10 Best WWE TLC Matches EVER - According To Dave Meltzer

9. Sheamus Vs Roman Reigns (Tables, Ladders & Chairs 2015 ****)

Ryback Seth Rollins
WWE.com

'The Big Dog' and 'The Celtic Warrior' had underrated chemistry often overlooked by a wrestling audience that held them both in utter contempt.

After Seth Rollins' 2015 WWE Title reign came to an injury-enforced ending, the company tried and failed to generate Daniel Bryan-levels of sympathy for Roman Reigns by having Sheamus cash in his Money In The Bank briefcase on him immediately following his Survivor Series title win.

The damage was already done though, as fans sh*t on the very notion of the two feuding for the championship in place of stars they actually wanted to see. Subsequently, expectations were through the floor for their December show-closer, allowing the tension to build steadily before champion and challenger abused one another with some vicious attacks.

Sheamus even managed to sever his own arm following a devastating White Noise from the steel stairs through a table on the floor, but Reigns would return fire with an equally frightening powerbomb through a ladder.

Roman was ultimately beaten into defeat by Rusev and Alberto Del Rio in a dramatic conclusion that then saw Triple H obliterated by the vengeful challenger post-match. Breathtaking as it was, the tacked-on beatdown felt as much like a make-good from the company booked ahead of what they assumed would be an unsatisfying headliner.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation over 7 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 30 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz", Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 50,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett