Tag: TLC

Drew McIntyre vs. AJ Styles title match set for WWE TLC

Posted on by Joseph Currier

AJ Styles is the new number one contender to the WWE Championship.

Styles won a triple threat number one contender’s match on Raw tonight and will challenge Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship at TLC on Sunday, December 20. This will be the first one-on-one match McIntyre and Styles have ever had against each other on WWE television.

Styles defeated Riddle and Keith Lee in tonight’s number one contender’s match. Styles pinned Riddle after hitting the Phenomenal Forearm.

At Survivor Series, Styles, Lee, Riddle, Sheamus & Braun Strowman were on Team Raw in the men’s elimination match. They defeated Team SmackDown in a clean sweep. There was then a segment on last week’s Raw where all of the members of Team Raw had to state their case for a title shot. After Strowman snapped on Adam Pearce and attacked him, WWE announced that Strowman has been indefinitely suspended in storyline.

Dave Meltzer reported that Strowman was originally planned to challenge McIntyre at TLC prior to suffering a knee injury.

Styles, Lee, and Riddle won qualifying matches last week to advance to tonight’s number one contender’s match. Styles defeated Randy Orton, Lee defeated Bobby Lashley, and Riddle defeated Sheamus.

McIntyre defeated Orton on Raw two weeks ago to regain the WWE Championship. McIntyre had lost the title to Orton at Hell in a Cell last month.

WWE’s Braun Strowman suffered knee injury

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Additional notes by Bryan Rose

Braun Strowman is confirmed as having a knee injury.

Strowman was written out of the show Monday, attacking official Adam Pearce and being indefinitely suspended as a result. Tomorrow’s A.J. Styles vs. Keith Lee vs. Riddle match is likely to determine who Drew McIntyre faces at TLC on 12/20. McIntyre vs. Strowman was the original plan for the show and the angle to take him out of it was to cover for the injury. 

Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens is the other main event. Their feud started on SmackDown on Friday after Owens attacked Jey Uso in the main event, calling out Reigns after.  

There are several other matches that have been built on TV recently, such as Street Profits vs. Dolph Ziggler & Bobby Roode, Sami Zayn vs. Big E, Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler vs. Asuka & Lana, and Randy Orton vs. The Fiend Bray Wyatt.  

All of the bouts are scheduled, but it’s not a lock which ones past the top two are on the PPV and which ones will be for TV.

December 23, 2019 Observer Newsletter: TLC and Final Battle reviews, more

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

The WWE’s TLC show started out strong, but fell flat and ended up as one of the company’s weakest big show offerings of the year.

The big story coming out of the show was an injury to Kairi Sane in the main event. It’s not clear exactly what happened but at some point she was knocked loopy. It may have been from an exploder suplex on the floor by Charlotte Flair, because there was an open spot near the barricade that didn’t have a mat and Sane hit her head on the floor. It could have happened earlier as a TLC match carries higher than usual risks, and this match featured throwing chairs. Sane at one point was throwing a chair into the ring, and it didn’t clear the top rope and bounced back and hit her. She was also hit when chairs were being thrown around.

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Figure Four Weekly: Recapping WWE TLC 2019

Posted on by F4W Staff

For the PDF click here.

For the Epub click here.

WWE’s final pay-per-view of the decade took place on Sunday night and exemplified some of the changes we’ve seen over the past 10 years.

TLC 2019 was very much a B-level PPV in the WWE Network era. Not only were the top men’s and women’s singles titles from each brand not defended, there were no singles titles on the line at all. Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens and AJ Styles vs. Randy Orton seemed like they were being built up as non-title matches that would help anchor the card, but they didn’t end up getting added. The show even ended with an angle instead of a match. After Asuka & Kairi Sane’s tables, ladders, and chairs match against Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair, a locker room brawl that featured Roman Reigns and Baron Corbin continued. The image that closed the show was Reigns spearing Corbin from an elevated area onto a pile of bodies.

