WWE TLC 2018 PPV: Results, Review, Analysis, and Grades

Credit: WWE.com

AJ Styles vs. The New Daniel Bryan

Daniel Bryan leaves the ring immediately after the bells rings, only to tentatively return up the steel steps. Bryan leaves the ring once again after squaring up to Styles in the ring.

After these two finally get started, everything is back and forth; AJ strikes, Daniel strikes. AJ hits, Daniel hits right after.

Daniel finally gets AJ into a leg lock in the center of the ring, driving a hard knee into AJ’s back and pulling at AJ’s nose. Daniel reverses the move into an abdominal stretch before he finally lets AJ go. He backs AJ into the corner and lays in some heavy palm strike to AJ’s chest. AJ reverse and starts doing the same to Daniel.

Daniel Bryan lands some big uppercuts to AJ’s head. AJ tried to walk away a bit to recoup, but Daniel starts kicking at him again. The two get into a roll-up in the middle of the ring, but nobody gets the pin.

Daniel lands a huge drop kick to AJ’s head in the corner, and then immediately goes for another. When he goes for the third, AJ counters with a big clothesline.

AJ pumps the crowd up for a Styles Clash, but Daniel rolls out of the ring. AJ meets him out there and strikes at Daniel before throwing him back into the ring.

Daniel holds up his hand to stop AJ, backing away from him meekly. Daniel charges at AJ, but AJ gets him in a back breaker. AJ tries for the pin, but it’s not successful.

Daniel counters a reverse DDT attempt into a suplex, but he still can’t get the pin. Daniel hits the Yes Kicks (or shall I say, No Kicks), but again he can’t get the pin.

AJ tries for the Phenomenal Forearm, but Daniel counters. AJ quicks at Daniel’s hamstrings, and he then wraps Daniel’s legs around the ring post, slamming his legs again and again.

AJ gets Daniel ready for a Style Clash, but Daniel falls out. AJ locks Daniel in a single leg crab as Daniel crawls towards the ropes. AJ pushes Daniel back, and Daniel is absolutely writhing. AJ stands up and effectively looks like he’s helping Daniel get towards the ropes.

Daniel is able to reverse and land the Yes Lock. AJ powers out, and both men get near-falls on roll-ups.

They exchange strikes in the middle of the ring, until Daniel lands a spin-kick. AJ dropkicks Daniel, and oh my god, these two are just totally beaten up. AJ climbs the ropes for a springboard 450, but he still can’t get the cover on DB.

AJ locks in the Calf Crusher, and DB is in total agony. DB rolls out and grabs the ropes, SOMEHOW. Styles lands a Phenomenal Forearm from off the barricade, and AJ rolls DB back in. DB wins on a roll-up, after ALL that.

Grade: Emotionally and mentally taxing.