WWE Tables, Ladders and Chairs Recap

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

What's up Triple Threat CLE fans, it's time for the WWE Tables, Ladders and Chairs recap from Sunday's live event. WWE TLC was live at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. If you didn't hear the news leading up to the event, there were some major changes made to this year's card, due to an outbreak of viral meningitis within the locker room. Bray Wyatt and Roman Reigns both had to drop out of tonight's event, but WWE did get huge replacements for them. Smackdown Live's own AJ Styles took Bray Wyatt's place against Finn Balor  and RAW GM Kurt Angle took Roman Reigns' spot in the TLC Match, teaming with Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose against Team Miz.

** WWE TLC Card **

- Sasha Banks battled Alicia Fox.
- Cedric Alexander and Rich Swann battled Brian Kendrick and Jack Gallagher.
- WWE Cruiserweight Champion Kalisto defended his title against Enzo Amore.
- WWE RAW Women's Champion Alexa Bliss defended her title against Mickie James.
- Asuka battled Emma in her RAW main roster debut.
- "The Demon" Finn Balor battled AJ Styles.
- Elias Samson battled Jason Jordan.
- RAW General Manager Kurt Angle and WWE RAW World Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose battled WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz, Braun Strowman, Kane, Sheamus and Cesaro in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match.

** WWE TLC Pre-Show **

- Backstage, The Miz is interviewed. Miz says that there is always someone else trying to steal his spotlight. The big news isn't Kurt Angle's wrestling return, it's Miz and Maryse revealing that they will be having a girl next year. Miz is confident that his team will win tonight and wants Kurt Angle to shake his hand on RAW when he proves it. Miz promises another broken freakin' neck for Angle is coming.

- Backstage, Emma is interviewed. Emma wants to know how much more attention is the WWE going to waste on Asuka's debut tonight. Emma says that tonight may be Asuka's debut, but Emma's spotlight is far too bright. Emma hypes herself as the originator of the Women's Revolution and promises that Twitter will erupt with #EmmaBeatsAsuka.

- Backstage, RAW GM Kurt Angle and Jason Jordan are hanging out together. Angle says he knew he had to do something huge when Roman Reigns went down, so he stepped up. Elias Samson interrupts and says he's channeling the spirit of Prince and wants to do a special performance tonight. Angle allows Elias to have his performance as Elias and Jordan mock each other.

- Drew Gulak interrupts the Pre-Show because he's heated that his Championship Power Point Presentation was cut from the show. Gulak says he will not be broken, he believes in a better 205 Live and he believes in a better cruiserweight division that won't have any chanting, flying, flipping, elaborate costumes, use of the top rope and more. Gulak is heated that Elias Samson was granted a live performance, but Gulak is being held down. Gulak is finally cutoff as he continues ranting. 

- Social Media Lounge Interview With Mickie James: Mickie says she feels great and confident going into her match with Alexa Bliss. Mickie is asked about her age playing a factor and says she doesn't understand why her age is a thing. Mickie hypes her match and plans to walk out the new WWE RAW Women's Champion.

- Backstage, Smackdown Live's AJ Styles is here and being interviewed. Styles hypes being here for the special occasion and hypes his match against "The Demon" Finn Balor tonight.

- Sasha Banks vs. Alicia Fox: The match closes out with Sasha and Alicia trading offense before ending up outside on the floor. Alicia leaves Sasha laying against the barricade and slides back into the ring. Sasha just makes it back into the ring on a 9 count. Alicia unloads on Sasha and keeps her at bay. Alicia lands a Northern Lights suplex and a fury of offense afterwards and gets a near fall on Sasha. Sasha counters a Tilt a Whirl, falls on top of Alicia and gets a close near fall. Alicia goes for a rollup, but Sasha counters and kicks Alicia straight out of the ring. Alicia just beats the 10 count and trades more offense with Sasha. Sasha sends Alicia across the ring and then drops Alicia with a punch. Alicia is back up and connects with a big boot on Sasha for a near fall. Alicia goes for her scissor kick finisher, but comes up empty. Sasha lands a back stabber on Alicia, floats over and then applies the Banks Statement submission for the tap out win.
Winner: Sasha Banks, by submission.

- Backstage, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose hype their match with Kurt Angle tonight against Team Miz to close out the Pre-Show.

** WWE TLC **

- "Asuka's RAW Main Roster Debut Match": Asuka vs. Emma: The match closes out with Emma relying on some cheating by taking Asuka down by her hair for a near fall. Emma puts Asuka in a tree of woe in the corner, unloads on Asuka and pulls Asuka's hair some more. Emma hits a corner splash on Asuka and gets a near fall. