Top backstage stories that could impact TLC: 'Injured' Superstar finally returns, Former WWE Champion interferes in Roman Reigns' match, and more (19th December) 

Roman Reigns

WWE is all set to present this year's TLC this weekend, which is being headlined by Roman Reigns and Kevin Owens for the Universal Championship, and AJ Styles and Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship.

The PPV will also feature some other big matches including Carmella vs Sasha Banks for the SmackDown Women's Championship and The Fiend vs Randy Orton in a Firefly Inferno match.

With so many interesting matches in store, we can expect some interesting surprises to take place at the show. One of those surprises may include the return of a beloved Superstar.

So without any further ado, let us take a look at some of the backstage stories and how they could impact WWE TLC:

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#5 Charlotte Flair to return at WWE TLC

Lana and Asuka were set to take on Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax for the Women's Tag Team Championships at TLC. However, Lana was 'injured' on RAW this week and has been taken out of the match.

It is perplexing that WWE built the whole feud around Lana only to have her not compete in the match. However, as per PWIinsider, there is some speculation that Charlotte Flair may be returning at TLC to partner with Asuka.

Charlotte Flair had been injured by Nia Jax on RAW and has been out of action for the past few months.

"The talk coming out of Raw is that Lana was expected to be off TV for the next several weeks, possibly as long as 3-4 weeks. There was some buzz last night that perhaps this was an angle to bring Charlotte Flair back on Sunday, but PWInsider.com has not yet confirmed that to be the plan."

How can this impact TLC?

The return of The Queen could mean that WWE plans to further the feud between Charlotte Flair and the current Women's Tag Team Champions.

#4 Daniel Bryan to get involved in Roman Reigns' match at TLC?

As per recent reports, WWE had initially planned for Daniel Bryan to feud with Roman Reigns. After Bryan had defeated Jey Uso on SmackDown, it was believed that he would take on the Tribal Chief at TLC. However, the feud was put on hold and Reigns will now be taking on Kevin Owens at the show.

Dave Meltzer of WOR had revealed that Daniel Bryan is the man who will likely be facing Roman Reigns at Royal Rumble next year.

"They did that finish and Daniel Bryan's the guy who's at least for right now scheduled to face Roman Reigns at Royal Rumble."

How can this impact TLC?

It is possible that Daniel Bryan could help The Prizefighter to even the odds if Jey Uso and Roman Reigns gang up on Kevin Owens during the match. There is also a possibility that after the match, Reigns and Uso could attack Owens, and Bryan could come in to fend off the two cousins, thus continuing his feud with Jey Uso and targeting the Head of the Table as well.

#3 Peyton Royce to team up with Asuka at TLC?

While the major speculation is that Charlotte Flair will be returning at TLC to join Asuka, Peyton Royce could also be a possible partner for the RAW Women's Champion as she recently offered to be Asuka's partner on Twitter.

It is possible that with word getting out of a possible Charlotte Flair return, Royce and Asuka's social media exchange is merely to throw fans off. Here is what Peyton Royce had stated:

I know you need a tag team partner on Sunday. I know you know I can go. Sincerely, former Women’s Tag Team Champion.

How can this impact TLC?

There have been some reports suggesting that Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax will go over at TLC and will be feuding with The Riott Squad next. In this case, it is unlikely that Charlotte Flair will be brought back only to lose her return match against the Superstar that 'injured' her.

So it is possible that WWE is planning to have Asuka and Peyton Royce team up with each other at TLC.

#2 Drew McIntyre to retain the WWE Championship at TLC

WWE Champion Drew McIntyre will take on AJ Styles at the upcoming TLC PPV. While there is no doubt that the two talented athletes will put on a spectacle at TLC, it is highly unlikely that Drew McIntyre will lose the WWE Championship.

One of the reasons for that is that WWE has plans to begin a feud between the Scotsman and Braun Strowman. The program was put on hold due to Strowman's untimely injury at Survivor Series.

Here is what Dave Meltzer of WON had stated:

“The story, as noted, is that Braun was scheduled to face Drew McIntyre at TLC but he got the leg injury and he is rehabbing it. I didn’t hear anything about surgery, just that they are rehabbing it. Presumably, he won’t be out that long but I guess we’ll see.”

How can this impact TLC?

If WWE is still keen on having a Strowman feud with McIntyre after The Monster Among Men returns from injury, then AJ Styles will surely not be walking out as the WWE Champion after TLC.

#1 Alexa Bliss could miss the Firefly Inferno match at TLC

Randy Orton will face The Fiend at TLC in the first-ever Firefly Inferno match. Even though The Viper has had numerous encounters with Bray Wyatt in the past, this will be the first time he will go head-to-head against The Fiend.

An essential element in the feud between Randy Orton and The Fiend has been the involvement of Alexa Bliss, who has become The Fiend's new partner in crime. However, the former WWE Women's Champion has been absent from RAW over the past few weeks as she revealed that she has been on a vacation.

How can this impact TLC?

The Firefly Inferno match is likely a cinematic match and if Alexa Bliss has taken time off from WWE to be on a vacation then it is likely that she will not be a part of the match at all.

This would be somewhat disappointing as Alexa Bliss adds a unique new element to the multi-dimensional character of The Fiend. Bliss' absence from the show would also mean that Randy Orton will not be able to use her in order to defeat The Fiend.