WWE TLC 2014 Preview and Predictions

TLC (the band) didn’t want no scrubs. TLC (the PPV) apparently does.

Giving their thoughts and predictions on what to expect from the PPV are members of the site @JoeySplashwater, @TimWelcomed and @TomBlargh.

The New Day (Big E and Kofi Kingston with Xavier Woods) vs. Gold and Stardust on the pre-show

Joey:

I like The New Day and really hope this can help their careers out. Stardust has already ran its course and it’s hilarious seeing Cody Rhodes rant about Colt Cabana and Freight Train online given his current role.

Interest Level: 6/10
Prediction: The New Day wins.

Tim:

I have hopes that The New Day will succeed. All three guys are talented. I’m over Goldust and Stardust. The tag team division is absolutely awful. The New Day should come out on top here.

Interest Level: 5/10
Prediction: The New Day wins.

Tom:

Jeez, what a show to follow NXT R Evolution. I like all these guys but I don’t want to see this match. The New Day has been a bummer so far. I think they could turn things around but… man, I just don’t know.

Interest Level: 4/10
Prediction: The New Day wins.

Rusev vs. Jack Swagger for the United States Championship

Joey:

The matches sucked with great build. Imagine how lame it will be with less of a build. Seriously, how many opportunities will Jack Swagger get? It honestly wouldn’t shock me if WWE tried to create a swerve with Swagger winning but I refuse to believe they are that foolish.

Interest Level: 0/10
Prediction: Rusev wins.

Tim:

Rusev is better than another match with Swagger. I can’t believe WWE keeps using Jack Swagger and on top of that there’s been hardly any build to this. I’m just not into it. Rusev better win here.

Interest Level: 2/10
Prediction: Rusev wins.

Tom:

I still fucking love Rusev but FUCK’S SAKE MAN, we’ve DONE THIS already and Swagger’s a bag of SHITE. Hopefully it goes a hot 30 seconds and Rusev kicks his head off and burns the American flag live on the spectacular WWE Network.

Interest Level: 1/10
Prediction: Rusev wins.

Nikki Bella vs. AJ Lee

Joey:

Rumors say this is AJ Lee’s last WWE appearance. Sad if true because AJ has been one of the better successful Divas. I think Nikki Bella has improved from “atrocious” to “bad” so I still don’t see a big performance here. Though, Nikki has been talking trash about AJ online breaking character. In the logic of my main man Brad Ward, maybe this is John Cena trying to take a shot at CM Punk?

Interest Level: 3/10
Prediction: Nikki wins.

Tim:

I would rather see AJ Lee go to NXT for some matches. Nikki Bella isn’t interesting to me. I’m ready for this to be over with.

Interest Level: 1/10
Prediction: Nikki Bella wins.

Tom:

“Fearless” Nikki Bella is better than April “Ape” Jeanette Lee-Punker-Brooks and you’re god damn right that’s a god damn shoot.

Interest Level: 2/10
Prediction: Nikki Bella wins.

Erick Rowan vs. Big Show in a Stairs Match

Joey:

WWE trying hard to push Erick Rowan is really bizarre. I don’t know if I like it yet. Hard to win me over when you’re facing Big Show. GO AWAY, BIG SHOW.

Interest Level: 1/10
Prediction: Erick Rowan wins.

Tim:

I’m not interested in either guy. Big Show is an instant interest killer for me. The Rowan singles push is odd but I haven’t seen anything from him that I like or that makes sense.

Interest Level: 0/10
Prediction: Erick Rowan wins.

Tom:

GUESS WHAT, TROLLS: I’M PRETTY INTO THE WEIRDNESS OF THE ROWAN PUSH. He is NOT VERY GOOD but his music is weird and he’s got a cracking arse.

Interest Level: 3/10
Prediction: The Big Show wins.

The Miz and Damien Mizdow vs. The Usos for the Tag Team Championship

Joey:

For the first time in maybe their entire WWE careers, the Usos actually have a storyline. They are great in the ring for fun matches but man, they’ve gotten stale just being the smiling baby faces who jump off the top rope. While there’s glaring writing weaknesses in it, seeing Naomi’s husband slap The Miz made this match much more appealing than it should be. Oh and that Damien Mizdow guy is incredible.

Interest Level: 4/10
Prediction: Damien Mizdow and The Miz win.

Tim:

I like the stuff with The Usos getting time to talk. That’s good stuff for them although the storyline itself is pretty dumb. I really like them in the ring. I like Damien Sandow a whole lot. The guy is golden. This should be an alright match.

Interest Level: 5/10
Prediction: The Miz and Damien Mizdow win.

