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WWE TLC is the final PPV of 2018, so WWE will be looking to cap off the year on a high note by producing an engaging pay per view. The match card for the event is yet to be finalized, and the PPV is set to take place on 16th December in San Jose, California.
The matches announced (so far) for the event are Seth Rollins (c) vs. Dean Ambrose for the WWE Intercontinental Championship, Braun Strowman vs. Baron Corbin in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match where if Strowman wins, Corbin will be stripped of his power and Strowman will receive a title match at the Royal Rumble, while if Corbin wins, he becomes the full-time WWE Raw General Manager.
The three major championship matches announced are Ronda Rousey (c) vs. Nia Jax for the WWE Raw Women's Championship, Daniel Bryan (c) vs. AJ Styles for the WWE Championship, and Becky Lynch (c) vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka in a Triple Threat Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match for the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship.
The other matches on the card are - The Bar (c) vs. The Usos vs. New Day (SmackDown Tag Team Championship match), Drew McIntyre vs Finn Balor, and Elias vs Bobby Lashley.
As of now, only the Smackdown Women's Championship match and Braun Strowman vs Baron Corbin have been announced as the TLC matches, while the rest of them are regular matches. The Universal championship is not scheduled to be defended at the last PPV of 2018. The coveted red title is expected to be defended by Beast Incarnate at Royal Rumble PPV in January next year.
Here are predictions for the TLC PPV by analyzing the recent booking trends and rumored future plans for major superstars.
#8 Seth Rollins(c) vs Dean Ambrose (Intercontinental Championship match)
Former shield brothers Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins have been embroiled in an intense rivalry ever since Ambrose turned heel and viciously attacked the Architect after the duo won the tag team titles from the Dogs of War on the October 22nd episode of Raw.
Since that fateful night, Ambrose has been continuously assaulting Seth Rollins both physically and verbally on Raw. Dean Ambrose has gained some momentum in the last few weeks after the heel turn, so booking him to win the title at the event would be the right decision at this point in time.
Also, rumors have surfaced recently that Seth Rollins is expected to challenge Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship at Wrestlemania 35. For that to happen, Rollins may have to lose the Intercontinental Championship sooner rather than later and wind up his feud with Dean Ambrose in the coming weeks, possibly around Royal Rumble.
Expect Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins to have a barn burner with Dean Ambrose standing tall in the end.
Prediction - Dean Ambrose defeats Seth Rollins and becomes the new Intercontinental Champion
#7 The Bar (c) vs. The Usos vs. New Day (Smackdown Tag Team Championship Match)
Three of the best tag teams in WWE right now are set to clash at the event in a triple threat match for the Smackdown Tag team titles. Expect this to be a fun match with a lot of cool spots and in the end, Usos might be booked to win the titles as this is one of the few matches at the PPV in which WWE creative team can afford to make a title change.
Prediction - The Usos win the Triple threat match and become the new Smackdown Tag Team Champions
#6 Bobby Lashley vs Elias
This is another inconsequential match that has no major implications for the future. Bobby Lashley seems like the firm favorite heading into the contest, as he has been booked strongly even since he turned heel after Summerslam. Lio Rush's possible interference during the match also gives him the edge over Elias.
Prediction - Bobby Lashley wins
#5 Drew McIntyre vs Finn Balor
Incidentally, this is the first major singles PPV match for Drew McIntyre after his triumphant return in April earlier this year.
This match will in all probability serve as a stepping stone for greater things to come in the near future for Drew McIntyre, so expect the Scottish Psychopath to put on an impressive performance against the inaugural Universal Champion.
Finn Balor has not had a great year booking wise so far, and it does not look like it is going change at the upcoming PPV.
This is one of the most predictable encounters of the night as there is no chance that Drew McIntyre is going to lose his first PPV singles match after his grand comeback. Also, he is one of the most protected superstars right now so expect him to win the contest cleanly and then move onto bigger things on Red brand.
Prediction - Drew McIntyre wins
#4 Braun Strowman vs. Baron Corbin - Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match
There is a cloud of uncertainty right now over the availability of Braun Strowman for this match as he has undergone a surgery recently and is currently racing against time to get ready for an in-ring return before TLC.
If Braun Strowman does compete in this match, then this will be one of the most predictable matches of the night, as Corbin realistically does not stand a chance against Braun Strowman at this point in time.
The stakes are also high for both competitors involved in the match. Corbin has an opportunity to become the permanent general manager of Raw if he defeats Strowman. For Strowman, if he wins the match then will get another opportunity to face Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship at Royal Rumble PPV in January.
In case of a defeat, Corbin would lose his current administrative position on Raw and Strowman would lose his Universal Championship match opportunity.
Expect Braun Strowman to dominate the proceedings and win the contest in a convincing fashion.
Prediction - Braun Strowman wins the match and earns a shot at the Universal Championship
#3 Ronda Rousey(c) vs Nia Jax (Raw Women's Championship)
Ronda Rousey has been on a roll ever since she made her in-ring debut at Wrestlemania 34 earlier this year. She has delivered consistently in the ring and proved her naysayers wrong by seamlessly transitioning into the pro-wrestling world.
She won the Raw Women's Championship back at WWE Summerslam this year by defeating Alexa Bliss. Since then she has defended the title successfully against the likes of Alexa Bliss, Nikki Bella, and Mickie James.
Nia Jax won the battle royal at Evolution and earned a title match opportunity against the current Raw Women's Champion. Nia Jax has recently formed an alliance with Tamina Snuka and has been dominating the division on Monday Night Raw.
Expect Ronda Rousey to overcome the numbers game and emerge victorious after a decent bout. Tamina and Natalya may interrupt during the match to help their respective buddies.
Prediction - Ronda Rousey retains the Raw Women's Championship
#2 Daniel Bryan (c) vs. AJ Styles (WWE Championship match)
Daniel Bryan's brand-new heel persona has rejuvenated the main event scene of Smackdown Live, as it started to become stale in recent times. Prior to Daniel Bryan's shocking WWE championship victory, AJ Styles carried the prestigious title for more than a year and feuded with top stars like Shinsuke Nakamura, Samoa Joe, and Kevin Owens during his historic reign.
This is Daniel Bryan's first title defense after he dethroned AJ Styles last month, so it does not make much sense to have Bryan lose the title so early into his reign, especially against Styles, who just dropped the title after holding it for so long.
Expect a fast-paced and hard-hitting bout on 16th December between the two in-ring generals. Daniel Bryan will in all probability emerge victorious by employing any of the underhanded techniques used by his New Daniel Bryan persona.
Prediction - Daniel Bryan retains the WWE Championship
#1 Becky Lynch (c) vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka - Triple threat Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match (SmackDown Women's Championship match)
Becky Lynch is going to defend the Smackdown Women's championship at the event against Asuka and her arch-rival Charlotte Flair in a triple threat TLC match. This is one of the most anticipated bouts of the PPV as it involves the most popular WWE superstar right now - Becky Lynch.
The best selling point of this match is that all the three women involved in this match have the chance to end up on the winning side which makes it the most unpredictable match of the night.
Both Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair are heavily rumored to face off against Ronda Rousey next year so that opens up a possibility of a win for the Empress of Tomorrow, Asuka.
This result, however, seems far-fetched right now as there is ample time left before Wrestlemania to build a blockbuster match involving Becky Lynch, Ronda Rousey, and Charlotte Flair (be it one on one or a triple threat match).
Given Becky Lynch's immense popularity right now, WWE might book Becky Lynch to retain the strap after a grueling encounter.
Prediction - Becky Lynch retains the Smackdown Women's Championship
