Another WWE pay per view has come and gone, which obviously means it’s time once again for me to give you fine readers five things we’ve learned from the show.
As the last event of 2018, TLC served as an opportunity for WWE to finish up certain storylines and possibly slightly alter the company’s general direction before the road to Wrestlemania begins next month. Also, this year’s TLC featured the historic first ever Women’s TLC match. With all that said, let’s jump right into the list.
5. R-Truth is STILL Over!
Okay, I’ll start by saying I haven’t watched any of this year’s Mixed Match Challenge, and I’ve never been a huge fan of R-Truth/K-Kwik’s WWE career. Don’t get me wrong, I know the man is undeniably talented. Ron “The Truth” Killings was one of the men that first got TNA noticed during the fledgling years of the promotion. The man is a two time NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion! That rant aside, it was incredibly refreshing to hear the pop his appearance next to Carmella elicited from the live crowd. However, that was not nearly refreshing as seeing the currently forty six year old Truth still performing in the ring like it’s the early days of the X-Division. Sure, he probably won’t do much in the #30 spot, but at least there’s no risk of a Roman/Samoa Joe debacle again.
4. Smackdown Has Tag Magic
So, this may not be news to some of you, but Smackdown has the best Tag Team division in WWE currently. TLC’s Triple Threat Tag match for the Smackdown Tag Team Championship only proved this fact more so. Anyone familiar with modern day pro wrestling can tell you that putting The Bar, The Usos, and The New Day together with gold on the line is guaranteed to yield pleasing results. Also, let’s not forget that this is the same Tag division that includes Sanity, Gallows & Anderson, and The Bludgeon Brothers. It’s no surprise that Raw’s Tag division pales in comparison.
3. WWE is Trying To Fix Raw
After recent weeks resulted in some of the lowest viewership numbers in the history of Monday Night Raw, it would seem WWE saw TLC as a chance to put some course corrections in motion for their flagship show. Corbin’s beatdown, Balor’s victory, and Ambrose’s capturing of the Intercontinental Championship all seem like WWE’s subtle attempts at giving the fan’s what they think we want. Truth be told, good things normally follow when the company decides to actually try. We can all hope this will be the case again.
2. The Indy Age is in Full Effect
Can you believe that WWE is putting on championship matches with the likes of AJ Styles, Daniel Bryan, Samoa Joe, and Ricochet? It’s utterly amazing to see how much the company’s focus has shifted to signing huge names from the independent circuits. This is the same company that used to spam us with Cena versus Edge, or Orton, or Triple H for months on end. Now, I know that there is still much improvement needed when it comes to the current product, but at least some of what the fans are saying is finally being heard.
1. Asuka May Still Be Pushable
Well, crap! Never mind that thing I just said about them listening. “Oh, you really like heel Becky? Hmm, we think Asuka is finally ready for a title reign.” Now, I know that Becky will make a great heel to Asuka’s face champion, but did we have to sacrifice Becky’s momentum? It’ll be interesting to see how all this pans out, and if WWE will actually follow through with Asuka’s latest push.