Welcome to our coverage of WWE TLC 2017, a PPV that is sure to be as chaotic as it is surprising.
What a week it has been in WWE. A bout of viral meningitis made its way through the Raw locker room, and as such, Bray Wyatt and Roman Reigns have been pulled from tonight’s PPV. That means two of the nights biggest matches are without their stars, however WWE quickly changed the line-up and got fans hella excited for what’s coming tonight.
First off, Bray Wyatt was pulled from the match against Finn Balor where he was to debut the Sister Abigail. Seeing as this was the third meeting between Balor and Wyatt, fans weren’t too upset when they heard that Bray was being replaced by none other than the face that runs the place, the man who built SmackDown Live, AJ Styles! This is something of a dream match for fans and it has the potential to be a match of the year candidate.
Roman Reigns was also pulled from tonight’s card, meaning the long-awaited Shield reunion is not going to happen tonight. This is genuinely very disappointing after the weeks of build and anticipation – probably the first time fans have ever been disappointed to hear Reigns is not on a show. WWE quickly announced that Reigns was to be replaced in the match and his replacement would be….Kurt Angle. OK, so first reaction is a heart-attack level of excitement, but once that wears off I think this is a terrible choice. Angle is a Hall of Famer, a legend, whose return to the ring should have been the result of a huge storyline that led to WrestleMania or a similarly big PPV. He shouldn’t have been thrown into a match simply because fans would be disappointed without the Shield reunion, WWE could have given this spot to Matt Hardy, an NXT guy like Aleister Black, or even throw cash at someone like Rob Van Dam to come back for one night and put on a show-stealer. Maybe I’m wrong but let me know what you guys think!
Aside from all of that madness, the rest of the TLC card is undisturbed, meaning we will still see Emma Vs. Asuka, Kalisto Vs. Enzo Amore, Alexa Bliss Vs. Mickie James, and a handful of kick-off segments. Honestly, aside from the two huge matches I talked about above, this card is fairly lacklustre, and it would have been even more-so if it didn’t suddenly feature AJ Styles. Regardless, I think the matches will be solid and I can’t wait to see Angle return, despite my rant. Remember to download the Ringside Talk app and get conversing with fellow marks. Enjoy the show!
Kick-Off Show
The WWE TLC Kick-Off show begins with Renee Young briefly talking about Kurt Angle being in the main event tonight, before introducing Peter Rosenberg and David Otunga as her co-hosts. The trio talk about what kind of shape Angle will be in tonight and if he’s in danger against Braun Strowman.
Renee introduces The Miz via a backstage interview, and he says that whether it’s Kurt Angle or someone else, they’re always trying to steal his spotlight. Miz says that the big news this past week was not Kurt Angle and Roman Reigns, it was that his baby will be a girl and yet Angle tried to steal that thunder. Regardless, tonight’s match is still a 3 V 5, which includes a monster among men, a big red machine, one of the best tag teams there is, and the best Intercontinental Champion there is. Peter Rosenberg asks if Kurt Angle being in the match changes The Miz changes the strategy, to which Miz says that Angle’s accolades are always considered, but they won’t matter. He wants Angle to come down to the ring tomorrow night and shake his hand to let him know there are no hard feelings after he demolishes him tonight. Otunga says that Miz has made this personal between him and Kurt Angle, to which Miz says Angle made it personal. The Miz finishes by saying tonight he will break Angle’s neck again.
The next topic of conversation is the upcoming battle between the two former Bullet Club leaders, AJ Styles and Finn Balor. Rosenberg says that this match has the entire WWE Universe is squealing with delight at this match being made. Otunga points out that AJ Styles came from South America to jump into this match. They commend Kurt Angle for bringing Styles in for the match.
Mickie James will join Charly Caruso in the Social Media Lounge later to talk her title match with Alexa Bliss. The panel briefly talk about Sasha Banks Vs. Alicia Fox, which will feature on the kick-off show, before showing a video package for the debut of Asuka. Emma is interviewed backstage about the huge match tonight, and she complains about the attention Asuka has gotten. Emma says Asuka got too many vignette’s, and she can’t even open her Twitter anymore. Emma says that tonight marks her first-ever singles match on a PPV, and afterwards people will be Tweeting “#EmmaBeatsAsuka.” The panel discuss the match and Otunga says Emma will get her head kicked off. Rosenberg points-out that there is no pressure on Emma to win, so she has nothing to lose. Regardless, they all think Asuka will win handily.
