WWE kingpin Randy Orton squares off with world heavyweight champion John Cena tonight in a giant unification match that headlines TLC - the company's final pay-per-view event of 2013. Goldust and Cody Rhodes defend the tag team belts in a Fatal Four Way against the duos of Ryback and Curtis Axel, Big Show and Rey Mysterio and the Real Americans, Jack Swagger and Antonio Cesaro.
C.M. Punk takes on all three members of the Shield in a handicap bout. This past Monday on Raw, Punk defeated Dean Ambrose when Ambrose told his teammates, Reigns and Rollins, that they could depart ringside and that he could handle Punk himself.
Ambrose subsequently got nailed by Punk with a GTS (go to sleep) and was pinned shortly afterward in a very strong television match that subtly hinted at simmering dissension in the Shield camp.
Daniel Bryan will battle the three crazy members of Duck Dynasty, err, I mean the
Wyatt Family, in another handicap match. Bryan has certainly been over big time with the WWE Universe at all live events, but unfortunately, that hasn't translated into being a draw on ppv when it comes to buy rate. Damien Sandow challenges Big E Langston for the Intercontinental Title and Natalya tries to wrest the Diva crown from A.J. Lee.
This past Monday on Raw saw the promotion trot out 20 former WWE or world champion titleholders for a championship ascension ceremony for the TLC match between Cena and Orton. After a couple of promos from each champion, things went astray when Cena offered a handshake to his adversary.
Orton attacked Cena and the former champions stepped up to break it up. Punk held back Orton, got slapped and punched Orton. Triple H threw down Punk. Punk punched HHH. HBK superkicked Punk. Bryan nailed Michaels with the running knee.
When the smoke cleared after the wild melee, Stephanie McMahon was lying in the ring after being accidentally clobbered by Randy Orton, seemingly putting into question the future support of the authority for their former preference as the face of the WWE.
This was all pretty compelling stuff and saved the night for those of us who think the Slammys are pretty cheesy.
Tonight's TLC probably should be an interesting show. What they do and where they go from here should also be somewhat intriguing. With the anticipated announcement of the launching of the WWE Network expected to be made in early January, 2014 has the potential to get very interesting.
Who will face the Undertaker at Mania? The annual rumor of a Sting jump to WWE is out there. There still seems to be interest in a potential Goldberg match with Ryback at WM XXX and then there is the whole prospect of a Hogan return to the fold. Might as well consider an Ultimate Warrior appearance and a Batista return as long as we are dreaming.
Philadelphia lost out on a bid to host Mania XXXI when Santa Clara, California surprisingly got the nod. WWE released a statement indicating Philly wasn't able to get serious consideration due to a lack of availability of ancillary facilities for Axxess, the Hall of Fame ceremonies and the next night's Raw.
Former Coal Township resident and former WWE developmental assistant to Dusty Rhodes, Rob Naylor was a guest on Wrestling Observer radio this past week to discuss his time with NXT and WWE developmental. Hope to have an in-depth interview with one of the most passionate wrestling fans to ever work in the industry in the not too distant future.
(Shamokin's Bill Gilger "arranges" the interview each week with The Insider)