WWE Tables, Ladders and Chairs Preview: October 22, 2017

Traditionally one of the most lit pay-per-views of the year just got amped up a notch with the news that Kurt Angle will replace Roman Reigns in the 3-on-5 handicap main event match, making his WWE in-ring return after 11 years.

And if that doesn't stoke your fires, perhaps the news that AJ Styles has been borrowed from SmackDown Live to fill in for Bray Wyatt will.

Yes, the Shield will not be in action and, yes, Sister Abigail versus The Demon will have to wait a little while longer...but who's complaining?

Kurt Angle's return has sent the WWE Universe into an absolute meltdown.

But moving past all the fanfare and buzz for a moment, there are a few pertinent questions that stand to be answered this Sunday.

As great as he was in the ring, can the Olympic Hero still pull out all the stops against the likes of Braun Strowman, Kane and the Tag Team Champions so many years removed from his prime?

Will he prove to be the same difference Roman Reigns would have likely been against the formidable unit of bruisers assembled by the Miz?

And is AJ Styles' visit from SmackDown Live to challenge Finn Balor just a one-off showcase event or a sign of things to come?

We're as excited as you are to find out when TLC swings by.

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#1 Kurt Angle, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose vs Miz, Sheamus, Cesaro, Braun Strowman and Kane in a 3 on 5 Handicap TLC match

Are the odds too much to overcome, even for the returning Kurt Angle?

Kurt Angle's in-ring WWE return has got everyone excited and understandably so. But are we being realistic about what's going to happen when he does step into battle with the likes of Braun Strowman, Kane and the hard-hitting Raw Tag Team Champions?

Apart from ring rust, which is a very distinct possibility, he's also got to contend with the fact that he's going in there against a numbers disadvantage and with the expectations of filling in for Roman Reigns weighing on his shoulders.

Can the hastily assembled team of Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose and Kurt Angle pull off an upset victory? They most certainly have the pedigree to do so.

But should they end up on the losing end, it isn't too far-fetched to think that a 48-year old man may be on the receiving end of a brutal beating that he should never have had to face in the first place.

What if Kurt Angle's son Jason Jordan somehow gets involved? It may not necessarily be to help his father's team, but maybe he might turn on him and get nuclear heat to the next level. That would help push his career through the stratosphere!

#2 Askua vs Emma

Can Emma stop the juggernaut that is Asuka?

If you had to clone Goldberg and create an equally powerful, menacing and invincible woman, you'd probably get the Empress of Tomorrow, Asuka.

It's no coincidence, then, that she currently holds the longest undefeated streak in all of the WWE.

And when she makes her main roster bow at TLC, against the self-proclaimed creator of the Women's Revolution, she will undoubtedly be eager to show exactly why it is that she's mowed down everyone in her path so far.

A resounding victory for Asuka - if she manages it - likely catapults her straight to the head of the line to challenge for the WWE Raw Women's Championship next.

But a victory for Emma...now that could turn the entire WWE Universe upside down.

#3 Enzo Amore(c) vs Kalisto for the Cruiserweight Championship

Will Enzo Amore win back the Cruiserweight Championship from Kalisto?

Enzo Amore may have lost his Cruiserweight Title to Kalisto, but it seems that he's lost none of his swagger.

Still convinced to a fault that he had the wool pulled over his eyes when Kalisto won the Cruiserweight Championship from him, the Certified G has evoked his rematch clause at TLC.

Will he be able to reverse the Luchador's victory two weeks ago on Raw and win back the Title or will Kalisto prove that he's here to stay as the face of the Cruiserweights with a decisive victory to end Enzo's run at the top of the division?

And what part will the remainder of the Cruiserweight division -- some vehemently opposed to Smacktalker Skywalker and some riding on his coattails -- play in the match?

#4 Alexa Bliss(c) vs Mickie James for the Raw Women's Championship

Will Alexa Bliss be able to defend her Title successfully against the wily Mickie James?

If Mickie James beats Alexa Bliss at TLC, she will win her seventh Women's Championship in the WWE.

Now let that sink in for a moment.

That is the kind of championship-level experience that Alexa Bliss has to contend with come Sunday if she hopes to retain her Title.

And regardless of how much pre-fight smack talk or disrespect has emanated from both sides, both of the women will be acutely aware of the challenges that await them.

Mickie's experience and ring smarts versus Alexa Bliss' penchant for somehow getting the job done.

What will prevail when these two women clash for the Raw Women's Championship at TLC?

#5 Finn Balor vs AJ Styles

Possible Match-Of-The-Year contender?

Bray Wyatt, we sincerely hope that you get well soon and unleash Sister Abigail on the WWE Universe.

But what we absolutely cannot do is apologise for liking the new match-up between Finn Balor and AJ Styles a little more.

Both were leaders of the Bullet Club at different points in time; both men are tremendous in-ring workers, and for some reason, have never really wrestled one another before, making their match at TLC a novelty.

Will Finn Balor unleash the Demon King on the Phenomenal One when they finally cross paths on Sunday? Or will Styles prove that SmackDown Live can hang with the best that Raw has to offer with an upset victory?

Be sure to tune in with us at Sportskeeda as we bring you all the live play-by-play action, results and highlights, straight as it unfolds.

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