WWE TLC 2018: 12 Things to expect from the PPV

The last PPV of what has been a great 2018, WWE TLC is set to be held on this Sunday at the SAP Centre in San Jose, California. With the PPV being a theme-based, there are several grueling matches and possible surprises in store for the WWE fans.

With ratings at an all-time low, WWE creative must come up with the goods to end the year on a high and commence towards the road to Wrestlemania successfully.

We take a look at each and every match that scheduled at TLC with possible outcomes and winners being elucidated. Here's what we can expect from the PPV:

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#1 WWE MMC Finals (Jinder Mahal/Alicia Fox vs. R-Truth/Carmella)

At the beginning of the second season of WWE Mixed Match Challenge, no one would have punted on either of Mahal/Fox or R-Truth/Carmella to be competing in the final, let alone both of them. But then there's WWE creative who threw all the plans away.

With a number of injuries during the course of the MMC and the chance to enter their respective Royal Rumbles at number 30 along with a "paid vacation", both teams would be eyeing a win to enhance their prospects.

While Mahal and Fox, along with the Singh brothers have barely scrapped out of the Round Robin stage and so far in the playoffs, Truth and Carmella have been on fire! Their dance breaks have been killing it and have also lead to them being considered favourites for the match. Expect the Fabulous Truth to come up trumps in the final with of course the inclusion of a DANCE BREAK!

Prediction: R-Truth and Carmella

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#2 Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose (Ladder Match for the Intercontinental Championship)

Former Shield brothers, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose will go head to head after a span of nearly two years for the coveted Intercontinental Championship this Sunday. While the prospect of two of WWE's best competing in a ladder match is mouthwatering, the history between the two makes it even more interesting.

Since turning heel, Dean Ambrose has portrayed a very skeptical character and a title victory for the Lunatic Fringe could be the just the thing to propel him. Rollins has had a brilliant 2018 with exceptional matches with the likes of The Miz and Shinsuke Nakamura and we can expect the same level of intensity during the match from both Ambrose and Rollins.

Even though Rollins would be considered favorite, Ambrose winning the Intercontinental Championship would be more influential to the storyline and would eventually free up Seth Rollins to take over Roman Reigns' mantle of the face of WWE.

Prediction: Dean Ambrose

#3 Elias vs. Bobby Lashley (Ladder Match)

Ever since he shoved his beloved guitar at the General Manager elect, Baron Corbin, Elias has been on a high. His feud with Bobby Lashley has been entertaining mainly with the involvement of the Man of the Hour, Lio Rush.

The hilarious back and forth altercations between the two have captivated the crowd. But this Sunday, it would be anything but hilarious as Elias and Lashley compete in a ladder match with a guitar being suspended and the person retrieving the guitar first, being eligible to use it during the course of the match.

With both Superstars being highly rated by the WWE, it is going to be a very evenly contested match between the two. With the whole Corbin-McIntyre-Lashley saga, Lashley would be favorite to win the match with some help from his hype man.

Prediction: Bobby Lashley

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#4 Finn Balor vs. Drew McIntyre

The best NXT import of the year, Drew McIntyre has virtually been unstoppable. He has only been pinned once to date and has put WWE Hall of Famer, Kurt Angle on the sidelines. His latest venture along with Baron Corbin and Bobby Lashley has already seen the trio decimate Braun Strowman and winning the Survivor Series match against SmackDown.

In Finn Balor, he faces perhaps his toughest opponent to date at TLC. Balor has been stuck in the mid-card ever since he has to relinquish the Universal Title and been part of many mediocre feuds.

With the trio looming large on Raw, Balor could be the savior in the coming weeks with the crowd firmly behind him. Even though a win for Balor would do him a world of good, expect McIntyre to deliver a beating to Finn Balor to showcase his prowess and further cement his position as a top heel.

Prediction: Drew McIntyre or Finn Balor by DQ

#5 Buddy Murphy vs. Cedric Alexander (WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match)

A rematch of the one that took place at the Super Show-Down in Melbourne, Australia, Buddy Murphy defends his title against Cedric Alexander once again. Murphy has been unstoppable ever since his title win and his alliance with Tony Nese has been highly successful.

As in the case of Alexander, this is could be his last shot at th Cruiserweight Championship with the likes of Mustafa Ali knocking on the door. With the former's brave show against Daniel Bryan putting forth what 205 can offer, the stakes are quite high for both competitors. In Buddy Murphy, is a fighting yet cocky champion who should get the better out of Alexander come this Sunday.

Prediction: Buddy Murphy

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#6 Natalya vs. Ruby Riott (Tables Match)

On the December 3 episode of Raw, Ruby Riott interrupted a tag match involving Natalya which culminated in the Riott Squad putting her through a table. In the following weeks, Ruby Riott stooped down to disgrace the Hart Family and further enraging Natalya leading to this match-up.

