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WWE ended a monumental year in pro wrestling history with the Tables, Ladders, and Chairs pay-per-view. Historically, this has always been an entertaining event that the company uses to bring storylines to a close, readying the WWE Universe for the new year. The night promised much with Roman Reigns, Becky Lynch, Bray Wyatt, Charlotte Flair and the New Day all involved in marquee matches.
Looking back, it’s fair to say the WWE did enough to satisfy the demands of the fans, whilst also increasing their appetite for Wrestlemania. The night allowed us to gauge an insight into creative’s thinking about some superstars and perhaps their thoughts and possible directions for the future. There were some loose ends left untied, but WWE still showed their hand in some of the matches.
Here are 5 things we learned from TLC.
#5 Both Aleister Black and Buddy Murphy are set for a big year in 2020
Although Aleister Black ultimately won their match of the night encounter, it’s clear as day that WWE has big plans for both these men. The duo met in the second match on the main show, a slot that may not be the best, but they were give a good amount of time to showcase their skills. WWE’s best-kept secret has been scheduled for a push ever since he had the match of his life against Roman Reigns on SmackDown months ago.
Furthermore, since moving to RAW, the Australian prizefighter has been undefeated, reiterating the company’s faith in him. As for Black, he’s been positioned for a major push ever since he made his debut, not having lost a 1-on-1 match cleanly on the main roster. Tonight’s outing proved to the fans that Black is now ready for a singles push heading into the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania season.
#4 Rusev versus Lashley isn’t over
In perhaps the messiest and most controversial storyline of the year, Rusev and Bobby Lashley added another chapter to their storied rivalry in a tables match. Going into this match, the public perception was that this would be the blow-off match in which Rusev would finally get his revenge. Instead, WWE has decided to stretch this storyline into the new year. Lana’s centrepiece involvement would continue, as she once again was the reason for her husband getting taken out for her lover (or boy-toy), Lashley.
For a feud that consists of two mid-card talents, this whole saga has attracted main event attention. That’s probably why WWE has decided not to end this feud and instead persist to build upon it. The hope is now that the duo will finally have the end of their storyline at the Royal Rumble, either in the Rumble match or in their own entity.
#3 Daniel Bryan is back for more
The last time we saw Daniel Bryan was two weeks ago at the end of November when The Fiend dragged the Yes Man to ‘hell’. It seems apparent that The Fiend didn’t finish the job. After an interestingly balanced and intense match between Bray Wyatt and The Miz, Bryan made his triumphant return to once again come face-to-face with the Universal Champion.
This is the first time we’ve seen one of The Fiend’s victims be defeated but then come back for more. This return has also cemented Bryan’s return as a babyface, establishing him once again as probably the most likeable and popular Superstar in the company. The last encounter between Bryan and Bray at Survivor Series received a very favourable reaction from the WWE Universe, and now Daniel Bryan is revived and back for round two. Just as he proved last time, he’s a legitimate threat to the reign of The Fiend.
#2 Kabuki Warriors are legit
It’s been a tremendous year for Becky Lynch. Not only did she win the main event of WrestleMania, but she was able to show the world that she wasn’t a flash in the pan -- she is a legitimate top star. Becky’s popularity has sustained itself for over 365 days by this point. She has main evented several shows, and in another main event spot, Lynch and Charlotte Flair put over the Kabuki Warriors in a violent and inventive TLC match.
Over the past few weeks, the Japanese duo has continuously picked up impressive wins over Flair and Lynch respectively. Now they’ve beaten the two big stars in a tag team match, and that’s high praise from WWE. This massive win has made the rumours linking a rematch between Lynch vs Asuka at the Royal Rumble all the more legitimate. It also shouldn’t be understated that the Kabuki Warriors have just main evented a PPV, beating the two top stars of the women’s division.
#1 King Corbin is here to stay
For those who thought King Corbin would just be a short-term challenger for the period of time between SummerSlam and Survivor Series, it's time to think again. Since winning King of the Ring, Baron Corbin has had a rocket strapped to his back. He had multiple attempts at the Universal Championship, as well as being part of a high-profile segment with The Rock, which happened at the beginning of SmackDown's premiere episode on FOX. A feud with Reigns, the company’s top star, has firmly established the King as not only as SmackDown’s number 1 heel, but the entire WWE’s. Back in England, Corbin picked up a monumental win over Roman Reigns. That was proved to not be a fluke as the 6’7 giant would defeat the Big Dog again, on a much bigger stage.
Rumour has it that Reigns is pencilled in to face Bray Wyatt at WrestleMania 36. However, the loss at TLC showed that he is still human, which could mean that Wyatt poses even more of a threat than he even did before. The conclusion of this match has put over Corbin tremendously, elevating him to a new level for 2020, and even toward an eventual
