WWE TLC 2018 Review

WWE TLC took place on Sunday 16th December at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. There are 12 matches on the card, so will WWE end 2018 on a positive note? Let's take a look.

The first match on the Kick Off was for the Cruiserweight Championship as Cedric Alexander challenges Buddy Murphy. After some fast paced action and quick pin attempts, Murphy knees Alexander in the face, sending him out of the ring. Alexander gets back into it with a kick to the stomach and both guys try to hit their finishing moves. Alexander does hit the Lumber Check but Murphy manages to get his foot on the ropes. In the end, Murphy manages to retain the Championship after hitting Murphy's Law. This match was pretty good and I'm disappointed that it was on the Kick Off.
Winner: Buddy Murphy (1 for 1)

The second match on the Kick Off Show is an actual ladder match between Elias and Bobby Lashley. Now the rules are that whoever grabs the guitar hanging up wins. Lashley tries to get a ladder but Elias stops him and gets one himself. Lio Rush tries to stop Elias from climbing up the ladder, giving Lashley the chance to recover. Elias manages to turn it around and, despite Rush's efforts, grabs the guitar to get the win. Afterwards, Lashley and Rush beat up Elias. This match was ok and was shorter than I thought it would be.
Winner: Elias (1 for 2)

The first match is the final of the Mixed Match Challenge as Fabulous Truth take on Mahalicia. After Carmella and R-Truth have their mandatory dance break, Alicia Fox hits Carmella in the back to get the advantage. Carmella comes close with a Superkick but Jinder Mahal breaks up the pin. In the end, Carmella gets Alicia to submit to the Code of Silence and they get to enter their respective Royal Rumble matches at number 30. They also get an all expenses paid trip to WWE Headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut...? Ah ok, then. Anyway, this was a fun match between the two teams.
Winners: Fabulous Truth (2 for 3)

Next is The Bar facing The New Day and The Usos in a triple threat match for the Smackdown Tag Team Championship. The Bar get the advantage, wearing down Xavier Woods. Eventually, Kofi Kingston gets tagged in and Jimmy Uso tags himself in by tagging Cesaro. Cesaro gets tagged back in and puts Kofi in the sharp shooter after a giant swing but Woods stops that with a DDT. In the end, Sheamus hits Woods with a Brogue Kick to get the win. This was a good match but it was hampered by the fact that only two wrestlers were allowed in the ring even though it was a triple threat match.
Winners: The Bar (2 for 4)

We now get a Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match between Braun Strowman and RAW General Manager-Elect Baron Corbin with Heath Slater as referee. Earlier in the night, Corbin was convinced that Strowman wouldn't show up. However, Strowman turns up with Finn Balor, Bobby Roode, Chad Gable and Apollo Crews. They attack Corbin with chairs and when he tries to leave, he is stopped by a returning Kurt Angle. Obviously, Corbin gets destroyed and Strowman pins him to get the win. This means that Corbin is no longer the RAW General Manager and Strowman will face Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship at the Royal Rumble. This wasn't a match and I felt that having 5-on-1 against Baron Corbin was overkill. WWE must have liked it as they put Corbin against 6 wrestlers the following night.
Winner: Braun Strowman (2 for 5)

Next is a Tables Match between Natlaya and Ruby Riott. Early on, Natalya tries to spear Riott but Liv Morgan gets in the way and gets speared through a table. Later on, Sarah Logan tries to interfere but gets bodyslammed through another table by Natalya. In the end, Natalya gets a table with Ruby plastered on it. Natalya then powerbombs Ruby from the top turnbuckle through the a table to get the win. The match was ok but it dragged too long at times.
Winner: Natalya (3 for 6)

We now get Finn Balor taking on Drew McIntyre. McIntyre sends Balor halfway across the ring with a brutal overhead belly-to-belly suplex to get the advantage. Balor gets back into it with a twisting DDT. After they fight outside the ring, McIntyre throws Balor back into the ring then gets s surprise superkick from Dolph Ziggler. McIntyre doesn't take well and hits him with a big boot. When McIntyre tries to attack Ziggler with a steel chair, Balor hits him with a running dropkick followed by the Coup de Grace to get the win. The match was pretty decent.
Winner: Finn Balor (4 for 7)

Next is a Chairs Match between Randy Orton and Rey Mysterio. Mysterio is the first one to use a chair, attacking the stomach and back. Mysterio goes for a seated senton but misses and lands on a chair. Orton continues his assault then tries to hit him with a RKO onto the chairs. However, Mysterio avoids it and hits a hurracarrana into a victory roll to get the win. There were a couple of cool spots otherwise, the match wasn't that special.
Winner: Rey Mysterio (4 for 8)

