8 Big Concerns Heading Into WWE TLC 2017
A white-hot reunion doesn't necessarily mean a great pay-per-view.
TLC 2017 is WWE's next big Raw-branded pay-per-view, and their last before the red brand joins forces with SmackDown for Survivor Series on November 18th.
Taking place this Sunday (October 22nd), it features the bulk of Raw's biggest stars with no notable exceptions other than the part-time Brock Lesnar and injured Samoa Joe, with most tied up in a single match. The Shield will wrestle together for the first time in over three years, reuniting to face the imposing heel force of Braun Strowman, The Bar, The Miz, and the returning Kane.
It's a huge bout, and one that the fans are understandably pumped up about, but it isn't free of problems. Sadly, WWE hot-shotting The Shield's grand reunion onto a lowly B-level pay-per-view means it still feels like a cynical cash-in, and the booking brings several issues to the table.
The rest of the bouts are just as problematic. TLC's midcard is rough, uneven, and under-developed, and while Asuka's debut should be exciting, there's a strong chance WWE will screw it up. The card might deliver in spite of all this, but fans would be much safer tempering their expectations for this one. Here's why.
8. A Bland Midcard Run
Much of TLC's card looks solid. None of the major matches are safe from potential banana skins, and there's a chance each could disappoint, but the talent involved ensures a high ceiling.
Unfortunately, the same can't be said of the midcard. Depending on how WWE lay the show out, there's a strong chance this pay-per-view could flounder through a lengthy run of miserable snoozers, sending the audience to sleep (particularly those in awkward timezones) before the big guns hit the ring.
Mickie James vs. Alexa Bliss might be decent, but the challenger hasn't impressed in her fleeting in-ring appearances on Raw, and the champ is still developing. Kalisto is a tremendous wrestler, and a worthy Cruiserweight Champion, but is he good enough to carry a dud like Enzo Amore?
Then there's the 205 Live tag match. Rich Swann, Jack Gallagher, and Cedric Alexander are fine athletes, but never get to show their full range of skills, and Brian Kendrick's finisher is literally a chinlock. Need we say more?
If all three of these matches flop, and WWE line them up in a row, there's a strong chance TLC becomes a huge bore - fast.