WWE TLC 2018: Star Ratings For All 12 Matches

10. Fabulous Truth Vs. Mahalicia - Mixed Match Challenge Final

Stars Daniel Bryan AJ Styles
WWE

And the hot opener to the TLC pay-per-view proper started with...Jinder Mahal trapping R-Truth in a rest hold.

There's no real point in analysing the wrestling portion of this match. This wasn't really about wrestling, but Vince McMahon-patented sports entertainment! Also, since Carmella and Alicia Fox did something that doesn't really qualify as wrestling, it seems harsh to judge it as much. This match existed as a bit of fun, not that it should have set the tone of WWE's second-most violent night of the year - nor should it have taken place on pay-per-view at all.

R-Truth and Carmella danced, as did the Singh Brothers, and then R-Truth danced with the wrong person - and yet, he made it through WWE's strict concussion testing protocol where Daniel Bryan did not. R-Truth and Jinder did more very basic stuff, which was better than Carmella and Alicia's amateurish stuff, but in spite of itself and in spite of everything, this warmed the crowd and passed by without causing too much offence.

Your enjoyment of this rested on the extent to which you can stomach WWE's comedic stylings. If nothing else, R-Truth's brand of fun is infectious even to those immune from it.

Star Rating: *1/2

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and surefire Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!