We now get our Women's Championship match as Nia Jax challenges Ronda Rousey. Ronda tries to apply the armbar but Nia powers out of it with a sit down powerbomb. Nia then uses her superior strength to dominate Ronda. Ronda hits a crossbody to the floor to start her comeback. However, Nia hits a Samoan Drop for 2. Ronda goes for the armbar but Tamina distracts her. In the end, Nia goes for face breaker but Ronda grabs the arm and twists it in half in an armbar to get the win by submission. Afterwards, "The Man" Becky Lynch backstage goes "remember me, bitch?"and attacks Nia. This was quite a fun match to watch and it was nice to see Becky get some revenge on Nia.
Winner: Ronda Rousey (5 for 9)

Next is AJ Styles getting his rematch for the WWE Championship against "The New" Daniel Bryan. Bryan stops a forearm by Styles with a kick to the ribs then goes on to apply submission holds. The match goes back and forth before Bryan hits 2 running dropkicks and gets clotheslined when he goes for a third. Styles attacks Bryan's left leg and applies a single leg crab. However, Bryan manages to get out and apply the LeBell Yes No Yes LeBell Lock; which Styles gets out of. In the end, Bryan avoids a Phenomenal Forearm and manages to pin Styles with an inside cradle to get the win. I was slightly surprised that it ended in an inside cradle. However, it does't take away from the fact that this was a really good match.
Winner: Daniel Bryan (6 for 10)

The penultimate match is for the Intercontinental Championship as Dean Ambrose challenges Seth Rollins. Ambrose slams Rollins into the steel steps then onto the announce table to get the advantage. After hitting moves such as a neckbreaker with some taunting thrown in, Ambrose starts to focus on the the repaired knee and applies a cloverleaf. Rollins starts a comeback but is hampered by the injured knee. The match goes back and forth before Rollins goes for the Curb Stomp. However, Ambrose manages to hit Dirty Deeds instead to get the win. The match was pretty good, although it felt like a normal wrestling match; which was weird considering the people involved. However, the commentary bothered me as Corey Graves kept going on and on to Ambrose's wife, Renee Young during the match.
Winner: Dean Ambrose (7 for 11)

The main event is the first ever Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match for the Smackdown Women's Championship as Asuka and Charlotte Flair challenge "The Man" Becky Lynch. Highlights include: Asuka hitting a code breaker on Charlotte; Asuka powerbombing Charlotte off a ladder and through a table; Becky fucking up her opponents with a steel chair; Becky hitting a legdrop off a ladder, sending Charlotte through the German announce table; Charlotte going apeshit on everyone with a kendo stick; Charlotte spearing Asuka into the timekeeper's area; and Charlotte Flair chopping Becky to death before splashing her through a table. After Charlotte and Becky fight it out on a ladder, Ronda Rousey comes out and tips the ladder, sending them to the floor. Asuka seizes the opportunity and climbs the ladder to claim the belt and win the match.

This match was absolutely incredible and I was surprised that Asuka won the Championship. Ronda interfering made sense although I thought she would have done it earlier. If this doesn't lead to Becky facing Ronda at Wrestlemania, I will be very surprised.
Winner: Asuka (7 fror 12)

I thought that TLC was a good event. Considering some of the creative disasters that WWE have done with their events, it was nice for the year to end on a positive note. Hopefully, there will continue that as we approach the road to Wrestlemania XXXV.

WWE TLC 2018 Preview

WWE's final Pay-Per-View of the year, TLC, will be taking place tomorrow evening at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. There are 12(!!) matches on the card, so let's take a look.

Rey Mysterio vs Randy Orton
Chairs Match
Er...I not that bothered about this match so Orton to win, I guess.
Predicted Winner: Randy Orton

Fabulous Truth (Carmella and R-Truth) vs Mahalicia (Jinder Mahal and Alicia Fox)
Mixed Match Challenge Final
I'm a few weeks behind on the Mixed Match Challenge so I'm surprised that two of the worst teams in the tournament are now in the final. I'm going for Fabulous Truth to win.
Predicted Winners: Fabulous Truth

Elias vs Bobby Lashley
Ladder Match (Kind Of)
This match is slightly different as it has pinfalls and submissions but a guitar is hung up to be used as a weapon. I can see this being a mess and I'm going for Lashley to win.
Predicted Winner: Bobby Lashley

Natalya vs Ruby Riott
Tables Match
I will be very surprised if Natalya doesn't win this.
Predicted Winner: Natalya

Buddy Murphy vs Cedric Alexander
Cruiserweight Championship
This should be a good match and I'm going for Murphy to retain.
Predicted Winner: Buddy Murphy

