Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
It's wrap up season. At this point in the year, WWE is looking forward to 2019 rather than back at 2018 with the shows finishing up any stories that will have no relevance come the new year.
In particular, this was seen with WWE TLC 2018 where wrestlers fought once more in physical and often dangerous matches to end their rivalries. Not everything got neatly resolved, but enough did to see this as the turning point.
On Monday Night Raw, promises were made of a new era in WWE, and it will interesting to see what comes next with these the last likely truly relevant shows of the WWE year.
In particular, this was seen with WWE TLC 2018 where wrestlers fought once more in physical and often dangerous matches to end their rivalries. Not everything got neatly resolved, but enough did to see this as the turning point.
On Monday Night Raw, promises were made of a new era in WWE, and it will interesting to see what comes next with these the last likely truly relevant shows of the WWE year.
It took months on end, but Asuka finally did it. She finally got past being in a feud with James Ellsworth.
WWE TLC 2018
The Women's Division Has Legitimately Become WWE's Best Product
Overview: Ronda Rousey defeated Nia Jax in a physical and intense match that ended with The Facebreaker tapping out to the armbar. Rousey later appeared during the TLC main event to knock down Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch off a ladder to seal the win for Asuka. Natalya also defeated Ruby Riott in a competitive tables match.
Analysis: TLC overall felt fairly average. There were highs and lows throughout with nothing beyond Mixed Match Challenge that bad. However, the average quality from the women's division was stellar in a way that stood out impressively on the night.
While most everyone expected Lynch vs. Flair vs. Asuka to stand out, Rousey also had one of the best individual performances of her career with Jax, and Natalya and Riott clearly worked hard to make the most of their spotlight. The women right now just feel like they put more into everything they do.
Sometimes Even The Best of Situations Can Go Completely Wrong
Overview: Seth Rollins fought Dean Ambrose in an intense personal fight that dragged on for 23 minutes including a boring chant. In the end, The Architect got too emotional and walked right into Dirty Deeds, losing the match and his Intercontinental Championship.
Analysis: Rollins and Ambrose as friend and foe have been a constant positive for WWE. They have put on some of the company's best matches working together and fighting each other, so there was no reason to believe they would not be great again at TLC. However, everything went wrong.
To be fair, the match has been divisive with some fans defending the action as a strong story-driven affair, but the live audience was having none of it. It was at the wrong time on the card with a crowd that was waiting for the insane action of the main event, and the two clearly could not sync up.
It was a bizarre flop that can certainly be rectified next time out.
Baron Corbin Has Done His Job Well as WWE's Scapegoat
Overview: Baron Corbin came out for his schedule match with Braun Strowman and had Heath Slater starting counting The Monster Among Men out. However, Strowman arrived in a cast, and he brought friends with Apollo Crews, Bobby Roode, Chad Gable, Finn Balor, Slater, and Kurt Angle attacking the GM elect.
Together, they brought down Corbin before Strowman took the effortless three count.
Analysis: The Lone Wolf was not a good general manager. He was bad in the role, but it is silly just much WWE is putting on him when the quality of Raw was driven by writing and booking mistakes. He may have been in the wrong role, but WWE booked him into that role and the bad stories did not just involve him.
To his credit, Corbin has taken his lumps well and only gotten more heat as a heel. On Raw, he was getting booed viciously. I do hope for his sake that he's allowed to start over rather than just carrying the stench of Raw at its worst for the rest of his career.
Conclusion
There were a few absolutely outstanding matches on this card, and mostly everything else was solid. It was a fun night to watch, which is surprising mainly because it was so long. There was no reason TLC had to go five full hours without including the Kickoff.
There were two late match of the year contenders on this show. Multiple stories got interesting follow-ups, and everyone was clearly still motivated late in the year to deliver.
I will take a WWE PPV like this over most of what has been presented in 2018.
Overview: Ronda Rousey defeated Nia Jax in a physical and intense match that ended with The Facebreaker tapping out to the armbar. Rousey later appeared during the TLC main event to knock down Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch off a ladder to seal the win for Asuka. Natalya also defeated Ruby Riott in a competitive tables match.
Analysis: TLC overall felt fairly average. There were highs and lows throughout with nothing beyond Mixed Match Challenge that bad. However, the average quality from the women's division was stellar in a way that stood out impressively on the night.
While most everyone expected Lynch vs. Flair vs. Asuka to stand out, Rousey also had one of the best individual performances of her career with Jax, and Natalya and Riott clearly worked hard to make the most of their spotlight. The women right now just feel like they put more into everything they do.
