WWE TLC 2014: GSM's Pick, Preview and Potential for Each Match
In a few hours, WWE will present its sixth annual Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view event, live from the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland at 8 p.m. ET.
WWE TLC has always been the calm before the storm with WrestleMania season right around the corner. It's also been the home of several surprises over the years, and tonight's event could be no exception.
Squaring off in the main event will be John Cena and Seth Rollins in a Tables match. How far will Cena be willing to go in order to cement his spot as the No. 1 Contender to Brock Lesnar's WWE World Heavyweight Championship?
The raging rivalry between Dean Ambrose and Bray Wyatt will come to a head on tonight's show in a TLC match. Will Ambrose seek vengeance once and for all, or will Wyatt find another way to weasel his way to victory?
Entering Cleveland as the hometown hero, Dolph Ziggler will contend for the Intercontinental Championship against Luke Harper in a Ladder match. Who will ascend to the top first and gain possession of the prestigious prize?
Here, I will provide my personal preview, predictions and potential for every match on the advertised card.
The New Day vs. Gold and Stardust (Kickoff Match)
1 of 9
Preview
The trio of Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods and Big E dates back to the July 21 edition of Raw, when the three were initially put together as a unit. They were taken off TV a short while later before recently resurfacing on WWE TV as The New Day.
Gold and Stardust made a comment during a backstage segment on the Nov. 28 SmackDown about how "the darkness descends upon The New Day." They cost them a shot at the WWE Tag Team Championship the following week on Raw.
Prediction
The tag team division is far from being as strong as it once was, but adding The New Day into the mix is a start. I'm still not completely sold on the gimmick since they'd make for better heels, but at least they're on WWE TV at all.
There really hasn't been much of a feud between the two teams in recent weeks other than The New Day's squashing of Gold and Stardust in singles matches. The New Day is still relatively new, so they're my pick to win.
Potential
It's been confirmed that representing The New Day will be Kofi Kingston and Big E. Everyone involved in this match is an excellent athlete, but fans haven't been given much of a reason to care about the feud thus far. I'm sure they'll work a good match, but with nothing on the line, it won't be anything special.
Rusev vs. Jack Swagger (United States Championship)
2 of 9
Preview
Rusev and Jack Swagger first collided over the summer, when Swagger stood up for America. Rusev emerged victorious in each of their outings, settling the score in a Flag match at SummerSlam.
Since then, Rusev has crushed the likes of Mark Henry, Big Show and Sheamus and has captured the United States Championship. He'll put that title on the line at TLC against longtime rival Jack Swagger.
Prediction
I may be in the minority on this one, but I have had no problem with these two rekindling their rivalry. Their first feud should have been over the United States Championship, but I digress.
This is obviously a filler feud for Rusev before he moves on to bigger and better things as WrestleMania season approaches. That said, he'll walk out of TLC with his star-spangled prize intact.
Potential
Rusev and Swagger had a series of solid matches over the summer, and I expect their upcoming encounter to be no different. They work very well together, and I look forward to a good match from them.
Nikki Bella vs. AJ Lee (Divas Championship)
3 of 9
Preview
At Survivor Series, Nikki Bella defeated AJ Lee to capture the Divas Championship with some help from her sister Brie. The recently reunited Bella Twins have run roughshod over the Divas division since then, but AJ has stood her ground against the sinister siblings.
AJ promised that she will be winning her "baby" back at TLC, even if the odds aren't in her favor. Will Brie play a factor in the finish yet again?
Prediction
Is it just me, or has this feud lost a lot of steam since Survivor Series? I'm still a fan of AJ, and Nikki has been doing exceptionally well in her role, but there's been nothing about the build that's made me want to see the rematch.
It may have something to do with how Brie's allegiance is still questionable, which may come into play in this match. Either way, it's far too soon to be taking the title off Nikki, so she's my pick.
Potential
I was expecting a pretty good match from Nikki and AJ the last time they met on pay-per-view, but obviously, their match was cut down significantly. The rematch will get more time but will no doubt pale in comparison to what we saw from the ladies on the most recent NXT live special.
The Miz and Damien Mizdow vs. The Usos (WWE Tag Team Championship)
4 of 9
Preview
The Miz initially enlisted Damien Sandow (now known as Damien Mizdow) as his stunt double over the summer. They went on to win the WWE Tag Team Championship together at Survivor Series.
The Usos became the new No. 1 contenders on the Dec. 1 edition of Raw, but all focus has been on Miz's attempting to manipulate Jimmy's wife, Naomi. Will Miz's mind games give him and Mizdow a distinct advantage over the twin brothers?
Prediction
I'm ecstatic that for the first time in what feels like forever, we have an actual story in the tag team division. It's also nice to see WWE is finally acknowledging Naomi as Jimmy's real-life wife after all this time.
The company has done a solid job of making this match matter and piquing my interesting in it. Miz and Mizdow captured the straps a mere month ago, so it's safe to say they'll walk out with a win here.
Potential
In addition to there being a story behind this bout, the in-ring action is also sure to deliver. The Usos have been having some of the best tag team matches of the year, so they'll be closing the year on a high note with this match, both figuratively and literally.
Erick Rowan vs. Big Show (Steel Stairs Match)
5 of 9
Preview
At Survivor Series, Big Show did the unthinkable when he turned on his teammates in order to keep his job. He issued an open challenge the next night on Raw to anyone in the locker room who wished to stand up to him, which was accepted by Erick Rowan.