The Bar vs The Usos vs The New Day
Triple Threat Match for the Smackdown Tag Team Championships
This should be another good match and I think that The Usos will win.
Predicted Winners: The Usos

Finn Balor vs Drew McIntyre
This could be a good match and I think that Finn will win
Predicted Winner: Finn Balor

Braun Strowman vs Baron Corbin
Table, Ladders and Chairs Match
I can see Corbin using his authority as acting General Manager and cheating like fuck to get the win.
Predicted Winner: Baron Corbin

Ronda Rousey vs Nia Jax
RAW Women's Championship
I can see Ronda winning this and continue her quest to the new Chyna
Predicted Winner: Ronda Rousey

Seth Rollins vs Dean Ambrose
Intercontinental Championship
This should be a fun match to watch. A tough one to call but I think that Ambrose will win.
Predicted Winner: Dean Ambrose

"The Man" Becky Lynch vs Asuka vs Charlotte Flair
TLC Match for the Smackdown Women's Championship
I'm really looking forward to this one and it has the potential to be the match of the night. I think that Becky will retain.
Predicted Winner: Becky Lynch

AJ Styles vs Daniel Bryan
WWE Championship
I think this should be a good match abd I think that Bryan will retain.
Predicted Winner: Daniel Bryan

It will be a few days until I get to see it. I hope you guys enjoy the show.

WWE Survivor Series 2018 Review

Survivor Series 2018 took place last Sunday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. RAW have won the last two Survivor Series, so will this year be any different? Let's take a look.

The match on the Kick Off Show was a Survivor Series Elimination Match with Team RAW (Bobby Roode and Chad Gable, The Revival, The Ascension, The B Team and Lucha House Party) taking on Team Smackdown(The Usos, The New Day, Sanity, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows and The Colons(?)) The Colons are the first team to be eliminated after The Revival hit Epico with the Shatter Machine. Anderson eliminates The B Team with a roll up and Eric Young is eliminated thanks to a combo Roode Awakening/Moonsault by Roode and Gable. The Ascension are eliminated when Big E splashes Konnor and Anderson and Gallows are eliminated after a senton by Gran Metalik on Anderson. The Usos then eliminate Lucha House Party and Gable and Roode get eliminated with a Up Up Down Down by The New Day on Gable. The Revival hit Shatter Machine on Xavier Woods to leave it with just them and The Usos. In the end, Jimmy Uso hits an Uso Splash on Scott Dawson to get Team Smackdown the win. This was a good match with Chad Gable and The Revival being particularly impressive.
Winners; The Usos (1 for 1)

The first match on the show is the Women's Survivor Series Elimination Match with Team RAW (Mickie James, Tamina, Nia Jax, Sasha Banks and Bayley) versus Team Smackdown (Naomi, Carmella, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville and Asuka) Earlier on, Alexa Bliss had replaced Natalya and Ruby Riott with Sasha Banks and Bayley. Naomi is the first one to be eliminated with a superkick by Tamina but she was eliminated immediately by a roll up by Carmella, who celebrated with a dance break. Rose blind tags in as Deville hits a running knee on James and eliminates her to take the credit. Bayley eliminates Carmella with a Belly-to-Bayley and Sasha Banks eliminates Mandy Rose with the Banks Statement. Deville and Bayley both get counted out, leaving Asuka to take on Jax and Banks. Jax decides to be a jerk and push Banks off the turnbuckle, leading her into a Asuka Lock by Asuka. Banks submits and Jax then kills Asuka with multiple legdrops and a Samoan Drop to get the win for Team RAW. This was quite a good match and it ties the event at...wait, it's 1-0 to RAW? So, the one on the Kick Off Show doesn't count? Then, what was the point of the match?
Winner: Nia Jax (2 for 2)

We now get our first Champion vs Champion match as the Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins takes on United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura. Both guys get a feel for each other before Nakamura kicks Rollins in the face as he goes for a suicide dive. Nakamura focuses on the neck before Rollins slams Nakamura into the turnbuckle. Rollins hits 3 suicide dives in a row before the match goes back and forth. Nakamura hits a Kinshasa to the back of the head but Rollins kicks out. Nakamura goes for another one but misses and Rollins hits the Curb Stomp to get the win. This was an entertaining match and possibly, one of Nakamura's best matches since being called up to the main roster. I was surprised that Dean Ambrose didn't make an appearance. I suppose brand supremacy is more important than his hatred of Rollins.
Winner: Seth Rollins (2 for 3)