We see Kurt Angle and Jason Jordan backstage, and Jordan says he is an inspiration. Elias Samson walks in and asks for a minute of Angle’s time. He says last night the spirit of Prince overtook him and he believes this city needs to hear him perform. Jordan steps in and tells him that this is Kurt’s night and he shouldn’t be interrupting. Angle tells them to stop arguing and that he can sing his song. Jordan sarcastically thanks him for saving the PPV, to which Elias responds, “at least I’m on the PPV.”
Next up is Kalisto Vs. Enzo Amore for the Cruiserweight Championship. Rosenberg says that this is the most exciting the cruiserweight division has been, because you never know what’s going to happen and who’s going to side with who. Drew Gulak interrupts the panel with a loud megaphone and says that the man has silenced him. He says that his segment tonight was cut from the show, and he had a 200-slide PowerPoint presentation prepared. He then looks into the camera and says that he believes in a better 205 Live, one without flipping, diving, and such crap. Eventually Renee tries cutting him off but he keeps talking and we cut to commercial.
We see a promo for the Women’s Championship match between Mickie James and Alexa Bliss. We join Charly Caruso and Mickie James in the Social Media Lounge, Mickie says she feels great and she wants to mark her seventh title reign. The first question asks Mickie how it feels knowing she might win her 7th title, to which she says it feels amazing to maybe be the 2nd woman in history to win 7 titles. The second question asks if Mickie thinks age is catching up to her, and she shoots it down immediately. James points out that several women in the division are the same age as her and half the male roster is older, so she doesn’t understand where this stuff comes from. She says she feels confident and the oldest woman’s Champion ever was the Fabulous Moolah at 76!! The final question asks Mickie what she will do if she wins the title tonight, and she says give the title a facelift, then a photoshoot, then FaceTime her son in the morning. Charly wishes her luck and she says she is excited. Peter Rosenberg predicts a win for James, as does Renee Young, while Otunga disagrees.
We get a promo from AJ Styles backstage, and he says that tonight is huge. He says tonight is a match that a lot of fans are super excited for, some thought they might never see it, but he’s incredibly excited and flew from South America not to miss it. Renee asks if he feels prepared on such short notice, to which he says he is a professional and he is always prepared. Rosenberg asks what the game-plan is for facing an entity like The Demon, to which Styles says nothing changes because he is prepared for anyone, and he’s happy to hand The Demon his first WWE loss.
Alicia Fox Vs. Sasha Banks
The bell rings and a Fox fires a slap off and Banks shoves her in return and we have a brawl! Sasha lands a forearm and Alicia heads for the floor. Back in, a knee lift takes the Boss off guard, a right hand follows and she smashes her into the turnbuckles. Banks turns it around, punches in the corner, Fox gets a mat slam off and mocks Sasha’s pose before getting back on her with another right. Reverse chinlock follows, Banks escapes and lands a short-arm Lou Thesz press into mounted punches! A series of biels, Alicia begs off in the corner and ends up in full-blown teary meltdown as the Boss dropkicks her face in!
Fox to the outside, throwing a fit on the apron, and we take a break for a house ad for WrestleMania. Back from our ad, Alicia forces a break on a Bank Statement by getting the ropes. To the corner, Sasha climbs but Fox stops her short and shoves her off the turnbuckles to the outside! Following after, Alicia catches her with the tilt-a-whirl backbreaker on the floor and referee Darrick Moore begins his count. Back inside, a cover gets two, and Fox goes back to the reverse chinlock.
Banks to her feet, Alicia pushes her back with forearms but the Boss hits a headscissors that puts her into the turnbuckles! Off the ropes for a crossbody, Fox catches her and just dumps her through the ropes to the floor like a sack of potatoes and orders Moore to count. Banks back in at the count of nine but Alicia is on her right away, Sasha throwing hands, bridging northern lights suplex and we get a two-count!