Sometimes Even The Best of Situations Can Go Completely Wrong
Overview: Seth Rollins fought Dean Ambrose in an intense personal fight that dragged on for 23 minutes including a boring chant. In the end, The Architect got too emotional and walked right into Dirty Deeds, losing the match and his Intercontinental Championship.
Analysis: Rollins and Ambrose as friend and foe have been a constant positive for WWE. They have put on some of the company's best matches working together and fighting each other, so there was no reason to believe they would not be great again at TLC. However, everything went wrong.
To be fair, the match has been divisive with some fans defending the action as a strong story-driven affair, but the live audience was having none of it. It was at the wrong time on the card with a crowd that was waiting for the insane action of the main event, and the two clearly could not sync up.
It was a bizarre flop that can certainly be rectified next time out.
Baron Corbin Has Done His Job Well as WWE's Scapegoat
Overview: Baron Corbin came out for his schedule match with Braun Strowman and had Heath Slater starting counting The Monster Among Men out. However, Strowman arrived in a cast, and he brought friends with Apollo Crews, Bobby Roode, Chad Gable, Finn Balor, Slater, and Kurt Angle attacking the GM elect.
Together, they brought down Corbin before Strowman took the effortless three count.
Analysis: The Lone Wolf was not a good general manager. He was bad in the role, but it is silly just much WWE is putting on him when the quality of Raw was driven by writing and booking mistakes. He may have been in the wrong role, but WWE booked him into that role and the bad stories did not just involve him.
To his credit, Corbin has taken his lumps well and only gotten more heat as a heel. On Raw, he was getting booed viciously. I do hope for his sake that he's allowed to start over rather than just carrying the stench of Raw at its worst for the rest of his career.
Conclusion
There were a few absolutely outstanding matches on this card, and mostly everything else was solid. It was a fun night to watch, which is surprising mainly because it was so long. There was no reason TLC had to go five full hours without including the Kickoff.
There were two late match of the year contenders on this show. Multiple stories got interesting follow-ups, and everyone was clearly still motivated late in the year to deliver.
I will take a WWE PPV like this over most of what has been presented in 2018.
Grade: B
Our great hero Mr. McMahon is here to save us from that rotten, no-good Vince McMahon trying to ruin Raw.
Monday Night Raw December 17, 2018
Promising Change is Not Equivalent to Actually Changing
Overview: Vince McMahon opened Raw with Stephanie McMahon, Triple H, and Shane McMahon, who announced that they would be changing WWE for the fans. They said now the fans would get what they want first and foremost before Corbin interrupted and got beat up again by Raw Superstars in a match with Angle.
Analysis: Empty platitudes and repeated deflections were the name of the game to start Raw with the show mostly not feeling much different afterward. It was an awkwardly long segment as The McMahons tried to explain that everyone around them had failed while they weren't watching.
Hopefully, there is genuine change and innovation coming, but I'm not holding my breath. Just bringing in Nikki Cross, Lars Sullivan, EC3, Lacey Evans, and Heavy Machinery over the next few weeks does not qualify as enough.
Gauntlet Matches are Still Weird But At Least The Women Got Time For Once
Overview: Rousey announced an open challenge with most of the women's roster trying to get in on the match. Stephanie decided to make it a gauntlet match where the winner would gave the champion next week. Natalya ended up eliminating Ember Moon, Riott, and Sasha Banks to earn a shot at Rousey.
Analysis: Gauntlet matches will always be awkward because they so heavily favor the last competitor. It's not like the Royal Rumble in the sense that you just have to survive. The first one in has to defeat everyone else to win. It's an awkward stipulation that rarely works well even if certain stars stand out.
This time around, the match went over 50 minutes, so multiple stars got a chance to shine. In particular, this was Bayley and Natalya's match, and both used their time well. Natalya vs. Rousey has always been an interesting match-up that could be big.
Conclusion
It was the same-old Raw. We got Finn Balor vs. Dolph Ziggler, Corbin getting beat up for the second week in a row, Rousey talking about being a real champion, and Ambrose generically calling himself the moral compass of WWE. All in all, forgettable.
However, it was certainly a step up from what came before. There should be bigger stuff to come soon given McMahon promises, but it's all a matter of waiting to see. I want to get excited, but how can anyone trust WWE at this point?
A good-enough show is a step in the right direction but not the radical shift promised.
Overview: Vince McMahon opened Raw with Stephanie McMahon, Triple H, and Shane McMahon, who announced that they would be changing WWE for the fans. They said now the fans would get what they want first and foremost before Corbin interrupted and got beat up again by Raw Superstars in a match with Angle.
