WWE’s TLC event looks set to be a promising pay-per-view in many respects: Seth Rollins and John Cena are set to fight it out, with Cena’s title shot on the line. Dean Ambrose and Bray Wyatt are also due to clash in what will no doubt be a brutal and deeply memorable match.
But, alas, the show is also hindered by some rather awful feuds—ones that certainly won’t make for good, or even decent, bouts. Let’s have a look at the rather mediocre programs that fans should brace themselves for heading into Sunday.
Ryback vs. Kane
Ryback and Kane are currently feuding, most likely because the creative team couldn’t come up with any better ideas for either of them.
It’s been a rather dismal feud so far—and it’s hard to see them turning this around at the pay-per-view. Indeed, their match probably won't be much good at all. Ryback may have charisma and intensity in spades, but he stills struggles greatly as an in-ring performer. Kane, meanwhile, has performed better over the years, but being able to drag the former Nexus member to anything decent is probably beyond him.
Throw in the chairs stipulation—which will probably serve to complicate things and make the bout even messier—and you can understand why many wrestling fans will be tuning out for this one.
Rusev vs. Jack Swagger
Evil heel Rusev is scheduled to defend his United States Championship against Jack Swagger. The patriotic Swagger is fighting to bring the belt back…to America! Fine sentiments, except no one really cares about Swagger or the marginalized belt.
WWE so desperately wants to make Rusev’s heel stint look like something out of the classic ‘80s flick Rocky IV. Honestly, at this point, it’s more like the dull and awful Rocky V. Rusev and Lana are trying their best, of course, but they need better material and opponents if they are truly going to thrive in WWE.
Erick Rowan vs. Big Show
Erick Rowan and Big Show are also set to fight at the pay-per-view—much to the indifference of the masses. Seriously, this bout feels like time-filler and little more.
Rowan has some potential, but he’s probably not going to be anything more than a midcard act in his career. He’s simply too bland and doesn’t exactly have thrilling mic skills. WWE will probably try with him for a while before it realizes this and gives up, relegating him back to the lower midcard.
Big Show, meanwhile, is coming off his rather random and weird heel turn at Survivor Series. Yes, the giant turned yet again—he has swung so much from heel to face over the course of his 15-year WWE career it’s almost impossible to keep count of his turns.
A (very) rough guess is that he’s turned 25-30 times since 1999—which is frightening.
It's no wonder it’s hard to care about his current character. He’ll have probably turned face again before the TLC pay-per-view is even finished.
Feuds Guaranteed to Disappoint Fans at TLC
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