. WWE
POST SHOW ANALYSIS
On Sunday night, WWE presented its fifth annual TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs pay-per-view live from the Toyota Center in Houston. In past years, the event has always proved to be entertaining, and this year's installment was no exception. Although the show was lacking in the specialty matches it's known for (Tables, Ladders and Chairs), the card still lived up to expectations and made for a fun night filled with exciting action. The event wasn't a home run by any means, but it was surely a significant improvement over the past number of pay-per-views. The main event saw John Cena and Randy Oration go to war in a TLC match to determine the first ever WWE World Heavyweight Champion. After taking advantage of a downed Cena, Orton ascended the ladder to capture both belts and make history in the process. In other action, CM Punk battled The Shield in a 3-on-1 Handicap match. Despite being against all odds, Punk managed to survive to the onslaught by pinning Dean Ambrose to score the victory. Daniel Bryan didn't achieve that same success in his Handicap match against The Wyatt Family, however, as he wasn't able to emerge victorious. The question now is whether Bray Wyatt's obsession with Bryan is over or if it is just getting started.
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Kick-Off Show Match
Dolph Ziggler vs. Fandango w/ Summer Rae
MATCH RESULT : Fandango defeats Dolph Ziggler with a top rope leg drop.
MATCH RATING : *1/2
Fandango takes control from the start with a shoulder block. Fandango hits the ropes, but Ziggler leap frogs him. Ziggler charges at Fandango, but Fandango back body drops him over the top rope and down to the arena floor. Ziggler is down and out as we head to a break. We come back from the break to find both men back in the ring. Fandango has Ziggler down on the mat in a chin lock, but Ziggler fights back to his feet and break the hold with a back suplex. Ziggler charges at Fandango and levels him with a suplex for a two count. Fandango gets a quick schoolboy pin for a two count of his own. Ziggler retaliates with a Fameasser for a LOOONG two count. Ziggler goes for the sleeper hold, but Fandango grabs the ropes and tosses Ziggler back to the middle of the ring. Fandango drags Ziggler back to his feet and hits a vertical suplex for a two count. Fandango head sup top, but Ziggler hits the ropes to make Fandango lose his balance. Ziggler heads up top with Fandango, but Summer Rae hops up onto the ring apron to distract Ziggler. Fandango shoves Ziggler off the top rope and follows up with a top rope leg drop for the three count.
Mr Blu Analysis:
Both Ziggler and Fandango are very good workers, so I was a bit disappointed by this match. They weren't given much time and the match seemingly jumped from first gear to fourth gear almost instantly. The finish came out of nowhere and the live crowd was hardly receptive for it. The commentators mentioned how Fandango has had a new "edge" in recent weeks. Are they talking about his loss to Zack Ryder from a few weeks ago? Meanwhile, it is a shame is see Ziggler lose on the Kickoff one year removed from beating John Cena in the main event of the TLC pay-per-view.
3 on 1 Handicap Match
CM Punk vs. The Shield.
MATCH RESULT : CM Punk defeats Dean Ambrose after a spear from Roman Reigns.
