TLC 2018

[Ricky Jackson]

I haven't looked forward to many non-NXT, non-Evolution WWE shows this year, nor have I watched many since Mania, but there are about five matches on this card that I'm interested in. The problem is there are another seven matches and this could be another slog, but it may not be too bad. Weird time for WWE with Raw being in the toilet but Smackdown having some buzz around Lynch and Bryan. It's been a pretty schizophrenic year for WWE in general with some major highs and major lows, and I really dont know what to expect anymore. That said, I'm going to drink some beers, watch this on the couch, and perhaps reflect on this crazy year for pro wrestling that felt like it hit a peak around All In, but the wave has crashed down in the last few months as we head into 2019

[El-P]

29 minutes ago, Ricky Jackson said:

 reflect on this crazy year for pro wrestling that felt like it hit a peak around All In, but the wave has crashed down in the last few months as we head into 2019

That's an interesting take and sounds pretty accurate.

[NintendoLogic]

It looks like the WWE Championship match will be the main event. When was the last time that happened on a dual-branded PPV?

I find that the WWE PPVs that look strong on paper invariably disappoint while the ones that appear underwhelming tend to overdeliver. This one could go either way, so I have no idea what to expect. Bryan/Styles looks to be WWE's last best chance to make my MOTY list, so I hope they knock it out of the park.

[Strummer]

This should be a good to great show.  If you just watch their ppvs wwe would seem like a hot product these past few months  but then Raw happens.

surprised Becky/Charlotte/Asia isn't main eventing.  Where did you see Bryan/AJ is main eventing, Nintendo?

[NintendoLogic]

It's listed as the top match on the preview at wwe.com. That might not mean anything, but the matches do seem to be listed in order of importance.

[Strummer]

Could mean something but I think the SD women's match will main event

[WingedEagle]

 

 

Bryan's promo is threaded here.  His work since turning heel has him a a lock for Best on Interviews on my ballot.  Just blowing away everything else this year.

[KawadaSmile]

Totalitarian

Liberal

Communism

[hammerva]

"A lot of debts need to be paid off when the Man comes around".    We really don't deserve Becky Lynch  

[Blehschmidt]

Hour long pre-show and god knows how long of a main show, and that's all the time Buddy and Cedric can get. Fucking Ridiculous.

[hammerva]

How did this get on the main show?  

[Migs]

The main show appears to only be slotted for 3 1/2 hours.

[WingedEagle]

1 minute ago, Migs said:

The main show appears to only be slotted for 3 1/2 hours.

Stop teasing me.

[KB8]

Are all the PPVs usually four hours long these days, then? 

Also how many fucking matches are on this show? Good grief. 

[...TG]

I shouldn't expect much from WWE these days, but Truth & Carmella at WWE HQ should be good for a giggle or two. 

[KawadaSmile]

The Usos, New Day and The Bar are incapable of having bad matches against each other.

[Blehschmidt]

Well, they made a big deal about one of the Uso's blind tagging Kofi, then ignored it, went into a long face in peril segment on Kofi, and the match ended without the Uso's who were technically legal ever getting back in. 

Uggh. It's the little shit.

[hammerva]

Baron vs Braun is now?   I am guessing either this is a forfeit or a 2 minute squash  

Man Cole was on fire telling us how awful RAW was.  

[KawadaSmile]

oh no

 

it's bray wyatt isn't it

[KawadaSmile]

Big Bad Buff Daddy Slater >>>>

[WingedEagle]

Its disappointing, yet not at all surprising, to see Balor presented as part of the job squad here.

[...TG]

Slater deserves better, but he's on the PPV at least. Fun angle, no pun intended.

[Ricky Jackson]

Who says they dont book happy endings anymore? 

[hammerva]

Well they do have the tag champs as part of the beatdown so not a complete job squad.   

Sure that was screw job match but watching Baron getting destroyed more than makes up for it.  

[El Dragon]

That is a good way to finish that angle, honestly. Smart angle with the Babyfaces getting to actually look smart and take advantage of the heel GM's hubris.