Kickoff Show:
The WWE TLC Kickoff Show opens up with Jonathan Coachman welcoming us to the show and introducing his panel for tonight consisting of David Otunga, Sam Roberts & WWE Hall Of Famer Booker T. They run the card down and promote The WWE Network before first discussing Dean Ambrose vs. WWE Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins and then AJ Styles vs. WWE Champion “The New” Daniel Bryan. Braun Strowman vs. RAW General Manager-Elect Baron Corbin is the next target of discussion and we go backstage where Baron Corbin is coaching Heath Slater on counting Braun’s forfeit and Jojo on how to announce his victory.
Charly Caruso rolls up and Baron tells her that he has hand-picked her to interview him after his victory, but she wants him to address rumors that Strowman is here tonight. Corbin then says that he will shatter Braun’s elbow if he is here and that he is not addressing rumors any longer before turning back to coaching Jojo further.
We head to ringside for the first match of the evening and it is for The WWE Cruiserweight Title.
Buddy Murphy (c) vs. Cedric Alexander: The WWE Cruiserweight Title is on the line in this one. Murphy and Alexander trade holds in the opening moments until Alexander hits a hurricanrana that sends Murphy to the outside. Back in the ring, Murphy misses a shot and Cedric answers with a dropkick for a two count. Buddy fights up and comes back with a knee to the face and Cedric falls out to ringside. Back in the ring, Cedric turns it around with a series of strikes and then a tornado DDT. Buddy falls outside and Cedric dropkicks him into the fan barricade. Back in the ring, they exchange move attempts until Cedric connects with a Michinoku Driver for a two count. Cedric wastes some time and Buddy fights back and they trade strikes. Cedric hits an elbow in the corner and he goes up top, but Murphy catches him and superkicks him in the corner. Murphy then powerbombs Cedric off the turnbuckle for a two count. They fight out to the apron and Cedric hits a Death Valley Driver on the corner of the apron. Cedric pins Murphy for a two count, then Cedric hits the Lumbar check. Cedric pins, but Murphy gets his foot on the rope to break the hold. Cedric misses a shot in the corner and Buddy connects with a running knee to the face. Murphy hits Murphy’s Law for the three count to retain the title. Winner & Still The WWE Cruiserweight Champion: Buddy Murphy
You CANNOT stop the UNSTOPPABLE! @WWE_Murphy defeats @CedricAlexander to retain the #Cruiserweight Championship! #WWETLC #205Live pic.twitter.com/HfkIwmHPep
— WWE (@WWE) December 16, 2018
After the match, Murphy takes the title as his music starts. We go to replays. Murphy sits against the ropes and stares at Cedric as he tries to recover.
Back to the panel, we get a discussion of The Nia Jax vs. RAW Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey Match before going backstage for an interview with SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch.
Lynch says that Asuka brought the fight to her on Tuesday and she has got no problem with that because she is gonna rip her head off and Charlotte Flair’s too. Lynch then says that she knows the deck is stacked against her but she is changing the industry. Lynch then asks when is the last time a women’s match main evented a dual-branded PPV? Lynch then says even The RAW Women’s Championship Match is propped up by what she is doing. Lynch then says now that she thinks about it, seeing as how both rosters are here, she might take a stroll around the building and hand out a few receipts, because there is a lot of debts to be collected when The Man comes around. The panel then discusses her match before tossing to a video package for Lars Sullivan.
We then go to the ring where Elias is here to sing us a song. He plays a few bars and talks about how he is fighting for one of his guitars tonight and how he is gonna play a tune on Bobby Lashley that he is never going to forget. He then says that he is going to play a version of Do You Know The Way To San Jose with his own personal spin on it, but he is cut off by Lashley’s entrance before he can get started.
Lio Rush gets on the mic and says that Elias is sadly mistaken and everyone came here to see The All Mighty Bobby Lashley, telling Lashley to show everyone what they came here to see, his and everyone else’s favorite pose, the butt.
