On Sunday, December 4th, WWE presents its annual TLC pay per view. Unlike in years past, this year's event is brand exclusive, being the sole property of SmackDown Live. A number of matches on the card are interesting, in that their implications are quite fascinating.
Whether it's the WWE SmackDown Live Women's Championship, the Intercontinental championship match, the tag team championship, or a chairs match between Kalisto and Baron Corbin, it seems as though each match has a specific allure.
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But of all the matches listed on the card, one match appears to have fans talking at great length: WWE World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles, defending his championship against the former champion, Dean Ambrose. This appears to be the match fans want to discuss the most, as it has so many potential twists and turns.
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Who will come out on top, and walk into 2017 as the WWE World Heavyweight champion? Fans can be sure that there will be several bumps and risks taken by both men, but no one can predict with certainty, who will walk away as the champion. Here are five potential finishes for the AJ Styles and Dean Ambrose tables, ladders and chairs Championship match.
#5 John Cena returns and costs Dean Ambrose a win
He refers to himself as 'the face that runs the place,' but in his absence, AJ Styles has taken over the moniker. John Cena's absences in recent years have usually been so that he could serve as an ambassador of WWE.
While he has been on talk shows doing publicity for an upcoming event, or his part in an upcoming film, the idea has been to elevate him to the same echelon as The Rock, a crossover star that transcends wrestling. The difference is that The Rock achieved the majority of his film success, once he committed all his time to that career.
Cena’s involvement in other areas of the entertainment industry, such as his current absence, while taping the 'American Grit' reality show, leads to just brief absences from WWE, and he returns after a short time.
Fans have long wanted John Cena to turn heel. His mantra of hustle, loyalty and respect, seems to have worn thin, and a new mantra is needed. This brings us to the WWE World Heavyweight championship match.
While a heel turn could be a possibility for Cena, him interfering to cost Ambrose could simply be to set up a rematch for himself against Styles. It could be motivated by his jealousy of Ambrose or a desire for his own opportunity.
#4 James Ellsworth turns heel and aids AJ Styles
Fans have come to see James Ellsworth as the guy everyone can support. He is the ultimate fan, someone that has respect for all that came before him, all the while feeling that he too, belongs. He offers fans a fun perspective, a chance to realise that WWE isn't all about being deadly serious all the time.
He has taken chances because, despite what may eventually happen, he knows that he is generally liked by fans and the faces on SmackDown Live. But in the event that he gets involved in the AJ Styles and Dean Ambrose championship match, we shouldn't be all that surprised if Ellsworth turns his back on Dean.
Why do it? What could possibly be his motivation for turning on Dean, especially after the vicious beat down Styles gave him on this week's Smackdown?
I believe that Ellsworth could feel that, unlike Styles, Ambrose doesn't take him seriously. It would certainly be something that fans wouldn't see coming, and an Ellsworth heel turn would generate more ‘ whys’ than it would ‘why nots’. It could be cemented with a handshake or a 'too sweet' gesture between Styles and Ellsworth in the end.
#3 James Ellsworth aids Ambrose, costing Styles the win
This is booking of the 'if at first, you don't succeed, try, try, again' variety. Ellsworth, on more than one occasion, has cost Dean Ambrose a chance at the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, due to seeking ill-timed retribution for the way Styles treated him over the course of his time with the SmackDown Live brand.
It has been interesting to note that, regardless of how many times Ellsworth has made a mental gaffe, Ambrose, despite his frustration, finds it in him to calm down and forgive. Ambrose has interfered in matches leading to Ellsworth victories, but when Ellsworth returns the favour, it somehow never works out. Still, their alliance has remained strong.
The Ambrose/Ellsworth relationship is like, that of a nerdy/geeky kid, who simply wants to be accepted by the cool jock. Clearly, he has been eager to please and to reciprocate the assistance the Lunatic Fringe has given him.
The smaller superstar could finally show the challenger that, after the time he has spent with him and the support Ambrose has shown, it has finally worked out. We may eventually get another instance of no chin music, and this time around it could pay off to the benefit of Ambrose.
#2 James Ellsworth unintentionally costs Dean Ambrose; AJ Styles wins, and Dean Ambrose goes off on James Ellsworth
This finish seems to be a very real possibility, and the storyline so far sets it up quite well. Fans have been witness to Ellsworth doing something wrong on more than one occasion, even though he had the very best of intentions. But as it applies to Dean Ambrose, these best intentions have led to the worst results.
If Ellsworth costs Ambrose the championship once again, it could be the straw that breaks the camel's back. Ambrose has been understanding and patient with Ellsworth, time and time again. However, every person has their breaking point, and this could be the moment Dean completely loses it and takes it out on Ellsworth.
It wouldn't matter that his sidekick made a mistake; a person is supposed to learn from their mistakes, and this would just be another example of history repeating itself. Perhaps this will be the end of their relationship.
Another loss for Ambrose at the hands of Ellsworth could be too much for the former champion to handle. Under this scenario, the third time wouldn't be the charm. Instead, it would be three strikes, and Ellsworth is out (cold.)
#1 John Cena returns and cost AJ Styles the win, Ambrose wins
It's often said that revenge is a dish best served cold. For John Cena, this could be the opportunity to screw over AJ Styles, much like Styles has done to him in the past. Despite the animosity that existed with Ambrose prior to Cena's leave of absence, it was his feud with Styles that everyone was talking about. That is where the real rivalry lies.
While the bad blood between Cena and Styles was initially based on The Phenomenal One wanting to be respected, now is Cena's opportunity to show him that respect must continue to be earned. It also has to be eating at Cena, that Styles is asking to be referred to as 'The face that runs the place.'
If he is going to involve himself in this match at all, one presumes it would be to halt the nefarious actions of his enemy.
Styles doesn't carry himself as someone that respects anyone else on the SmackDown Live roster, whereas Cena, despite his differences with his many foes, has always maintained that respect. By aiding Ambrose, that could be Cena's opportunity to pass the torch.
That torch needs someone else to take possession of it, and Ambrose could very well be that person.
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