MATCH RATING : ***1/4
Dean Ambrose starts the match for the Shield. Punk and Ambrose lock up in a collar-and-elbow tie-up, and Punk shoves Ambrose to the corner. Ambrose heads for Punk and catches him in a rear waist lock, but Punk reverses and again shoves Ambrose to the corner. Ambrose make the tag to Seth Rollins, so Punk slides to the outside to catch a breather. Rollins follows Punk to the outside, so Punk immediately slides back into the ring. Rollins follows Punk back into the right, but Punk traps him in the corner. Punk goes to work with a volley of punches and kicks and follows up with a neck breaker. Punk hits two more neck breakers and locks in a front chancery on the mat. Rollins rights back to his feet and tries to muscle Punk to the Shield's corner. Rollins finally slides around Punk and makes the tag to Roman Reigns. Punk starts to pepper Reigns with punches and kicks, but Reigns lifts Punk by the neck and tosses him into the Shield's corner. Reigns goes to work with the ground and pound before making the tag back to Rollins. Rollins repeatedly stomps on Punk, hits a back breaker, and makes the tag to Ambrose. Ambrose stomps on Punk's… um… "lower abdominal region" several times before tagging Reigns. Reigns drags Punk back to his feet and damn near decapitates him with a short clothesline. Reigns punts Punk in the gut and drags him back to his feet, but Punk fight back with a straight right hand. Reigns levels Punk with another clothesline and whips him to the outside. Reigns heads to the outside and sets his sights on Punk. Reigns charges Punk and goes for a spear through the announce table, but Punk slides out of the way. Reigns flies over the announce tables and crashes into the chairs and barrier on the other side. Punk head back into the ring, and the referee starts his count on Reigns. Reigns finally makes it back into the ring at the count of eight, but it appears that he injured his eye when he went over the table. Punk tries to take advantage of Reign's injury, but Reigns manages to toss Punk over the ropes again. That gives Reigns time to make the tag to Rollins, and Rollins drags Punk back into the ring. Rollins calls for the Go To Sleep, but Punk floats over and shoves Rollins into Ambrose, knocking Ambrose off the ring apron. A doctor is checking on Reigns' eye at ringside. Punk levels Rollins with a kick to the back of the head and gets a two count. Punk catches Rollins with a back heel kick and follows up with a swinging neck breaker. Punk hits his patented running knee in the corner followed by a clothesline in the middle of the ring. Punk heads up top and hits a top rope crossbody for a two count. Punk locks in the Anaconda Vice, but Ambrose make the save. Rollins makes the tag to Ambrose, and Reigns is still down and out on the outside. Ambrose takes Punk up top, but Punk heads butts him back down to the mat. Punk hits the Macho Man Diving Elbow drop but only gets a two count. Punk goes for the Go To Sleep, but Ambrose floats over. Rollins charges into the ring, so Punk hits him with the Go To Sleep. Reigns charges into the ring and goes for the spear, but due to his limited vision he connects with Ambrose instead of Punk. Punk tosses Reigns out of the ring and covers Ambrose for the three count.
Mr Blu Analysis:
From a technical perspective, this match was perfectly fine. The guys are all really good performers and they went through the motions. But, after being built as an unstoppable machine for much of the year, it just didn't feel right to see the Shield beaten by a single man. Then again they were up against the best in the world. They told a great story throughout and made it seem like Punk was indeed against all odds. There were plenty of suspenseful spots as well as featuring enjoyable action. The finish with Roman Reigns inadvertently hitting the spear on Dean Ambrose was very well done and foreshadowed an eventual Shield split. As much as I don't want to see it happen, at least they are booking the slow burning breakup correctly.
Divas Championship Match
AJ Lee (Champion) w/ Tamina Snuka vs. Natalya
MATCH RESULT : AJ Lee defeats Natalya with a roll-up counter to the Sharpshooter.
MATCH RATING : **1/4
Natalya catches AJ in a rear waist lock and transitions into an arm bar on the mat. AJ fights back to her feet, but Natalya immediately takes her back down to the mat with a snap mark takedown. AJ slides out of the ring, but Tamina cuts off Natalya when she follows. AJ slides back into the ring and connects with a baseball slide to Natalya on the outside, but Natalya regains control by whipping AJ into the barrier. The Divas head back into the ring, and AJ catches Natalya in a sleeper hold. Natalya hits the ropes and charges at AJ, but AJ connects with a back heel kick to the jaw for a two count. Natalya picks up AJ, charges to the corner, and rams AJ into the turnbuckles. AJ traps Natalya in the corner and goes to work with kicks to the midsection. AJ charges at Natalya, but Natalya slides out of the way, causing AJ to slam into the corner. Natalya lifts AJ, but AJ counters into a Dragon Sleeper. Natalya eventually breaks the hold and rolls through before kicking AJ in the face. Natalya hits two snap suplexes and a scoop slam before locking in the Sharp Shooter. AJ tries to crawl to the ropes, but Natalya drags her back to the middle of the right. AJ manages to roll out of the hold, and Tamina hops up onto the ring apron to distract AJ. That gives AJ enough time to lock in the Black Widow, but Natalya eventually breaks the hold. Natalya levels AJ with a clothesline and goes for the Sharpshooter, but AJ counters into a roll-up for the three count.
