What should we expect when Raw heads to its next PPV, WWE TLC 2017?
The main event for WWE TLC 2017 has already set the WWE Universe on fire. The newly reunited Shield will take on the IC champion the Miz, Cesaro and Sheamus and the Monster Among Men Braun Strowman in a four-on-three handicap match. Not to mention Curtis Axel and possible Bo Dallas on the sidelines. But fans of the iconic trio know that the Shield is no stranger to being outnumbered. In fact, they thrive on such situations. The Shield work as a cohesive unit and often, no numbers advantage is ever too much for them to overcome.
Will that be the case on October 22 as well? Or will the Miz and company come out with the upset of the millennium? Apart from a stacked main event, there isn’t really much to TLC though. The Women’s title will be defended by Alexa Bliss against the veteran Mickie James. Though the feud has potential, it has lacked that spark that could make it great rather than good.
Another newsworthy moment from TLC would be Asuka’s debut. The Empress of Tomorrow would face off against Emma in what could essentially be a squash match. Finally, the Cruiserweight title would be defended by Kalisto against the former champion Enzo Amore. One or two matches could be added to the card at the last moment. One of those would pit Finn Balor against Sister Abigail or Bray Wyatt. The match is yet to be made official and has not appeared on the WWE TLC page. However, for the time being, TLC is still a 2-match show. But on the flip side though, those two matches are enough to tear the house down. What could happen during these matches? Here are my predictions for WWE TLC 2017.
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Alex Bliss (c) vs. Mickie James for Raw Women’s Title
Alexa Bliss makes for a great heel champion whether it’s on Raw or SmackDown Live. The Wicked Witch has had a phenomenal year in the WWE and has been on fire ever since her call-up to the main roster last year. She has held both Women’s titles on their respective brands and has been a getting better with each outing. Alexa’s strongest attribute is her promo skills. From the way she plays with the audience to her facial expressions, you immediately get invested in whatever point she is selling.
Sadly, in this feud, so far creative has failed to capitalize on her promo skills. The promos have been painful, not because of Bliss and her delivery. But instead, because of the shallow material she had to work with, the segments have been ice-cold. Mickie James is a veteran. We get it. But calling her ‘old’ for being a 39-year-old doesn’t make sense. Especially in a company where an out-of-shape Goldberg was the Universal champion and where a 49-year-old Shane McMahon main-evented Hell in a Cell (due credits for Shane though; that was a hell of a match!)
Is this the fabled Women’s revolution? Why is Mickie James being taunted as old when Goldberg wasn’t? The story of a veteran looking for one last shot at glory has potential. Especially against a disrespectful young star like Alexa Bliss. However, the unnecessary taunts towards Mickie James’s age has halted any momentum. Moreover, there isn’t much to pick from this match either. James is merely a placeholder challenger until Asuka rises to the top. Expect her to be beaten cleanly by Bliss. I also don’t see the potential for a rematch at this stage.
Prediction: Alexa Bliss defeats Mickie James to retain the title.
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Kalisto (c) vs. Enzo Amore for the WWE Cruiserweight Title
Amidst all the rumors and speculations of former champion Neville asking to be released, Kalisto will defend his newly one Cruiserweight title against Enzo Amore. Muscle Marinara is not one among the greatest ever to lace a pair of wrestling boots. He hardly belongs on the Cruiserweight division to be honest. His in-ring skills are admittedly poor, if I am being generous here. To say he defeated the King of Cruiserweights to win the title is such an insult. So much so that Neville asking for his release makes total sense.
However, one thing that Enzo has been capable of doing was to bring more attention towards 205 Live. For the third straight week, the Cruiserweights main-evented Raw. That right there is the reason why he was made the champ. However, despite all this experiment and the somewhat positive result it brought in, Enzo would drop the title to Kalisto this week. So what was the end game of him defeating Neville? Why couldn’t it have been Neville all along who would eventually fall to Kalisto?
Anyhow, predicting this match is not an easy task. On one hand, Enzo does not deserve to be the champion, let alone be in the championship match. On the other hand, Kalisto does not have the charisma to carry the division. Will WWE place the title back on Enzo or will Kalisto justify his sudden rise to prominence? My bet is on Enzo and his underhand tactics, seeing as how the WWE often plays hot potato with the titles.
Prediction: Enzo Amore defeats Kalisto in controversial manner to win the title.
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Asuka vs. Emma
This match would be the easiest to predict on the entire TLC card, after the Shield’s return match perhaps. Or may be they are both easier to predict than ever before. There are many ways to book the match between Asuka and Emma. But in all of them, Asuka comes on top. She is pretty much the most dominant woman to ever step foot in the WWE. I just hope they don’t botch her booking the way they did for Shinsuke Nakamura.
Apart from the obvious result, there isn’t much to pick from this match. Emma picked up a much-needed victory last week on Raw, to essentially qualify as Asuka’s sacrificial lamb. Creative could however throw a curve ball in our direction though. When all the women were arguing over the right to face the Empress of Tomorrow, one woman was notably absent. She is perhaps the most dominant woman on the Red brand at the moment.
Yes, I am talking about Nia Jax. She had a memorable feud with Asuka back in NXT. I don’t think she would miss out on the chance to have a measure of revenge against Asuka on the main roster. Perhaps that is why she chose not to be a part of the ‘Sacrificial lamb match’. May be Jax might choose to interfere at some point in the match. However, even in that case, I do not see Asuka losing on her main roster debut.
Prediction: Asuka dominates Emma in a squash match.
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The Shield vs. The Miz, Cesaro, Sheamus and Braun Strowman in a TLC Match
This is the main event match of the night. Having a look at the level of talent involved in this match, I would be totally fine with having this match headline WrestleMania. Expect a five-star classic. Especially since Cesaro and Sheamus have rock solid chemistry with Ambrose and Rollins. Throw in the brutality Reigns and Strowman can bring into this fight and it is a match that cannot be missed. The Miz alone can handle all the promo works and talks to build hype for this match. The added stipulation of TLC match will surely add spice to this.
However, when all the dust has settled down, there is only one outcome for this match. The Shield just made their much-anticipated reunion. They cannot afford to lose this much. They cannot implode at this moment, no matter how big of a tease and impact it could create. The Shield has to go through clean and then continue to dominate Monday nights for a good while this time.
However, that does not mean the match has to go down a one-way street. Cesaro and Sheamus are tough as nails and have given Rollins and Ambrose a run for their money. Braun Strowman needs no introduction. The Monster Among Men might just be the one guy who turns the match around for the Miz and company. Axel and Dallas could provide interference to make sure the Shield doesn’t steamroll through their opposition.
Next: 3 Booking Decisions That Will Hurt WWE TLC 2017
However, after all this discussion and deliberation though, predictability is set to hurt WWE TLC 2017. Every match has only one direction it could take on. Moreover, there are very few matches on the card as well. That is primarily due to the tag champions and the Inter Continental champion being involved in the main event. Like I said before, this PPV could essentially rely on two big matches and that could be it. As far as the main event goes, only one team will be left standing and they would be doing the fist bump over their fallen opposition while the ever-so familiar Shield theme music plays over the PA system.
Prediction: The Shield defeats the Miz and company in a decisive manner.