WWE TLC 2019 Report Card: The Grades From Minneapolis Are In!

WWE’s final pay per view of 2019 was TLC, where there were plenty of gimmick matches. We had two TLC Matches, a Tables Match, Ladder Match and several titles were decided. Without further ado, here are the grades from Minneapolis.

RAW Tag Team Championship: The Viking Raiders vs. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson

Another open challenge by The Viking Raiders, which was accepted by Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson. Right away, what a disappointment. An open challenge is the chance to give the fans a surprise and receive a nice pop. Instead, we have got a team that has already faced The Viking Raiders. I would have liked to see two or three teams get involved to keep things interesting. Not a bad match, but the double count out ending did not help the score. Once we saw that KFC table, you knew someone was gong through it. Seems like a waste of some good KFC. Grade: B-

TLC Match: Roman Reigns vs. King Corbin

King Corbin tried to get the jump on Roman Reigns, starting the action up the ramp. They went around the ring before getting inside the ring. Then, we got more of a regular bout and not so much of a TLC Match. I was looking for Reigns to continue his aggression from SmackDown and Corbin to use weapons to counter that pressure. After Corbin hit the chokeslam through a table, things finally started to pick up. But, it took too long. To nobody’s surprise, Dolph Ziggler and The Revival appeared to help Corbin. We would have seen Robert Roode, but he has a 30 day suspension to deal with. A bit shocking Corbin got the victory. Grade: B-

Tables Match: Rusev vs. Bobby Lashley

 

After months of the Rusev – Lana – Bobbly Lashley drama, we get a Tables Match. We got several spots where each superstar nearly went through a table. I did enjoy seeing Rusev getting a decent amount of offense in what seems like the biggest push since he debuted in WWE about five years ago. You knew the deciding factor would be Lana, who provided the distraction for Lashley to get the win. The spear by Lashley was botched, so that hurt the match. But, Lashley was quick on his feet and rebounded before the fans ripped into the superstars for the botch. Grade: B

Universal Championship: Bray Wyatt vs. The Miz

The Miz’s promo before the match about Bray Wyatt invading his family’s life got me pumped. With Wyatt having that split personality, you never what to expect and his entrance alone had the fans attention. All the focus was on Wyatt’s actions, which consisted of him laughing at the pain he was absorbing. Such an odd match that is hard to judge. The ending with “The Fiend” on the screen that seemed to change Wyatt’s mood was even more confusion to take in. The return of a now mostly hairless Daniel Bryan might have been the only way to end such a strange situation. Grade: B

Aleister Black vs. Buddy Murphy

The seated stare-down before the match already sparked an interest. These are two of the most talented wrestlers on the RAW roster and all they need is the right push. I liked the mind games by Buddy Murphy and Aleister Black did not let a possible broken nose slow the devil down. Or, it could have been a broken jaw. The announce team could not get on the same page about the injury. They were given plenty of time and the action picked up towards the final five to seven minutes. Black hit some smooth, harding hitting shots and Murphy was not to be outshined. Give Murphy credit for knocking on Black’s door as both looked like the future at TLC. Grade: A-

Humberto Carrillo vs. Andrade

The pre-show featured a rematch from RAW and saw two superstars that could have successful careers in WWE. WWE has been looking for someone to take Rey Mysterio’s spot as the biggest draw from Mexico. Perhaps, Andrade and Humberto Carrillo could accomplish that mission. This was one of my favorite matches of the evening with the big story being Andrade losing again. What a great final sequence to get the crowd pumped for the rest of the show. I imagine we will continue to see tension between Andrade and Zelina Vega. The duo work well together, so I hope WWE does not separate them. I think if they go in different directions, one will get shoved way down the ladder. Grade: A-

Ladder Match for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship: New Day vs. The Revival

You have to love a ladder match. When you toss in two of the best tag teams currently on the roster, there should be something magical to see. While it was not the best ladder match in the history of WWE, the bout was entertaining. Considering how these teams have met countless times, they needed something different. I have forgotten how good Kofi Kingston is in ladder matches as he showcased moves only few wrestlers can perform. Seeing how WWE keeps pushing The Revival, it seems nuts that they want their release. Grade: A-

TLC Match for the Women’s Tag Team Championship: The Kabuki Warriors vs. Becky Lynch & Charlotte

Last year, women closed TLC and 2019 was the same. In fact, it featured the same women; just with the addition of Kairi Sane. Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair will always be enemies, but they showed great teamwork in the main event. A great use of the weapons with the addition of some extra stuff like a fire extinguisher and rope; which was used in a unique way to tie up superstars. This match had the violence fans come to expect at TLC and it sent fans home happy. Great final pay per view match of the decade. Grade: A-

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