Bobby Lashley vs. Elias (Ladder Match): This one is a ladder match, where the first person to grab the guitar hanging above the ring wins. The opening bell sounds and this one spills out to ringside early on, where Elias dropkicks a ladder into Lashley. Elias throws a ladder in the ring and starts climbing, but Lio Rush gets in the ring and distracts him. Lio escapes from Elias and Lashley comes back in and starts brawling with Elias. Elias hits a knee to the face and Lashley is down. Elias sets up a ladder in one corner, then he pummels on Lashley in the opposite corner. Elias tries to whip Lashley into the ladder, but Lashley reverses and throws Elias into the ladder. Lashley continues the offense on Elias, then hits his stalling vertical suplex. Lashley picks up a ladder now and drops it onto Elias. Elias fights back and hits a mule kick in the corner, but Lashley shuts him down with a belly-to-belly overhead suplex onto a ladder. Lashley sets up a ladder and starts climbing, but Elias comes up from behind and powerbombs Lashley off of the ladder onto another ladder. Elias starts climbing, but Lio Rush runs in and distracts him. Elias pushes him away, then he reaches up and grabs the guitar for the win. Winner: Elias
.@IAmEliasWWE is reunited with his ??as he wins the #LadderMatch on a high note! #WWETLC @fightbobby pic.twitter.com/qGUWkNGEEO
— WWE (@WWE) December 16, 2018
After the match, Elias brings the guitar down and goes to hit Lashley with it but Rush jumps on his back. Elias gets double teamed now. Rush goes to the top and nails a Frogsplash. Elias gets to his feet but Lashley smashes the guitar over his back from behind. Lashley poses over Elias as fans boo. Rush and Lashley celebrate as his music plays.
The panel discusses what we just saw before running the card down for us one more time and promoting The WWE Network. More discussion of Asuka vs. SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair follows to close out The Kickoff Show.
Main Show:
The WWE TLC Main Show opens up with a video package featuring “Body Talks” by The Struts and talking about the idea of unsettled business tying up together with all of the matches that will be taking place on tonight’s PPV.
We are live from a sold out SAP Center in San Jose, California as Michael Cole welcomes us to the show. He is joined by Vic Joseph & Renee Young. Michael Cole then announces the attendance for tonight as 13,408 fans.
We head to the ring for the first match of The Main Show and it is Jinder Mahal & Alicia Fox vs. R-Truth & Carmella in the finals of WWE’s Mixed Match Challenge.
Mahalicia (Jinder Mahal & Alicia Fox) vs. The Fabulous Truth (R-Truth & Carmella) (Mixed Match Challenge Finals): Truth and Carmella perform a song and cut a brief promo before the match. The Singh Brothers are at ringside in Jinder’s corner. This one is the finals of The WWE Mixed Match Challenge Tournament. Truth and Jinder start this one off and Jinder takes control early on after a hip toss. Truth comes back with a flying cross-body for a two count. Truth rolls up Jinder with a couple of pin-attempts and then Alicia Fox and Carmella tag in. Truth and Carmella both hip toss Jinder and Alicia to clear the ring, then they have a dance break. The Singh Brothers come in and they try to out-dance Truth and Carmella, but Truth throws them both out of the ring. Fox attacks Carmella from behind, then hits a neckbreaker. Fox follows up with a Northern Lights suplex for a two count, then she applies a chin lock. Carmella fights out and Truth and Jinder tag in. Truth hits a clothesline on Jinder followed up by a spinning heel kick. Truth gets distracted by Sunil Singh on the apron, which leads to Jinder hitting a kick. Truth comes back with a spinning forearm shot, then Alicia tags herself in and starts yelling at Truth. Alicia kicks Truth and goes for an axe kick, but Truth dodges it and Carmella kicks Alicia in the face. Carmella pins but Jinder breaks up the pin. Truth dumps Jinder outside and hits a dropkick through the ropes. Back in the ring, Carmella puts Alicia in the Code of Silence for the win via submission. Winners: The Fabulous Truth (R-Truth & Carmella)
The TRUTH is that @CarmellaWWE & @RonKillings have WON the #WWEMMC to enter the #RoyalRumble Match at No. 3 and go on a FABULOUS all-expense paid vacation! #WWETLC pic.twitter.com/ZKw1PDTMSx
— WWE (@WWE) December 17, 2018
After the match, Cole confirms that Truth and Carmella will get The #30 spots in The Royal Rumble Matches next month. They also receive all-expense paid vacation to anywhere in the world. Truth and Carmella celebrate as we go to replays. Kayla Braxton enters the ring for an interview. Carmella is really excited. Kayla reveals earlier tonight the teams had to pick their vacation destination. Carmella didn’t know about that but R-Truth covered it for her. They are going to WWE headquarters in Stamford, CT. Truth celebrates but Carmella doesn’t look thrilled. Carmella’s music starts up as they exit the ring.
We head back to ringside for the next match of the evening and it is for The SmackDown Tag Team Titles and this time we are joined by Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton & Corey Graves.
