With Survivor Series done and dusted, Smackdown Live will look to outdo Raw once again on PPV with TLC this Sunday on December 4th. With a number of matches that could steal the show (Ambrose vs. Styles, Bliss vs. Lynch, Miz vs. Ziggler, among others) and the match card overall appearing very strong, expect another splendid PPV from the blue brand.
However, a PPV must include shocks to make it stand out from regular WWE programming, so expect WWE to implement a number of swerves at TLC to make the PPV stronger. Whether it is a double turn, a dream title reign coming to a close, or a megastar returning, here are seven possible shocks we could see at WWE TLC 2016.#
#7 John Cena returns
Although some fans love to hate him, John Cena is a vital part of the WWE, and he is missed whenever he takes time off away from the company. This is especially true, given he is now one of only a couple of top male talents on SD Live, but unfortunately he has been absent from SmackDown programming since No Mercy in early October.
Dean Ambrose and AJ Styles have been left as the top guys on the blue brand, and although they have done all that they can, there is still a gaping hole in the main event scene on SD Live, which has been filled by James Ellsworth of all people.
Still, even with the entertainment of Ellsworth, Cena’s presence is sorely missed, and TLC could be where WWE bring him back. Assuming that WWE are still planning to have Cena vs. Undertaker at Wrestlemania 33, Cena could call out the Deadman in a surprise appearance this Sunday, kick-starting their dream feud early.
Or, if WWE is planning to have Cena win a 16th world title at the Royal Rumble next January, he could attack AJ Styles after his TLC match vs. Ambrose, planting the seeds for Styles vs. Cena III at the Royal Rumble 2017. Either way, a return for Cenation this Sunday would be a welcome shock.
6. The new Wyatts conquer the tag division
Despite feuding for the first couple of months after the brand split, Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt have created a strong alliance, ever since Orton ‘joined’ the Wyatt Family.
Hitting then-partner Kane with an RKO a few weeks back, Orton has joined forces with Bray, and they have been a formidable duo, even being the sole survivors for Team Smackdown in the men’s match at Survivor Series.
With Luke Harper alongside them, Orton and Wyatt are now the number one contenders for the Tag Team Championships, after overcoming American Alpha on the most recent edition of SD Live. Although some fans may see the tag titles as too lowly for main eventers, such as Orton and Wyatt, it would be interesting to see the two men on top of the tag team division as heels.
Whoever beats them for the titles (American Alpha?) would receive a huge boost in momentum from such a significant win over two top guys on SD Live, and it would only further emphasise to fans that Orton is indeed loyal to Wyatt.
Where the Orton/Wyatt/Harper storyline is leading is still yet to be seen, but it would be a nice shock to see Orton and Wyatt as the tag team champions by beating the lovable duo of Heath Slater and Rhyno on Sunday.
#5 Becky Lynch’s fairytale ends
When Becky Lynch captured the women’s championship at Backlash back in September, fans were ecstatic. Finally, the Lass Kicker had reached the top of the mountain, and fans were eager to see how she would fare with the title. Unfortunately, an injury before No Mercy halted her first defence until November 8th on an episode of SD Live.
There, she defeated Bliss, but it was because of a mistake from the referee. Now with Survivor Series done, the two will finally clash on PPV at TLC, with the title on the line. Although Lynch has had a decent run as champion, it hasn’t had enough time to be the true highlight it deserves to be.
Unfortunately, WWE has a habit of ending lovable babyfaces’ reigns before they pick up steam, and the same may happen on Sunday. Alexa Bliss certainly deserves a run as champion, sure, but now is not the time. However, WWE may not have another big shock planned, so Lynch’s title reign may be sacrificed just to have a title change on PPV.
As much of a ‘negative’ shock as it would be, for Lynch’s fans, WWE may just end her fairytale run at TLC.
#4 The Intercontinental Championship changes hands again
Engaging in one of the most entertaining feuds all year, the Miz and Dolph Ziggler have stolen the show at both of SD Live’s exclusive PPVs so far, and with a ladder match between the two set for Sunday, expect them to do it again.
On the 900th episode of Smackdown (live), the Miz ended Dolph Ziggler’s short reign with the IC title and went on to retain against Sami Zayn at Survivor Series. Considering the lack of mid-card talent on SD Live, Ziggler may recapture the title to keep this feud going, and given the incredible matches these two have displayed, there are no complaints from the majority of fans.
