WWE TLC 2017 Preview And Predictions

Welcome one and all to my preview and predictions blog for the upcoming "RAW" exclusive live special: "TLC". As always if you have any comments or thoughts on anything in this or any of my blogs leave a comment in the comments section below or follow me on social media by clicking one of the links on my homepage.

I must admit I haven't really been keeping up with "RAW" as much as I usually do in the last month or so, I've been watching "YouTube" videos and reading result posts and whilst there are some great matches in the mix I'm not overly excited for the big reunion of "The Shield". There have also been a few backstage issues, if rumours are to be believed, we might have seen the last of both Neville and Nia Jax. There are a couple of notable absences from the final card, namely Elias and Apollo Crews. Both have had decent enough matches with each other in the past month or so and I would have much rather seen this than a throw away match between Sasha Banks and Alicia Fox. My one big issue with "TLC" is the lack of actual "TLC" matches. At least "Hell In A Cell" had two actual cell matches there is only one "TLC" match on the "TLC" themed event.


1. Drew Gulak's PowerPoint Presentation (Kick Off Show): I know, technically this isn't a match but, I really wanted to take the time to talk about how great Gulak has done with what could have been a one dimensional character. Over the past few weeks Gulak has gone from being a generic kill joy to a Bob Backlund style villain that proves he really is an under rated talent. I would have liked to see a Gulak match but, I fully expect Akira Tozawa to return to kick the head off of Gulak leading to the continuation of this feud.


2. Sasha Banks Vs. Alicia Fox (Kick Off Show): I'm not really sure why this match is exactly necessary but, I'm sure it'll fill the time on the "kick off" show none the less. Both are capable enough of having good enough matches but, are being lost in the shuffle of a great, if not over populated, women's division. If I had to pick a winner I would say Sasha because I can't really see what an Alicia Fox win would do for anyone.


3. Cedric Alexander And Rich Swann Vs. Jack Gallagher And Brian Kendrick: Finally the unthinkable has happened. Not only is there a "Cruiserweight" championship match on the main card but, a second "205 Live" match is featured on the main show too. This is truly testament to how great a feud this has been. If handled right Jack Gallagher and Brian Kendrick could become a force to be reckoned with not only on "205 Live" but, perhaps in the tag team division on "RAW". Cedric and Swann are two guys that are under rated in, my opinion, an under rated division and have been having great matches and feuds week in, week out. This should be a hard hitting affair with a lot of high drama. I would like to see TJP get involved and possibly side with Kendrick and Gallagher in the long term. Kendrick and Gallagher will come out on top with their usual under handed tactics.


4. Asuka Vs. Emma: I feel sorry for Emma. She has been around for a few years now and has been overlooked time and time again, even after the "Women's Revolution" took place she is another face lost in the shuffle. Stalled gimmicks and generic "Bad Girl" characteristics have stifled her as an in ring competitor. Asuka is coming off the back of a historic run in not only "NXT" history but, "WWE" history too. Asuka's injury is a blessing and a curse. She was running out of credible opponents in "NXT", granted a match between Asuka and Kairi Sane or Shayna Bazler would have been fantastic, Asuka out grew her surroundings. Now Asuka has arrived into the aforementioned over crowded "RAW" women's division. The risk here is that she, like many others, gets lost in the shuffle. None the less I am excited to see where this move takes Asuka. This match will be nothing more than a squash match to push the "Empress Of Tomorrow".


5. WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Kalisto(C) Vs. Enzo Amore: I don't care how many people get sick of me saying this, I love the "Cruiserweight Division" and "205 Live". Sure there has been a few hiccups along the way but, I feel that a lot of the talent involved have been overlooked by not only the staff of "WWE" but, the fans at "Smackdown Live" who are about as lively as a bag of Ready Salted crisps. The short sighted answer to this problem ? bring Enzo Amore and Kalisto into the division and shelve talent like Noam Dar, TJP and the disgruntled Neville. This match will show a couple of things: that Kalisto is a tad mediocre on his own and also that Enzo Amore, despite 3 years in "NXT" and 2 years of being part of a tag team is as much use as a chocolate tea pot. If "205 Live" was struggling before this match will do absolutely nothing to dissuade these concerns. Enzo for the win because, well who cares ?


6. Finn Balor Vs. Bray Wyatt AJ Styles: Being billed as "The Demon Vs. Sister Abigail" essentially sells the fact that "WWE" is trying to cash in on the Halloween factor. These two have had some decent matches over the past few months but, the build up to this match has been bizarre to say the least. Voice changers and creepy make up aside, this should be a decent enough rubber match and hopefully Wyatt might come out with the win. I would be shocked to actually see a physical Sister Abigail make an appearance if not just for Halloween.
Change To Card: Whilst I'm sure everyone was looking forward to Balor Vs. Wyatt - 3, I'm really excited to see what could be considered a dream match. Now I'm not saying Wyatt's illness is a good thing, viral meningitis is no laughing matter, but the fact that the match that came out of the scramble is Balor Vs AJ Styles is fantastic. This should be one of, if not, the best match of the night and should hopefully elevate Balor a little bit closer to a "Universal Championship" show down with BROCCCCCCCCCKKKKK LESSSNAR, sorry force of habit. This should be a fantastic showcase for both with Balor coming out with the win. 



7. RAW Women's Championship: Alexa Bliss (C) Vs. Mickie James: Mickie James being in contention for the "RAW" women's championship would be high on the list of "things I wouldn't expect to see in 2017" but, Mickie has proven that she really is still able to compete at a high level. the build up for this match has been great, selling Alexa as the young upstart against the "experienced" James is a "Rocky" style feud that has been beneficial for both. I would have liked to have seen this match with the "TLC" stipulation added but, I can't have everything. This should be a great back and forth match with a lot of high spots. I fully expect Bliss to retain.


8. TLC Match: The Shield Kurt Angle, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose Vs. The Miz, Kane, Sheamus, Cesaro and Braun Strowman: As I mentioned at the beginning of the post I'm not overly excited for the reunion of "The Shield". All three men have had a huge 3 years of singles competition and I suspect have only been brought back due to a lack of "Universal Championship" on "RAW". the past few weeks I have been expecting this match to expand even further, maybe eventually featuring the entire "RAW" roster seen as half of it feature in the main event. This should be a decent enough match, even with the surprising; if not a little baffling, inclusion of Kane. Despite the sheer enormity of opposition I fully expect "The Shield" to come out on top.
Change To Card: Again I'm not one to scoff at illness but, if the scramble for this match was to bring Kurt Angle back into a "WWE" ring, I can't really complain. the one issue I have is that the "WWE" seem to be a little full hardy by bringing someone who has had numerous neck surgeries and concussions back into the ring when a certain GM of "Smackdown Live" has been left on the sidelines. This should be an entertaining match, my one concern is that Angle hasn't had a match in a year or so but, cyborg Angle could surprise me yet. Looking for the demi Shield and Captain America pull out the win.