10 Best WWE TLC Matches EVER - According To Dave Meltzer

4. AJ Styles Vs Dean Ambrose (Tables, Ladders & Chairs 2016, ****1/2)

Ryback Seth Rollins
WWE.com

Ignoring the predictable James Ellsworth turn at the conclusion of the contest, Dean Ambrose and AJ Styles' hard-hitting 2016 show-closer had all the necessary ingredients to make a late play for match of the year.

Exceptional in every outing at the time, Styles brought his best yet again, squeezing the another fine main eventer's effort out of the 'Lunatic Fringe' as he had done for the entirety of their feud.

Perhaps building on his hardcore history with Combat Zone Wrestling, Ambrose has proven a choice performer in plunder wars, but his final battle with AJ delivered a more measured approach to the carnage.

That's not to say it was in short supply - Styles slammed Dean onto a ladder with wince-inducing force, before Ambrose returned fire by launching the steel device square at the champion's head. Spot of the match went to the 'Phenomenal One' for hitting a springboard 450 splash from the inside out, through Ambrose and the table he lay on in the aisle.

More terrifying tumbles followed, with announce tables reduced to firewood as the athletes continued to ache. Ellsworth's turn was fatal. Ambrose careered through the air landing hard through two ringside tables following the chinless wonder's late ladder push. The slightly dispiriting conclusion couldn't ruin what had otherwise been a monumental affair.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 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 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, 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