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So it’s possible, even likely, that I’m going to get all of these wrong.
1. Sasha Banks vs. Alicia Fox (Pre-Show)
Sometimes, with big name draws like Sasha Banks, it’s much harder to keep them away from the title picture than it is to keep them as champion. In order to develop other talents, sometimes you have to step aside and sometimes you have to lose.
This time, Sasha Banks has stepped out of the title picture, giving Alicia Fox a potential draw match if not an ideal moment for it. Unfortunately, victory I do not see for Alicia.
Winner: Sasha Banks
2. Finn Balor vs. A.J. Styles
This match up has lit up the internet with a real must see event. A match that sells tickets and also sells network subscriptions. However, for Finn Balor to lose here would be absolutely pointless. Styles is about to go up against a WWE champion and has a feud with Nakamura to look forward to. Meanwhile, Balor is drifting in the upper midcard, in the same feud for months and with no chance of a title any time soon.
Even more than that, AJ Styles is on the other brand, on a Raw show. He’s just lost a title. There is no finer time to lose and nobody more easy to build a compelling competition with.
Winner: Finn Balor
3. Rich Swann & Cedric Alexander vs. Brian Kendrick & Jack Gallagher
Hopefully this sets up future feuds in the Cruiserweight Division, or maybe the beginning of tag title competitions but to be blunt this match is not going to engage a crowd without a huge showing.
The question really is whether the heels or the faces need more momentum going forwards. For that we need to know who the cruiserweight champion will be after this event.
This may give you a hint about what comes later.
Winners: Rich Swann & Cedric Alexander
4. Asuka vs. Emma
Asuka will be following the Nakamura path but hopefully with more time before she goes for the gold so that she can be successful.
Winner: Asuka
5. Kalisto vs. Enzo (Cruiserweight Championship)
Kalisto’s big title win on Raw was major justification for someone who has needed a little validation in recent times. Unfortunately, should he retain the belt it essentially leaves a white hot Enzo Amore storyline completely dead in the water. The entire division has been built on a heel champion and so it should remain.
Winner: Enzo
6. Alexa Bliss vs. Mickie James (Women‘s Championship)
A Bliss vs. James feud has been long overdue going all the way back to Bliss’ time on Smackdown Live. While Mickie James would certainly be deserving of a championship reign, she doesn’t have much heat behind her and, should she win the title, she would essentially be future fodder for Asuka.
Bliss’ star could not be brighter right now. She is the top female name in the company at this time. However, TLC will see the debut of a new focus. If they want to protect Bliss then she will have to lose the title now. If however they intend to use her to put Asuka over then she will be keeping it.
This is an open one, but I’d go with Mickie.
Winner: Mickie James
7. Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose & Kurt Angle vs. The Miz & Sheamus & Cesaro & Braun Strowman & Kane (Tables, Ladders, and Chairs)
There have been constant changes in line up for this match and while the Kurt Angle change is undoubtedly the most momentous, it is the injection of Kane into the match that really changes things. You can not have a 5 vs. 3 where the 3 win without someone turning their back on their team. Kane seems ideally placed to do so.
That said, this is another one where a change to the script might be a good move. Certainly the match will change to add more focus to Kurt Angle and potentially see more attention given to Jason Jordan but it’s fair to say that with no Shield there is no longer a guarantee that they will win.
Winner: Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose & Kurt Angle
I’ll see you for another live Twitter session during Tables, Ladders and Chairs 2017.
NOW CHECK OUT THIS RELATED STORY: Going Viral: McNEILL previews WWE Tables, Ladders & Chairs 2017 (w/ Wrestling History Lesson)!
So, we have two ladies singles matches. That’s good even if Sasha is not on the main PPV. Nia still missing, Bayley still relegated to getting coffee, Dana might as well return to the fitness world and Asuka is being brought in to bury the entire division they spent 3 years building up. Way to not take your meds Vince. Yep, those 2 count em 2 cruiserwieght bouts on the main PPV will stoke the crowd into major activity, as in two bathroom runs. I understand the virus or whatever it is beat the heck out of this card but this is going to be a bad PPV and it’s missing 3 matches.