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The last PPV of the year, TLC, is upon us and already it has huge clouds hanging over it. Braun Strowman is in a race against time to appear at TLC, there were rumors of Becky Lynch not fully recovered from her concussion, and then all of a sudden Finn Balor was pulled off the show, as he is unwell.
Regardless, it is still a packed show, and WWE actually has the potential to stitch together a good show and cap off what hasn't really been a top-notch year for the company.
With the PPV almost upon us, it's time to make some last minute predictions for the PPV.
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#1 WWE Mixed Match Challenge final
If there is something which has suffered from the recent spate of injuries, it has to be this tournament. Braun had to leave, and then even Finn Balor had to leave, among others. What it does is that it leaves two of the unlikeliest of pairs in the finals.
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If you add to it the stipulation that the winners enter the Royal Rumble at #30, then it just means that the excitement for the winner also thrown out of the window, because neither of the four are expected to win the Royal Rumble by any means.
It just turns the tournament into a bit of a flop, as it has just fizzled out badly.
Prediction: It could be R-Truth and Carmella. With Carmella coming in at 30, WWE might try to push the same angle as her winning the Money in the Bank. They can't really do much with Jinder and Alicia either way.
#2 Cedric Alexander vs Buddy Murphy
The cruiserweights have really been able to put on a show lately whenever they've got a chance. Even on the latest SmackDown edition when Mustafa Ali appeared in a match against Daniel Bryan, he impressed one and all by his crazy moves.
The match between Murphy and Cedric is going to be a treat to watch (although it might end up on the pre-show). Murphy has just recently got hold of the title, so it might make sense to let him continue with it for a while.
Prediction: Murphy beats Cedric Alexander.
#3 Ronda Rousey vs Nia Jax (Raw Women's Championship)
In so many ways this feud has been a bit of a disappointment. A lot was expected after Nia was able to generate so much heat by her in-ring shenanigans (causing a concussion to Becky Lynch), but WWE committed a cardinal sin by putting Nia on the mic, which literally took out the fizz from the feud.
Rousey is still a work in progress, and it does become obvious every time she steps in the ring and is handed a mic, even though she's able to fare slightly better than Nia, there's not much to write home about in this feud other than an eventuality of Ronda's run continuing.
Prediction: Ronda defends her title by beating Nia.
#4 Finn Balor vs Drew McIntyre
This was supposed to be a feud to put over Drew McIntyre as he climbs up the ladder to become the main eventer he's ultimately going to be. Drew has pretty much thrashed Finn almost every weekend going into the PPV, and it was expected that he would come out as the victor in this bout.
The illness suffered by Finn has put a damper on the proceedings, with there not being much surety whether Finn will even be in a condition to make an appearance at TLC.
It would be a bit frustrating for the fans if Finn doesn't show up, but either way, it was expected to be a match Drew was going to win.
Prediction (if Finn shows up): Drew McIntyre Beats Finn Balor.
#5 Elias vs Bobby Lashley (Ladders Match with Guitar Hanging at the Top)
Even though Bobby Lashley has been downright mediocre ever since he's turned heel, he's been pretty domineering in the ring. The stipulation of a guitar hanging at the top of the ring is strange/interesting, but it also brings into question what will happen, because Elias has just turned face, and vice-versa for Bobby.
While Elias is becoming the crowd favourite, it might not hurt him a lot if Bobby takes the win, while Bobby losing could completely derail him, and leave him in no man's land.
Prediction: Bobby Lashley Beats Elias.
#6 Natalya vs Ruby Riott
Bringing in Natalya's father certainly seems to be a step too far in the feud, and this is a match Natalya just has to win (keeping in mind all the shenanigans in the last few weeks).
Prediction: Natalya beats Ruby Riott.
#7 Rey Mysterio vs Randy Orton (Chairs Match)
Randy in his new character has really slowly but steadily gotten more and more vicious, & has generated a lot of heat from the crowd (the true mark of a heel). It started with Jeff Hardy and the whole year thing, and it has carried on with Rey Mysterio and his mask.