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Daniel Bryan returns with updated look at WWE TLC

Posted on by Joseph Currier

After two weeks off of television, Daniel Bryan returned with an updated look at TLC.

Bryan made his return in a post-match angle after Bray Wyatt defeated The Miz at tonight’s pay-per-view. The Fiend appeared on the video screen following the match and Wyatt got a giant mallet out from under the ring. The lights started to go down and Wyatt thought The Fiend was there, but Bryan appeared while wearing a hood and laid out Wyatt with a running knee.

It was revealed that Bryan had a short hair cut and a short beard. He looked like he used to look prior to growing them long.

Bryan continued to attack Wyatt. He went to hit him with the mallet, but the lights went out and Wyatt was gone when they came back. Bryan took a long look at Wyatt’s Universal Championship belt and led the fans in a “Yes” chant as he headed to the back.

This was Bryan’s first appearance since being attacked by The Fiend on the November 29 episode of SmackDown. After accepting Wyatt’s challenge for another match, The Fiend dragged Bryan under the ring and ripped out clumps of his hair.

The storyline since has been The Miz trying to get answers about what happened to Bryan. Wyatt wrestled as his Firefly Fun House host character at TLC and the Universal title wasn’t on the line.

Andrade vs. Humberto Carrillo set for WWE TLC pre-show

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Ahead of tonight’s pay-per-view, WWE has announced a pre-show match for TLC.

Andrade vs. Humberto Carrillo will take place on tonight’s pre-show. It’s a rematch from Monday’s Raw, where Carrillo defeated Andrade after interference from Zelina Vega backfired. WWE uploaded a post-Raw video where — despite them arguing and Andrade blaming her for his loss — Vega insisted that everything between her and Andrade is fine.

TLC is taking place at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota tonight. The pre-show begins at 6 p.m. Eastern time, with the main card starting an hour later.

Here’s the updated card for the show:

  • Women’s Tag Team Champions Asuka & Kairi Sane defending against Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair in a tables, ladders, and chairs match
  • Roman Reigns vs. King Corbin in a tables, ladders, and chairs match
  • Bray Wyatt vs. The Miz
  • Rusev vs. Bobby Lashley in a tables match
  • SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day defending against The Revival in a ladder match
  • Aleister Black vs. Buddy Murphy
  • The Viking Raiders’ Raw Tag Team title open challenge
  • Andrade vs. Humberto Carrillo (pre-show)

Ladder stipulation added to The New Day vs. The Revival at WWE TLC

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A stipulation has been added to The New Day and The Revival’s SmackDown Tag Team title match at TLC.

Before tonight’s SmackDown, WWE announced that The New Day vs. The Revival at Sunday’s pay-per-view will now be a ladder match. The Revival were set up as Kofi Kingston & Big E’s challengers for the PPV by defeating Mustafa Ali & Shorty G, The Lucha House Party, and Heavy Machinery in a fatal four-way elimination match last week.

This is the fourth stipulation match announced for TLC. Asuka & Kairi Sane’s Women’s Tag Team title defense against Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair and Roman Reigns vs. Baron Corbin will both be tables, ladders, and chairs matches, while Rusev vs. Bobby Lashley will be a tables match.

Here’s the updated card for TLC:

  • Women’s Tag Team Champions Asuka & Kairi Sane defending against Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair in a tables, ladders, and chairs match
  • Roman Reigns vs. King Corbin in a tables, ladders, and chairs match
  • Bray Wyatt vs. The Miz
  • Rusev vs. Bobby Lashley in a tables match
  • SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day defending against The Revival in a ladder match
  • Aleister Black vs. Buddy Murphy
  • The Viking Raiders Raw Tag Team title open challenge

Viking Raiders to issue Tag Team title open challenge at WWE TLC

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The Raw Tag Team titles will be on the line at TLC — but The Viking Raiders’ challengers haven’t been revealed in advance.

It was announced on tonight’s episode of WWE Backstage that The Viking Raiders will issue a Tag Team title open challenge at Sunday’s TLC pay-per-view. Erik & Ivar also issued an open challenge on Raw this week, with The Street Profits unsuccessfully challenging for the titles.