Mr Blu Analysis:
By Divas standards, this was a very good match that definitely should have gone on longer than it did. Considering these two are probably the best workers in the division today, they made the most out of the time they were allotted and managed to get the crowd engaged at certain points. Both ladies escaped the other's submission, leading to AJ pulling the hair and getting a roll up off the final sharp shooter attempt by Natalya. They certainly should rematch soon, as AJ got the sneaky heel win, and they worked well together.
Intercontinental Championship Match
Big E. Langston (Champion) vs. Damien Sandow
MATCH RESULT :
Big E Langston defeats Damien Sandow with the Big Ending.
MATCH RATING : **
Langston goes for the Big Ending, but Sandow counters into an attempted You're Welcome!, but Langston counters. Sandow takes Langston down to the mat, hits a standing elbow drop, and locks in a chin lock. Langston fights back to his feet and tosses Sandow across the ring to break the hold. Langston again goes for the Big Ending, but Sandow floats over and levels Langston with a clothesline. Sandow hits the Cubito Aequet for a two count. Langston gets back to his feet and charges at Sandow, but Sandow connects with a drop kick to the jaw. Sandow pulls down the knee pad and hits a standing knee drop. Sandow tries to head up top, but Langston slides under him and hits an electric chair drop. Langston levels Sandow with a clothesline and follows up with a belly-to-belly slam. Langston hit a running splash for a two count. Langston once again goes for the Big Ending, but Sandow floats over and counters into a sit-out rear mat slam. Langston gets back up to his feet, drops the straps, and finally connects with the Big Ending for the three count.
Mr Blu Analysis:
They worked a lot of reversals of each others finishers right from the start. Big E. Langston retained the title with the Big Ending, in a solid outing. I enjoy Sandow's more serious approach as of late, and I also feel that Langston continues to improve. This was another short match (about 6:25), and was (in my opinion) made to get over Langston as champion. Langston received a favorable reaction upon entering and Sandow cut a simple yet effective promo, but it wasn't enough for the fans to get engaged in the action.
Tag Team Fatal 4-Way Match for the WWE Tag Team Championship
Cody Rhodes & Goldust (Champions) vs. Rey Mysterio & Big Show vs. Ryback & Curtis Axel vs. The Real Americans
MATCH RESULT : Cody Rhodes defeats Rey Mysterio with Cross Rhodes.
This match will be contested under elimination rules. Cody Rhodes and Ryback start the match. Rhodes charges at Ryback, but Ryback goes for a guerrilla press slam, but Rhodes floats over and makes the tag to Goldust. Ryback muscles Goldust to the corner and makes the tag to Axel. Axel locks in a side head lock, but Goldust breaks the hold and connects with a kick to the gut. Goldust wrenches Axel's arm and hits the ropes, but Big Show makes the blind tag. Big Show heads into the ring, continues to work over Axel's arm, and delivers a big chop to the chest. The crowd chants for one more time, and Show is more than happy to oblige. "One more time! One more time! One more time!" Show traps Axel in the corner and delivers a third big chop to the chest. Show makes the tag to Mysterio, but Axel escapes and makes the tag to Ryback. Ryback goes to work with the ground and pound and makes the quick tag back to Axel. Mysterio and Axel both hit the ropes and take each other out with simultaneous crossbodies. Axel crawls to the corner and makes the tag back to Ryback, but Mysterio manages to tag Goldust. Ryback whips Goldust to the ropes and ducks his head to telegraph the back body drop, so Goldust drops down to the mat and hits his patented low uppercut. Ryback goes for Shell Shocked, but Goldust floats over and rolls up Ryback for a three count. Ryback & Curtis Axel have been eliminated. Swagger enters the match for the first time and locks in a front chancery. Swagger muscles Goldust to the corner and makes