The Bar (Sheamus & Cesaro) (c) vs. The Usos (Jey & Jimmy Uso) vs. The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) (Triple Threat Match): The SmackDown Tag Team Titles are on the line in this one. Kofi and Sheamus start this one off and Sheamus hits a running shoulder block to take control early on. Sheamus looks for a suplex, but Kofi fights out and hits a dropkick, then tags in Woods. The aprons clear as everyone hits the ring and when the dust settles Sheamus hits the Irish Curse backbreaker on Woods. Cesaro tags in and they hit a double kick on Woods for a two count. Sheamus tags back in for a double clothesline on Woods. Sheamus pummels on Woods in the corner, but Woods fights him off and crotches Sheamus on the top rope. Woods then kicks Sheamus off the rope, then Kofi and Cesaro get the tags. Kofi hits the ring and hits a series of strikes on Cesaro. Kofi follows up with the boom drop. Kofi looks for the Trouble In Paradise, but Cesaro ducks, then Jimmy Uso tags himself in. This leads to Jimmy Uso dropping both Cesaro and Kofi. Jey tags in and goes at it with Kofi now. Jey hits a superkick on Kofi, Woods, Sheamus and then Cesaro. The Usos hit the pop-up Samoan Drop for a two count on Kofi. Cesaro tags himself in and throws Jey Uso outside. Cesaro goes at it with Kofi on the mat now. Cesaro swings Kofi and then applies the Sharpshooter. Woods comes in and hits a DDT on Cesaro to break it up. Sheamus tags in and hits a big boot on Woods, then he knocks Jimmy Uso off the apron. Sheamus looks for the big boot on Kofi, but Kofi ducks it and drops Sheamus. Kofi hits a double stomp on Sheamus, then Woods tags in. Kofi hits the Trouble In Paradise on Sheamus, then Woods hits a flying elbow drop for a two count. Cesaro takes out Woods and both Usos, then Kofi drops Cesaro. Kofi hits a dive off the top down onto Cesaro and The Usos at ringside, while Woods and Sheamus go at it in the ring. A distraction from Cesaro leads to Sheamus hitting the big Brogue kick on Woods for the three count. Winners & Still The SmackDown Tag Team Champions: The Bar (Sheamus & Cesaro)
#TheBar STANDS TALL! @WWESheamus & @WWECesaro get the better of @WWEUsos & #TheNewDay to retain the #SDLive #TagTeamTitles! #WWETLC #AndStill pic.twitter.com/FHT7d4QGZG
— WWE (@WWE) December 17, 2018
Ice, Ice Sheamy…
Too cold, too cold. #AndStill @WWECesaro @WWESheamus #WWETLC #TagTeamTitles pic.twitter.com/Pxdarhf7It
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) December 17, 2018
After the match, The Bar takes their titles and stand tall as the other teams recover. We go to replays as the music plays.
We see a promo video about WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon coming back on RAW to “shake things up.” Cole says that one of the reasons Vince is coming back is because of Baron Corbin’s performance as acting RAW GM. Cole shows us footage of Corbin, McIntyre & Lashley attacking Strowman last month.
Heath Slater comes out to the ring to perform his duties as a WWE Referee for this upcoming Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match.
RAW General Manager-Elect Baron Corbin vs. Braun Strowman (TLC Match): Before the match, Corbin cuts a brief promo and orders the referee to call for the opening bell. Corbin says that when the referee’s count reaches 10, Corbin will become the permanent GM Of RAW by default when Strowman doesn’t show up. Braun Strowman’s music hits and Slater stops counting. Strowman walks out with a sling still over his right arm. Strowman gets on the apron and he’s got a mic. Strowman points out that there are no disqualifications in this match, so if anyone in the back is sick and tired of dealing with a crappy GM, they can come out and help him and it’s perfectly legal. Apollo Crews shows up and he’s got a steel chair. Bobby Roode and Chad Gable show up with steel chairs too and Finn Balor shows up too. They all step up on the aprons and surround Corbin. Corbin starts yelling at Slater and Slater rips off his referee shirt and punches Corbin. The other wrestlers get in the ring with the steel chairs and start hitting him one by one. Corbin falls out of the ring and starts to retreat up the ramp, but then Kurt Angle comes out on the stage and blocks off Corbin. Kurt picks up a steel chair and nails Corbin with it a few times and chases him back into the ring. Roode and Gable double team Corbin with a neckbreaker and moonsault, then Crews hits a frogsplash off the top rope on him. Kurt then hits the Olympic Slam on Corbin and Balor hits the Coup De Grace. Slater puts his referee shirt back on and then Strowman puts his foot on Corbin’s chest for the three count. Winner: Braun Strowman
.@BraunStrowman DEFEATS @BaronCorbinWWE which means @BaronCorbinWWE is NO LONGER in charge of #RAW and @BraunStrowman will challenge @BrockLesnar for the #UniversalTitle at #RoyalRumble! #WWETLC pic.twitter.com/viVngoONAr
— WWE (@WWE) December 17, 2018
Ready to #GetTheseHands, @BrockLesnar? #WWETLC #RoyalRumble @BraunStrowman @HeymanHustle pic.twitter.com/44PY78mncv
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) December 17, 2018
After the match, JoJo announces that Corbin is no longer The General Manager of RAW. She announces Strowman as the winner and Slater raises his arm as the music hits. Strowman and the others celebrate as Angle stares down at Corbin.
