This weekend, Monday Night Raw hosts its second consecutive exclusive Pay-Per-View that has a surprisingly stacked card. Originally, TLC was supposed to feature the in-ring return of the Shield and The Demon King vs. Sister Abigail, but due to a viral infection affecting Roman Reigns and Bray Wyatt, these matches had to be changed. Also, Asuka will finally debut on the main roster against Emma.
Drew Gulak’s Powerpoint Presentation: Cruiserweight Championship Edition
Viewers of 205 Live have been watching Drew Gulak show off his Powerpoint presentation, which features his vision for the future of “a better 205 Live.” Not much has been explained as to what the Cruiserweight Championship edition means, but it will certainly be entertaining.
Sasha Banks vs. Alicia Fox
Over the past couple weeks, Sasha Banks and Alicia Fox have had a series of matches that have surprisingly developed into a program between the two former champions. Fox is in denial that she has tapped to the Bank Statement and after tapping out for the second time on Raw this week, she assaulted Banks in the backstage area. Now, General Manager Kurt Angle decided to make a third match for Fox’s last chance.
Prediction:
This could be Alicia Fox’s big break. She just got a (terrible) t-shirt for the first time in her career and every time she is in the ring, she proves that she can hang with the newer generation. Winner: Alicia Fox
Finn Balor vs. AJ Styles
This is the first of two changed matches of the night, and this is a blessing in disguise for Finn Balor and Bray Wyatt. For months, both men have been feuding and it has gotten weirder every week with more focus on The Demon and Sister Abigail instead of an entertaining story. With Bray Wyatt out from the undisclosed virus, Balor now takes on another former leader of the Bullet Club in AJ Styles.
Even though both men have very similar careers, they have never crossed paths. Although there may be no buildup for this match, this is the best case scenario for Balor and both men could end up stealing the show.
Prediction:
Balor has no immediate title plans and Styles is trying to capture the WWE Championship from Jinder Mahal. Also, if Styles wins on a Raw show, this will help the SmackDown vs. Raw atmosphere of Survivor Series. Winner: AJ Styles
Cedric Alexander & Rich Swann vs. Jack Gallagher & The Brian Kendrick
205 Live has been getting more attention lately and that is probably with the help of Enzo Amore. One of the secondary stories of the Cruiserweight-centered show has seen the unexpected heel turn of Jack Gallagher, who aligned himself with his former rival, The Brian Kendrick. This happened at the expense of Cedric Alexander, who has enlisted some backup in the form of Rich Swann.
Prediction:
Surprisingly, this isn’t on the Kickoff Show, meaning that this isn’t just to energize the crowd. However, the faces on 205 Live are not seeing a ton of recent success, so this could be a good time to turn that around. Winners: Cedric Alexander & Rich Swann
Kalisto (c) vs. Enzo Amore – WWE Cruiserweight Championship
With Neville all but confirmed to have quit WWE, the Cruiserweight division needed an immediate replacement to battle Enzo Amore. A couple weeks ago in a Lumberjack Match, Mustafa Ali helped Kalisto capture the Cruiserweight Championship, giving the entire roster a chance to challenge for the belt again. This is Amore’s contractually obligated rematch and it is time for SmackTalker Skywalker to back up his microphone game.
Prediction:
Amore showed last week that he can easily buy his friends, which should help give him the advantage to steal the title back. Winner, and NEW Cruiserweight Champion: Enzo Amore
Asuka vs. Emma
One of the biggest stories going into TLC is the main roster debut of Asuka. For the past two years, the Empress of Tomorrow dominated the NXT Women’s Division, never losing a match and racking up over 500 days as NXT Women’s Champion before vacating the title. The Raw Women’s Division competed in a Fatal Five-Way elimination match to determine who would face Asuka, and Emma came out on top.
Prediction:
If Asuka is in the match, she will win. Winner: Asuka
Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Mickie James – Raw Women’s Championship
The third women’s match of the night (which is incredible, by the way) finally involves the Raw Women’s Championship. After Mickie James defeated Nia Jax, Raw General Manager Kurt Angle was impressed enough by her performance to give her a title opportunity. Alexa Bliss has been making fun of James over the past few weeks, insulting her because she is in her late thirties. James is still going strong in the ring, and she looks to prove it again by becoming a seven-time Women’s Champion.
Prediction:
Mickie James reigning as champion would be a nice change of pace for Raw, but it seems like WWE is content with Alexa Bliss staying champion until there is a concrete plan. Winner, and STILL Raw Women’s Champion: Alexa Bliss
Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, and Kurt Angle vs. Braun Strowman, The Miz, Cesaro, Sheamus, & Kane – TLC Match
After all the illness struck the Raw locker room, the biggest news that came out of it was that Kurt Angle, the 48-year old General Manager with a history of neck problems, was cleared to return to compete in a WWE ring for the first time in 11 years. Angle was regularly wrestling before his return to WWE, but his medical history made it seem like he would never compete for WWE again. However, WWE was desperate to make up for losing the in-ring return of the Shield, and this was about the only way to do so.
Originally, this match started by The Shield claiming that they could beat any number of opponents. The Miz took advantage of this, pairing himself up with former Raw Tag Team Champions Sheamus and Cesaro, as well as Braun Strowman. That wasn’t enough to satisfy the Intercontinental Champion because, in the main event of Raw last week, he recruited Kane to his team, really stacking the odds against his opponents.
Prediction:
As ridiculous as it may seem to have a three-person team defeat a five-person team, Kurt Angle’s return will not see him lose. Winners: Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, & Kurt Angle
