Post by Celexa Bliss 54 on Feb 8, 2020 22:18:18 GMT -5
So, TLC and the Raw and Smackdown after are in the books.
Big E defeated Shinsuke Nakamura, Bubba Ray and Kassius Ohno, while Austin Aries beat Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods and Neville (who joined Smackdown as part of a surprise trade, in exchange for Shelton Benjamin), to advance to a number one contenders match, which Big E won. The New Day proved to be formidable opponents for The Club, besting them in several encounters, including Kofi and Xavier both defeating World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles in non-title matches, thanks to botched attempts at interference by Aries. But at TLC, AJ proved to be the Champion he says he is, defeating Big E clean. As for Aries, his constant failures finally became too much for Styles to deal with. After Aries lost consecutive matches to Woods and Kingston, he was kicked out of The Club.
Seth Rollins is still WWE Champion, after a wild TLC match against Rusev. But The Bulgarian Brute is still in pursuit of his Championship. After Rusev bested Ryback on Raw, he called out Rollins, but was laid out by a sneak attack from the crafty Champion.
The Roman Reigns/Chris Jericho rivalry has heated up, with Reigns returning to Raw two weeks after Survivor Series to save his friend Dean Ambrose from an attack by Jericho. But Jericho found himself an ally in Dolph Ziggler, who recently returned from a self-imposed exile. At TLC, Ziggler sided Jericho in beating Reigns yet again. The following night, Jericho and Ziggler attacked Reigns, but Ambrose had his buddy's back. One thing is clear, this feud is far from being finished.
For the last several months, RKOverkill have carved a path of violence through Smackdown. With the help of his new allies, Randy Orton has become United States Champion and looks to be untouchable. But the former Champion, Cesaro, and longtime Orton rival John Cena, have refused to allow the quartet to run roughshod. At TLC, Cena and Cesaro scored a pivotal win over Orton and Samoa Joe in a Falls Count Anywhere match. On the following Smackdown, Cesaro attempted to regain his title, but Bubba Ray ensured that wouldn't happen. Meanwhile, Joe jumped Cena after his match with Alberto Del Rio. Clearly, RKOverkill have the numbers advantage. Can Cesaro and Cena find allies to even the odds against this violent faction?
Four Championships changed hands at TLC. The night started with a Smackdown Tag Team title change, as Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens defeated Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. That was followed by Finn Balor defeating The Miz and Drew McIntyre in a Ladder Match to win the Intercontinental Championship. Who will step up to challenge the new title holders?
As for the Smackdown Women's Championship, Becky Lynch finally scored a decisive win over Paige, defeating the Alterna-Diva in a Tables match to win the title. But Paige doesn't seem to be willing to take the loss gracefully. On Smackdown, Shane McMahon tried to introduce Smackdown's newest lady, Bayley, but Paige interrupted, demanding a rematch with Becky. When Shane denied her request, she attacked Bayley, kicking off a fresh rivalry.
Finally, The Wyatt Family captured the Raw Tag Team Championship, defeating Enzo and Cass in a violent Chairs match, with a little help from Bray Wyatt. But the former Champions have announced their intentions to invoke their rematch clause and they want Harper and Rowan in a steel cage match.
As well, the hostilities between Sasha Banks and Dana Brooke over the Raw Women's Championship continue to simmer. With the recent additions to the division, including Ember Moon and Sarah Logan, one has to believe that whoever emerges with the gold will have no shortage of challengers to contend with.
As 2016 comes to a close, preparations are underway for the 2017 Royal Rumble, which marks the beginning of the Road to WrestleMania. Announced for the Royal Rumble match itself:
Representing Raw, Dolph Ziggler, Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, Chris Jericho, Ryback, Sheamus, Bray Wyatt, Finn Balor, Drew McIntyre, The Miz, Enzo Amore, Big Cass, Chad Gable, Shelton Benjamin and Roderick Strong.
Representing Smackdown, John Cena, Samoa Joe, Randy Orton, Cesaro, Shinsuke Nakamura, Kassius Ohno, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Kota Ibushi, Alberto Del Rio, Neville, Big E, Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods and the debuting Hideo Itami.