the tag to Cesaro. Cesaro whips Goldust out of the ring and makes the quick tag back to Swagger. Swagger head to the outside and levels Goldust with a clothesline. Swagger rolls Goldust back into the ring and tags Cesaro. Goldust tries to make it to the corner to tag Rhodes, but Cesaro catches him with a gutwrench suplex back across the ring. Cesaro tags Swagger, and Swagger chokes Goldust against the second rope. The crowd is DEAD right now. Goldust drops Swagger with a slap to the face, so Swagger makes the tag to Cesaro. Cesaro heads into the ring, and it's time for the Cesaro Swing. Cesaro makes the tag back to Swagger, and Swagger goes for the cover, but Rhodes makes the save. Swagger hits the Swagger bomb, tags Cesaro, and sets up Cesaro for a Leap Frog Double Stomp for a two count. Cesaro locks in a chin lock on the mat, but GOLDUST GETS BACK TO HIS FEET AND HITS A MODIFIED CANADIAN DESTROYER. Did not see that coming. Goldust tries to tag Rhodes, but Swagger pulls Rhodes off the ring apron, so Goldust makes the hot tag to Big Show. Show drops Cesaro with a clothesline and tosses him into the corner. Show hits the ropes and levels Cesaro with a running shoulder block. Swagger tries to make the save, but Show connects with the Knockout Punch. Cesaro heads up top and flies at Show, but Show connects with the Knockout Punch in mid-air for the three count. The Real Americans have been eliminated. Goldust comes back into the ring, and Show drops him with a shoulder block. Goldust rolls out of the ring to catch a breather, but Show lifts him up by the head and throws him back into the ring. Goldust heads up top and connects with a top rope flying crossbody for a two count. Show goes for the Choke Slam, but Goldust counters into a DDT for a two count. Goldust makes the tag to Rhodes, and Goldust and Rhodes hit a double team suplex on Show for a two count. Rhodes waits for Show to get back to his feet and goes for the Disaster Kick, but Show hits him with a chop to the chest in mid-air. Show makes the tag to Mysterio, and Mysterio catches Rhodes with a hurricanrana. Mysterio heads up top and connects with a seated senton. Rhodes gets back to his feet and hits the Disaster Kick for a two count. Mysterio sets up Rhodes for the 619, but Goldust makes the save. Mysterio hits Goldust with the 619, and Show pulls Goldust out of the ring. Rhodes head out of the ring and shoves Show into the ring post. Rhodes goes for a springboard drop kick to Mysterio, but Mysterio counters into a powerbomb for a two count. Rhodes goes for the Cross Rhodes, but Mysterio counters into the 619, but Rhodes counters into the Alabama Slamma, but Mysterio counters into a rollup pin for a two count. Both men get back to their feet, and this time Rhodes does hit the Cross Rhodes for the three count.
Mr Blu Analysis:
It was announced as an elimination match, which I actually liked. The booking leading into the match felt rushed to me, especially with the sudden teaming with Rey and Show (which due to their injury issues I am not opposed to) but I do appreciate the continued effort in regards to the tag team division. Imagine how great this match would have been had a Ladder stipulation been added. Anyway, it was still a good tag team bout in the early goings that only got better down the stretch.
Once it came down to the two babyface teams, there was plenty of near-falls and exciting action that kept the crowd on their feet the entire time. The "This is awesome" chants were well deserved and the strong series of great matches involving the Rhodes brothers continues. I'm not sure why they eliminated both heel teams first though. It took the edge off the match to have four good guys left in the end. It was still a lot of fun. But it wasn't the match of the year style extravaganza A+ match it might have been with different booking choices. The tag team division continues to grow and deliver entertaining matches.
R-Truth w/ Xavier Woods vs. Brodus Clay w/ Tensai and the Funkadactyls
MATCH RESULT : R-Truth defeats Brodus Clay with a roll-up pin.
