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So often, we hear that WWE is no longer the brand we all used to know and love once. And then, they put together a show that makes us proud to be wrestling fans once again. One that makes us remember the reasons why we became part of the WWE Universe in the first place. In my opinion, WWE TLC was one such occasion.
No, Brock Lesnar was not on this show and that should ideally be a huge negative, on most nights. But I thought that the men and women of both brands put on a show to remember. When the show was over and done, we were begging for me.
As always, I present here my post event analysis. Feel free to leave a comment and chime in with your thoughts.
Here's what I thought of the show this week...
#1 Best: The end of the Corbin era
This was the one outcome that everyone wanted from WWE TLC. And thankfully, this was the official decision, even though, from the looks of it, Braun Strowman was not cleared to compete in the ring. Corbin will no longer have any kind of power on RAW, even in kayfabe. One assumes that Vince McMahon will appoint a new General Manager.
Corbin was never really ready for the role he was entrusted with. I loved the fact that everyone whom he'd wronged returned to exact revenge upon him. It was almost like the final episode of Seinfeld, if you remember seeing it.
It was great to see Kurt Angle put in the final nail in Corbin's coffin. I assume there's a match down the line between the two WWE Superstars.
Who do you think will be his successor?
#1 Worst: Rollins vs. Ambrose
AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan may just be the two best in-ring competitors in the whole world. And when you're asked to follow them, you better bring your A Game. I did not think that Ambrose and Rollins delivered at TLC. And the crowd seemed to echo my sentiments too.
There were chants of 'this is boring' and 'Becky' through the course of the match. While the feud has been exceedingly personal in the lead up to the match, the two men started off the match technically. It wasn't the slug fest we all expected it to be, from the build.
Imagine messing up a feud so hot, between two of the top superstars in the company. Everything about the match seemed off.
Maybe adding some kind of stipulation to the match would have been ideal for everyone.
#2 Best: The main event match
It was a bold decision to have the women of SmackDown Live main event a pay-per-view event. But then, when the bell rang, Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch and Asuka proved why they deserved the coveted spot. They were hungry from the word go and took each other to the limit.
It's a wonder none of them are seriously hurt after what looked like a really brutal match. Becky Lynch's popularity grows with every passing day, and even though she did not win, the feel good moment with Asuka's win made it all okay for the entire WWE Universe. It is clear that big things are in store for Becky Lynch, down the line.
The women of WWE have proved time and again that they deserve to be in the main event and the men have to fight for their spot. What a great match!
#2 Worst: Ronda Rousey's interference
Now, I understand why Ronda Rousey came out to interfere in the main event. I will even write a piece on it, later during the day. But in my opinion, it ruined what had been a great match until that point in time, between three very talented women.
Obviously, Rousey's interference sets things up for a huge match down the line between the three women. But it will always be the one black mark on a match where the women of SmackDown Live made history. To a much lesser extent, this was the equivalent of James Ellsworth interfering in the first ever Money in the Bank match in the women's division.
There was already history between Flair, Lynch and Rousey and having one of the SmackDown Live women win the Royal Rumble and challenge Rousey for the title would have made sense for WWE. Instead, they chose to go down this route with the women!
#3 Best: Natalya pays homage to her legendary father
Natalya and Ruby Riott had made their feud very personal in recent weeks. Riott had first broken the sunglasses that belonged to Jim 'The Anvil' Neidhart. She went on to bring out a table that had his likeness on it. Natalya had a readymade feud in place, to seek retribution.
What a great match she put on, putting every member of the Riott Squad through a table. It was an emotional moment when she brought her father's jacket out, and pointed to the heavens as a sign of respect. She even brought out a pair of glasses, which reflected this obvious flaw.
That botch aside, this was a great match. It also gave a crowd a reason to cheer, something that's really been missing in WWE for some time now.
Do you think Natalya still has a future in the RAW Women's Division, going forward?
#3 Worst: Wasting the number 30 Rumble spot?
I understand the stakes that were involved in the Royal Rumble match. But we all know that neither R-Truth nor Carmella will win the match. And this is because of how they've been booked on the show in previous weeks. I just feel that the Number 30 spot should have gone to more deserving contenders.
Maybe deserving is the wrong word here. But when you know that the Number 30 spot is being held by someone who's not going to win the Rumble match, it all feels pointless. Can you imagine a dance break in the main event of WrestleMania?
To me, the Mixed Match Challenge was a missed opportunity to launch a younger star than R-Truth to the moon. Truth is awesome but he is past his prime.
I doubt Carmella's winning the Royal Rumble either.
#4 Best/worst: Ziggler's role
So Dolph Ziggler seemingly turned babyface on RAW not long ago, when he clashed with Drew McIntyre. But did he then turn heel shortly afterwards at TLC? He helped Finn Balor defeat Drew McIntyre during his match. And later, Ziggler went it at against Balor backstage.
I just think that his booking is a little confused in this particular case. Of course, he could always be a Tweener, but considering how misused Ziggler has been in the past, I don't know if WWE can script for a character who's neither good nor bad, in the overall grand scheme of things. Let's hope that the wave of momentum Dolph Ziggler has does not dissipate soon.
And the same can be said about Becky Lynch. She was arguably the star of the night, with the whole crowd chanting her name in sheer unison.
They even popped when she knocked Nia Jax out.