Even though the feud isn't of much importance or value to either of them, with Natalya being outnumbered, Ruby Riott should come out of it with a victory. But it isn't that straightforward in the WWE, is it?

+Expect a surprise during the course of the match with the involvement of possibly Bayley and Sasha Banks to even up the odds and even possibly leading to a Natalya win.

Prediction: Natalya

#7 WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championship Triple Threat Match

The SmackDown Live Tag Team roster is full of talent with all the three teams competing in the triple threat tag team match (The Bar, The Usos and The New Day) having five reigns each as tag champions. This match has all the makings of being a tag-team classic with a perfect mix of hard-hitters, high flyers and technicians all competing in the ring this TLC.

With Cesaro and Sheamus already holding on to the titles for a relatively long period of time and The New Day doing all right even without them, The Usos are the favorites to win it. The Usos are currently on a winning streak with even SmackDown's sole victory at the Survivor Series PPV coming under their captaincy. Although it is quite hard to choose a victor, WWE fans are in for a treat with this match at TLC.

Prediction: The Usos

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#8 Braun Strowman vs. Baron Corbin (Tables, Ladders and Chairs match)

While the winner of this match would have a lot to say about the future of Raw and its storylines, there are an enormous number of possibilities with this one. While the match was made on the condition that Strowman must lead Raw to victory against SmackDown, it has a number of implications for both of them.

While a victory for Strowman would result in a title opportunity against Brock Lesnar, Baron Corbin would be permanent general manager if we could come away with the win. Adding to this, the fact the Braun Strowman has been off TV for the past three weeks and an uncertainty of him showing up just adds to the intrigue of the match.

Baron Corbin has been doing a good job as a heel authority figure and him continuing to be one is one way forward for WWE and with McIntyre and Lashley in his corner along with "referee" Heath Slater, Corbin is the favorite to win this one. While we cannot ignore the possibilities, Kurt Angle returning could take the segment to the next level and lead to a Braun Strowman win.

Prediction: Braun Strowman

#9 Rey Mysterio vs. Randy Orton (Chairs Match)

Rey Mysterio has been great since returning back to SmackDown Live and has victories over the likes of Andrade 'Cien' Almas and Shinsuke Nakamura. But over the past few weeks, he has been subject to multiple attacks by the Viper, Randy Orton.

While Orton is after Mysterio's mask and to avenge his defeat to him at the Crown Jewel PPV, Rey would be looking to get one over his arch nemesis for good. A Rey Mysterio victory would mean an end to this dull storyline but Randy Orton should be winning this one to add another chapter to this rivalry.

Prediction: Randy Orton

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#10 Daniel Bryan vs. AJ Styles (WWE Championship Match)

Daniel Bryan is portraying a new persona and has been garnering heat from the WWE Universe as well. But that doesn't deny the fact that he has been ruthless ever since winning the WWE Championship before Survivor Series.

AJ Styles has had a phenomenal year with him carrying the belt around for the better part of 2018 and would want to reclaim the title and end the year on a high. With the feud slowly becoming one for the ages, this match is sure to be filled with grapples and submission moves with two of the best technicians pitted against each other.

Daniel Bryan should be able to defend the title successfully by beating Styles through some or the other methods. Do not expect this to be the last time we see both of them in the ring.

Prediction: Daniel Bryan

#11 Ronda Rousey vs. Nia Jax (WWE Raw Women's Championship Match)

Ronda Rousey and Nia Jax face off against each other as part of Nia's victory at Evolution enabling her to have a go at the Raw Women's Championship. Nia has been on a high after finishing as the sole survivor in the Women's Survivor Series match and her alliance with Tamina has seen her dominate opponents.

On the other hand, Ronda is the female version of Brock Lesnar. The Baddest Woman on the Planet, Rousey has to deal not only with Nia but also Tamina in her corner. With Ember Moon also being dragged into the equation over the past few weeks, we can expect her to make an appearance during the match. While Nia isn't like most women on the roster, she would need a miracle to oust Ronda and win the championship.

Prediction: Ronda Rousey

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#12 WWE Smackdown Women's Championship Triple Threat Match (TLC Match)

SmackDown Live is the land of opportunity and this is vividly evident in the extremely emphatic rise of "The Man", Becky Lynch. Lynch is the hottest Superstar in all of WWE right now with her fearless and fighting nature on display for the fans to adore. Come TLC, she will have to encounter not one but two bonafide Superstars in Asuka and Charlotte Flair in a bid to retain her championship.

While Becky has been truly relentless in her approach, it has to been seen as to how WWE are going to deal with this situation pitting three of the best female Superstars in a historic match.

Well even if Charlotte Flair and Asuka have gained momentum over the past few weeks, no one is possibly going to stop Lynch for clinching the title at TLC which could lead to a start of a feud with Asuka, who has tailed off after her loss to Charlotte Flair at Wrestlemania.

The chances of Asuka winning are also pretty high but anything other than a Becky Lynch victory would spark an outrage amongst the fans.

Prediction: Becky Lynch