REVIEW: WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs 2015 on WWE Network

WWE Tables, Ladders, & Chairs 2015 (WATCH)
Date: December 13, 2015
Location: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Commentators: Michael Cole, John “Bradshaw” Layfield, & Byron Saxton
Interviews: JoJo

 

Guest Commentator: Xavier Woods

One of the most anticipated matches of TLC ’15 was an instant classic that stole the show. A must-see for any fan, this match features so many breathtaking spots and awe-inspiring moments that it must be seen to be appreciated. The highlight of the match, by far, was Kalisto’s Salida del Sol from the top of the ladder, a truly memorable moment. In the end, Xavier Woods leaves commentary and hits Kalisto with the trombone, allowing Kofi to scale the ladder and grab the belts to retain at around the 17:30 mark.

WINNERS: STILL WWE Tag Team Champions, The New Day (Big E & Kofi Kingston) w/Xavier Woods (Retrieved titles)

 

The One Life to Live portion of the card, this match felt more like an Attitude Era mid-carder than a match between two of the fastest rising stars in WWE. After the “Triple Threat Ladder Match” the fans in Boston were just not into this one. Ryback and Rusev did a good job, both looked great, but it wasn’t enough to save the match. Unless you really want to see this one, skip it, you won’t miss much. After more of the Lana-in-the-way business, Rusev sinks in the Accolade for the win at around the 8-minute mark.

WINNER: Rusev w/Lana (Accolade)

 
Next we see Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns discussing the possibilities of both men winning their matches and celebrating New Years together as Champions.

 

This match wasn’t all that bad but it suffered again from a disinterested crowd. The match featured both men pounding the bejabbers out of each other with chairs and an interesting spot where Swagger applies the Patriot Lock with a steel chair. It’s a shame that Swagger only gets featured on TV when there’s some sort of nationalistic angle at play as Swagger has developed into a polished WWE performer, despite the haircut. Del Rio hits the double foot stomp from the top rope on Swagger, atop pile of chairs, to retain the U.S. title at around the 11-minute mark.

WINNER: STILL WWE U.S. Champion, Alberto Del Rio (Double Foot Stomp from the top rope)

 
Backstage JoJo interviews Team ECW about the upcoming 8-man match.

 

With garbage cans, axe handles, baseball bats, street signs, cheese graters, kendo sticks, and tables, this one was a war. This match, while living up to expectations, was all about the Wyatt Family, of which only Rowan was eliminated. In the end, with only Bubba Ray left for Team ECW, Braun Strowman stopped Bubba from lighting a table on fire and putting Bray through it by delivering a stiff kick then choke slamming Bubba through the table for the win around 12:30.

WINNERS: The Wyatt Family (Braun Strowman, Luke Harper, Bray Wyatt, & Erick Rowan) (Last eliminating Bubba Ray Dudley)

 

A re-match of the semi-final round of the WWE World title tournament from Survivor Series, this time with the Intercontinental Championship on the line, this was the one match expected to be the psychological wrestling match of the night, and it delivered. Watching the match it’s hard to imagine that Owens has only been on the main roster for less than a year. This was as good, if not a bit better, than Survivor Series despite the time it was given. In the end, Ambrose reverses a Pop-up Powerbomb into a hurricanrana at 10-minutes to begin his first Intercontinental title run.

WINNER: NEW Intercontinental Champion, Dean Ambrose (Hurricanrana)

 

One of the most unique and nuanced Diva’s angles in some time, this match had a lot to live up to as the first main event Diva’s program since the Trish/Lita era. As opposed to last month’s match the Boston crowd was into this match from bell to bell. Another classic wrestling match between two of the best ladies wrestlers in the world, this one had a southern feel in both action and psychology. In the end, Charlotte uses an exposed second turnbuckle to knock out Paige and score the pin at around the 10:30 mark.

WINNER: STILL WWE Diva’s Champion, Charlotte w/Ric Flair (Pinfall after using exposed turnbuckle)

 
Backstage Becky Lynch calls out Charlotte on the tactics she’s been using, refusing to go out and celebrate the victory.

 

One of the least anticipated main events in some time, this much maligned match had nowhere to go but up. From the start the Boston crowd, chanting “We Want Cena, Cena Sucks”, nearly took the air out of this match. This personal, physical, stiff match delivered in terms of action and story but the Boston crowd, chanting for Daniel Bryan and NXT, among other things, were unhappy. In the end, after Reigns fights off the League of Nations, Sheamus knocks Reigns out of the ring with the Brogue Kick. Sheamus grabs the title at the 24-minute mark, shocked that Reigns continues to fight.

After the match Reigns snaps and attacks the League of Nations. Triple H runs down and tries to calm Roman but is attacked himself. After a Superman Punch and steel chair mauling, Reigns powerbombs Triple H on the Spanish announce table before driving Triple H through it with a flying elbow. As the referees and doctors help Triple H, Reigns spears “The Game”, leaving the COO in a heap. The show ends with Stephanie screaming and the commentators pushing Reigns being fired, the Boston crowd chanting “Thank You Roman”.

WINNER: STILL WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Sheamus (Retrieved title)

 

Final Thoughts

With the current state of WWE TV being what it is few expected this event to be anything less than mediocre. But outside of the Rusev/Ryback match there were no bad matches on the card, with the opening “Ladder Match” by far the match of the night. If you’re short on time watch the opener, the “8-Man Tables Match”, Ambrose/Owens, Paige/Charlotte, and the main event.

Let us know what you thought of the event.

 

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