Another doesn’t do the trick either, Banks off the ropes, tilt-a-whirl and she counters with the crossbody for a nearfall! Jocking for position, against the ropes, O’Connor roll… Sasha kicks out and puts Fox through the ropes and to the floor! Back inside, Banks ducks a slap and throws some rights, off the ropes, multi-revolution headscissors, a knee to the nose gets a kick to the face but only a two-count! Alicia advances on the referee before deciding the better of it, Scissors Kick misses and Sasha counters with the Bank Statement and Alicia taps!
Winner: Sasha Banks
After the match we get an amazing video hyping the return of Kurt Angle. Only 6 minutes until the main show begins. We get an interview backstage with Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins, who talk about great it is to team with Kurt Angle tonight and say that the match will be insane. Ambrose is all fired-up and ready to go!
And so are we, that’s it for the WWE TLC Kick-Off Show. The main card begins right now!
WWE TLC 2017 opens with a great video package that hypes the in-ring return of Kurt Angle.
We go live to the arena in Minnesota and out comes Emma for her huge match against the debuting Asuka. The Empress of Tomorrow makes her usual flamboyant entrance and the fans in Minnesota give a good reaction. The commentators talk-up Asuka’s undefeated streak.
Asuka Vs. Emma
The match begins with a feeling-out process. Emma taunts Asuka after ducking her, only to be caught with a roll-up into an armbar and Emma quickly grabs the bottom rope. They get to their feet and Emma slaps Asuka across the face, which only serves to fire Asuka up.
Asuka looks for the armbar again but Emma avoids it. The two engage in some amateur holds until Emma slaps Asuka again, which leads to a hip attack from Asuka and some dancing. Asuka grabs Emma’s foot and sweeps her onto her back before applying an ankle lock. Emma rolls forward, sending Asuka from the ring. Emma hits a baseball slide to the Empress, then fires her into the barricade.
Back inside the ring, Emma hits a curb stomp for a two count. Emma applies an arm bar, but Asuka fights up and takes her down with some kicks. Emma ducks a big kick and rolls her up, but Asuka rolls through. Emma yanks her down by the hair for a one count, a hard fall from Asuka. Emma puts Asuka in the tree of woe and delivers some kicks. Emma then nails a corner cross body for a near fall. Asuka breaks out of a full nelson, only for Emma to slap her, which only makes Asuka angry again. The former NXT women’s champion sticks her with a shining wizard to get herself some time to recover. Both women hit some stiff kicks during a good exchange.
Asuka grabs Emma in an Ankle Lock and they circle the ring. Emma eventually gets up and onto one leg, only for Asuke to pull her in, leg still trapped, and hit a beautiful German suplex. Emma rolls to the outside and Asuka climbs onto the apron to chase, but Emma pulls Asuka off the apron and she lands on the floor hard. They both beat the count and Asuka hits a kick to the head before applying the Asuka Lock and Emma taps.
Winner: Asuka
We go backstage and The Miz is giving a pep talk to Sheamus and Cesaro. Miz is complaining about how Kurt Angle is purposely stealing their spotlight by making his comeback. Miz thinks he’s just doing this to get in the ring with The Miz and get some spotlight off his star power. Miz mocks Angle’s neck and bring in Braun Strowman. Strowman says he’s snuffing out Angle’s return to the ring. He’ll do all that as long as his partners stay out of his way. Kane walks in and says if anyone is going to wrap a chair around Angle’s neck, it’ll be him. The Miz, Sheamus, and Cesaro hold up their fists like The Shield.
Elias is on the stage to play Minnesota a little song and they don’t want to hear it. He starts to play but gets hit with some celery. Elias stops briefly before starting the song again, only to be hit with celery again, then some lettuce. The lights come up and it’s Jason Jordan with a shopping cart full of food. Jordan continues to bury Elias in food before turning and leaving, the crowd cheered pretty loud for that.
The Brian Kendrick & Jack Gallagher Vs. Cedric Alexander & Rich Swann
Rich Swann and Brian Kendrick start the match and The Man With A Plan takes control right away with some clubbing blows to the back. Swann escapes a snapmare with a handstand, only to be shoved into the turnbuckles and in comes Jack Gallagher.