Steadily, it seems Randy will make his way up the ranks of the legends on the roster, but what really needs to be seen is whether Rey will again take a loss, because ever since his return, he has hardly made an impact.
Judging the proceedings though, it seems it would again be Randy smashing Rey with the chair, and getting the win via his trademark RKO.
Prediction: Randy Orton beats Rey Mysterio.
#8 The Bar vs The New Day vs The Usos
The tag team championship has revolved around these three teams for a while, and in a way it is nice to have a showdown at the end of the year between the top 3 teams of the division.
At the same time though, there is no denying that the audience has been considerably worn down by the repeated booking these teams have had again and again throughout the year.
There are some good teams just waiting in the wings like Sanity for instance, whom should be given a chance. Maybe this puts an end to the repeated booking, and brings into the picture new teams like Sanity or The Good Brothers.
Talking about the match, The Usos seem to have the most momentum, with a singles win coupled by a tag team win, they're most likely to come out victorious when everything falls in place.
Prediction: The Usos Win the tag team championship.
#9 Seth Rollins vs Dean Ambrose
This feud has seen everything. It started off great with Dean Ambrose's heel turn as he wreaked havoc by completely decimating Seth Rollins, and the feud even got better in the coming weeks with somewhat borderline cringe-worthy mentions of Roman Reigns' condition.
The feud has slightly died down in momentum during recent weeks, with not much happening, and slightly predictable booking in the open challenge for the IC championship.
Even then you'd expect these two to tear the house down come Sunday. On the result, it's highly likely that Dean will get the win and the championship, as it both justifies his switch to being a heel and also because there are rumours of a main event push for Seth Rollins.
A Dean Ambrose win would tick all the boxes.
Prediction: Dean Ambrose beats Seth Rollins to win the Intercontinental championship.
#10 Braun Strowman vs Baron Corbin
There are many permutations and combinations with respect to what is going to happen with the match between Braun Strowman and Baron Corbin.
It's highly unlikely Braun will be completely fit to compete again Baron, so either it could turn into a very quick match where Braun smashes Baron around, and then takes the win, or it could be a case of Braun getting help via outside interference from maybe Finn Balor or Elias, helping Braun pick the win.
Another round of rumours suggested Bray Wyatt replacing Braun for the match, which doesn't look that much out of the picture for now. Either way, Baron Corbin is slated to lose his powers at TLC, and a new general manager is going to get elected.
Prediction: Braun Strowman (or whoever replaces him) beats Baron Corbin, and as a result Baron Corbin loses all his powers.
#11 Daniel Bryan vs AJ Styles
The "New" Daniel Bryan is already over with the crowd, and he has shown once again how good a professional wrestler he is. Ever since he's turned heel and became the champion, he has stepped up his game to a completely new level.
Although all the talk about climate change hasn't really caused much of an impact, the consistent calling of the fans "fickle" has certainly made an impression.
The duo of AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan could really take the ball and run with it if given the chance, and it all depends on how they are booked. If they are allowed to express themselves, then this could turn out to be a candidate for the match of the year.
Talking about the result, Daniel Bryan has just won the title, and AJ is in negotiations for a new contract, it looks highly likely the championship will stay with Bryan.
Prediction: The "New" Daniel Bryan beats AJ Styles and retains the WWE Championship.
#12 Charlotte Flair vs Asuka vs Becky Lynch (WWE SmackDown Women's Championship)
The match between arguably 3 of the best women wrestlers on the roster, especially when it is Tables, Ladders, and Chairs is going to be a treat for everyone. Asuka is finally getting her due and her time in the spotlight.
The match she put together with Charlotte was amazing on the last SmackDown, and shows she's worth every bit of the push many think she deserves.
Talking about the result, even though there have been rumours about Charlotte getting the title and then somehow going ahead to headline WrestleMania, it would be foolish of WWE to take the title away from Becky Lynch who is by far the crowd favourite in WWE right now.
Prediction: Becky Lynch beats Charlotte Flair and Asuka to retain the SmackDown women's title.