Analysis: Empty platitudes and repeated deflections were the name of the game to start Raw with the show mostly not feeling much different afterward. It was an awkwardly long segment as The McMahons tried to explain that everyone around them had failed while they weren't watching.
Hopefully, there is genuine change and innovation coming, but I'm not holding my breath. Just bringing in Nikki Cross, Lars Sullivan, EC3, Lacey Evans, and Heavy Machinery over the next few weeks does not qualify as enough.
Gauntlet Matches are Still Weird But At Least The Women Got Time For Once
Overview: Rousey announced an open challenge with most of the women's roster trying to get in on the match. Stephanie decided to make it a gauntlet match where the winner would gave the champion next week. Natalya ended up eliminating Ember Moon, Riott, and Sasha Banks to earn a shot at Rousey.
Analysis: Gauntlet matches will always be awkward because they so heavily favor the last competitor. It's not like the Royal Rumble in the sense that you just have to survive. The first one in has to defeat everyone else to win. It's an awkward stipulation that rarely works well even if certain stars stand out.
This time around, the match went over 50 minutes, so multiple stars got a chance to shine. In particular, this was Bayley and Natalya's match, and both used their time well. Natalya vs. Rousey has always been an interesting match-up that could be big.
Conclusion
It was the same-old Raw. We got Finn Balor vs. Dolph Ziggler, Corbin getting beat up for the second week in a row, Rousey talking about being a real champion, and Ambrose generically calling himself the moral compass of WWE. All in all, forgettable.
However, it was certainly a step up from what came before. There should be bigger stuff to come soon given McMahon promises, but it's all a matter of waiting to see. I want to get excited, but how can anyone trust WWE at this point?
A good-enough show is a step in the right direction but not the radical shift promised.
Grade: C+
SmackDown Live December 18, 2018
Mustafa Freaking Ali
Overview: Mustafa Ali was announced to officially be a member of SmackDown Live, and his second match on the brand was a team-up with AJ Styles against Daniel Bryan and Andrade Cien Almas. After Styles brought down Bryan, he took Almas out of the equation to allow Ali to hit the 054 and win.
Analysis: Last week, I was excited about the potential of The Heart of 205 Live working the blue brand occasionally. I did not expect it would escalate this fast. Ali just pinned the WWE champion. Even if it's a tag team match, it was a huge way to introduce Ali to fans who likely barely knew about him.
The potential matches are endless, and I desperately hope that we get to see Ali used to his fullest now. He was one of the true MVPs of 2018, and he could honestly be one of SmackDown's best in 2019. I do still hope he also works 205 Live though just because it's so much his brand.
SmackDown's Tag Team Division Just Got a Restart
Overview: The Usos called out Sheamus and Cesaro, but Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson answered instead. An impromptu match followed with Jimmy and Jey nearly taking the victory before The Bar arrived. However, it was Sanity that struck first, destroying everyone in the ring with Sheamus and Cesaro getting in a few shots afterward.
Analysis: There's no doubt that The Bar, The Usos, and The New Day are elite tag teams. However, no tag team division is sustainable with just three teams, and SmackDown's tag team division depth makes the top of Raw's division look silly in comparison.
It is absurd that guys like The Good Brothers and Sanity did nothing for months on end. These guys are just as deserving of potential title runs as the main trio even if they are not quite as overwhelmingly talented. It's time for some variety.
Conclusion
Raw promised change. SmackDown delivered. This was a great first step show for the blue brand with underused stars clearly emerging looking fresh. From Naomi getting a title shot to Ali winning the main, it was a night for WWE to really show SmackDown's depth.
Every match got time to deliver, which made the two hours feel more tight and focused. I still think SmackDown has a higher ceiling, but this was certainly an impressive showing all the same. The brand that did not need to change showed it can be even better.
Overview: Mustafa Ali was announced to officially be a member of SmackDown Live, and his second match on the brand was a team-up with AJ Styles against Daniel Bryan and Andrade Cien Almas. After Styles brought down Bryan, he took Almas out of the equation to allow Ali to hit the 054 and win.
Analysis: Last week, I was excited about the potential of The Heart of 205 Live working the blue brand occasionally. I did not expect it would escalate this fast. Ali just pinned the WWE champion. Even if it's a tag team match, it was a huge way to introduce Ali to fans who likely barely knew about him.
The potential matches are endless, and I desperately hope that we get to see Ali used to his fullest now. He was one of the true MVPs of 2018, and he could honestly be one of SmackDown's best in 2019. I do still hope he also works 205 Live though just because it's so much his brand.
