Welcome to another edition of Triple Threat from Smark Out Moment, where three of us get together to discuss three questions based on one big topic going down in the week of professional wrestling.
This week, Dallas Allsopp, Bodeen Green and Robert DeFelice review the 2020 edition of WWE TLC.
The final WWE pay-per-view of 2020 was an eventful one to say the least, with the image of a burning wrestler lasting long into the night. Was the WWE Championship match exciting? Is Charlotte Flair's return another in a long series of favouritism? And just what is in store for The Fiend following the Firefly Inferno match?
Question 1: Drew McIntyre overcame the odds to retain his WWE Championship. Was this one of the best TLC matches of all time? Was it the right decision to have The Miz lose his Money in the Bank cash in?
ALLSOPP: Whilst nowhere near the quality of early TLC matches, this was my favourite TLC match since Edge vs The Undertaker at One Night Stand 2008. It was exciting and unpredictable, which is something I did not expect going into the match. I am disappointed by The Miz's failed cash in, but only because the concept deserves much better. Otis and The Miz do not represent what the briefcase should be used for. The cash in was at least interesting, as it is rare for the holder to insert themselves into an ongoing match. Overall, I enjoyed this match, but I feel the briefcase could have been used better.
GREEN: This was an amazing match that was easily befitting of the TLC gimmick, despite the lack of build for this match. The only nitpick I have about this match was The Miz cashing in the Money in the Bank briefcase during the match. It just felt too over booked for my personal liking, especially as TLC is chaotic enough. The Money in the Bank briefcase has had a terrible year. First it was bogged down by the match itself. Then it was hurt even more after Otis won and creative had no plans. The Miz losing his cash in was the final nail in the coffin this year. Let's hope that creative can redeem the briefcase and actually have a long term plan for the winner in 2021.
DeFELICE: On the surface, I think having The Miz cash in the Money in the Bank briefcase and lose was one of the worst decisions you could have ever made, but it is clear that they think The Miz is a character that will always be damaged to some degree. The back pedal on Monday night was rooted in stupidity, but if it allows him to gain control of the briefcase again, I will allow it. Outside of that, the match itself was a lot of fun. It's further proof that AJ Styles and Drew McIntyre are the best possible people that this company has in an "in case of emergency, break glass" situation.
Question 2: Charlotte Flair returned to WWE and immediately won the Women's Tag Team Championship with Asuka. Is it a deserved title victory, or more proof that Flair is untouchable in the women's division?
GREEN: This was easily the flattest return I've seen in a while. It was extremely predictable and made no sense when Charlotte Flair said she returned to help Asuka. Flair was a natural heel before her time off, therefore it would have made more sense for her to say she returned to get revenge on Nia Jax for injuring her. To make it worse, it just feels like she has been given the belt for the sake of winning another belt to add to her list, rather than it actually meaning something.
DeFELICE: The term deserved is not the word I would use to describe this Championship change, but I do feel that Charlotte Flair is untouchable, and I think that she gets a lot of flak because it's become so apparent that she is untouchable. I still think this ultimately leads to Flair picking up the WWE Raw Women's Championship from Asuka, but right now, it's what they need.
ALLSOPP: The Women's Tag Team Championship hasn't exactly showered itself in glory recently, therefore I'm happy to have two of the most dominant wrestlers in WWE share the gold. Saying that, it feels like the typical Charlotte Flair push, which leaves her character very one dimensional. She is definitely untouchable, but she is not entertaining at all. At least not in her current guise.
Question 3: Was the Firefly Inferno match successful in making Randy Orton look strong, or was it too over the top? Where does The Fiend go from here?
DeFELICE: It was fun. This was some very good shut your brain off and enjoy it kind of fun. The explanation on Monday night that Bray Wyatt was absorbed into the mat and sank down into hell is a very fun one. I'm not entirely sure that they don't just kill off The Fiend character, but in my mind, they have given up on Wyatt and just think he's untouchable because he can always do great character work. Either way, it was another victory in a long line of them for Randy Orton in the year 2020.
ALLSOPP: The image of The Fiend being burned to a crisp was genuinely shocking, which added to the sense of intrigue of the match. It wasn't awful, but it wasn't great either. Both men tried hard, but the Inferno stipulation is hard to succeed with. I don't feel The Fiend character is finished, but the mystique and aura is well and truly gone.
GREEN: Wrestling in 2020 has been extremely over the top. From Rey Mysterio losing his eye, AJ Styles being buried alive by The Undertaker, the Firefly Fun House match, and finally, to what we saw at TLC. Somehow, I didn't think this was too crazy as it got a lot of people talking. Randy Orton looks as unhinged as ever, making him look extremely deadly heading into WrestleMania 37. On the other hand, we saw on Raw that this isn't the last we have seen of The Fiend. Whilst it's hard to tell to what degree, it's clear The Fiend could be stronger than ever after his return.
Those are our thoughts on the issue, but where do you stand?
Let us know your answers to these questions in the comments below!
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