The chairs match is a terrible gimmick. It's a perfunctory stipulation and one that doesn't work in the PG Era, in which it is often reduced to both men bending over and waiting to be hit on the back. With that in mind, there was very little worth being excited about in the prospect of the match between Alberto Del Rio and Jack Swagger at TLC. They were in a rivalry with zero heat working a terrible match gimmick. And yet, they delivered something pretty good. Del Rio vs. Swagger wasn't a wrestling clinic by any means, but it far surpassed the Ryback vs. Kane chairs match from last year's TLC event. Some of the chair spots, including an assisted Patriot Lock from Swagger, were creative and innovative and the finish had a real violent edge to it. The match was let down a little by Del Rio's inconsistent selling of an ankle injury, but it was kept relatively brief and delivered nicely within the limitations of the contest. Both men seemed motivated to create something special here. Swagger was wrestling his first singles match on PPV since last year's TLC event and Del Rio was looking to prove himself to a crowd that hasn't done much for him since his return. This was two performers giving their all; and it worked.
Freelance film journalist and fan of professional wrestling. Usually found in a darkened screening room looking for an aisle seat and telling people to put away their mobile phones. Also known to do a bit of stand-up comedy, so I'm used to the occasional heckle.
