WWE TLC 2017 Preview and Predictions

Earl Marx & Benjamin Trecroci

Tonight WWE present TLC; Table Ladders and Chairs. Viral meningitis has denied fans the prospect of seeing The Shield’s first match as a trio since June 2014. However, WWE have replaced the ill Roman Reigns with Raw General Manager and Hall of Famer Kurt Angle, who will be wrestling his first match in WWE since 2006. Further down the card and WWE have also had to scramble at the last minute to find a replacement for Bray Wyatt in his match with Finn Balor, step forward AJ Styles. Will this dream match between former leaders of The Bullet Club prove to be just too sweet? Here’s what Earl and Benjamin think…

Kickoff Show Match: Sasha Banks vs. Alicia Fox

Earl: I am a Nia Jax guy. Yep – I said it. With that in mind, Alicia has been showing me quite the character. Not sure why, but it works for me. If I were booking, I’d go with a crafty Foxy win, but I’m not booking. So you know….let’s give the fans something to cheer about.

Winner: Sasha Banks

Benjamin: Not real sure what’s going on with Sasha. She either has the title or in this weird match with Foxy. Could totally see Foxy winning but I’ll go with The Boss.

Winner: Sasha Banks

Drew Gulak’s Championship Edition PowerPoint Presentation

Earl:  Not sure what to say about this. Enjoy?

Benjamin: Kinda like Gulak. But who knows what’s going on here.

Finn Balor (as The Demon) vs. AJ Styles

Earl: Last minute change here. C’mon internet…will you finally lay off WWE now? They’re giving you what you want. Ha! Let’s hope for 15-20 mins for this one. I kinda think Finn is challenging Brock next, so he needs this win a little more than AJ to keep the momentum going. WILL THE CLUB BE AT RINGSIDE???? HMMMMM.

Winner: Finn Balor

Benjamin: Viral Meningitis is the real MVP here! I don’t care if there is no build to this match as some are complaining about. This seriously could be the thing that shakes up everything with Finn, Bray,Etc. If the Good Brothers (Gallows and Anderson) aren’t involved in this match in one or another then it’s a missed opportunity that fell in the lap because of strange circumstances. As far as the match goes, honestly I’m not sure. Feel like Finn wins in because of him being a Raw guy in a possible MOTY candidate.  Maybe The Club interferes and AJ/Finn fight them off or hopefully they chose a side. That would be Toooo (you know the rest).

Winner: Finn Balor

Raw Women’s Championship Match: Alexa Bliss vs. Mickie James

Earl: Am I the only one who has found this feud entertaining? I mean…some of it does feel like “Piggie James” 2.0, but Mickie is much stronger now. I don’t know if putting the title back on her now does anything for me. Let’s have her put the champ over in nice fashion.

Winner: Alexa Bliss

Benjamin: Always been a Mickie James guy, thought she was brought in great by Alexa and then they kinda forgot about her. Luckily, she was brought back in and these two have great chemistry. Feel like this could be Alexa’s best match as “Grandma” bring it out of her.

Winner: Alexa Bliss

WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match: Kalisto vs. Enzo Amore

Earl: If you know me, you know I have not been an Enzo fan in the past. BUT, even I will admit, this incarnation has my interest. I think the Listo win was to create a little shock, but there’s more to do if we get Enzo with the belt.

Winner: (and new champion) Enzo Amore

Benjamin: This whole Neville/205 Live saga has taken so many turns in the last couple weeks. Was hoping since they put the belt on Enzo they would keep it on, but no they threw it on Kalisto. Can’t imagine 205 Live has much shelf life and since Neville left, I’ve lost interest just when Enzo was bringing me back in. Maybe Enzo brings in a new heavy to assist him regain the title?

Winner: Enzo (new champion)

Asuka vs. Emma

Earl: Someone pray for Emma. Please.

Winner: Asuka

Rich Swann & Cedric Alexander vs. Brian Kendrick & Jack Gallagher

Earl: I suppose I have liked this change for Jack G. There comes a time when you gotta cut the games out and get serious. I do, however, think there is something coming for Cedric Alexander in the future. A win here keeps him on our minds. Oh yeah – Swann is there too.

Winner: Cedric Alexander and Rich Swann

Benjamin: This has potential, but not sure if enough people care about it. Gallagher and Kendrick seemed to be on a roll lately. So I’ll go with them. Heel tactics all the way.

Winner: Gallagher and Kendrick.

TLC Handicap Match: Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and Kurt Angle vs. Kane, Braun Strowman, The Miz, Cesaro, and Sheamus

Earl: Last minute change. What the actual f— is this? Ha!!! I mean…I am in such shock at the inclusion of Kurt. Why not Jason Jordan? LOLOLOL!!! Lighten up gang. I’m not about to tear the match to shreds but I mean…cotdang. On one side there’s an odd pairing that doesn’t feel necessary to me. On the other, there’s just so many people and no Curtis Axel. Does this match have any implications? I don’t think so. Let’s enjoy the spots and go witgh a face win to send us home happy.

Winner: Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and the newly added Kurt Angle

Benjamin: Like whoa! Where to start here with this? This almost reminds me of a Dungeon of Doom vs. Hogan gauntlet match but with a ton more talent. Was amped to see The Shield return, but now Angle is in the match!?! Then with the 5-3 advantage you have to believe others will get involved. Jason Jordan makes sense with his “Dad” and it seemed like he and Miz were getting into something. Really hope Kane’s “brother” doesn’t come back. I’m done with Taker. There I said it! But anyways this is going to be insane. Kurt and The Shield 2/3 is going to be electric. They might lose though and set up Survivor Series.

Winner: Kane, Strowman, Miz, Cesaro, Sheamus

Overall:

Earl: Hmmm. I mean are we looking at some kind of beautiful train wreck? By all means, we have some heavy hitters in the main event. We should be excited right? Why am I not? Could just be me. I do wonder this though – if Jinder can just call out Brock for a fight, can anyone from the actual Raw roster do the same? Let’s let this play out gang. No to low expectations on my end. Hoping to be pleasantly surprised.

Benjamin: Went from yeah I’ll probably throw this event on the laptop and watch in the background to now all out party, get the pizza! Really feel like this injected a ton of energy into this show. Really hoping this illness going around is a blessing in disguise and it throws everything for a loop. This has sooooo much potential. Seems like the last two PPVs have started out great and then fall off the table, thinking this one might go in reverse. It has to right?