Who will emerge from the chaos as the winner and go on to challenge his brand's Champion in Orlando, at WrestleMania 33?!
Big E defeated Shinsuke Nakamura, Bubba Ray and Kassius Ohno, while Austin Aries beat Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods and Neville (who joined Smackdown as part of a surprise trade, in exchange for Shelton Benjamin), to advance to a number one contenders match, which Big E won. The New Day proved to be formidable opponents for The Club, besting them in several encounters, including Kofi and Xavier both defeating World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles in non-title matches, thanks to botched attempts at interference by Aries. But at TLC, AJ proved to be the Champion he says he is, defeating Big E clean. As for Aries, his constant failures finally became too much for Styles to deal with. After Aries lost consecutive matches to Woods and Kingston, he was kicked out of The Club.
Seth Rollins is still WWE Champion, after a wild TLC match against Rusev. But The Bulgarian Brute is still in pursuit of his Championship. After Rusev bested Ryback on Raw, he called out Rollins, but was laid out by a sneak attack from the crafty Champion.
The Roman Reigns/Chris Jericho rivalry has heated up, with Reigns returning to Raw two weeks after Survivor Series to save his friend Dean Ambrose from an attack by Jericho. But Jericho found himself an ally in Dolph Ziggler, who recently returned from a self-imposed exile. At TLC, Ziggler sided Jericho in beating Reigns yet again. The following night, Jericho and Ziggler attacked Reigns, but Ambrose had his buddy's back. One thing is clear, this feud is far from being finished.
For the last several months, RKOverkill have carved a path of violence through Smackdown. With the help of his new allies, Randy Orton has become United States Champion and looks to be untouchable. But the former Champion, Cesaro, and longtime Orton rival John Cena, have refused to allow the quartet to run roughshod. At TLC, Cena and Cesaro scored a pivotal win over Orton and Samoa Joe in a Falls Count Anywhere match. On the following Smackdown, Cesaro attempted to regain his title, but Bubba Ray ensured that wouldn't happen. Meanwhile, Joe jumped Cena after his match with Alberto Del Rio. Clearly, RKOverkill have the numbers advantage. Can Cesaro and Cena find allies to even the odds against this violent faction?
Four Championships changed hands at TLC. The night started with a Smackdown Tag Team title change, as Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens defeated Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. That was followed by Finn Balor defeating The Miz and Drew McIntyre in a Ladder Match to win the Intercontinental Championship. Who will step up to challenge the new title holders?
As for the Smackdown Women's Championship, Becky Lynch finally scored a decisive win over Paige, defeating the Alterna-Diva in a Tables match to win the title. But Paige doesn't seem to be willing to take the loss gracefully. On Smackdown, Shane McMahon tried to introduce Smackdown's newest lady, Bayley, but Paige interrupted, demanding a rematch with Becky. When Shane denied her request, she attacked Bayley, kicking off a fresh rivalry.
Finally, The Wyatt Family captured the Raw Tag Team Championship, defeating Enzo and Cass in a violent Chairs match, with a little help from Bray Wyatt. But the former Champions have announced their intentions to invoke their rematch clause and they want Harper and Rowan in a steel cage match.
As well, the hostilities between Sasha Banks and Dana Brooke over the Raw Women's Championship continue to simmer. With the recent additions to the division, including Ember Moon and Sarah Logan, one has to believe that whoever emerges with the gold will have no shortage of challengers to contend with.
As 2016 comes to a close, preparations are underway for the 2017 Royal Rumble, which marks the beginning of the Road to WrestleMania. Announced for the Royal Rumble match itself:
Representing Raw, Dolph Ziggler, Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, Chris Jericho, Ryback, Sheamus, Bray Wyatt, Finn Balor, Drew McIntyre, The Miz, Enzo Amore, Big Cass, Chad Gable, Shelton Benjamin and Roderick Strong.
Representing Smackdown, John Cena, Samoa Joe, Randy Orton, Cesaro, Shinsuke Nakamura, Kassius Ohno, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Kota Ibushi, Alberto Del Rio, Neville, Big E, Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods and the debuting Hideo Itami.
Who will emerge from the chaos as the winner and go on to challenge his brand's Champion in Orlando, at WrestleMania 33?!