WWE TLC 2015: Biggest X-Factors to Watch at Final PPV of the Year

Tables, Ladders & Chairs 2015 marks the final stop before WWE's Road to WrestleMania begins in earnest at the Royal Rumble.

Sheamus is now in place as world champion following the conclusion to Survivor Series—but it remains to be seen whether he'll still be on top as WWE descends upon the AT&T stadium in Arlington, Texas, for its biggest show of the year come April 3, 2016.

There will still be plenty of twists and turns before then—and we might just see the first bumps in the road at TLC later this month.

Roman Reigns

Credit: WWE.com

At Survivor Series, Roman Reigns clinched the WWE World Heavyweight Championship for the first time in his career, only to have it snatched from his hands by Sheamus.

Reigns will get his shot at The Great White in the main event of TLC 2015, and while most champions would be likely to make a successful first defence of their newly won title, there's a decent chance that Roman might start his second reign at the pay-per-view.

It's difficult to imagine a compelling feud for Sheamus that could headline WrestleMania, but there are several options if Reigns is the defending champion. He seems like the best candidate to carry the belt into the event, and there's no sense in waiting too long to make the change.

Given that there's a TLC stipulation on this title fight, there's plenty of room for shenanigans to screw Reigns out of a victory and continue this program into the Royal Rumble.

However, the only time in the last five years that we've seen a world title change hands at that pay-per-view was in 2013, and that was largely to facilitate a WrestleMania title match between The Rock and John Cena.

While there are many who would prefer a different outcome, there's a sizeable chance at this point that the world champion following TLC 2015 will be Roman Reigns.

The New Day

Credit: WWE.com

Over the past several months, we've seen The New Day hit its stride as a unit and become one of the highlights of WWE television.

It's the perfect team to build the tag division around, thoroughly entertaining on the microphone (and the trombone, for that matter) and great in the ring. At TLC 2015, the group has an opportunity to raise its game to new levels.

It's now been announced that The New Day will face The Lucha Dragons and The Usos in a Triangle Ladder match for their tag titles. Given the teams involved, this has the potential to be the best match of the night.

In the early 2000s, three talented teams used tables, ladders and chairs to make tag team wrestling a focus in the most competitive era in American pro wrestling history. Now we might be about to see the teams of today pay homage to those duos while forging their own legacies.

There will be those who argue that The Dudley Boyz should be included in the match, given that they're on the roster and have plenty of experience in this setting. However, they're better served facing The Wyatt Family—this bout should focus on the tag teams of tomorrow.

Expect great things from this one; it wouldn't be too surprising if it's the match everyone's desperate to talk about after the pay-per-view.

Sasha Banks

Credit: WWE.com

If Sasha Banks is booked for TLC 2015, she could well be the X-Factor who steals the show.

It's no secret that The Boss hasn't been used to her full potential since debuting on the main roster. Banks is sure to be popular in Boston, and WWE would be wise to use that support to give the Divas Revolution a much-needed jump-start.

Now that Charlotte is established as the champion and Becky Lynch is being fleshed out as a likeable underdog, it's a perfect opportunity for Banks to take centre stage. That being said, it's perhaps too early for a title shot—but a lengthy match for the No. 1 contendership could work wonders.

Banks is a great character, but she's at her best in the ring. With a lively crowd and the right opponent, a star could be born in the TD Garden.

All that remains to be seen is whether WWE wants to pull the trigger. Banks is a top-tier athlete fully capable of forging a connection with her audience—but as WrestleMania approaches, attention shifts toward building to the big show rather than promoting talent.