his stablemates. He's the odd man out, and it is noticeable.
With the other three current champions, it would take a radical shift for Fish to stand out among this group of charismatic performers.
NXT UK Can Be the Hoss Fight Division
Overview: Dave Mastiff and Eddie Dennis fought for top billing as the undefeated hoss fighter in NXT UK. While Dennis pushed Mastiff to his limit, the big man still emerged victorious with the Big Bomber.
Analysis: Watching Mastiff run through NXT UK's best hosses has been some of the most fun the show has offered. He's so fun to watch, and the division clearly centers on him. He can be the absolute heart of the whole show, and it's hard to say who can slow him down.
I hope we get to see what he can do with Pete Dunne soon, once he is done running through every NXT UK hoss.
Overview: EC3 fought Bobby Fish one on one, taking the win with a surprise small package. Afterward, Undisputed Era hit the ring, but Heavy Machinery made sure EC3 stayed safe with the three faces standing tall over the heels.
Analysis: I'm not the biggest fan of UE, but they are clearly a major force in NXT. This make it even more obvious when there's a weak link among them. While Fish is certainly not a bad performer, he just cannot match up to his stablemates. He's the odd man out, and it is noticeable.
With the other three current champions, it would take a radical shift for Fish to stand out among this group of charismatic performers.
NXT UK Can Be the Hoss Fight Division
Overview: Dave Mastiff and Eddie Dennis fought for top billing as the undefeated hoss fighter in NXT UK. While Dennis pushed Mastiff to his limit, the big man still emerged victorious with the Big Bomber.
Analysis: Watching Mastiff run through NXT UK's best hosses has been some of the most fun the show has offered. He's so fun to watch, and the division clearly centers on him. He can be the absolute heart of the whole show, and it's hard to say who can slow him down.
I hope we get to see what he can do with Pete Dunne soon, once he is done running through every NXT UK hoss.
205 Live December 12, 2018
205 Live Would Be the Best Show Produced by WWE Every Week with Just 2 Matches Each Week
Overview: Buddy Murphy fought Gran Metalik in a top-notch clash that ended with Murphy's Law. Cedric Alexander had an even harder time putting down Tony Nese but ended up emerging victorious with a Lumbar Check.
Analysis: 205 Live is great, but it is special when the show does no compromise. This was clear this week as Murphy and Alexander took complete center stage. They both had top notch matches that made this easily the best hour of wrestling for the week.
This is how the cruiserweights can truly stand out. Just let them wrestle with all the time available.
Overview: Buddy Murphy fought Gran Metalik in a top-notch clash that ended with Murphy's Law. Cedric Alexander had an even harder time putting down Tony Nese but ended up emerging victorious with a Lumbar Check.
Analysis: 205 Live is great, but it is special when the show does no compromise. This was clear this week as Murphy and Alexander took complete center stage. They both had top notch matches that made this easily the best hour of wrestling for the week.
This is how the cruiserweights can truly stand out. Just let them wrestle with all the time available.
Match of the Week
NXT North American Champion Ricochet vs. Tyler Breeze, NXT December 12, 2018 (Rating: 8.75/10)
For a mere 10 minute main event, this was an excellent return-to-form bout for Tyler Breeze, who was good as he has been since going to the main roster. Prince Pretty felt like himself again for the first time in years, getting into a striking war with Ricochet from the start.
This match came off as heavily nostalgia-driven as not much happened, but The Gorgeous One was in top form and may have even outworked The One and Only. I wish they could have gone another five minutes together in this title bout.
Still, there's no doubt this was excellent. Both men brought their A-game, and it was the most intense and emotional bout of the week. I hope this is the beginning of a new run for Breeze in NXT, but it was more likely just a one-off return.
Honorable Mention: Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins vs. Baron Corbin, Monday Night Raw December 10, 2018 (Rating: 8.75/10)
Corbin has not been great most of the year. He has taken up too much time on each show, and this match was certainly too long. However, it was also a ton of fun. The two absolutely went all out in a physical and weapon-heavy fight that was easily the GM elect's best match all year.
This was a great warm-up for TLC. The stories throughout worked to keep this moving before Rollins had the entire crowd behind him. It was a brilliant storytelling moment when The Architect finally overcame everything to emerge victorious.
For a mere 10 minute main event, this was an excellent return-to-form bout for Tyler Breeze, who was good as he has been since going to the main roster. Prince Pretty felt like himself again for the first time in years, getting into a striking war with Ricochet from the start.
This match came off as heavily nostalgia-driven as not much happened, but The Gorgeous One was in top form and may have even outworked The One and Only. I wish they could have gone another five minutes together in this title bout.
Still, there's no doubt this was excellent. Both men brought their A-game, and it was the most intense and emotional bout of the week. I hope this is the beginning of a new run for Breeze in NXT, but it was more likely just a one-off return.
Honorable Mention: Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins vs. Baron Corbin, Monday Night Raw December 10, 2018 (Rating: 8.75/10)
Corbin has not been great most of the year. He has taken up too much time on each show, and this match was certainly too long. However, it was also a ton of fun. The two absolutely went all out in a physical and weapon-heavy fight that was easily the GM elect's best match all year.
This was a great warm-up for TLC. The stories throughout worked to keep this moving before Rollins had the entire crowd behind him. It was a brilliant storytelling moment when The Architect finally overcame everything to emerge victorious.
