10. Ryback And Team Hell No vs. The Shield - TLC Match - TLC 2012
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xw67rr_2012-tlc-the-shield-vs-team-hell-no-ryback_sport It is incredibly difficult to make a greater impact in a debut match than The Shield did in December of 2012 when they met Ryback, Kane and Daniel Bryan in a six-man tag team TLC match. Unlike the Tables, Ladders and Chains matches of years past, there were no titles at stake and thus, the only way to win was by pinfall or submission. With no slow climbing to championship glory for the competitors, they let it all hang out in a wild and chaotic bout that ranks as one of the best in the long history of the popular gimmick match. The psychology and storytelling was phenomenal. The Shield had previously discussed how indestructible they were when they worked together and they proved it throughout the match. The trio isolated each of its opponents, creating two- and three-on-one beatdowns in a bit of booking brilliance. Even when Ambrose, Rollins and Reigns found themselves on the receiving end of a beating at the hands of Bryan, Kane or Ryback, it was short-lived thanks to the interference of their teammates. The heels introduced steel chairs and ladders to the mix and even powerbombed Ryback through the announce table to temporarily eliminate him from the equation. Late in the bout, however, the Big Guy returned to the ring and tore through his opponents. He delivered Shellshock to Ambrose before action spilled out of the ring and up the entrance ramp. There, the Shield attempted to finish Ryback off by having Rollins climb a 20-foot ladder and leap off. Instead, Ryback fought off Ambrose and Reigns, climbed the same ladder Rollins was on, and tossed him off of it and through the tables below. Moments later, Ambrose and Reigns returned to the ring, delivered a power bomb to Daniel Bryan and score the first win of their main roster careers. The match was the epitome of everything WWE fans would come to know and love about The Shield. There were moments of calm that gave way to chaotic spurts and showcased the frenetic energy that the group brings to all of their matches. Rollins took the big bumps, Ambrose endured tremendous punishment and Reigns was his explosive, dominant self. All in all, a great match and, arguably, the best of 2012.
Erik Beaston
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Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
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