MATCH RATING : *3/4
Truth heads up top, but Clay hits the ropes and knocks him down to the mat. Clay heads up to the second rope and hits a splash for a two count. Clay hits two standing elbow drops and follows up with a standing double leg drop. Clay drags Truth back to his feet and drops him with a punch to the gut. Clay pulls Truth into a seated position and pounds on his shoulder. Clay tosses Truth across the ring and mocks him with a "What's Up?" chant. Clay splashes Truth in the corner two times and kicks him out of the ring. Clay follows Truth out of the ring, but Tensai tells Clay to get the match back into the ring. Woods rolls Truth back into the ring, and Clay begrudgingly follows him. Clay ties up Truth in the tree of woe and works him over. Tensai climbs up onto the ring apron and tells Clay to just go for the cover and win the match. Clay says that he's better than Tensai, so Tensai heads back up the ramp in disgust. Clay begins to berate the Funkadactyls, so they follow Tensai up the ramp. The distraction from Tensai and the Funkadactyls gives Truth a chance to connects with a drop kick to the back and get a quick roll-up in for the three count.
Mr Blu Analysis:
This was the type of match that was all about an angle, and should have been saved for TV. First of all there are more eyes watching Raw, secondly they have so much TV time to fill, and finally it completely deflated the crowd. They were dead for this because they did not care. And,yet, in the ring Clay showed some real potential as a heel. He'll need new ring gear and a complete makeover to pull it off. But it may be time to see what he's got in a new gimmick.
No Disqualification Match
Kofi Kingston vs. The Miz
MATCH RESULT : Kofi Kingston defeats the Miz with Trouble in Paradise.
MATCH RATING : *3/4
Kingston tosses Miz to the outside, bounces him off the ring apron, and rolls him back into the ring. Miz charges at Kingston but misses, tumbling out of the ring once again. Miz hits the ropes and sets up for a suicide dive, but Miz connects with a punch to the jaw in mid-air. Miz pulls Kingston out of the ring, but Kingston whips Miz into the barrier HARD. The action returns to the ring, and Miz slams Kingston's ankle into the mat. Miz tauntingly slaps Kingston and hits an ankle breaker. Miz goes for another ankle breaker, but Kingston floats over into a roll-up for a two count. Miz ties up Kingston in the rope and again taunts him with light slaps to the back of the head. Miz sets up Kingston's injured ankle on the second rope and stomps on it repeatedly, but Kingston eventually counters by kicking Miz over the top rope and to the outside. Kingston follows Miz out of the ring, but Miz catches him with a back suplex onto the barrier. Miz rolls a limp Kingston back into the ring and gets a two count. Miz heads to the corner and removes the top turnbuckle. Miz stomps Kingston down to the mat in the opposite corner and follows up with a running knee lift. Miz sets up for the Skull Crushing Finale onto the exposed turnbuckle, but Kingston counters for a two count. Miz hits his patented corner clothesline, heads up top, and goes for a double ax-handle, but Kingston connects with a drop kick in mid-air. The crowd erupts into a "Boring! Boring! Boring!" chant and follows up with "We want tables! We want tables! We want tables!" Kingston kicks Miz to the corner, and Miz collides head-first with the exposed turnbuckle. Kingston waits for Miz to rebound, hits the Trouble in Paradise, and gets the three count.
Mr Blu Analysis:
I enjoyed the altercation between these two on the pre-show. I have honestly lost track of how many times they had feuded over the years, so I don't see how their latest rivalry is supposed to do anything for either guy. I am assuming Miz is now a full-fledged heel, but I still can't be certain. The match was fine for what it was, but the live crowd couldn't have cared less. the commentary team didn't seem to care at all, and the momentum the PPV once had is all but gone, which is a shame. Also, this is TLC, and while I do appreciate the "less is more approach" this year, the crowd wanted tables and plunder. They didn't get it, and didn't react because they felt there was nothing worth reacting to.
3-on-1 Handicap Match
Daniel Bryan vs. The Wyatt Family
MATCH RESULT : Bray Wyatt defeats Daniel Bryan with Sister Abigail.