Michael Cole talks about the feud between Natalya & Ruby Riott and introduces a video package looking at their history.
Natalya vs. Ruby Riott (Tables Match): This one is a tables match and The Riott Squad is at ringside with a table with a picture of Jim Neidhart on it. The opening bell sounds and Natalya starts off strong in this one. Natalya goes to spear Ruby off the apron, but Liv Morgan shoves Ruby and takes the spear and Liv crashes through a table at ringside by herself. Ruby checks on Liv at ringside before getting back in the ring. Natalya hits a right hand, then a German suplex that sends Ruby rolling back out to ringside. Sarah Logan gets on the apron, but Natalya kicks her off. Natalya rolls outside and beats down Ruby on the floor. Natalya tries to powerbomb Ruby through a table at ringside, but Ruby fights out. Logan gets involved, so Natalya powerbombs Logan through the table instead. Ruby comes back and knocks Natalya into the ring apron face-first. Ruby puts Natalya on the table with the Jim Neidhart picture on it and Ruby says that Jim would be ashamed of Natalya. Ruby sets up the table in the corner of the ring, then tries to throw Natalya through it, but Natalya stops and drops Ruby. Natalya applies the Sharpshooter on Ruby, although there are no submissions in a tables match. Ruby pushes the table in the corner so it falls on the back of Natalya’s head to break the Sharpshooter. Ruby goes to set up the table on the mat, but Natalya picks her up and hits an electric chair drop. Natalya goes out to ringside to grab another table to put in the ring and this one has a picture of Ruby Riott on it. Natalya grabs what looks like Jim Neidhart’s old jacket from under the ring and puts it on. Back in the ring, Natalya kicks Ruby in the face and then sets up the other table in the ring. Natalya is slow to set up the table and Ruby Riott hits her with a boot to the face. Ruby goes up top, but Natalya stops her and they fight on the turnbuckle now. Ruby looks for a Frankensteiner off the turnbuckle, but Natalya blocks it and powerbombs Ruby off the turnbuckle through the table for the win. Winner: Natalya
Oh, how the tables turned for @RubyRiottWWE…@NatByNature is VICTORIOUS in this #TablesMatch! #WWETLC pic.twitter.com/SqVwc4limS
— WWE (@WWE) December 17, 2018
???? #RIPAnvil #WWETLC @NatByNature pic.twitter.com/8m7BYV6r6W
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) December 17, 2018
After the match, Natalya poses in the middle of the ring as her music hits. She grabs part of the table with Ruby’s photo on it and raises it in the air. We go to replays. Natalya puts on her dad’s glasses and continues the celebration.
We then get a Lars Sullivan coming soon video vignette.
Michael Cole & Corey Graves then talk about RAW & SmackDown LIVE both trying to recruit Lars Sullivan and they aren’t sure yet which brand he has chosen.
Drew McIntyre vs. Finn Balor: Balor starts off with a chop to the chest of Drew, but Drew no-sells it and throttles Balor into the corner then lays into him with strikes. Balor fights back and starts targeting Drew’s knee. Drew fights back and hits a series of kicks and chops to the chest of Balor in the corner. Drew wastes some time talking trash and Balor starts kicking out his knee. McIntyre comes back with a belly to belly overhead suplex. Drew is selling his knee, but he continues the offense with a stalling vertical suplex. Balor starts to fight back and he hits a running forearm shot. Finn tackles Drew down then hits a double stomp to the chest. Balor follows up with chops to the chest and a tornado DDT. Balor clotheslines Drew to the outside, then Balor hits a suicide dive on Drew on the floor. Back in the ring, Drew comes back with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for a two count. Drew talks some trash and Balor fires back with a kick. Drew looks for the reverse Alabama Slam, but Balor fights out and rolls up Drew for a two count. Balor hits a kick to the face, then he goes up top. Drew gets up and pummels on Balor in the corner. Drew hits an inverted DDT off the middle rope for a two count. Drew tosses Finn out to ringside now. Drew steps out and Balor starts hitting a series of kicks on him, but Drew shuts him down with a clothesline on the apron. Drew hits a headbutt, then throws Finn in the ring. While the referee is checking on Finn, Dolph Ziggler comes out of nowhere and hits a superkick on Drew at ringside. Ziggler grabs a steel chair, but Drew kicks the chair into Ziggler’s face. Drew throws Dolph into the ring, then he brings in a steel chair. Finn Balor ends up dropkicking the chair into Drew, then Balor hits the Coup De Grace for the three count. Winner: Finn Balor
Retribution is #TooSweet for @FinnBalor as he gets the better of @DMcIntyreWWE! ?? #WWETLC pic.twitter.com/JByOCJP4Ex
— WWE (@WWE) December 17, 2018
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After the match, Balor starts celebrating as his music hits. He leaves the ring as Drew recovers and wants to go after him. We see Ziggler getting up at ringside as well. We go to replays as Ziggler stares Balor down to end the segment.
