Hey everybody! It’s @TheMagnumDA with another installment of the PPV Pick’em Contest. Tonight, it’s TLC and it’s live from my hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota. As many of you are aware, the viral meningitis bug has hit the WWE locker room. This means that the planned Shield reunion has been put on hiatus. But fear not! Because for the first time in 11 years, Raw GM Kurt Angle will be stepping into a WWE ring to take Roman Reigns’ place in the main event! With that in mind, let’s run down the cards and the picks with our very own Colin Vassallo!
Sasha Banks vs. Alicia Fox
Magnum: I think this was put on the card to reestablish Banks as a top contender for the Women’s title. These two seem to have great chemistry, though… so expect the best possible match out of Fox. Give me Banks to win clean.
Colin: If this was the original planned match between Sasha and Nia, I would have said Nia wins, but against Foxy, I would be surprised if Banks loses. I say Banks with the win.
Brian Kendrick and Jack Gallagher vs. Rich Swann and Cedric Alexander
Magnum: A peculiar turn of events has led to this contest. Get it? Turn? I…okay, I’ll shut up. Whoever gets the fall here will probably become the #1 contender for the Cruiserweight Championship. I’m going to give that to the newly-turned Gallagher. Kendrick and Gallagher win.
Colin: I gotta be honest, I don’t follow 205 Live much, if at all. I think it’s another hour of live TV that WWE can do without at the moment. With that said, Kendrick/Gallagher are my pick.
Kalisto (c) vs. Enzo Amore (Cruiserweight Championship)
Magnum: What a long, strange trip this Enzo turn has been. It actually led Neville to leave the company! I still think they’re trying to find their footing with Kalisto, so expect him to retain. He’s got Gallagher and Kendrick to worry about next.
Colin: I still don’t know why they gave Enzo the title and then take it away after a couple of weeks. I hate when they do that – with any title. Hopefully it doesn’t happen again today. Kalisto retains.
Finn Balor vs. AJ Styles
Magnum: What a fascinating matchup this is. These two men definitely have a history as former members of the Bullet Club, however their paths have never crossed in WWE until now. I think this could be the match of the night. Balor wins in a ****+ contest.
Colin: This will probably steal the show. I would be surprised if it doesn’t. Considering this is a Raw show, I expect Balor to win. Who would like a Club reunion here with Gallows/Anderson interfering? Maybe a heel turn for Finn? Hey, I can play fantasy booker too.
Alexa Bliss vs. Mickie James (Raw Women’s Championship)
Magnum: It’s great to see Mickie finally getting a title shot in a one-on-one match, but I think Little Miss Bliss has another date on the horizon with Sasha Banks. I like Alexa to retain here.
Colin: Mickie hasn’t done anything special since returning to the company. Her experience surely helps many around, especially backstage. She’s still a great addition, but she does not need the title around her waist at this point in her career. Bliss to retain.
Asuka vs. Emma
Magnum: Wouldn’t it be stunning to see Asuka go down in a shocking upset in her debut match at TLC? I could see it now…actually, no I can’t. It would probably ruin her career. Asuka wins.
Colin: Do we really need to do this for this match? I mean, if there’s someone who will defeat Asuka’s streak it surely ain’t Emma. Wonder what the odds are for Emma in this match! Asuka to extend her undefeated streak.
Kurt Angle, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose vs. The Bar, The Miz, Kane and Braun Strowman (TLC)
Magnum: Another crazy turn of events has Roman Reigns out of this match, with Kurt Angle taking his place! It’s a savvy move by WWE to prevent them from botching the planned Shield reunion. However, this could all lead to a big storyline down the road. Personally, I’m marking out at the thought of Kane vs. Kurt Angle. They had a killer match 15 years ago at WrestleMania. Yes, they’re grizzled veterans now, but there should be enough excitement and craziness to keep fans interested. Give me the Olympian and the Tag Champs to take it all in this main event.
Colin: The faces are the favorites here according to the odds. Anytime there’s a 5-on-3 handicap match and the 3 win, there’s something wrong, especially when the opponents include Strowman, Kane, Sheamus, Cesaro, and The Miz. I get the whole nostalgia act of Angle returning (he shouldn’t have for this one, but that’s another story in itself) but the heels should win this one, especially since Reigns is not here and that would set up a good rematch with The Shield in-ring reunion finally taking place.
So there you have it! Enjoy tonight’s show and we will see you for the Survivor Series!!