Gallagher applies a leg submission, which I’ve never seen before, then the two exchange leap frogs and drops downs before tagging both of their partners. Cedric Alexander catches Kendrick with a handstand hurricanrana, then a dropkick and BK rolls from the ring. Alexander looks to follow-up with a senton of sorts but Gallagher trips him from the outside. Rich Swann then dives off of the apron and onto Gallagher.
Back inside the ring, Alexander chops Kendrick down and tags in Swann. Swann sends Kendrick to the corner and hits a running forearm. Swann then sends Kendrick into Alexander for a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Swann picks up a two count. Swann goes to the second rope and punches Gallagher away. Kendrick then rips him off the second rope. Gallagher tags in and stomps away at Swann. Gallagher then applies a neck vice, but Swann fights up. Gallagher quickly connects with a snapmare and rakes the face. Kendrick tags in and kicks Swann before hitting a butterfly suplex for a close two count.
Kendrick kicks at Swann’s ribs before applying a neck crank and ramming his head into the turnbuckle. Kendrick chokes him with his boot and tags Gallagher back in. Gallagher shoulders him in the ribs a few times and taunts Alexander. Gallagher knees Swann in the ribs and tags Kendrick back in. They go for a double-team, but Swann gets out and sends Kendrick out of the ring. Alexander tags in and clotheslines Gallagher before elbowing him in the face and hitting a handspring roundhouse for a near fall. Alexander hits a running shoulder and kicks him back. Alexander hits a springboard clothesline and covers, but Kendrick pulls him out of the ring to break the fall.
Swann tries to leap off of the steps with an attack but Kendrick floors him with a northern lights suplex. Kendrick gets in the ring and superkicks Alexander before applying the Captain’s Hook. Alexander rolls through and keeps the Captain’s Hook applied. Swann then takes Kendrick out with a Phoenix Splash. Gallagher gets in the ring, and Swann superkicks him. Gallagher hits a desperation head-butt, and they both fall out of the ring. Alexander then hits a Lumbar Check on Kendrick for the win.
Winners: Cedric Alexander & Rich Swann
After a video package for the Women’s Championship match, we see Alexa Bliss backstage with Charly Caruso. Alexa is asked about the comments made between the two, to which Alexa asks if she means when Mickie called her “biscuit butt”? She says she isn’t even sure what that means, she likes her butt, it’s cute – that got quite the cheer from the crowd. Alexa makes one more age jab at Mickie James, then walks off. Mickie is out first, looking to mark her 7th title win, equalling Trish Stratus’ record.
WWE Women’s Championship Match
(C) Alexa Bliss Vs. Mickie James
They lock up, and James quickly wrenches the arm. James takes her down and applies a jackknife pin for a two count. Bliss puts herself through the ropes to keep James back. James slaps her on the rear end. Bliss looks infuriated. Bliss ducks a clothesline and elbows her. Bliss wrenches the arm and takes her down by the hair, but James keeps kipping up. James then takes her down by the hair and hits a running kick for a near fall. Bliss quickly drops her to the apron and snaps the arm off of the top rope.
Bliss pulls her into the ring and covers for a two count. Bliss works over the arm for a little bit with kicks and submission holds. This goes on for a few minutes. James tries to fight back to no avail. Eventually she connects with a kick and an elbow. James then hits a hurricanrana. They trade slaps and get into a cat fight. They avoid strikes from one another before wiping each other out with stereo kicks. They both come to and hit each other. James unloads with some right hands and hits a pair of flying clotheslines. James ducks a clothesline and kicks her before hitting a running forearm for a two count.
James tries for a DDT, but Bliss rolls her up for a two count. Bliss hits code red for a two count. James soon takes her down and goes to the top rope. Bliss quickly sweeps the feet, and James lands on her bad shoulder. Bliss goes to the top rope for Twisted Bliss, but James rolls out of the way. James goes to the top rope and totally whiffs a missile dropkick for a two count. Bliss quickly chops the throat, but James superkicks her down. A light “We want tables” chant picks up. James covers for a two count. The chant grows louder. Bliss pulls James into the turnbuckle and hits a DDT for the win.