However, WWE is in danger of passing the title around like a hot potato, much like the Women’s Championship on Raw. If Ziggler wins the title back at TLC, there was arguably no point in booking him to lose it on SmackDown 900, as it only halted his incredible momentum, after his huge win at No Mercy.
If the title changes hands constantly, it may reduce the prestige that Miz and Ziggler have brilliantly established back into the championship, and another short reign will remind fans of its mediocrity during the late 2000s-2010s. Although another Dolph Ziggler win would be welcome, it may come at a cost if the title continues to bounce around.
If WWE plans to have the Showoff capture the gold at TLC, they should have a long reign for Ziggler in mind.
Check out highlights from Ziggler vs. Miz from No Mercy in October:
#3 James Ellsworth costs Dean Ambrose the world title
As one of the most unlikely success stories in WWE history, James Ellsworth has been on top of the world as of late. Beating AJ Styles three times, Ellsworth has now earnt himself a full-time contract on Smackdown Live. However, he has Dean Ambrose to thank for all of his success so far.
Ambrose has helped Ellsworth tremendously in his matches against AJ Styles and is the sole reason Ellsworth won a SmackDown Live contract. However, Ellsworth did manage to accidentally cost Ambrose a match against Styles a few weeks ago, and history may repeat itself at TLC.
It would be ludicrous to suggest that Ellsworth would cost Ambrose knowingly, as he is too popular for WWE to consider turning him heel. But, he could inadvertently cost the Lunatic Fringe the WWE World Championship. This could lead to the much-anticipated Ambrose heel turn, and he could brutalise Ellsworth after the match.
It would also be a splendid way of protecting Ambrose in a loss, while also maintaining his momentum with a heel turn. Given that Styles ‘dared’ Ellsworth to show up at TLC on the go-home episode of SD Live, he may turn up with the intention of helping Ambrose to victory, but he could instead do the opposite.
Although it could be overkill to have Ellsworth brutalized for the second time in one week, it would be a brilliant way of protecting Ambrose in a loss and kick-starting a heel run for the Lunatic Fringe. Considering his heavy involvement in the build, Ellsworth has to show up, and this would be the perfect way for him to get involved.
#2 Carmella destroys Nikki Bella
Since they started feuding all the way back in September, Nikki Bella and Carmella, have been at each other’s throats, with Carmella being especially vicious. Although their rivalry took a step back for Survivor Series, it is now back at the forefront of SmackDown Live, and they will now face off in a No DQ match at TLC.
Their feud has become incredibly personal, and a no DQ bout is the perfect way to settle the two’s bad blood once and for all. The expected result from fans will likely be a Nikki Bella win, as she is the top babyface of the women’s division on SD Live alongside Becky Lynch.
However, a much more effective result would be the systematic destruction of Bella, by the Princess of Staten Island. Carmella would instantly be elevated to top heel by decimating Bella, and once Alexa Bliss is done with Lynch, Carmella could step up to challenge for the title.
Instead of giving the win to Bella, who has already established herself on the main roster in recent years, why not catapult Carmella to the top heel of the SD Live women’s division? It would certainly be a shock to fans, and Carmella would benefit tremendously from such a dominant win over the longest-reigning Divas champion in history.
#1 AJ Styles/Dean Ambrose Double Turn
Since he debuted in WWE back in January, AJ Styles has been one of the most popular superstars on the entire roster. Even now with his heel persona, the Phenomenal One still receives one of the biggest pops on any given night, often garnering more cheers from the crowd than babyfaces.
As for Dean Ambrose, his reactions have arguably gotten worse in recent months. A somewhat lacklustre WWE title reign earlier in the summer didn’t help proceedings, and although the crowd has been hotter for the Lunatic Fringe in recent weeks, many fans have been clamouring for a heel turn.
In his first one-on-one clash with AJ at Backlash, the boos for Ambrose were evident, and it could be the same at TLC. With Styles still incredibly popular, a double turn at TLC would be an awesome way to end the PPV. How it would be executed is beyond me, but there is no denying that the opportunity is there, especially with James Ellsworth in the picture.
Ellsworth is the perfect catalyst for an Ambrose heel turn, although how WWE would turn Styles face is yet to be seen. Still, despite how difficult it may be to execute, a double turn at TLC between Styles and Ambrose would be an incredibly shocking way to close the PPV.
Check out highlights from Styles vs. Ambrose at Backlash in September:
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