We get a Kay Jewelers ad following up on an ad they taped for WWE a few years ago.
Randy Orton vs. Rey Mysterio (Chairs Match): Orton starts off with boots to the midsection of Rey, then he throws him out to ringside. Randy grabs a steel chair, but Rey stops him with a kick and then he bashes Orton with a steel chair of his own. Orton rolls back in the ring and Rey follows and continues hitting him with the steel chair. Rey brings another chair in the ring and Orton is able to turn it around and he drops Rey in the corner. Orton looks for a suplex, but Rey fights out and dumps Orton out to ringside. Rey follows up with a splash with a steel chair onto Orton on the ringside floor and that one looks like it hurt Rey too. Rey sits Orton down on a chair and pummels on him, then Rey climbs up to the apron. Rey looks for a seated senton, but Orton dodges it and Rey crashes into the chair by himself. Orton gets up and starts hitting Rey with a steel chair, then he clears off one of the announce tables. Orton lays a steel chair on the announce table, then he walks over and picks up Rey. Orton hits a Facebuster on Rey onto the chair on the table. Orton starts throwing a bunch of chairs into the ring. Orton takes Rey back in the ring and he tries to throw Rey into a chair in the corner, but Rey reverses into a hurricanrana into the chair instead. Rey looks to follow up with a shot off the ropes, but Orton catches him with a spinning powerslam for a two count. Rey fights away from Orton and then kicks him in the head. Rey goes flying off the top for a splash, but Orton throws a chair at him to knock him out of mid-air. Orton wastes some time and Rey fights back with a kick to the head and then a chair shot. Rey hits the 619, then Rey goes up top. Orton meets Rey there and takes out his leg. Orton slams Rey’s head into a chair and then Orton unfolds four chairs side by side in the ring. It looks like Orton wants to RKO him on the chairs, but Rey fights free and kicks him. Rey drops Orton into the chairs, then Rey takes Orton down with a headscissor into a small package pin for the three count. Winner: Rey Mysterio
VICTIM NO MORE!@ReyMysterio gets a decisive victory over @WWE‘s #ApexPredator @RandyOrton at #WWETLC! #ChairsMatch pic.twitter.com/PHOVIj31ME
— WWE (@WWE) December 17, 2018
After the match, Rey quickly retreats to the stage as his music hits. We go to replays. Orton stares Rey down from the ring.
We head backstage where Finn Balor is being interviewed about his win over Drew McIntyre. He says that he doesn’t know what Dolph was doing out there and speak of the devil, Dolph Ziggler suddenly shows up and tells Finn Balor that he didn’t have a chance. Balor then tells him to keep his nose out of his business and Ziggler hits him with a cheap shot and throws Balor into some boxes. Ziggler walks off and Balor doesn’t look happy.
Michael Cole then introduces a video package looking at the feud between RAW Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey & Nia Jax.