Winner: Alexa Bliss
Charly Caruso comes in to interview Mickie James. James says she’s proud of her performance and hopes she proved
she was worthy of this opportunity. It won’t be her last opportunity for the title and will have another run. James thanks the WWE Universe for their love and support. Mickie says she’s grateful for them and then leaves.
We get a commercial for Survivor Series, which has red and blue underlining, implying it definitely will be Raw Vs. SmackDown.
Kurt Angle is backstage but in walks Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose. He asks if they’re here to talk strategy and Ambrose says no. Angle says he isn’t sure what he has left to give but he couldn’t let them fight alone tonight. He knows everybody came to see The Shield but Seth Rollins interrupts him. Rollins says they respect why he did what he did but they didn’t come to talk strategy, and they hand Angle a Shield vest and the fans go crazy. Angle says he is all in and the boys leave.
We return to the ring and Elias is back for a second shot at singing his song. The fans chant and try to stall him but he says nothing will stop him from giving the performance they need. Elias starts playing his song and the fans bury him in boos. He stops and starts over again, much to the chagrin of the crowd. After a few more seconds of playing Elias stops again and says he can’t even hear himself for all of the applause. Jason Jordan comes to the rescue of the fans and throws more vegetables on Elias, same as last time. Elias tucks tail and runs as Jordan poses on the stage.
It’s Cruiserweight time and Enzo Amore comes out with a raspy voice. Enzo says he lost his voice, but that’s the only thing he’ll lose tonight. He insults the fans and Kalisto before saying there is only one word to describe Kalisto: S-A-W-F-T!
WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match
Enzo Amore vs. (C) Kalisto
The bell rings and Kalisto runs right at Enzo, who leans through the ropes, forcing the referee to keep the Champ away. Finally they lock-up and Kalisto gets Enzo in a headlock. Enzo shoots him off and into the ropes, where he catches Kalisto with a back elbow. Enzo dodges Kalisto, then dances, before sliding out of the ring and running away.
Kalisto eventually catches him with a head-scissor takeover, inside the ring. Kalisto then kicks him to the apron. Kalisto mocks Enzo’s dance and sidesteps him to send him out of the ring. Kalisto then hits a suicide dive. Kalisto gets him in the ring and puts him in the corner. Enzo quickly sweeps the feet, and Kalisto hits the top turnbuckle coming down. Enzo slams him out of the corner for a two count. Enzo then applies some sort of submission before forearming him. Enzo kicks him in the ribs before going to the top rope. Enzo then jumps off and insults the crowd, who boo.
Kalisto then takes him down. Enzo quickly boots him down and rolls him up for a two count. Enzo winds up like a pitcher and punches him in the face for a near fall. Enzo then applies a chin lock. Kalisto tries to fight up, but Enzo takes him back down by the mask. Kalisto counters out and sends him into the turnbuckle. Kalisto kicks him back and hits a springboard seated senton. The crowd has been zapped of all energy. Kalisto hits a head-scissor DDT, but Enzo gets his foot on the bottom rope. Enzo quickly gets the advantage and hits a flying DDT for a near fall. Enzo is frustrated. Kalisto tries to finish him with the Salida del Sol, but Enzo grabs the apron. Kalisto pulls him into the ring, and the apron comes with Enzo. The referee goes to fix the apron, and Enzo pokes Kalisto in the eye. Enzo then hits JawdonZo for the win.
Winner and New Cruiserwight Champion: Enzo Amore
Charly Caruso interviews the now 2-time WWE Cruiserweight Champion, Enzo Amore. Enzo has to catch his breath and says he has to thank… himself. As for the crowd, they get a no thank you.
It’s dream match time.
AJ Styles Vs. The Demon
“This Is Awesome” rings throughout the arena before the bell even rings. They aggressively lock-up and Finn forces AJ to the ropes as the fans start to chant “Too Sweet”. They lock-up again and AJ gets Finn in a headlock, then hits the ropes and they shoulder tackle each other and neither man falls.