MATCH RATING : ***1/4
Erick Rowan starts the match for the Wyatt Family. Rowan muscles Bryan to the corner and makes the quick tag to Harper. Bryan goes to work with leg kicks to Harper and kicks him down to the mat. Bryan sets up for a surfboard and stomps on the back of Harper's knees. Harper gets back to his feet and slaps Bryan across the face. Harper makes the tag back to Rowan, and Rowan locks in a bear hug. Rowan rag dolls Bryan, launches him into the air, and slams him face-first into the mat. Rowan tags Harper, and Harper delivers an uppercut to Bryan. Harper delivers a sit-out slam, and it looks like it's time for Bray Wyatt. Harper makes the tag to Wyatt, and Wyatt tells Bryan that it didn't need to be like this. "I could have helped you!" Wyatt suplexes Bryan and goes into the Exorcist walk. "That was creepy! That was creepy! That was creepy!" Harper gets the tag and alligator rolls Bryan around the ring. Rowan gets the tag and hits a fall-away slam. Harper gets the tag and damn near decapitates Bryan with a Big Boot. Wyatt gets the tag and offers Bryan one more chance. "Shake my hand, and I can make all this go away!" Bryan slaps away Wyatt's hand and fights back to his feet. Wyatt levels Bryan with a clothesline, makes the tag to Harper, and orders Harper to finish it. Harper hits a sit-out powerbomb but only gets a two count. Harper goes for a big boot in the corner, but Bryan slides out of the way, causing Harper to get tied up on the top rope. Bryan kicks Rowan off the ring apron. Bryan takes Harper up top and hits a top rope belly-to-back superplex. Bryan crawls into the corner but only gets a two count. "Yes! Yes! Yes!" Bryan goes to work with kicks to the head and chest. Bryan heads up top and hits the Benoit Flying Head Butt, but Rowan makes the save. Bryan whips Rowan to the ropes, and Rowan gets tied up. Bryan goes to work with kicks to Rowan as Harper makes the tag to Wyatt. Bryan flies out of the ring with a suicide dive to Harper and then whips Rowan into the ring steps. Bryan heads all the way up top and connects with a top rope missile drop kick. Bryan goes for the Yes Lock, but Wyatt rolls into ground and pound. Wyatt lifts Bryan and transitions into Sister Abigail for the three count.
Mr Blu Analysis:
The big men sold well for him, and the crowd loved it. It came down to Bryan and Bray, and following some vicious elbow strikes from the mount, Bryan hit the Sister Abigail for the victory. This was a lot of story, but it also was a solid match, with the Wyatts (work wise) looking good in there. Part of that is that they worked hard, part of that is Bryan, but it all worked. While the handicap match certainly is not my favorite, it worked well enough with a good balance of story and in ring action, much like the Punk vs. Shield match. Bryan refused to stay down and the live crowd was red hot for his comeback at the end. I am glad to see The Wyatt Family go over if only because they have lost so many matches in recent months that this felt like an upset considering Bryan is a former WWE champion. I don't know where this program goes from here, but my money is on Bryan winning the Royal Rumble next month.
TLC Match for the WWE and World Heavyweight ChampionshipsJohn Cena (World Heavyweight Champion) vs. Randy Orton (WWE Champion)
MATCH RESULT : Randy Orton defeats John Cena.