Tom:

SANDOW SANDOW SANDOW ALRIGHT LET’S DO THIS (BUT LOOK PROBABLY NOT FOR TOO LONG OKAY)

Interest Level: 6/10
Prediction: Damien Sandow and the other guy win.

Kane vs. Ryback in a Chairs Match

Joey:

Two years ago, I attended WWE TLC 2012 where Ryback and Kane made up 33% of a stellar match. Unfortunately, Daniel Bryan and The Shield aren’t there this time. Also at that show, Big Show and Sheamus had a Chairs Match that was among the most dreadful live matches. Get rid of this stipulation.

Interest Level: 0/10
Prediction: “The Steroid Guy” wins.

Tim:

NO THANKS, BUD.

Interest Level: 0/10
Prediction: Ryback wins.

Tom:

Unreal. Maybe they’ll bring out Big Show’s comically large chair again, that was… well, it wasn’t good but at least it was something to look at? RIGHT? I dunno.

I was there with brother Joey at the aforementioned Big Show / Sheamus chairs match and we spent all of it checking @BradFGN‘s Twitter timeline.

Interest Level: 0/10
Prediction: I pray for @BradFGN to deliver some hot Twitter gold as a distraction from this.

Luke Harper vs. Dolph Ziggler in a Ladder Match for the Intercontinental Championship

Joey:

Weird for this to be the Ladder Match considering there’s not too much of a story behind it. The way he’s being presented right now, Dolph Ziggler is currently in the middle of the biggest push of his career. Coincidentally, he lost the ass cape and twerking entrance so I guess Wade Keller was right. But yeah, the match should be fantastic. Both are phenomenal in the ring. I think Ziggler is going to get the win considering he’s being pushed and it’s a big PPV match before dropping it back on RAW.

Interest Level: 9/10
Prediction: Dolph Ziggler wins.

Tim:

I’m looking forward to this one. Dolph Ziggler is on a roll lately and Harper is pretty great to watch. This being a ladder match doesn’t really seem like a good fit but I’m sure these two will make it work for them. I feel like either guy could win this but maybe Ziggler needs it more right now. I’m fine either way. It sucks one of these guys has to lose but I’m going to go with them giving Harper the win here.

Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: Luke Harper wins.

Tom:

Yeah, I’m on board with this too. I can’t say I’m as optimistic as the others because Ziggler is STILL not a guy I can make the effort to care about too much but Harper’s a treat and… man, there’s not much else on this card to get excited for. Also, Ziggler is likely to almost die a couple of times.

Interest Level: 7/10
Prediction: Luke Harpwer wins.

Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt in a TLC Match

Joey:

I just don’t care. Dean Ambrose needs to be in a better spot come Wrestlemania season. Bray Wyatt trying really hard to be a heel has made him less interesting where I just change the channel. This match should be fine but I have no interest in it. Wyatt will win with help of The Ascension or by using hologram tables, ladders and chairs.

Interest Level: 4/10
Prediction: Bray Wyatt wins.

Tim:

Bray Wyatt is hitting really high number on my Suck-O-Meter lately. I really wish they’d do better with his great character. That won’t make him any better in the ring but he can be pretty solid at times. This whole feud has been dumb. They really need to get back on the right path with Ambrose soon. The man is a hit and they’ve deflated him so much.

Interest Level: 2/10
Prediction: Dean Ambrose wins.

Tom:

Fuck the trolls, fuck the haters – the storyline’s been piss-poor but I AM READY FOR THESE TWO TO KILL EACH OTHER IN A BIG OLD MESS.

Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: Bray Wyatt wins.

John Cena vs. Seth Rollins in a Tables Match

Joey:

Why wasn’t this the TLC match or Ladder Match? You have bump machine god Seth Rollins and the star power of John Cena. This is most likely main eventing and a Tables Match following two Ladder Match type matches just feels like a good way to take away from it. It should still be good considering the talent. I hope Rollins wins so there’s some confusion or mystery going forward but Cena’s obviously winning and facing Brock at the Royal Rumble.

Oh and Randy Orton is likely returning here. What joy.

Interest Level: 7/10
Prediction: John Cena wins.

Tim:

These two will probably deliver an entertaining match. I think making it a tables match is very strange but WWE is going to WWE. I haven’t really been drawn in by the storyline. The main event scene is clearly still in stall mode until Lesnar gets back. I’d rather Rollins win here of course but… yeah, right.

Interest Level: 7/10
Prediction: John Cena wins.

Tom:

Ugggggggh tables match UGGGGGGGH. Rollins and Cena are both good so this will be FINE but I can’t get too excited for it right now. Maybe I’m tired. Maybe I’m hungry. I dunno, man. Check back with me on Sunday and let’s see how I feel then.

Interest Level: 6/10
Prediction: John Cena wins.