Balor forearms him in the kidneys and hits the ropes, but Styles wipes him out with a big dropkick. Styles tries to charge him in the corner, but Balor moves and kicks him back. They clumsily go into a surfboard submission. Balor then twists the neck back before releasing. Balor then ties up the legs, but Styles gets to the bottom rope. Styles hits a jawbreaker and chops the chest of Balor. Styles goes for a sunset flip, but Balor rolls through and dropkicks him in the face. Styles rolls from the ring to recover.
Balor hits the ropes for a plancha, but Styles gets in the ring and wipes him out with a clothesline. Styles hits a snap suplex and drops a knee for a two count. Styles gets him to his feet, and Balor punches him to the corner. Styles quickly boots him down and hits a slingshot forearm for a near fall. Styles chops the chest and hits a backbreaker. Styles kicks him and viciously forearms him. Styles quickly kicks him down for a two count. Styles forearms him back, but Balor comes back with some right hands. Balor punches him down in the corner, but Styles comes back with a kick to the midsection before chopping him hard. Styles whips him to the corner, but Balor jumps backwards over him, chops him and punches away at him. Balor chops the chest again and sends him to the corner for a running chop. Styles reverses a whip, but Balor turns it around again. Styles goes to the top rope, but Balor catches with an enziguiri and AJ crashes to the floor.
Balor hits the ropes and hits a summersault senton. Balor gets him in the ring and hits a Sling Blade. Balor charges, but Styles counters with the Ushigoroshi. Both men are down. Styles gets to his feet and counters a forearm smash with a sit-out facebuster for a near fall. Balor quickly takes him down and hits a double stomp to the midsection. Balor stomps away at him and dropkicks him in the corner. Balor gets him up, but Styles immediately counters into the Calf Crusher. Balor tries to get out, but Styles rolls him to the center of the ring. Balor gets out by slamming Styles’ head off the canvas. Balor clutches his leg in pain.
A “This Is Awesome” chant picks up again. Balor drops him to the apron, but Styles punches him back. Styles goes for a Phenomenal Forearm, but Balor pushes him off to the floor. Balor goes to the apron and hits a running kick to the face. Balor hits a running dropkick into the barricade, and Styles is down. Balor gets in the ring to stop the referee from counting them out. Balor goes outside, and Styles lifts him up and slams him over the German announce table. Both men land behind the table hard. They both get in the ring at the count of eight. Balor ducks a clothesline, and they hit stereo running cross-body blocks. They then take each other down with a double clothesline.
They trade forearms before Styles hits a strike combination. Before Styles can hit the last big shot, Balor hits an overhead kick. Balor is still clutching his leg. Styles counters the 1916, but Balor clubs him down. Balor then connects with the 1916 for a near fall. Balor hits a vicious dropkick into the corner and goes to the top rope. Styles then wipes him out with a Pelé kick! Balor is out on the top rope. Styles hits a crazy springboard super hurricanrana for a near fall! Another “This is awesome” chant fires up. Styles goes for a springboard 450 Splash, but Balor moves. Balor viciously dropkicks him in the corner and hits a nasty Coup de Grace for the definitive win!
Winner: The Demon
That was a great match. We see replays after the fact before going back to see both men in the ring. Balor helps Styles to his feet and they stare at each other as the fans cheer. Both men hold up their hands and Too Sweet each other, much to the delight of the crowd. An awesome moment.
We get a commercial for the WWE Network and the third season of Ride Along, which features Sasha Banks and Bayley, as well as Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins.
Elias is in the ring, again. The fans boo like crazy and he says he’s about to have a match with Jason Jordan but first he wants to sing a song to him. Elias barely croaks a note before Jordan comes out and makes his way to the ring.
Jason Jordan Vs. Elias
The bell rings, and they lock up. Jordan gets him in the corner and gives a clean break. Jordan takes him down and deadlifts him up for another slam. Jordan slams him down once more, and Elias gets out of the ring to recover. Elias gets back in the ring and chops the chest before applying a side headlock. Jordan whips him off, but Elias elbows him down and applies an arm bar.
Jordan fights up and quickly slams him down for a two count. Jordan puts him on the apron and dropkicks him down. Jordan pulls him into the ring and picks up a two count. Jordan sends him to the corner, but Elias quickly gets out and knees him in the back. Elias dominated Jordan for a bit, including connecting with a big clothesline for a two count. Elias applies an abdominal stretch, but Jordan twists out and sends him out of the ring.
