A complicated and, quite frankly, disappointing 2015 is coming to a close for World Wrestling Entertainment.
Boston’s TD Garden on Sunday will host WWE’s final pay-per-view event of the year, “Tables, Ladders and Chairs,” aka “TLC,” and the quality of the show is anyone’s guess entering the weekend.
It’s been a rough year for the WWE both in terms of the in-ring product with historically low TV ratings, which is in large part due to a mind-boggling rash of injuries. That’s reflected on Sunday’s card, especially juxtaposed to the last show in Boston, a “Monday Night Raw” in October that featured the likes of Seth Rollins, Brock Lesnar, John Cena, Kane and Randy Orton — none of whom are scheduled to appear at Sunday night’s show.
The sagging ratings are a reflection of the injuries, but they’re also reflective of stale, lackluster storytelling. That, combined with the WWE’s inability to create and develop new talent — rather than rely on veterans and bringing back legends — isn’t helping.
If there’s reason for optimism, it’s that “WrestleMania” season is just around the corner — starting with the “Royal Rumble” in January — and the WWE usually makes a big push leading up to its yearly marquee event. Then again, while last year’s “WrestleMania” was a classic, the build to the show was anything but. Given WWE’s current state of affairs, both in regards to the creative process and the depleted roster, there’s not a whole to be excited about in the near future.
That’s not to say Sunday’s show won’t be entertaining. The “TLC” show always features impressive high spots and plenty of carnage. Here’s a deeper look into Sunday’s card.
Ryback vs. Rusev
WWE’s preview of this match pretty much sums up how useless it is: “Following his interruption of Rusev and Lana’s public display of affection, ‘The Big Guy’Â Ryback will face The Bulgarian Brute at WWE TLC.” It’s impossible to care less about this match than I do.
Prediction: Rusev wins
Charlotte vs. Paige (WWE Diva’s title match)
The build for this one has been bizarre and also a little too real with Paige referencing Charlotte’s real-life dead brother in a promo that actually preceded their match at “Survivor Series,” which Charlotte won. Since then, it’s been a confusing game of merry-go-round with no one really knowing who’s the “good guy” and who’s the “bad guy.” WWE’s positioned Charlotte with her father, WWE legend Ric Flair, and basically had her cheat her way through recent matches.
Prediction: Charlotte wins and retains the title
The Dudley Boys, Tommy Dreamer and Rhyno vs. The Wyatt Family
This entire feud has centered around the WWE going to one of its favorite crutches and bringing back wrestlers from yesteryear. This time, it’s Tommy Dreamer and Rhyno teaming with the Dudleys to form a team full of former ECW stars. Fun. As for the Wyatts, they’ve got no real direction after their feud with the Undertaker and Kane, and they could use a convincing win to rejuvenate their gimmick.
Prediction: The Wyatts win
Alberto Del Rio vs. Jack Swagger (U.S. title match)
The WWE brought Del Rio back as a surprise a couple of months ago and had him beat John Cena. Since then, everything has been “meh” for the former champion. This figures to be no different as the build to this match was pretty lethargic.
Prediction: Del Rio wins and retains the title
Lucha Dragons vs. The Usos vs. The New Day (Tag team title ladder match)
This is the match that will steal the show. All six men (seven counting the extra New Day member) in this match can work with the best of them, and when you add in a ladder, it should allow these guys to get real creative. There will be multiple high spots that, for 20 minutes at least, will distract us all from how much everything may or may not stink.
Prediction: The New Day wins and retains the title
Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose
This was one of the most puzzling builds on the entire card. Both guys are among the WWE’s best talkers. Yet, they didn’t do much of anything in the way of talking, and the final build consisted of Ambrose throwing popcorn and soda in Owens’ face. Cool. Weak build aside, this will be a good match as these two are two of the best wrestlers in the world.
Prediction: Owens win and retains the title
Sheamus vs. Reigns (Heavyweight title tables, ladders and chairs match)
Where do you even start? Reigns winning the open tournament for the vacated title after Rollins went down with a knee injury was quite predictable — almost as predictable as Sheamus cashing in the “Money in the Bank” briefcase just moments after Reigns won. Fundamentally speaking, the build to this match has been good. The WWE has gone faction-heavy to lead into this match, and that’s led to some entertaining matches. But when these two are paired together by themselves — like they were in the final segment Monday on “RAW” — it becomes painfully uncomfortable and disjointed. There’s just no real reason to get real invested in either one of these characters, which is really the company’s biggest problem right now across the board. That this is the main event of the year’s final pay-per-view event is a perfect microcosm.
Prediction: Outside interference leads to Sheamus retaining the title
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@WWE