Rowan took Show off his feet that night and even eliminated him from a Battle Royal on the subsequent episode of SmackDown. The two have been at each other's throats in recent weeks in an effort to prove who is the superior Superstar.
Prediction
I've been pleasantly surprised with how well Rowan has progressed since turning face shortly before Survivor Series. He's still no Shawn Micheals in the ring, but he's gotten over with the audience and has proved his worth against Big Show.
Show's turning heel for the millionth time hasn't interested me at all, but it's been beneficial for Rowan since the start of this feud. If Rowan isn't allowed to win here, then this rivalry will prove to be pointless.
Potential
I cringed at the announcement of a Steel Stairs match between Rowan and Show because I have no idea what it's supposed to entail. Then again, I said the same thing about the WeeLC match between Hornswoggle and El Torito earlier this year at Extreme Rules, and they ended up having one of the best bouts of the night.
I'm semi-optimistic that these two can make the most of the silly stipulation and have a decent match.
Ryback vs. Kane (Chairs Match)
6 of 9
Preview
Ryback and Kane were on opposing teams at Survivor Series where Team Cena successfully overcame Team Authority. Kane was demoted to "Director of Food and Beverage" the next night on Raw, and Ryback taunted him at his new post.
Kane sought retribution that week on SmackDown, ambushing Ryback with a steel chair. It was made official shortly thereafter that they would do battle at TLC in a Chairs match.
Prediction
I've enjoyed Ryback's rise to prominence since October and am glad to see him regaining lost momentum. Kane isn't an ideal opponent for The Big Guy given that he hasn't meant much since aligning with The Authority, but it's better than nothing.
At one point, it'd appeared they were building to a Ryback vs. Triple H match at WrestleMania, and thus I'd assume Kane would be a simple steppingstone for Ryback. Regardless, there's no way Kane comes out on top here.
Potential
Chairs matches have never been particularly great at past TLC pay-per-views, and I don't expect this match to be a gem given who is involved. Both guys are decent enough workers that they should be able to pull together a passable contest.
Luke Harper vs. Dolph Ziggler (Ladder Match for Intercontinental Championship)
7 of 9
Preview
During The Authority's reign of terror, Dolph Ziggler was forced to defend his Intercontinental Championship against all comers. He was unable to overcome the odds on the Nov. 17 edition of Raw, dropping the strap to Luke Harper.
In the weeks that followed, Ziggler defeated Harper in various title matches by way of disqualification and count-out. At TLC, he'll get one last shot at the gold, this time in a Ladder match.
Prediction
I was all for Harper winning the title before Survivor Series, but he's lost most if not all of his matches since then. He has been no different than past titleholders in that he's constantly been made out to look weak.
Ziggler needs to maintain the momentum he scored following his big win at Survivor Series, but Harper must retain here. Someone has to interfere to cost Ziggler the match, though I'm not sure who that person would be.
Potential
Ziggler and Harper haven't been able to give the match they're capable of due to time constraints and shady finishes, so I have no doubt that they'll be able to go all-out here. The styles of both Superstars should mesh nicely in the Ladder match environment.
Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt (TLC Match)
8 of 9
Preview
As Dean Ambrose was closing in on victory at Hell in a Cell, Bray Wyatt shocked the world when he appeared out of nowhere and laid out Ambrose, costing him the win against Seth Rollins. Wyatt taunted Ambrose for weeks about how his father abandoned him, among other things.
At Survivor Series, the two met in a a match that ended when Ambrose got himself intentionally disqualified. With no rules in their TLC match, one can only imagine what lengths both will go to put the other away.
Prediction
Of all the matches on the TLC card, this is the only one truly that seems it could go either way. Both guys are in need of wins, but Ambrose is over enough to the point where he can easily bounce back from a loss.
Wyatt, on the other hand, has been floundering since SummerSlam and needs to re-establish himself as a force to be reckoned with. Despite that, I see Ambrose winning the rivalry by emerging victorious in this bout.
Potential
Not only is this match the most unpredictable on the card, but it also has the greatest potential to be an absolute show-stealer. I enjoyed their Survivor Series match, but it felt like they were holding back a bit in order to have a blockbuster bout on this show.
John Cena vs. Seth Rollins (Tables Match)
9 of 9
Preview
The history between John Cena and Seth Rollins dates back to Night of Champions, when Rollins cost Cena the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. The two later led their own teams at Survivor Series, where Cena's band of misfits came out on top.
On the Dec. 1 edition of Raw, the Anonymous Raw General Manager made a Tables match between the two offical for TLC. If Cena is unsuccessful in defeating Rollins, he will lose the opportunity to contend for the world title against Brock Lesnar.
Prediction
I just can't shake the feeling that this feels like a filler feud for Cena before he faces Lesnar at Royal Rumble. I'd like to think that match isn't happening again, but you never know with WWE.
This would be the perfect place for Randy Orton to return and inadvertently cost Cena the match, setting himself up as the new No. 1 contender to Lesnar. Realistically, though, I expect Cena to score the victory.
Potential
What this match lacks in storyline support it will make up for with in-ring action. Cena and Rollins have had stellar matches every time they've faced off, and their clash at TLC should be just as, if not more, entertaining.
Read more prediction pieces for past WWE pay-per-views here.
Graham Mirmina, aka Graham "GSM" Matthews, is a journalism major at Endicott College. Visit his website at Next Era Wrestling and "like" his official Facebook page to continue the conversation on all things wrestling.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
