WWE TLC Predictions: Luke Harper vs. Dolph Ziggler for the Intercontinental Championship (Ladder Match)

On Sunday, at WWE TLC, Luke Harper puts his Intercontinental Championship on the line against Dolph Ziggler.

In the buildup to WWE Survivor Series, The Authority were spending much of their time trying to torture Ziggler, the first man to join Team Cena. Their final act against him was an unnecessary defense of his IC Title, with Harper as the challenger. Harper would win the title that night, a week after he attacked Ziggler to show The Authority that he is a “team player.”

Will Ziggler be able to take the title back? Rob Wolkenbrod, Callum Wiggins, Brian Rzeppa, Carl Gac, and Mike Smith offer up their thoughts:

More from Daily DDT

• It’s time for Adam Cole and MJF to drop the ROH tag team titles
• Tom Lawlor talks MLW return, AEW opportunity, CM Punk’s WWE return and more
• Eddie Kingston stands to gain the most from the AEW Continental Classic
• Trish Stratus on WWE NXT would help elevate that women’s division
• Randy Orton signs with SmackDown to go after The Bloodline

Rob’s Take: The booking of Luke Harper since he has won the Intercontinental Championship has been really bizarre. It feels like he hasn’t even won a match since picking up the belt from Dolph Ziggler last month. Losing cleanly just days before TLC doesn’t make much sense either.

However, this is all WWE logic. They’re going to make Harper look incredibly vulnerable before his match and make Ziggler, the challenger, look great to up his chances. They’re going to put on a phenomenal match if they’re given the time on Sunday, which will result in Harper retaining his belt.

Rob’s Prediction: Luke Harper

Callum’s Take: This is one of the more difficult matches to predict. Harper has only held the Intercontinental Championship for a month now, but hasn’t really done too much with the belt. He is a great worker, with remarkable athleticism for a man of his size, yet thus far every title defense he has held onto the gold due to a technicality. Ziggler has often been the unfortunate party in this equation, which has resulted in a Ladder Match to settle this once and for all.

Ziggler is on one of his hot streaks in the last few months, producing fantastic matches, with his stellar performance in the Traditional Survivor Series Match particularly standing out. He has also done a fantastic job to bring back some prestige and attention to the Intercontinental Title in his relentless pursuit and quality bouts. But, Harper will likely retain, soon to enter a feud with Erick Rowan over the title. Ziggler will move onto bigger things, and could be a solid candidate to challenge Brock Lesnar for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at the February PPV.

Callum’s Prediction: Luke Harper

Brian’s Take: Being a huge fan of both of these guys, I’d have to say that this is the match that I’m most looking forward to heading into TLC. Both of them can really go in the ring and the athleticism that both of them display on a weekly basis will shine through in this kind of match.

Ziggler is currently at one of the highest points of his career, but I imagine that WWE wants Harper to become one of their top heels. Going over someone like Ziggler, who just put on a career performance at Survivor Series, will help establish him in doing that, so for that reason I expect Harper to retain and then move on to a feud with former Wyatt Family member Erick Rowan.

Brian’s Prediction: Luke Harper

Carl’s Take: This match has the potential to steal the show as two of the hottest men in the company collide. Ziggler was the undoubted star of the Survivor Series main event but I think Harper is a man who will have a long run with the belt, and that is something that he really needs. Since the split of The Wyatt family he’s built a lot and shown his amazing talent in the ring. Ziggler already has the backing of the fans so a win here for him only hurts Harper. I can’t think of two better men to put in the Ladder Match, they have the ability to give us a five star match here.

Carl’s Prediction: Luke Harper

Mike’s Take: This is going to be a great match. I’m expecting Ziggler to come out on top here. I think that the Ladder Match stipulation is one that benefits Ziggler, and it can provide a finish that doesn’t hurt Harper.

Ziggler can’t lose after his performance in the main event of Survivor Series.

Mike’s Prediction: Dolph Ziggler

Do you think Ziggler has any chance at winning the IC Title? Let us know in the comments section below.

For more on WWE and TLC, stick with Daily DDT. Follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.