The Viking Raiders have been Raw Tag Team Champions since defeating Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode for the titles in October.

This is the third Tag Team title match announced for TLC. Women’s Tag Team Champions Asuka & Kairi Sane will defend their titles against Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair in a tables, ladders, and chairs match on Sunday, and SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Big E) will defend their titles against The Revival.

The Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota is hosting TLC. Here’s the updated card for the PPV:

  • Women’s Tag Team Champions Asuka & Kairi Sane defending against Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair in a tables, ladders, and chairs match
  • Roman Reigns vs. King Corbin in a tables, ladders, and chairs match
  • Bray Wyatt vs. The Miz
  • Rusev vs. Bobby Lashley in a tables match
  • SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day defending against The Revival
  • The Viking Raiders Raw Tag Team title open challenge
  • Aleister Black vs. Buddy Murphy

Women’s Tag title match, Rusev vs. Lashley official for WWE TLC

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Two matches that had been advertised for TLC are now official.

Women’s Tag Team Champions Asuka & Kairi Sane will defend their titles against Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair in a tables, ladders, and chairs match at Sunday’s pay-per-view. A tables match between Rusev and Bobby Lashley has also been announced.

TLC is taking place at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The arena first advertised both matches last month, though the tables stipulation for Rusev vs. Lashley wasn’t mentioned then.

One week after their handicap match against Charlotte, Asuka & Sane faced Lynch two-on-one tonight. There was a backstage segment earlier in the show where Charlotte approached Lynch and wanted to team with her against Asuka & Sane, but Lynch said she’d rather face them on her own.

Lynch defeated Asuka & Sane by disqualification after Asuka used a steel chair. Sane then gave Lynch a flying elbow off the top rope through a table on the outside.

Asuka & Sane attacked Charlotte backstage later and challenged Lynch & Charlotte for TLC.

Rusev and Lana’s divorce segment opened tonight’s Raw. It set up Rusev vs. Lashley for TLC, with Rusev wanting a match against Lashley as a provision of the divorce. Lashley and Rusev brawled and Rusev put him through a table. 

Here’s the updated card for TLC:

  • Women’s Tag Team Champions Asuka & Kairi Sane defending against Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair in a tables, ladders, and chairs match
  • Roman Reigns vs. King Corbin in a tables, ladders, and chairs match
  • Bray Wyatt vs. The Miz
  • Rusev vs. Bobby Lashley in a tables match
  • SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Big E) defending against The Revival
  • Aleister Black vs. Buddy Murphy

Aleister Black vs. Buddy Murphy added to WWE TLC

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Aleister Black vs. Buddy Murphy is Raw’s first match to be officially announced for TLC.

The match was confirmed for the pay-per-view on tonight’s go-home edition of Raw. Black defeated Akira Tozawa on tonight’s show, with a promo from Murphy airing prior to the match. Murphy said he’s better than Black and is going to prove that when he defeats him on Sunday.

Black and Murphy have been feuding since the final Raw before Survivor Series last month. Murphy knocked on Black’s door and said he wanted to pick a fight with him. When Black didn’t immediately answer, Murphy said Black was all talk.

TLC is taking place at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Here’s the updated card for the PPV:

  • Roman Reigns vs. King Corbin in a tables, ladders, and chairs match
  • Bray Wyatt vs. The Miz
  • SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Big E) defending against The Revival
  • Aleister Black vs. Buddy Murphy

Revival to challenge for SmackDown Tag Team titles at WWE TLC

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The New Day and The Revival are set to face off for the SmackDown Tag Team titles once again.

Kofi Kingston & Big E will defend their titles against The Revival at this month’s TLC pay-per-view. The match was confirmed for the PPV after The Revival won a fatal four-way number one contender’s elimination match on tonight’s SmackDown.

The number one contender’s match came down to The Revival vs. Mustafa Ali & Shorty G, with The Revival hitting the Shatter Machine on Shorty G to get the win. The elimination match also included The Lucha House Party and Heavy Machinery.