Ronda Rousey (c) vs. Nia Jax: The RAW Women’s Title is on the line in this one. Tamina is at ringside in Nia’s corner. The opening bell sounds and Ronda starts off strong with strikes and an armbar attempt. Nia fights out and powerbombs Ronda down. Nia throws Ronda into the corner and hits a splash. Nia follows up with an elbow drop for a one count. Nia throws Ronda into the ring post, then slams her arm into the post. Nia hits a headbutt and then she goes for a leg drop but Ronda rolls out of the way. Ronda goes for a front face lock and then Ronda spins around Nia and goes for a rear choke. Ronda tries to go for an armbar instead, but Nia gets to the ropes. Nia rolls outside and takes Ronda with her, slamming Ronda into the fan barricade. Back in the ring, Nia tries to lock in the Cobra Clutch, but Ronda gets out and knocks Nia out to ringside. Ronda goes up top and hits a flying cross body off the top onto Nia on the floor. Back in the ring, Ronda hits a series of strikes on Nia and a leaping knee to the face. Ronda hits a Superman punch for a two count. Ronda hits a flying cross body off the top, but Nia catches her and hits the Samoan Drop for a two count. Nia whips Ronda into the corner and she follows up with a splash. Nia looks for a Samoan Drop off the turnbuckle, but Ronda escapes. Ronda powerbombs Nia off the turnbuckle for a two count. Ronda looks for an armbar, but Tamina causes a distraction on the apron. Nia attacks Ronda from behind, but then she misses a right hand attempt. Ronda catches her arm and applies the armbar for the win via submission. Winner & Still The RAW Women’s Champion: Ronda Rousey
#Armbreaker def. #Facebreaker!#Rowdy @RondaRousey is still your #RAW #WomensChampion! #WWETLC #AndStill @NiaJaxWWE pic.twitter.com/M0SnZTWkSK
— WWE (@WWE) December 17, 2018
Forever rowdy. #AndStill #WWETLC @RondaRousey pic.twitter.com/vmEejocHYB
— WWE Network (@WWENetwork) December 17, 2018
After the match, Nia quickly retreats and leaves to the back with Tamina. Rousey takes the title and celebrates in the corner as her music plays. We go to replays.
We go backstage where Nia Jax is interviewed clutching her arm. Or well she would be, but she blows right past the interviewer and runs into SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch. Lynch asks Nia if she still remembers when she broke her face and decked her. Lynch then tells Nia to keep her name out of her mouth and walks off as Tamina runs to her friend’s side.
We go to a video package looking at the feud between WWE Champion Daniel Bryan & AJ Styles over The WWE Title and AJ’s run as WWE Champion before Bryan.
Daniel Bryan (c) vs. AJ Styles: The WWE Title is on the line in this one. The opening bell sounds and Bryan rolls outside to waste some time and avoids AJ. Bryan gets back in the ring, but again refuses to engage AJ and he rolls back outside to waste time. Bryan gets back in the ring and this time AJ gets a hold of him in the corner and lays into him with punches and chops. Bryan misses a shot and AJ hits a head-scissor takedown. Bryan comes back with a kick and then AJ misses a dropkick. Bryan runs the ropes and AJ connects with his second dropkick attempt. AJ dumps Bryan out to ringside and he looks for a suicide dive, but Bryan kicks AJ out of mid-air. Bryan throws AJ into the fan barricade and then back in the ring for some strikes in the corner. Bryan applies a surfboard submission until AJ grabs the bottom rope to break the hold. Bryan follows up with some head-butts to AJ, then a very loud chop to AJ’s chest. AJ starts firing back, but Bryan shuts him down with a shot to the ribs. Bryan continues to work over AJ’s ribs now, then he dumps him out to ringside. AJ climbs back in and the referee allows AJ a moment to recover on the ropes. AJ and Bryan trade strikes now. Bryan dodges a shot and they trade pin attempts now. Bryan drops AJ face-first into the turnbuckle, then he hits a series of running knees and dropkicks. AJ fires back with a clothesline and then he pummels on Bryan in the corner. AJ stomps on Bryan until the referee momentarily breaks it up. Bryan gets up and AJ hits a spinning back fist for a two count. Bryan tries to beg for mercy, but AJ isn’t buying it and he connects with a knee to the head for a two count. They scramble in the corner and Bryan latches on to AJ, then connects a series of knees to the face. AJ is down on his knees now and Bryan hits the Yes Kicks on him. Bryan connects with all of his kicks and then pins AJ for a two count. AJ fights back and looks for the Phenomenal Forearm, but Bryan gets his leg up so AJ stops shot. AJ takes Bryan down and starts slamming his knee around the ring post. Bryan starts fighting back with strikes in the corner and then he goes for the Frankensteiner off the top. AJ rolls through and looks for the Styles Clash, but Bryan kicks his way out. AJ grabs on to Bryan’s leg and applies a single leg crab. Bryan breaks free and he looks for the Yes Lock on AJ. Bryan repeatedly elbows AJ in the ribs and then applies the Yes Lock. AJ fights out and they trade pin attempts now. Bryan hits a kick to the head and AJ comes back with the Pele kick. Bryan attempts a running knee, but AJ shuts him down with a dropkick. AJ hits a springboard 450 splash for a two count. AJ follows up with the Calf Crusher and Bryan screams in pain. Bryan fights over to the bottom rope to break the hold, then he rolls outside for a breather. AJ follows him to ringside and hits an elbow to the face and then a Phenomenal Forearm off the fan barricade. AJ rolls Bryan back in the ring and AJ waits on the apron for Bryan to get to his feet. AJ springboards off the top, but Bryan dodges him. AJ catches Bryan in a small package pin for a two count and Bryan reverses it into a small package pin of his own for the three count. Winner & Still The WWE Champion: Daniel Bryan
WHAT. A. MATCH!