SmackDown's Tag Team Division Just Got a Restart
Overview: The Usos called out Sheamus and Cesaro, but Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson answered instead. An impromptu match followed with Jimmy and Jey nearly taking the victory before The Bar arrived. However, it was Sanity that struck first, destroying everyone in the ring with Sheamus and Cesaro getting in a few shots afterward.
Analysis: There's no doubt that The Bar, The Usos, and The New Day are elite tag teams. However, no tag team division is sustainable with just three teams, and SmackDown's tag team division depth makes the top of Raw's division look silly in comparison.
It is absurd that guys like The Good Brothers and Sanity did nothing for months on end. These guys are just as deserving of potential title runs as the main trio even if they are not quite as overwhelmingly talented. It's time for some variety.
Conclusion
Raw promised change. SmackDown delivered. This was a great first step show for the blue brand with underused stars clearly emerging looking fresh. From Naomi getting a title shot to Ali winning the main, it was a night for WWE to really show SmackDown's depth.
Every match got time to deliver, which made the two hours feel more tight and focused. I still think SmackDown has a higher ceiling, but this was certainly an impressive showing all the same. The brand that did not need to change showed it can be even better.
Grade: B
Nothing heals all the bad blood like turning heel.
WWE NXT and NXT UK December 19, 2018
Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir Are Not Bad But Certainly Not Ronda Rousey or Shayna Baszler Naturals
Overview: Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir stepped into the ring for the very first time against Io Shirai and Dakota Kai, and they got physical quickly. However, despite giving a solid fight, they were not match for the veterans with Kai clearing the ring to set up Shirai to hit a moonsault on Shafir for the win.
Analysis: It's never right to expect all that much from a wrestler's first match, but Duke and Shafir are working in the shadow of two of the most natural performers to make the transition to wrestling. Baszler at least took some time to get there, but the expectation is clear: these two need to be good quickly.
They were fine in a surprisingly short match, but they were not being asked to do much while working with two of NXT's best. They could stood out a little more.
Joe Coffey Has Become a Fascinating Rising Star
Overview: Joe Coffey fought Travis Banks in the main event in a physical encounter with no allies in either man's corner. In the end, Coffey caught Banks with a spear and lariat for the win.
Analysis: I didn't think much of Coffey after the NXT UK tournament. He and his brother Mark seemed like a fine tag team, but quietly Coffey has become one of the brand's top stars, leading the only stable on the brand. Gallus have really been a fascinating development for NXT UK.
I would not be surprised to see Coffey get the next shot at Pete Dunne. He has taken shots at the champion recently, and he's arguably the biggest heel on the brand at the moment.
Overview: Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir stepped into the ring for the very first time against Io Shirai and Dakota Kai, and they got physical quickly. However, despite giving a solid fight, they were not match for the veterans with Kai clearing the ring to set up Shirai to hit a moonsault on Shafir for the win.
Analysis: It's never right to expect all that much from a wrestler's first match, but Duke and Shafir are working in the shadow of two of the most natural performers to make the transition to wrestling. Baszler at least took some time to get there, but the expectation is clear: these two need to be good quickly.
They were fine in a surprisingly short match, but they were not being asked to do much while working with two of NXT's best. They could stood out a little more.
Joe Coffey Has Become a Fascinating Rising Star
Overview: Joe Coffey fought Travis Banks in the main event in a physical encounter with no allies in either man's corner. In the end, Coffey caught Banks with a spear and lariat for the win.
Analysis: I didn't think much of Coffey after the NXT UK tournament. He and his brother Mark seemed like a fine tag team, but quietly Coffey has become one of the brand's top stars, leading the only stable on the brand. Gallus have really been a fascinating development for NXT UK.
I would not be surprised to see Coffey get the next shot at Pete Dunne. He has taken shots at the champion recently, and he's arguably the biggest heel on the brand at the moment.
205 Live December 19, 2018
Drew Gulak Missed His Window
Overview: Drew Gulak and Jack Gallagher fought against Akira Tozawa and The Brian Kendrick in a tag team street fight. Tozawa made sure Gulak was out of the way before Kendrick took the win with Sliced Bread #2 on his former friend and student Gallagher.
Analysis: This was a fine main event that did not quite live up to its time or billing, but it was especially let down by the simple fact that it no longer feels like Gulak and Gallagher are top heels. Their loss would have been a big deal a few months ago. Now it just felt expected. The faces had to get their retribution.
I have no idea what Gulak is doing right now or where he goes. It's a shame because he's still among 205's elite. He just has no focus anymore.
