10 Big Mistakes WWE Can't Afford To Make At TLC 2016

10. Screwy Finishes

Backlash and No Mercy, Smackdown’s brand-specific PPVs, weren’t perfect, but provided two succinct, highly-enjoyable nights of action. They stand as WWE’s two strongest pay-per-views since the Brand Split, and while Raw’s Clash of Champions and Hell In A Cell had their high points, both left fans with a sour taste in their mouths.

Raw’s booking team just can’t help themselves when it comes to screwy finishes, and HIAC and Clash both suffered for it. While both cards looked great on paper, they were ultimately marred by WWE’s inconclusive booking decisions. SmackDown’s PPVs have largely avoided this problem thus far and they’ve thrived because of it, but looking at the card, there’s a strong chance of TLC 2016 descending to Raw-esque levels of farce.

There’s always a chance for shenanigans with The Miz around, but we can handle that. Maryse getting involved in his match seems an inevitability, but the confusion surrounding Randy Orton and The Wyatt Family means there’s a strong chance that the Tag Title match ends with a fuzzy finish too. Then there’s the main event, and the ongoing James Ellsworth saga: will The Phantom Chin play a role in Dean Ambrose’s long-awaited title shot?

At least half of TLC’s matches could conceivably end in nonsense, and that’s far too much. WWE’s first booking step should be ensuring that they stay on the same course, and give the bulk of these matches a conclusive finish.