Let Us End the Year with Tables, Ladders and Chairs!!!!

A Pleasant Sunday to You, Enthusiasts!

Tonight, we gather round for the final PPV of 2018.  It’s been an interesting year.  A lot of shocks and surprises and a lot of not so surprising moments but, though this year could be described as “bumpy”, I find this year was promising.  This is probably the beginning of a new chapter within the WWE and naturally, the growing pains were evident but the fact that they exist says something.  Recent free offerings may have had plenty to be desired but I do believe that’s the beginning of the turning of the tide.  I think with SmackDown going to FOX next year has a lot to do with it and I’m sure come 2020, we’ll have a different iteration of this WWE Universe.  It may be long overdue.

In any case, as for tonight, TLC is the name of the game and it’s hard to know what to really expect.  I won’t run down the entire card but I will point out some matches of note, the first being the match slated between Baron Corbin and Braun Strowman.   Now, rumor has it that Strowman should be in the building but we all know he should be in no condition to compete so, what we’ll be looking for here is the feasibility of what the WWE presents us instead.  Whether Corbin takes a lame DQ or if someone subs, it doesn’t matter as long as it’s executed in some sort of entertaining or provocative manner.  These sorts of “Wild Card” moments have potential but the WWE has to make an effort not to be lazy.   These could be fun areas to experiment and surprise.  They shouldn’t be neglected.

The next match of interest would probably concern Finn Bálor and Drew McIntyre.  Now, the intrigue here is Bálor’s health.  What’s going around is that he’s sick so, the question will be whether he’s in good enough condition to wrestle.  I just hope they don’t “Conjure the Demon” as some sort of misguided compensation.  I still feel if that gimmick is going to work with the mainstream audience, proper set-up has to prompt it.  The opponent relies on sketchy play forcing Bálor to even the playing field or something similar.  Anything done along those lines outside of context just makes us make up our faces in confusion.  It’s not a “must see” gimmick.  It’s a consequential gimmick.  Circumstances have to conspire to allow for the demon.  Random demon is just that.

Then we have to consider the Intercontinental Title Match between Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins.  This is going to be a real test of these 2 because it will be solely on them to sell it.  Not everyone is feeling this Ambrose heel-turn and I can understand that.  The heel-turn comes with the territory but the execution is key.  I’m not going to say that Ambrose is doing a bad job.  What I feel he’s up against is the general dislike of the storyline twist yet, in the face of circumstances, it does kind of make sense.  So, the question is how to proceed palatably.  There’s no easy answer.  For tonight, I think they should just focus on putting on a good show/match.   Perhaps what could make this interesting is some teetering on Ambrose’s part.  Perhaps some cracks could start to form in the armor and he begins to rethink his actions.  It could lay the foundation for a return to Face-dom in the New Year.  And who knows, maybe Rollins is the one who starts to sour as well?   Bitter from the lack of respect and upset at the Ambrose’s timing.  When the Brothers should be at their strongest, given Roman Reigns’ “condition”, Ambrose takes this as the time to get selfish.   Rollins tends to play heel better anyway.  If set up right, someone could still keep their panties in a bunch.

And to close, I feel the Ladies Triple Threat match with Asuka, Becky Lynch and Charlotte should be the match of the night.   The ladies have such a big opportunity here that it doesn’t really matter who wins, as long as they all leave it out there at the end of the night.  Whoever stands tall, stands tall.  What we’re looking for is a great match and we know these women can deliver.  My money’s on Becky Lynch just because she’s hot right now and definitely going for it.  It could lay the foundation for juicy rivalries for 2019 and beyond.   There is a lot of potential currently for the Women’s Division.  They should take us out of 2018 with a bang and just go for it.

That’s the general sentiment I have for the rest of the matches for tonight as well.  Since focus may be elsewhere, everyone else is going to have to spice up their matches and gain our attention.   I don’t doubt we could have some surprise stars of the evening.  The SmackDown Tag Team Triple Threat could be one of those places where we get pleasantly surprised.  Yet everyone else is going to have to make a play for it.  It’s not out of reach.  Let’s settle in and see what they do.  Funny tweets get retweeted and as for Likes/Favorites, let’s see how they impresses first.

See You in a Bit,

-Nicole Alexis (^_~)