Our second Champion vs Champion match as the RAW Tag Team Champions AOP take on Smackdown Tag Team Champions The Bar. Sheamus and Cesaro get the early advantage as they focus on Razr. AOP recover, wearing down Cesaro. Cesaro eventually tags in Sheamus. Drake Maverick starts to interfere, distracting Sheamus then putting Razr's foot on the rope to stop him being pinned. When The Bar and Big Show go after him, he wets himself...? What? Anyway, AOP use this opportunity(?) to hit Sheamus with The Last Chapter and get the win. I wasn't a fan of this match. It felt like it went on for too long and the ending was fucking stupid.
Winners: AOP (2 for 4)

We now get a break from RAW dominating Smackdown as Mustafa Ali challenges Buddy Murphy for the Cruiserweight Championship. Ali uses his quickness against Murphy before being sent flying off the top rope into the crowd barrier. Ali tries to get back into it but Murphy uses his superior strength to shut him down. Ali comes close with a beautiful hanging DDT then hits a Spanish fly from the German announce table. In the end, Ali goes for a crossbody but gets kneed in the head. Murphy then hits Murphy's Law to get the win. This was a really good match and it was great to see the Cruiserweight Championship on an actual Pay-Per-View.
Winner: Buddy Murphy (3 for 5)

Next is our final Survivor Series Elimination Match as Team RAW (Bobby Lashley, Finn Balor, Dolph Ziggler, Drew McIntyre and Braun Strowman) take on Team Smackdown (Hollywood Miz, Best in the World(?) Shane McMahon, Samoa Joe, Jeff Hardy and Rey Mysterio). Samoa Joe is the first to be eliminated with a Claymore Kick by McIntyre. Shane elbows Strowman through the announce table and Balor gets eliminated by Rey Mysterio after a 619 and a Dropping a Dime.   Shane eliminates Ziggler after a Coast to Coast and when he goes for another one, Strowman clotheslines him in mid air. Strowman eliminates Hardy, Mysterio and Miz with powerslams, leaving only Shane left for Smackdown. Strowman then hits him with a brutal powerslam to get the win for RAW. RAW Captain Baron Corbin celebrates by hitting Strowman on the back of the head. Whilst I was pissed off that once again, Shane McMahon was the last member of his team; it was a good match.
Winners: Drew McIntyre, Bobby Lashley and Braun Strowman (4 for 6)

The penultimate match was supposed to be RAW Women's Champion Ronda Rousey taking on Smackdown Women's Champion "The Man" Becky Lynch, which was that a lot of people was looking forward to seeing. However, Nia Jax broke her nose and gave her a concussion, meaning that she couldn't compete. Instead, we got Ronda taking on Charlotte Flair. Charlotte sends Ronda flying into the turnbuckle to get the advantage. Ronda tries multiple times to go for the Armbar but Charlotte stops it each time. Both women come close to winning before Charlotte goes for the Figure 8 but Ronda reverses the pressure and they end up on the floor. In the end, Ronda goes to attack Charlotte on the outside but she gets hit with a kendo stick out of thin air, causing a disqualification. Charlotte proceeds to beat the absolute fuck out of Ronda with kendo sticks and a steel chair. When referees start to stop her, she beats the fuck out of them as well, ending with  putting Ronda in a chair vice and stomping on it.

This match was really good and definitely the best one that Ronda has had so far. The ending was surprising, but I was initially ok with it if it led to something. However, Ronda comes out the next night acting as if nothing happened; and, except for a segment on Smackdown, Charlotte is still being a face. So, it felt that it didn't change anything. As for the future, it could lead to some interesting inter-promotional matches between Nia Jax, Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch and Ronda Rousey if WWE play it right.
Winner: Ronda Rousey (5 for 7)

The main event was between Universal Champion Brock Lesnar and the new WWE Champion Daniel Bryan. The match starts at a slow pace with Bryan mocking Lesnar. That turns out to be a bad idea as Lesnar proceeds to hit 2 release German suplexes and 3 overhead belly-to-belly suplexes. Lesnar continues to brutalise Bryan, hitting a F-5 but choosing not to end the match. Lesnar goes for another F-5 but he throws Bryan into the referee and Bryan hits a low blow and a running knee for 2. Bryan starts his comeback, kicking and stomping on Lesnar. The match goes back and forth and Bryan comes close after hitting another running knee. In the end, Lesnar manages to prevail by getting out of a triangle choke and hitting the F-5.

This match was weird to watch at first. It looked like it was going to be a glorified squash match, which was insane to see considering it had two World Champions involved. However, it developed into and entertaining, back and forth match. An unusual but enjoyable match.
Winner: Brock Lesnar (6 for 8)

Except for a few moments, Survivor Series was pretty good. It was weird that RAW swept the board, except for the Kick Off Show, which doesn't count for some reason. Despite that, there were some good matches. If WWE can just stop doing stupid things when booking some of their matches, then maybe we can get some more good events.