Elias gets back in the ring, but Jordan punches him right away. Jordan punches away at him and hits a pair of running forearms. Jordan slams him into the corner three times before hitting a belly-to-belly suplex. Jordan hits a running shoulder in the corner and connects with a back suplex for a two count. Jordan puts him on the top rope and punches him. Elias fights him off and knees him in the face. Jordan counters a suplex into a roll-up for the win.
Winner: Jason Jordan
The commentators discuss the finish after the match. People seem to think it was a mistake by the ref but Elias’ shoulder was up and the pin was broken just before the three, on purpose. Clearly to save Elias’ face.
It’s main event time!
Backstage we see Team Miz. He tells them that tonight they need to show Ambrose, Rollins, and Angle what they are, trash. “And what do we do with garbage? You drive it to the dump”. The heels are out first and the fans eagerly await the babyfaces.
TLC Match
The Miz, The Bar, Kane, & Braun Strowman Vs. The Shield & Kurt Angle
The Shield gets in the ring with chairs. Rollins sacrifices himself while Angle and Ambrose connect with chairs. Kane and Strowman quickly overtake them, but Rollins comes in with a chair, and The Shield capitalizes on them. They get Strowman out of the ring and violently triple-team Kane with the chairs. Ambrose and Rollins hit stereo suicide dives on the remaining team.
Angle goes outside, and they pick up a ladder to wipe out Miz, Sheamus, Cesaro, and Strowman. Angle hits Strowman with a ladder and slams it off his midsection a few times. Kane grabs Ambrose by the throat, but Rollins hits a springboard flying knee. Ambrose and Rollins double-team Kane at ringside before Angle comes over with a ladder to hit him. Ambrose and Rollins clear off one of the commentary tables, but Sheamus and Cesaro soon come around and hit them with chairs. Rollins quickly sends Sheamus into the steps, and Ambrose drops Cesaro crotch-first on the barricade.
Kane fights back at them and punches Angle away. Ambrose and Rollins hit Kane with chairs and put him on the table, but Strowman comes over and attacks. Strowman clears off a table and goes to powerbomb Angle through it, but Ambrose and Rollins make the save with some vicious chair shots. They send him into the ring post and lay him out on the commentary table. They then put Kane on the other commentary table. Ambrose and Rollins set up two ladders in front of the tables and climb. Rollins and Ambrose then hit stereo dives through the tables! Rollins immediately grabbed his knee in pain and the announcers reminded us of his history of knee injuries.
Angle cracks Miz over the back with a chair and gets him in the ring. Sheamus and Cesaro quickly attack and slam the chair off him. They hit a double-team clothesline and punch away at him in the corner. They then superkick a ladder into Angle’s ribs! The Miz gets up and they go for a Shield Triple Powerbomb on Angle, but Ambrose and Rollins break it up! Sheamus and Cesaro quickly overtake Ambrose and Rollins at ringside. Angle hits Miz with a trio of rolling German Suplexes. Sheamus runs in, and Angle hits him with a German Suplex. Cesaro runs in for the same fate, and the crowd is going wild. Kane sits up at ringside and gets in the ring. Angle goes for a German Suplex, but Kane gets out and goes for a Chokeslam. Angle then takes him down with an Ankle Lock to a massive pop! Strowman chop blocks Angle, pulls him out of the ring, and sends him into the barricade. Strowman sets up a table, scoops Angle up, and hits a Running Powerslam through the table at ringside!
Referees run down to check on Angle, and soon the trainers join them. Angle looks completely lost. Ambrose and Rollins attack Sheamus and Cesaro, but the numbers game soon overtakes them. Sheamus and Cesaro viciously hit Ambrose and Rollins with chairs. In the ring, Kane hits Rollins with a sidewalk slam. Strowman viciously whips Ambrose into the corner. Angle is being helped to the back. Miz seems pleased with what he’s seeing. Angle collapses at the foot of the ramp. It’s a 5-on-2 assault in the ring on Ambrose and Rollins. The trainers help Angle to his feet and head to the back. Sheamus and Cesaro send Rollins into a chair wedged between the turnbuckles. Sheamus goes to the top rope while Cesaro holds Ambrose up. Sheamus hits a double axe handle. Cesaro hits Rollins and Ambrose with some stiff chair shots to the back. Miz then takes the chair and tees off on their backs. The 5-on-2 attack continues as they slowly pick them apart. Rollins and Ambrose make a quick comeback. There’s some miscommunication and Kane accidentally hits Strowman with a chair. Strowman is infuriated, and he shoves Kane down.
