What were the best moments from WWE TLC 2017?
WWE TLC 2017 had a lot to improvise. The show, throughout its buildup seemed to be a show composed to merely two noteworthy matches. One of them was Asuka’s debut and the other was the return of the Shield. Outside of these two matches, every other match on the card lacked purpose or excitement. However, all that would change in a matter of days. A viral infection that swept through the locker room saw several last-minute additions being made to the card.
The most noteworthy one would be the inclusion of AJ Styles in this entire ordeal. Despite participating in a SmackDown live event in Argentina, Styles would get called to face Finn Balor at the very last moment. The former Bullet Club leader would then compose an instant classic. It was everything the fans could have hoped for. While Styles’s inclusion was noteworthy, Angle’s inclusion in the main event as controversial to say the least.
For one, his return to the ring should have come at an even grander stage and should have been the result of a more captivating storyline. Secondly, Angle’s spot could have been given for another younger talent, who could have used the spot light Sunday night and could have delivered a career defining performance. But the truth is, it wouldn’t have been as memorable as seeing Angle wrestle in Shield’s dress code. What were the biggest moments from the night? Here are my five top picks.
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5. Asuka Vs. Emma was more competitive than one could have hoped
Ever since Emma was billed to face Asuka on her debut, we have all been relentlessly referring to her as a ‘victim’ to Asuka. By all means that was the case Sunday night. But Emma did so much more than be a sacrificial goat. For a moment or two, she managed to hang in the ring with Asuka. Not only did she match Asuka’s pacing but she also had a counter for some of Auska’s moves.
That is more than what you could have asked for in this match. Of course, some fans would be unhappy that they didn’t get to witness a Goldberg-like squash match last night. But then, that was in the WCW, in the 90s. This is 2017 and such squashes are not needed. Especially, in the women’s division.
Had it been a thirty-second squash match, half a dozen critics would have been all over the internet, complaining about how the WWE devalued Emma and how the Women’s division didn’t get enough time in the ring. That would not be the case Sunday night.
Instead, WWE chose to present a somewhat competitive match for us. In the end, the right woman got the win. But it didn’t make Emma look any worse than she did going in. If anything, she looked like a bad-ass for stepping in the ring with Asuka. That is always a win for all the parties involved. By the looks of it, she might not be done with Asuka as these two are probably headed for a rematch Monday night. I do not expect a change in results but kudos to Emma for her efforts.
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4. Alexa Bliss retains the title cleverly
The Women’s title match had an uninspiring build up. The primary narrative at play was how old and out-of-place Mickie James was, despite being only 39 years old. Though that failed to grab the attention of the fans, the match certainly did. Alexa Bliss and Mickie James were given enough time to work and tell a story in the ring.
James thrived as the crafty veteran who tried to get Bliss off her game. In the end though, Alexa Bliss would retain the title. She would successfully come across as the clever heel who had one more trick up her sleeve. Moreover, rather than give us a surprise in the form of Mickie James winning the title, creative stood by their decision and had Bliss pin her. This wasn’t the first time Bliss has shown us how well she can manipulate circumstances to get herself the upper hand. Remember he ‘double joint spot’ against Sasha Banks?
This match was yet another example of how far Alexa Bliss has come as a heel and as a champion. She almost makes you want to cheer for her. That right there is the epitome of being a heel. She can now look forward to her next challenger. As long as the next challenger isn’t Asuka that is. One of these days, Bliss is going to be outclassed and out-wrestled by Asuka. When that happens, it will be all the more rewarding if she continues to put down babyface after babyface using her clever heel tactics.
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3. Kurt Angle competes in a WWE ring after eleven years
The TLC PPV thrived amidst all the chaos and uncertainty that surrounded it. Angle’ return to the squared circle is a prime example of that. Why creative decided to take his original entrance and attire away from him is still a mystery. But for the time being, we can all be happy that we got to see this moment unravel in front of our eyes, much earlier than we could have expected.
One could say Angle played it safe last night. The big spots and the chair shots were mostly endured by Ambrose and Rollins. But to be honest, Angle didn’t need to do any of those to make it work. A few German Suplexes here and there and a couple of Olympic Slams were all that it took to get the crowd roaring. Creative wisely added some drama to the match by having Angle be taken to the back mid-way through the match.
He would however return later in the match to save both Ambrose and Rollins from certain defeat and a world of pain and humiliation. TLC was supposed to be all about the Shield’s reunion. Instead, the main event turned out to be about Kurt Angle, front and center. His return to the squared circle could have come under an even grander stage later. But for the time being, Angle took charge when the PPV was falling apart right in front of him, and he delivered. It felt good to see him enjoy his time in a WWE ring once again.
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2. Braun Strowman has some new foes
You shouldn’t ever place your bet on Braun Strowman winning a match for his team. The Monster Among Men has quite a history of having a fall-out midway during the match. The same would unfold during Sunday’s TLC PPV as well. I did say prior to this that there wasn’t enough room for two monsters in the Miz’s team. The ended up being the case last night as Strowman and Kane began fighting each other.
However, eventually all of Miz’s team would turn against Braun Strowman. They would the proceed to pounce of the Monster Among Men and literally throw him into a garbage truck. What does this mean going forward? Did Strowman just turn face in the midst of all this?
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This was one of the most unpredictable moments from the night. Of course I knew he would have a fight with Kane. But I never expected to see Strowman getting manhandled that way. Where does all this lead to now? Will he go after the Miz in a fit of rage Monday night? Will we see Strowman take on the Bar in a handicap match? Or will he lock horns with the Big Red Machine?
Of all the possibilities, I would love to see Strowman go up against the Miz. Not only would it be a fresh pairing, but also, it will give Strowman to make a strong start to his potential babyface run. The Miz might also need some time off by the time he and Maryse have their baby. Strowman might just be your new Intercontinental champion in that case. Take a moment to process that folks.
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1. AJ Styles Vs. Finn Balor
Many names have become associated with the Bullet Club over the years. They range from Kenny Omega to Cody Rhodes at times. However, no two names have become synonymous with the infamous faction as AJ Styles and Finn Balor did. They lead the stable during its initial days. Balor was the one who started it all, Styles was the one who took the mantle next.
To see these two have their very first match ever, inside a WWE ring was surreal. The crowd had some really silly chants throughout the night.But they were absolutely right when they began chanting ‘This is Awesome’ even before the match began. This is a dream match and undeniably, one for the ages. Nobody in any part of the world, has ever seen these two men compete against each other in one-on-one action.
The match lived up to every expectation fans could set. The fact that this was put together in the last-minute actually helped to make this match even more special and memorable. To quote our very own Bryan Heaton:
"this was basically an indie match in front of a WWE crowd, on a WWE stage."
The action was non-stop during the match and as such picking a single moment as the best moment from the PPV will not do justice to this classic. It was two of WWE’s very best slugging it out inside the ring. Had they removed every match from the card and asked these two to keep the match going for the entire duration of the PPC, I would have still praised it as a potential match of the year. I cannot pick a single moment from this match. This match itself was the top best thing about WWE TLC 2017.
Next: WWE TLC 2017: Results and Grades
What do you make of this list? Do you agree with my picks? Or would you have preferred to see some other moments in this list? Are you a fan of the idea of a babyface run from Braun Strowman? Would you love to see him obliterate Kane? What about the Shield? What would the trio do next? Do let us know in the comments section.