Despite a valiant effort from @AJStylesOrg, The New @WWEDanielBryan leaves #WWETLC as your reigning #WWEChampion! #AndStill #WWEChampionship pic.twitter.com/GOXDWOM58l
— WWE (@WWE) December 17, 2018
After the match, Bryan’s music hits as he quickly makes his exit with the title. AJ looks on.
RAW Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey & Natalya are backstage for an interview. Rousey is asked about Charlotte Flair. Rousey says that payback is a b—h and that she is the baddest b—h on the planet. She then walks off.
A singles match between Finn Balor & Dolph Ziggler is announced for RAW tomorrow night.
Michael Cole then introduces a video package looking at the feud between WWE Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose and the break-up of The Shield.
Seth Rollins (c) vs. Dean Ambrose: The WWE Intercontinental Title is on the line in this one. The opening bell sounds and Rollins pie-faces Ambrose before they lock up. They run the ropes and Rollins drops Ambrose with a running elbow to the face. Rollins follows up with some right hands up against the ropes. Rollins follows up with a flying clothesline and then a running elbow to the face in the corner. Rollins hits another one and then he goes for a third, but Ambrose rolls outside for a breather. Rollins follows him outside and Ambrose slams Seth face-first onto the announce table. Back in the ring, Ambrose continues the offence and pummels on Rollins. Ambrose hits a clothesline for a two count and then he hits a flying elbow off the middle rope for another two count. Ambrose continues the assault until Rollins dodges a shot and drops the challenger face-first into the turnbuckle. Ambrose gets back up and starts working over Rollins’ knee. Ambrose wastes some time talking trash and Rollins hits a neck-breaker. Rollins hits a leg drop and Ambrose rolls out to ringside. Back in the ring, Rollins follows up with the Sling Blade and a Blockbuster. Rollins is still selling his knee and is slow to get up. Rollins clotheslines Ambrose outside and hits a suicide dive on him. Rollins goes back in the ring and hits a second suicide dive on Ambrose. Back in the ring, Rollins goes up top and Ambrose meets him there with punches. Rollins looks for a sunset flip powerbomb, but Rollins’ knee gives out and he falls. Ambrose doesn’t take the advantage and Rollins gets up and hits the buckle bomb for a two count. Rollins hits a kick to the body and Ambrose fires back with a knee to Rollins’ ribs. They trade right hands in the middle of the ring now. Rollins hits a headbutt and a kick, but then he misses a kick and Ambrose hits a facebuster for a two count. Ambrose goes up top and Rollins joins him. Ambrose crotches Rollins on the top rope and then clotheslines him off for a two count. The crowd appears to be chanting “this is boring.” Ambrose misses a shot and Rollins fires back with some strikes. Rollins goes for a frogsplash but Ambrose gets the knees up to block it. Rollins blocks a Dirty Deeds attempt, but Ambrose still drops him with a boot to the face. Ambrose goes up top, but Rollins runs up and hits a superplex and a Falcon Arrow for a two count. Rollins connects with some right hands and then he goes for a superkick, but Ambrose pleads for mercy and Rollins stops. Rollins ends up hitting a spinning elbow to the face, then he follows up with a kick to the head. Rollins and Ambrose fight out to ringside now and Rollins powerbombs Ambrose into the fan barricade. Rollins takes Ambrose back in the ring, then he talks some trash to Ambrose. Rollins calls him a “piece of sh-t” which gets censored on The WWE Network. Rollins goes for a running knee, but Ambrose stops him with a kick to the midsection and the Dirty Deeds for the three count. Winner & The New WWE Intercontinental Champion: Dean Ambrose
#AndNew #WWETLC #ICTitle @TheDeanAmbrose pic.twitter.com/EyF7KGub5r
— WWE (@WWE) December 17, 2018
Cleansed. #WWETLC #AndNew @TheDeanAmbrose pic.twitter.com/lxZzutuTs7
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) December 17, 2018
After the match, Ambrose takes the title and stumbles away as his music hits. Rollins looks on shocked as we get a replay. Ambrose stumbles away from the ring with the title as the crowd is still out of it.
We get a hype reel for WWE Holiday Week and cut to see a few players from The NFL’s San Francisco 49ers at ringside including Earl Mitchell with his custom Connor’s Cure cleats.