Miz, Sheamus, and Cesaro try to maintain some sense of peace between the monsters. Ambrose and Rollins use the distraction to capitalize. All 5 men quickly team up to wipe Ambrose and Rollins out again. Rollins is sent out of the ring. Cesaro and Sheamus set up a table in the ring and hit a double-team Celtic Cross Powerbomb onto it, but the table doesn’t break! They set up the table in the corner, and Strowman sends him head-first through the table. The Miz goes up the ramp and has a garbage truck backed into the arena. Ambrose and Rollins are brought over to it and thrown in, but they punch them back. They then leap off the door of the garbage truck with stereo cross-body blocks!
Ambrose and Rollins chase The Miz back to the ring and get him before he runs into the crowd. Miz tries to escape, but they hit him with chairs. Kane attacks Rollins and Ambrose, but they make a comeback. They go to hit a double-team suplex through the table on the stage, but Strowman makes the save. Kane then attacks Strowman and Chokeslams him through the stage! Kane stands over the hole where Strowman is down. All of a sudden, Strowman’s hand comes up and grabs his boot. Kane looks up and sees a string of chairs hanging over, which is a set decoration. Kane pulls them down and the whole string of chairs collapse onto Strowman! The camera looks into the hole to see Strowman covered in chairs and holy crap! he’s still moving!
Kane walks over and grabs Ambrose before giving him an uppercut. Ambrose and Rollins fight back at him. Miz tries to help, but they send him into the LED stage wall. They attack Kane, but Kane hits them with a double Chokeslam through the tables on the stage. Ambrose’s tables slides out under him, and he lands awkwardly on the floor. Poor Ambrose, that’s twice tonight.
The heel team are fully back to order and grab Ambrose and Rollins and drag them back towards the dump truck. They look to dump the duo in but the dead has risen and Braun Strowman begins to rise from the the mass of chairs he was buried under. The Miz begs him to leave Kane alone but Strowman throws him away, then he beats them all down before making his way to Kane. The two brawl by the dump truck until Cesaro, Sheamus and The Miz return and help Kane beat Strowman down. They pound on him before throwing him into the trash and turning the machine on. Strowman gets crushed in the dump truck. Yep, he’s dead.
Miz, Sheamus, Cesaro, and Kane get Rollins back to the ring. Miz hits him with a DDT before Sheamus and Cesaro hit a double-team White Noise, but Ambrose breaks up the pin. Kane comes in and helps with the attack. All of a sudden, Kurt Angle’s music hits, and he comes out holding his ribs to a big reception. Angle hits Cesaro with a back body drop on the ramp. Angle then hits Sheamus with an Angle Slam on the floor before hitting Cesaro with an Angle Slam through the table! Angle gets Miz out of the ring, but Kane goes for a Tombstone Piledriver on him. Ambrose and Rollins make the save and hit Kane with chairs. They then spear Kane through the barricade! Miz sneaks into the ring and hits a Skull Crushing Finale, but Angle kicks out! Miz goes for a Skull Crushing Finale onto the chair, but Angle picks the leg and applies the Ankle Lock. Miz rolls through and kicks him out of the ring. The Shield surrounds The Miz. Rollins knees him, Ambrose hits Dirty Deeds, and Angle hits an Angle Slam! The Shield then hits the Triple Powerbomb on The Miz, and Angle covers for the win!
Winners: Kurt Angle & The Shield
The trio celebrate their win after the match as we see replays. The match started kinda slow but it got really damn good by the end. We have some good threads here for storylines moving forward!
That’s it for WWE TLC 2017! Let us know your thoughts and feelings in the comments and I will see you back here tomorrow night for Raw!
