WWE TLC 2018: Star Ratings For All 12 Matches

9. The Bar Vs. The New Day Vs. The Usos - SmackDown Tag Team Title Match

The New Day The Usos Cesaro
WWE

Fun midcard fare.

Worked tirelessly by six very talented performers deeply familiar to one another we would do well to cherish more, given the absolute state of RAW's counterpart division and their continued ability to transcend the constant content grind, this match, nonetheless, was forgettable. The San Jose crowd recognised all this, and provided a roaring, appreciative atmosphere.

Is this wonderful chemistry and creativity approaching burnout? At least one year before we could have reasonably expected it?

An almost numbing procession of spots, saves, counters and aerials, it served its purpose without providing one standout moment of true creativity, which, given the punishment Xavier Woods subjected himself to earlier this year, might not be a bad thing. A dizzying sugar rush, it all blurred into itself minutes after the Bar retained the title. It's hard now to remember who did what and when, and for what if any discernible advantage. It was fast food wrestling, but that isn't a criticism.

Far more of a spot-fest than most promotions mocked for presenting that style of match, this Triple Threat bout whizzed by on a slog of a show.

Star Rating: ***

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!