5 WWE stars who have been legitimately injured at TLC 

WWE presents their final pay-per-view of 2020 this weekend as TLC: Tables, Ladders, and Chairs rolls into Tropicana Field. In the past, the TLC pay-per-view has boasted a number of brutal matches that have left several current and former WWE stars on the sidelines.

This year's show will be no different as AJ Styles challenges Drew McIntyre in a TLC match for the WWE Championship and Roman Reigns defends the Universal Championship in a TLC match against Kevin Owens.

Of course, the headline match hasn't been the only place where injuries have occurred at this pay-per-view, since there are several undercard matches that have seen interesting injuries as well.

Here are just five WWE superstars who have been injured at the TLC pay-per-view over the years.

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#5. Andrade - WWE TLC Kickoff show 2019

The final show of the year last year saw Andrade take on Humberto Carrillo as part of the kickoff show. The former United States Champion had his manager Zelina Vega in his corner but that wasn't enough to help him overcome the threat of the former Cruiserweight star and end his string of losses.

Carrillo and Andrade were part of a lengthy feud at this point and this match was a way to determine their next steps heading into the new year.

In the opening exchanges of the match, Carrillo performed a springboard crossbody on his opponent and when the star stood up Andrade seemed shaky on his feet and had a considerable cut down the side of his face.

Despite the blood, he was able to finish the match where Carrillo picked up the win. The injury didn't force Andrade to miss any time on WWE TV, but the former Champion did have a nasty looking scar on his face for a number of weeks following the bout with Carrillo.

#4. R-Truth - WWE TLC 2012

R-Truth has recently been seen as the comic relief on WWE TV, despite holding the 24/7 Championship for the best part of the year and almost reaching an incredible 50 reigns.

This hasn't always been the case since Truth was part of the United States Championship match back at TLC: Tables, Ladders, and Chairs in 2012 where he took on Cesaro.

The two men put on a fantastic show, but as part of the match, Truth suffered a nasty looking knee injury. The current 24/7 Champion later shared an image of the injury on his Twitter account which showed just how deep the cut on his knee actually was.

Truth definitely needed stitches following the match, where he came up short, so he didn't even have the United States Championship over his shoulder to aid him through his recovery. Truth was kept out of the ring for a few weeks but was then able to pick up where he left off when he returned to WWE TV at the beginning of 2013.

#3. Aleister Black - WWE TLC 2019

Aleister Black and Murphy were part of an interesting feud heading into WWE TLC back in 2019. The two men then faced off on the main card of the show in one of the best matches on the card.

Black may have picked up the victory and still lasted almost 14 minutes in the bout, but the former NXT Champion definitely walked out knowing that he had been in a fight.

Black took a shot to the face in the opening stages of the match which was later noted to have possibly broken his nose. Commentator Jerry Lawler brought some attention to the injury when Black headed over to the announcer's desk and he was able to assess the damage.

Murphy bought Black some time to adjust before the match continued and Black came out victorious. The following night on RAW, neither man was part of the show and Black was later given a clean bill of health to return to WWE TV.

The injury can be seen at this link.

#2. AJ Styles - WWE TLC 2016

AJ Styles will be challenging for the WWE Championship this weekend at TLC, but the former Champion is no stranger to Championship matches at the final show of the year. The Phenomenal One took on Dean Ambrose back at TLC 2016 where his WWE Championship was on the line, where he came out victorious.

Styles delivered a 450 splash onto Ambrose through a table, but as he was delivering the move it appeared as though he suffered an injury. Styles won the match but was later seen limping out of the arena before it was confirmed that the Champion had suffered an ankle injury.

Styles was then pulled from the following night's live event as a precaution before later shaking off the injury to make his return to SmackDown. This was Styles' first TLC match in WWE after making his debut for the company earlier in the year. Hopefully when he steps up to the challenge of Drew McIntyre this weekend, four years after his debut, the former Champion will be prepared for the brutality that awaits.

#1. Kairi Sane - WWE TLC 2019

Footage of Becky Lynch protecting Kairi Sane by attempting to roll her under the ring.Credit: https://t.co/bfwEKqk5aQ pic.twitter.com/BdqrLMWeKo

— HeelByNature.com (@HeelByNatureYT) December 17, 2019

Kairi Sane teamed up with Asuka at last year's TLC event in order to defend the Women's Tag Team Championships against Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch. The match was the main event of last year's show but in the opening stages of the match Sane suffered a nasty concussion and the other three women were then forced to protect the star throughout.

Sane's concussion was visible for the WWE Universe to see and there were moments in the match where it was clear that Sane didn't know where she was, so Lynch and Flair protected her as best as they could.

Sane was not cleared to make her return to WWE TV following the show after it was revealed that she was knocked out in the match and then struggled to get back to full fitness.

Sane has since opted to walk away from WWE and took part in her final match earlier this year before she returned to her native country where she is still contracted to WWE.