MATCH RATING : ***3/4
Cena and Orton circle each other to start. The lock up, and Cena muscles Orton to the corner. Cena gets a side headlock takedown to the middle of the ring, but Orton fights back to his feet and breaks the hold. Cena levels Orton with a shoulder tackle and heads out of the ring. Cena goes for a table, but Orton hits him from behind. Orton grabs a ladder and heads back into the ring. Orton sets up the ladder in the middle of the ring, but Cena cuts him off. Cena fold the ladder and slams it into Orton's left arm. Cena brings a table into the ring and sets it up in the corner. Cena goes for an Attitude Adjustment, but Orton floats over. Orton tries to which Cena into the corner, but Cena blocks. Orton rolls out of the ring and grabs a chair. Orton heads back into the ring and connects with a chair shot to the back. Orton drives the chair into Cena's gut, and Cena rolls out of the ring. Orton stalks Cena at ringside and connects with more chair shots to the back. Orton tries to smash Cena's head between the ring post and the chair, but Cena slides out of the way, causing Orton to slam the chair directly into the ring post. Cena grabs the chair and retaliates with a chair shot of his own. Cena sets up a table at ringside and goes for a powerbomb through the table, but Orton floats over and lands on his feet behind Cena. Orton whips Cena into the ring steps and brings a second ladder into the ring. Orton climbs the ladder and gets a hand on the belts, but Cena pulls him back down to the mat. Orton tosses the ladder out of the and head butts Cena. Orton kicks Cena in the chest and punches him in the face. Cena hits the ropes and charges at Orton, but Orton catches him with a power slam. Orton heads out of the ring and pushes the ladder back into the ring. Orton begins to climb back into the ring, but Cena drives the ladder into Orton's ribs. Cena sets up the ladder and begins to climb, but Orton gets back to his feet and drags Cena back down to the mat. Orton hits what looks like a sloppy Protoplex and fold the ladder. Orton throws the ladder at Cena's head, but Cena ducks. Orton grabs the chair and goes to work with chair shots to the back. Orton wedges the Chair between the turnbuckles in the corner. Cena charges Orton, but Orton evades, and Cena rams shoulder-first into the chair in the corner. Orton sets up a ladder and climbs, but Cena climbs up next to him. Cena knocks Orton off the ladder and delivers a Five Knuckle Shuffle from halfway up the ladder. It may just be me, but the belts look lower than usual tonight. They're probably not more than ten or eleven feet high. Anyway, Cena folds the ladder and waits for Orton to get back to his feet. Orton makes his way to the ring apron, but CENA HITS ORTON WITH THE LADDER, CAUSING ORTON TO FALL OFF THE RING APRON AND THROUGH THE TABLE AT RINGSIDE! Cena sets up the ladder and begins to climb, but Orton miraculously comes back to life and pulls Cena off the ladder. Orton hits Cena with an RKO. The action spills out of the ring, and Cena slams the ring steps into Orton's face. Orton gets back to his feet, and Cena again slams the steps into Orton's head. Cena heads for Orton, but Orton grabs a microphone and drives it into Cena's head. Orton sets up Cena's head on the ring steps and stomps on it. Orton mounts Cena and pounds on him with the microphone. Orton sets up the Spanish Announce Table, and Cena is clearly disoriented. ORTON GOES FOR THE SKULL PUNT, BUT CENA COUNTERS INTO AN ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT THROUGH THE SPANISH ANNOUNCE TABLE! Cena crawls back into the ring and sets up the ladder in the middle of the ring. Cena climbs and grabs the belts, but Orton pulls the ladder out from under Cena. Cena is dangling from the belts, and Orton knocks him down with a chair shot. Orton goes for another chair shot, but CENA SPEARS ORTON THROUGH A TABLE IN THE CORNER! Orton rolls out of the ring and starts looking under the floor mats. ORTON RETRIEVES A PAIR OF HANDCUFFS AND HANDCUFFS CENA TO THE BOTTOM ROPE! Orton heads to the opposite side of the ring and dangles the key in front of Cena. Orton tosses the key into the crowd, and Orton heads up the ramp. Orton grabs a taller ladder and brings it back down to the ring. Cena tries to use a ladder to break the handcuffs, but it's no use. Orton slides the tall ladder into the ring. Orton sets up the ladder in the middle of the ring, but CENA TAKES THE ENTIRE BOTTOM TURNBUCKLE APART! CENA IS STILL HANDCUFFED TO THE BOTTOM ROPE, BUT HE CAN MOVE AROUND THE RING! Cena climbs the other side of the ladder and knocks Orton off the ladder. Orton grabs the loose rope and pulls Cena off the ladder. Cena was supposed to go through a table in the corner, but his head hit it low, and it didn't break. Orton sets up the ladder… Orton climbs the ladder… ORTON RETRIEVES THE BELTS!
Mr Blu Analysis:
There's a certain level of carnage we've come to expect from a Table, Ladders and Chairs match. It's supposed to be a sick spectacle, a carnival of violence, a den of depravity. This one, despite the stakes, never reached that level. This was a match about story telling and how hard two men would fight to become champion. On that level it was a whopping success. I feel Punk vs. Orton makes sense for the Rumble, to lead to Punk vs. Triple H at Mania. I will say that I wouldn't have booked this TLC for one reason, well besides the fact that the build was too quick. Cena is coming off injury and Orton has major shoulder issues, you're asking for trouble by placing them in a TLC match, even if we know they won't take super crazy bumps. The crowd was certainly into their John Cena chants, both for and against, as usual. For the most part, I think this was the style of match most expected. Lots of brawling, various weapons used, no crazy high spots.