Michael Cole introduces a video package looking at The SmackDown Women’s Title picture, with SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defending her SmackDown Women’s Title tonight against Charlotte Flair & Asuka.
Becky Lynch (c) vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka (Triple Threat Women’s TLC Match): The SmackDown Women’s Title is on the line in this one. The opening bell sounds and Asuka starts off strong with kicks on Becky and Charlotte. Asuka hits the running hip attack on Charlotte in the corner. Becky fights back and drops Asuka, then she goes at it with Charlotte. Asuka and Charlotte both go outside and throw ladders in the ring. Charlotte kicks Asuka’s ladder into her and Asuka falls down at ringside. Becky starts sliding a table in the ring, but Charlotte stomps on the table and the opposite end of the table seems to hit Becky in the face. Asuka comes in the ring but Charlotte slams her face into a table in the corner. Charlotte looks for a spear, but Asuka catches her with a facebuster. Asuka and Becky fight up in the turnbuckle now and Asuka throws Becky down by her hair onto a ladder. Becky hits the ladder hard and she rolls outside to recover. Asuka starts climbing the ladder in the ring, but Charlotte stops her and repeatedly slams her face into the ladder. Charlotte starts climbing, but Asuka powerbombs Charlotte off the ladder into a table leaning up in the corner. The table breaks at the very bottom and Charlotte’s head took a lot of the impact. Asuka starts climbing the ladder, but Becky comes back in and dropkicks her down. Becky starts climbing, but Asuka pulls her off and slams her down. Asuka hits the running hip attack on Becky to knock her out to ringside and then Charlotte comes over with a steel chair and nails Asuka with it. Asuka falls outside and Charlotte goes up to the top rope. Charlotte hits a moonsault off the top onto Asuka and Becky at ringside. Charlotte sets up a table at ringside, then Becky nails her with a steel chair. Becky tees off on Charlotte and Asuka with the chair. Becky grabs a ladder as Asuka is laying on an announce table. Becky lays Charlotte on the announce table next to Asuka, then Becky climbs the big ladder at ringside. Becky goes up to the second-top rung and then goes flying down with a leg drop. Asuka rolls out of the way, but Becky’s whole torso lands on Charlotte and the table doesn’t break immediately, which looks painful for Charlotte. Back in the ring, Asuka starts climbing the ladder until Becky runs in and stops her. Charlotte comes back in the ring with a kendo stick and she tees off on both of them. Charlotte starts climbing the ladder, but she stops to hit Asuka with the kendo stick some more. Charlotte follows her out to ringside, but Becky comes over and hits a suplex on Charlotte into the fan barricade. Asuka picks up the kendo stick and drops Becky with it. Asuka wastes some time celebrating and Charlotte spears her into the fan barricade. Back in the ring, Becky is climbing the ladder until Charlotte runs in and stops her. Becky and Charlotte trade strikes in the middle of the ring now until Becky tackles her and pummels on her. They fight out to ringside and brawl in front of the announce tables. Charlotte hits a series of chops to the chest, then she lays Becky on a table and slaps her across the face. Charlotte goes up to the top rope and hits a senton bomb on Lynch through the table on the floor. Back in the ring, Charlotte and Asuka climb the ladder and trade punches. Becky comes back in the ring with another ladder and she sets it up next to the other ladder. Charlotte knocks Asuka down and Becky runs up the ladder and starts trading right hands with Charlotte. Ronda Rousey then runs down the ramp and gets in the ring. Ronda shoves the ladder over and knocks both Charlotte and Becky down. Ronda heads to the back while Charlotte and Becky are down on the floor. Asuka gets up and starts climbing the ladder. Asuka grabs the Women’s Title belt to win the match. Winner & The New SmackDown Women’s Champion: Asuka
This is YOUR moment!!!
Congratulations to YOUR #SDLive #WomensChampion, @WWEAsuka! #WWETLC #AndNew #TLCMatch pic.twitter.com/wP1jd7ShAf
— WWE (@WWE) December 17, 2018
There’s going to be hell to pay for this, @RondaRousey! #WWETLC @BeckyLynchWWE @MsCharlotteWWE pic.twitter.com/6u86dYkZ0k
— WWE (@WWE) December 17, 2018
#TheEmpressOfTomorrow reigns supreme. #WWETLC #AndNew pic.twitter.com/932edBl1WX
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) December 17, 2018
After the match, Asuka celebrates with the title as Flair and Lynch look on from the floor disgusted. We go to replays. TLC goes off the air with Asuka raising the title in the air while Flair and Lynch trade looks.