It’s time for the first of two December WWE pay-per-views. I’m one of the biggest wrestling fans in the world, but I think two PPVs a month are overkill. Hopefully, the rumor of reduced PPVs in 2017 are true. TLC has traditionally been a great PPV since it’s inception. Last year we had the great spot where Kalisto delivered a Salida Del Sol on one of the Usos through a ladder. I’m sure we’re going to see some crazy spot on this Sunday’s show as well. Here are my TLC 2016 predictions:
SmackDown Tag Team Champions Heath Slater & Rhyno vs. Bray Wyatt & Randy Orton
The Heath Slater and Rhyno partnership has brought me some laughs, but I’m kind of over them as the Tag Team champs. There are so many better teams who could benefit from having the titles. I’ve been thinking Orton partnering with Bray was all part of some kind of mind games where Orton gets Bray’s trust and then attacks him when he least expects it. This scenario could still happen, but I don’t think they’re going in that direction. I expect Bray and Orton to win in a dominant fashion. I would love to see them continue to feud with American Alpha.
Kalisto vs. Baron Corbin (Chairs Match)
I still haven’t figured out why Kalisto is not part of the cruiserweight division. He is one of the best cruiserweights on the roster and could be used to bring more attention to that division. Instead, he’s stuck in a rivalry with balding Baron Corbin. I’ve never really been a fan of Corbin. Obviously, Vince wants to push him as one of the powerful “big men” of this generation. Corbin might have the size, but his in-ring work is not great. I honestly don’t care who wins this match. I’m going to go with Corbin.
Intercontinental Champion The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler (Ladder Match)
This feud is easily a candidate for feud of the year. The Miz and Dolph have been doing some of their best work and stealing the show every time they wrestle. Even though I’ve enjoyed this feud it’s time for these two to get new dance partners. For this feud to end here, The Miz has to retain. I’m sure we’ll see some interference from Maryse and the Spirit Squad. It would be interesting to introduce a new Miz ally that could help Miz screw Ziggler. Then Ziggler could go on to feud with that person. I think Apollo Crews would be a great candidate for that role. He has nothing going on right now and no one would expect the heel turn. It could be what’s needed to jump-start his main roster run.
Nikki Bella vs. Carmella (No Disqualification Match)
Speaking of heel turns that helped jump-start people, Carmella’s heel turn has helped her flourish on Smackdown. “Queen Jump Out” has been very vicious and aggressive and has helped Nikki become a sympathetic babyface. I think the best thing to do here is to have Nattie help Carmella beat Nikki and reveal she was the one who attacked Nikki at Survivor Series. Then Nikki can go feud with Nattie and Carmella can potential challenge for the Women’s Championship. Down the road, they can easily rekindle this feud.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch vs. Alexa Bliss (Tables Match)
Becky and Alexa did a great job this week on Smackdown making me want to watch this match. I loved seeing Becky get frustrated and being pushed to the edge. Just because you’re a babyface doesn’t mean you can’t get angry. A tables match stipulation makes it easy to do a finish where Alexa wins, but Becky still looks strong. However, I believe Becky will retain based on the way WWE books. On Tuesday Bliss put Becky through table giving her the “momentum” going into Sunday. 95% of the time the person who has the “momentum” going into a PPV loses the match.
AJ Styles vs. Dean Ambrose (Tables, Ladders, and Chairs Match)
It’s a shame that this feud has been overshadowed by James Ellsworth. I thought the Ellsworth story was entertaining in the beginning. But as his role has expanded on the show I’ve started to sour on him. A guy like him should not have 3 wins over AJ. I’m hoping that his involvement in this match will be little to none. Ambrose really shines in matches like these and AJ is arguably the best wrestler in the world. This match has the potential to be in the 4 to 4.75-star range. I expect Styles to retain and once he starts celebrating the lights go out and come back on and Undertaker is in the ring and chokeslams AJ, setting up a title match between the two at Royal Rumble.