The New Day’s current SmackDown Tag Team title reign began when they won the titles from The Revival on the November 8 episode of SmackDown. The Revival got a rematch the next week, but it was interrupted by NXT’s Undisputed Era.

TLC is taking place at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota on December 15.

Reigns vs. Corbin tables, ladders & chairs match set for WWE TLC

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Roman Reigns vs. King Corbin is the first match to be officially announced for this month’s TLC pay-per-view.

Prior to tonight’s SmackDown going on the air, WWE confirmed that Reigns will face Corbin in a tables, ladders, and chairs match at TLC. The PPV is taking place at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota on December 15.

Reigns and Corbin’s TLC match had been advertised by the Target Center before being officially announced.

The Target Center is also advertising two other matches for the PPV. Asuka & Kairi Sane defending their Women’s Tag Team titles against Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair in a tables, ladders, and chairs match is listed for the show, along with Rusev vs. Bobby Lashley. The Rusev vs. Lashley match doesn’t have a stipulation advertised.

Reigns vs. Dolph Ziggler is set for tonight’s SmackDown at the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, North Carolina. WWE is also hyping that Corbin “vows to humiliate Reigns” on the episode.

December 9, 2019 Observer Newsletter: TLC card mystery, Kelly Klein/ROH issues, more

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

At press time, with ten days to go before the WWE TLC PPV show on 12/15 in Minneapolis, they are exactly zero matches officially announced on television.

WWE sent the Target Center three matches several weeks back to start advertising, which were Bobby Lashley vs. Rusev, Asuka & Kairi Sane vs. Charlotte Flair & Becky Lynch in a TLC match for the women’s tag team titles, and Roman Reigns vs. King Corbin. At the time, all three matches were actually scheduled for the show as opposed to just matches sent to give the arena something to advertise.

All three matches are still scheduled for the show, but one of the reasons nothing else has been advertised, and directions aren’t even clear from television, is because Vince McMahon hasn’t made final decisions.

McMahon’s new philosophy is that the PPV’s are all about network sign-ups, as opposed to the limited PPV business still being done.

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Three matches advertised for WWE TLC PPV

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Though there’s still one more pay-per-view before the show, three matches are being advertised locally for TLC.

The Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota advertised yesterday that the following matches will take place at TLC:

– Roman Reigns vs. King Corbin in a tables, ladders, and chairs match

– WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Asuka & Kairi Sane defending against Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair in a tables, ladders, and chairs match

– Rusev vs. Bobby Lashley (w/ Lana)

The Target Center noted that the card is subject to change. Dave Meltzer said on Wrestling Observer Radio that these three matches are actually currently scheduled for TLC, but Meltzer mentioned there potentially being different options for the stipulation for Reigns vs. Corbin.

Asuka & Sane vs. Lynch & Charlotte would be WWE’s second-ever women’s TLC match. The first took place at last year’s TLC PPV, with Asuka defeating Lynch and Charlotte after interference by Ronda Rousey.

TLC is taking place at the Target Center on Sunday, December 15. It will be WWE’s last PPV of the year.

Figure Four Weekly: Recapping WWE TLC

Posted on by F4W Staff

For the PDF click here.

For the Epub click here.

When Daniel Bryan announced his emotional return to the ring, it was fairly inconceivable that he’d end up being a vicious and pompous environmentalist heel just eight months later.

But the character change has revitalized Bryan and taken him to the highest points since the immediate aftermath of announcing his comeback. With Bryan completely buying into the change, “the new Daniel Bryan” has been far better in execution than it would have sounded on paper.

Bryan’s heel turn began when he low blowed AJ Styles to win the WWE Championship on SmackDown’s go-home show for Survivor Series. To make sure that there wasn’t any ambiguity in the turn, Bryan attacked Styles after the match and stomped on his head. Bryan lost to Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series and then cut a promo on SmackDown where he explained the heel turn, speaking in the third person and calling himself the new Daniel Bryan.

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