Toyota Center

Houston, TX

The final PPV of 2013 is upon us with the always dangerous TLC event. The Tables, Ladders, & Chairs match is known for its danger Many fans—myself included—believe the match is partially responsible for the abrupt retirement of Edge. “The Rated R Superstar” was  involved in many of the high risk bouts, more than any other superstar active or retired in WWE history. Because of this inherent danger, the event features only one TLC match and only one match involving these “foreign objects.” I’m happy to see WWE take a less is more approach with the stipulations for this PPV, but that one match has been cranked to 11 in terms of importance. We will get to that in just a moment, but first let’s see how we did last month. BTW, I don't know about you guys, but I'm really liking the new site layout!

All reactions, anger, vile & venom is directed to @PaulHcle.

Dolph Ziggler vs. Fandango

There’s no rhyme or reason for a star like Ziggler to go from World Heavyweight Champion the night after WrestleMania to preshow fodder on the final show of the season. Ziggler’s in ring skills cannot be doubted and his promo skills are better 75% of the roster (and certainly better than Alberto Del Rio’s poor attempts.) Yet here he is on the Kickoff show in a completely throw away match with Fandango. There’s another superstar whose star has faded quickly. Fandango won his debut match at WrestleMania and won over the crowd with “Fandango-ing.” But Fandango has yet to have a Title match or any match of significance. I fear WWE may not realize actual talent when they see it.

Big E Langston (c) vs. Damien Sandow

I am enjoying Sandow’s character rebirth since failing to win the World Title with his Money in the Bank cash in. Sandow’s new aggressive attitude and passive aggression toward the fans are much more entertaining than his previous snob gimmick. This would be a great time to put a Title on him and let him run. But Big E Langston stands in his way, and that’s a big man to be blocking your path! Langston’s Title win over Curtis Axel on Raw Country last month solidified his status as a rising star. Langston’s promos have felt forced, but his pairing with Mark Henry will help him overcome this. I’m a fan of putting a young superstar with a veteran and letting him sit under “the learning tree.” Langston is too early in his Title run to lose here.

AJ Lee (c) vs. Natalya

I write it every month and it still holds true, AJ Lee is the best thing going in the Divas division. I don’t know how many idiots voted The Bella Twins in the Slammy Awards on Monday for Divas of the Year, but I hope they were paid handsomely for those votes. There’s no reason for AJ to lose here, which may be a recurring theme here.

Cody Rhodes & Goldust (c) vs. Curtis Axel & Ryback vs. The Real Americans vs. Big Show & Rey Mysterio

The only full-time tag team in this match is The Real Americans, which should tell you all you need to know about WWE’s Tag Team Division revival. This would be a good time to put The Real Americans over as Champions, but the Rhodes Brothers are simply a better story. Big Show & Mysterio were thrown together as a team, and it would make no sense to put the Title on them. Axel & Ryback have struggled since dropping Paul Heyman as their manager. They don’t have the momentum to pull out the win.

The Shield vs. CM Punk

I hate, and I mean HATE, 3-on-1 matches. They serve no purpose. And they are especially useless on PPVs. If I told you I was going to fight 3 men simultaneously, would you really expect me to have a chance to survive that fight- much less win it? WWE is charging you $50+ to watch 2 Handicap matches that should have occurred on Raw or Smackdown. While there have been seeds of dissension sewn amongst The Shield, they strike me more as a decoy. It would make more sense for them to lure Punk into a fall sense of confidence. Then, he’s easier pickings for them during the match. Punk’s dealing with damaged ribs, which makes him vulnerable to Roman Reigns’ Spear finish. Reigns’ dominance last month in the Survivor Series Elimination match sets-up an easy finish to this match. Reigns spears Punk, Ambrose sneaks in and gets the pin to set-up the inevitable split of The Shield at Royal Rumble, when Reigns eliminates both of his Shield “brothers.”

Wyatt Family vs. Daniel Bryan

If you doubted Daniel Bryan’s popularity, watch the Slammys over. It’s clear the fans are enamored with Bryan and this is an easy way to spotlight him heading towards the Rumble. Bryan needs a dominant showing here, hitting 2 of the 3 Family members with his Running Knee and locking in the Yes Lock for the tap out victory. I know that seems a little unlikely considering it’s a 3-on-1 match, but that’s another problem I have with WWE 3-on-1 matches. It seems the outnumbered superstar overcomes almost everytime! How does that make sense?

Randy Orton (WWE) vs. John Cena (WHC)

This match could be epic. Hell, that’s how they’re promoting it! The Champion of Champions will be crowned! So long as they pull down the Titles. On paper, there’s a lot of potential here. But if they are legitimately planning to unify the 2 Titles which have split WWE for over a decade, a winner should be decided by pinfall or submission. The other thing that bothers me about this match are the many red herrings during the build that cannot be ignored. Remember, Stephanie McMahon is/was head of Creative, so when she constantly points out Triple H’s lineage & dominance over both Championships it’s not accidental. She isn’t going into business for herself or her husband. Even though she is a McMahon, her ego isn’t THAT huge. Also, Triple H refers to the match & the Champion. He has not mentioned either Cena or Orton in any promos for this match unless one of them were in the ring with him. And if you believe dirt sheets, the idea of a unification match was not considered until after the initial promo on Raw the night after Survivor Series.

So what happens? Cena & Orton are battling on top of the ladder, each holding one of the Championships. They take a big fall off the ladder, still clutching a Title each. As the Champions lay on the mat with the Championships beside them, Triple H’s music hits and he angrily struts to the ring. Triple H picks up both Championships, calls for the bell and walks out of Houston as the Champion of Champions. The following night on Raw, he holds a Championship Celebration, complete with throne and puts down the entire locker room for being too weak to carry *his* company. This goes on through the end of 2013, and leads to the only thing crazier than Triple H declaring himself Champion of WWE… a babyface Mr. McMahon to save the day.

I know I’ve proven somewhat cynic of the WWE product this year, but can you really blame me? WWE was given multiple opportunities to make stars, create compelling entertainment, and each time they have dropped the ball. From The Rock’s WWE Title run in January, to Cena’s Title victory at WrestleMania, to a Summer Slam ending that could have made Daniel Bryan but instead served to stroke Triple H’s ego, or even a Title win at Night of Champions that was immediately nullified the next night on Raw, it’s hard to trust WWE to get anything right. Hell, even the ending to Raw on Monday, with a hodge-podge of chaos could be ruined if The Authority doesn’t properly react to it. If they just sweep it under the rug and move on, then what was the point of doing it? But if they run with it, there’s a lot of potential there. Punk/Triple H in an Anti-Authority/Authority match could build the new anti-hero. Orton/Cena could be made fresh and interesting if Cena actually does side with The Authority. And I can’t think of anyone who doesn’t want to see Daniel Bryan get revenge on Shawn Michaels for costing him the WWE Title in Hell in a Cell a couple months back. There’s potential here. But will WWE follow through? Or this another swing and miss?

We would like to wish everyone a Happy Holidays and we look forward to bringing you more picks and insights in the coming year! I’d like to extend a special thank you to David Funk, The Boss on this site. Thanks for letting me be part of this site and it is my pleasure to post my musings here. I can’t think of a better partner or a better friend. Thanks for reading and we will be back in 2014!