The one thing that annoyed me was the fact that commentary completely ignored the unification from 2001, stating that this match was "50 years in the making".
Have they forgot about this guy?!!!
No matter how redundant and tiresome their feuds can be at times, you can always count on Orton and Cena to have great matches together. This matchup was no exception, as both competitors put forth a strong effort and executed several cool spots. It didn't have the big match feel that it should have with this being a unification match, but I blame that more on the fact that it only have a three week
build.
I was surprised to see Orton go over clean without any interference, which helps give him more credibility as champion. The post-match segment with The Authority celebrating with Orton was a nice touch, but I was expecting something monumental to occur.
Overall I liked the match and thought it was a good main event. While not a crazy TLC match (it was pretty safely worked), the match had a flow, and everything they did felt as if it as geared to winning the match. It was simple, direct, and made sense. Most importantly, there were no shenanigans. The handcuffs were a call back to the 2009 Cena vs. Orton feud, and played well into the fact that Orton would do anything to win, while allowing Cena to still appear to be the hero, fighting to the very end.
The new WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
Final Thoughts
Match of the Night: TLC Champion of Champions Match: Randy Orton vs John Cena (***3/4)
It may have started off a little slow, but by the end, this match became pretty entertaining.
One thing that was fun was the inclusion of the handcuffs.
Fans are always clamoring for something different and seeing a title unification ladder match end with someone pulling their handcuffed challenger down with the use of a turnbuckle definitely isn't the "same old stuff."
There was a chance that WWE could have gone with a screwjob finish or something of a draw to stall things until the Royal Rumble, which would have felt like a cheat.
However, that didn't happen, and WWE kept its promise that there would indeed be a winner and only one unified champion.
When all things are said and done, this may not go down in history as the best pay-per-view of all time, but everyone will remember Randy Orton winning the title as a major moment in WWE history. Randy Orton's victory over John Cena Sunday night was one of the best booking decisions of the evening because the state of the roster makes it such. At this point, there are not enough legitimate, main event heels for Cena to have defended the title against should he have won. Alberto Del Rio and Orton are unquestionably the strongest villains, while The Viper has a plethora of babyfaces to defend the title against. CM Punk, Daniel Bryan and Rey Mysterio all are potential No. 1 contenders.
At the start of the night there were two world champions, but by the time TLC came to an end, Randy Orton reigned supreme as the WWE World Heavyweight champion by virtue of his win over John Cena.
Final Analysis:
Despite the fact that two world titles were merged on this show, not much about this event felt special or monumental, but it was definitely an improvement over the last four pay-per-views. It was a refreshing change of pace to get a clean finish to a main event for the first time since SummerSlam.
Had the last four pay-per-views not been as terrible as they were, this event may have only been mediocre at best, but I would classify it as being good with most of the matches on the show being better than anticipated or meeting expectations. TLC was a step in the right direction going into the new year. The televised return of Vince McMahon, it's McMahon season with WrestleMania coming around the corner. It's expected that Vince will be the babyface owner that doesn't really like the way Stephanie and Hunter are running things, so it will likely lead to some match at WrestleMania with the company on the line. This event was really built around one thing and one thing. WWE should have viewed every match as a priority, but that just wasn't the case. There was some good action that helped make it an an enjoyable ppv to watch.
PPV Rating - Mr Blu: ***
Thanks for reading this month's TBM WWE PPV Analysis! If you enjoyed reading about this year's Survivor Series then copy and paste the link to see a blog focusing on the best WWE TLC matches in history!
http://blumoovment.blogspot.com.au/2013/12/wwe-tlc-top-10-matches.html
The next analysis edition will be available January 26 when WWE presents the 2014 Royal Rumble .....
