WWE TLC Match Ratings, Reviews, Notes, Analysis From Sean Ross Sapp

Pre-Show

Jason Jordan is backstage checking on Kurt, and they're interrupted by Elias. He's really great in this spot. He fits so well. Kurt grants him a musical performance. 

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Drew Gulak's segment got cut for time. He comes out and says he had 277 slides ready. Another phenomenal segment on the pre-show. We also get a good Emma promo in there too. 

Sasha Banks defeated Alicia Fox
6/10

  • There are some nice spots in this match, and long points of inactivity.
  • They lock up and windmill, but there's so much fake hair I can't tell who won that exchange. 
  • Sasha had a really nice dropkick off of a fake handshake.
  • Alicia Fox is so committed to this role.
  • Sasha Banks gets the submission win after a good opener that got some time. 
  • That was productive for all involved.

Asuka defeated Emma
6.75/10

  • Asuka doesn't wrestle often on TV, so that entrance is synonymous with big matches for me. 
  • Wonder if an agent told Asuka not to use the Ankle Lock tonight.
  • Still not a fan of Asuka hitting people with a running ass to the face.
  • Emma is the right person for this match. She's shining. 
  • I don't have a problem with Asuka selling for Emma when the crowd are getting behind her for a comeback.
  • Asuka hits a sick leg trap suplex.
  • We've seen Asuka dominate competition. She's working a great match with a woman that had no heat, and they're both getting awesome reactions. 
  • Asuka wins with the chickenwing. Outstanding match.

Backstage Crappenings

  • There's a Miz and Bar promo where Cesaro is still talking with a mouth guard. 
  • Not backstage, but Elias goes out for his performance and Jason Jordan THROWS PRODUCE AT HIM! He has a shopping cart! I love it!
  • The Shield give Kurt Angle riot gear backstage. Neat!

Cedric Alexander & Rich Swann defeated Jack Gallagher and Brian Kendrick
6.25/10

  • Cedric Alexander and Rich Swann are wearing matching gear.
  • Cedric seems keen on destroying his knee on a tope con hilo and an assisted tilt-a-whirl backbreaker.
  • Gallagher has some mean looking stomps.
  • Vic Joseph is good on commentary. He's not completely WWE'd yet.
  • Kendricks hits a sick overhead suplex on Swann outside.
  • Captains's Hook, Phoenix Splash, Headbutt.....Then the Lumbar Check gets it done.
  • That's how you have cruiserweights wrestle on Raw to get them over. Good crowd reaction, too.

Raw Women's Championship
Alexa Bliss (c) defeated Mickie James
6.5/10

  • I try to not bring up the flappy pants every time, but Mickie James had some hocker mod a pair of jeans to make flappy worked jeans.
  • Mickie hasn't looked this quick and athletic in a long time.
  • She smacks Alexa's ass. They're trying to push "biscut butt" chants, I think. This match goes at a slower pace, but a good one.
  • Mickiecanrana leads into an awesome series of slaps and counters that ends in a double knockdown. That was really well done. 
  • A really good job of keeping me interested in people I know have no chance of winning tonight. 
  • Bliss hits a sunset bomb that looked doomed, but ended up all okey dokey. A Mickie James dropkick doesn't though. It looked bad. 
  • Why the hell does the crowd want tables? This match is great
  • Alexa suckers Mickie in and scores a DDT for the win. 

WWE Cruiserweight Championship
Enzo Amore defeated Kalisto (c) to retain the WWE Cruiserweight Championship
5.25/10

  • Enzo was like "HA! I got kicked out of the locker room but at least they can't get me sic.....aw shit" 
  • This is a fine match, ironically much slower than many before.
  • Kalisto knocked the hell out of Enzo on a dive outside.
  • Enzo's sports themed strikes are a nice touch. His flying DDT should finish people though. 
  • Enzo wins with a foreign object shot and his finish. Good. The division needs it.

Demon Finn Balor defeated AJ Styles
7.5/10

  • Awesome reaction for these two just looking at each other.
  • Styles' selling matches up with Balor's kicks very well. Styles does it unconventionally and really puts the kicks over. 
  • Balor got LOST when Styles was face down. Wow
  • Balor hits a pretty nice Tope Con Hilo.
  • AJ Styles plays a lot of his hits. Calf Crusher, Phenomenal Forearm. Demon manages to make it through.
  • Balor does mostly elementary offense, but AJ Styles' selling sets it off.
  • How do you not do a Team Balor vs. Team Styles SS match now?
  • Another good match, Balor is able to hit 1916 on Styles. More big spots. Super Huracanrana, missed 450.
  • Styles flew like 14 hours to get to this match.
  • Balor looks like he perforated Styles' colon (JOKE) with the Coup De Grace.
  • This is much better than anything WWE was doing with Abigail and Demon.
  • They "Too Sweet" each to finish the match. 
  • I hope WWE Clash of Champions sees Daniel Bryan make a deal with Raw for a one-off.

Jason Jordan defeated Elias
4.25/10

  • Jason Jordan has kale-inpsired wrestling gear by the looks of it.
  • This isn't very good, and the commentary isn't taking it too seriously.
  • Jason Jordan beat Elias. It went nine minutes. It wasn't good. 

TLC Handicap Match
Kurt Angle, Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins defeated The Miz, The Bar, Kane and Braun Strowman
8/10

  • C'mon now. You gotta have Angle's theme and pyro.
  • Kane was being gentle with Kurt, but Kurt wasn't returning the gentle favor with his chair shots.
  • Angle has forgotten how to use ladders and chairs and it's very entertaining.
  • Ambrose and Rollins dive off ladders through tables onto Kane and Strowman!
  • Kurt Angle doesn't bump until about 6-7 minutes in, and it's a nice, smooth one.
  • The heels threaten to Shield Powerbomb Angle, but it's broken up!
  • German Suplexes!!!! Stop giving Kurt Angle German suplexes your shitty zoom camera treatment. 
  • ANKLE LOCK ON KANE!!! Braun breaks it up. 
  • Angle gets powerslammed through a table! Sick!
  • Trainers come to get Angle.
  • I wonder if the tactical gear really helps take the chair shots. 
  • This has been one of the most fun WWE shows of the year. It looked like garbage on paper a few days ago.
  • Booker T is beyond Daniel Bryan levels of not giving a shit about being punished. He's roasting Angle. 
  • Why isn't Jason Jordan checking on his dad?
  • A monumental ass kicking is given to Ambrose and Rollins. 
  • When has Kane ever been convincingly punked out like that? Besides some guy banging a mannequin pretending it was Kane's ex.
  • Cesaro and Sheamus did not take care of Ambrose at all on that double crucifix bomb. Strowman takes control and heaves Ambrose through the table. 
  • Miz brings out a GARBAGE TRUCK. Eric Bischoff and Duke Droese gonna pop out of that garbage truck and kick everyone's ass.
  • I was hoping Braun only saved Kane so he could kick his ass himself. Kane turns on Braun himself and chokeslams him through a table!
  • "I would appreciate your vote this November, bitch"- Kane, I hope. 
  • Kane drops a ton of chairs on Strowman and kills off Ambrose and Rollins.
  • STROWMAN LIVES!!! Miz is begging off!
  • Okay I lied. He's dead. They put him in a garbage truck. I can't wait until Strowman drives that garbage truck to Raw and throws it at Kane.
  • KURT ANGLE IS BACK! TO HIS MUSIC! 
  • Oh my god, Angle had Sheamus dead weighted up there for an Olympic Slam!
  • Triple Powerbomb! Finish!
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