Overview: Drew Gulak and Jack Gallagher fought against Akira Tozawa and The Brian Kendrick in a tag team street fight. Tozawa made sure Gulak was out of the way before Kendrick took the win with Sliced Bread #2 on his former friend and student Gallagher.
Analysis: This was a fine main event that did not quite live up to its time or billing, but it was especially let down by the simple fact that it no longer feels like Gulak and Gallagher are top heels. Their loss would have been a big deal a few months ago. Now it just felt expected. The faces had to get their retribution.
I have no idea what Gulak is doing right now or where he goes. It's a shame because he's still among 205's elite. He just has no focus anymore.
Match of the Week
WWE Champion Daniel Bryan vs. AJ Styles, WWE TLC 2018 (Rating: 9.5/10)
The New Daniel Bryan is spectacular to watch. He's as good as he's ever been, taking elements of what made him a defining performer on the independent scene and a household name in WWE and smashing them together. He is wrestling on a completely unique level at the moment.
Together with AJ Styles, who is still one of the best in the business, this was an incredible match. The technical focus, the storytelling throughout, the personal touches made this one of the best contests of the whole year.
If I had one complaint, it would be simply that the small package finish felt a bit sudden and anticlimactic. While Bryan stealing a victory with a roll up works for his character, it felt like they just fell into the finish.
Honorable Mention: TLC Match - SmackDown Women's Champion Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka, WWE TLC 2018 (Rating: 9.5/10)
WWE continues to set new bars for what is the best we have ever seen from women's wrestling with Lynch and Flair certainly leading that charge. This TLC match was spectacular, and all three women did their part to make it so with so many insane, way-too-dangerous spots.
There were moments in this match where it looked like all three women had been legitimately injured, but they never stalled. The storytelling was phenomenal, and that comes down to the way these women leaned into their shots. It really felt like these three wanted to hurt each other.
While Bryan vs. Styles was the match of the week, it's basically 1A vs. 1B as this was also a match-of-the-year contender and the second best women's match of the year.
Honorable Mention: Aleister Black vs. Johnny Gargano, NXT December 19, 2018 (Rating: 8.75/10)
While it still feels like these two should feel more natural working together given their ability, this was another great match between Aleister Black and Johnny Gargano. The two went from brawling early to utilizing the steel cage to its fullest in this personal rematch.
This was a striking flurry contest with both men getting in kicks and punches of all kinds to keep this going. It was two great wrestlers just bringing their best strikes. I wish that the two felt more natural transitioning to the big spots, but I cannot complain about what we got.
This also had a fascinating ending that will mean a lot going forward as Tommaso Ciampa and Gargano seemingly found a common ground once more.
The New Daniel Bryan is spectacular to watch. He's as good as he's ever been, taking elements of what made him a defining performer on the independent scene and a household name in WWE and smashing them together. He is wrestling on a completely unique level at the moment.
Together with AJ Styles, who is still one of the best in the business, this was an incredible match. The technical focus, the storytelling throughout, the personal touches made this one of the best contests of the whole year.
If I had one complaint, it would be simply that the small package finish felt a bit sudden and anticlimactic. While Bryan stealing a victory with a roll up works for his character, it felt like they just fell into the finish.
Honorable Mention: TLC Match - SmackDown Women's Champion Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka, WWE TLC 2018 (Rating: 9.5/10)
WWE continues to set new bars for what is the best we have ever seen from women's wrestling with Lynch and Flair certainly leading that charge. This TLC match was spectacular, and all three women did their part to make it so with so many insane, way-too-dangerous spots.
There were moments in this match where it looked like all three women had been legitimately injured, but they never stalled. The storytelling was phenomenal, and that comes down to the way these women leaned into their shots. It really felt like these three wanted to hurt each other.
While Bryan vs. Styles was the match of the week, it's basically 1A vs. 1B as this was also a match-of-the-year contender and the second best women's match of the year.
Honorable Mention: Aleister Black vs. Johnny Gargano, NXT December 19, 2018 (Rating: 8.75/10)
While it still feels like these two should feel more natural working together given their ability, this was another great match between Aleister Black and Johnny Gargano. The two went from brawling early to utilizing the steel cage to its fullest in this personal rematch.
This was a striking flurry contest with both men getting in kicks and punches of all kinds to keep this going. It was two great wrestlers just bringing their best strikes. I wish that the two felt more natural transitioning to the big spots, but I cannot complain about what we got.
This also had a fascinating ending that will mean a lot going forward as Tommaso Ciampa and Gargano seemingly found a common ground once more.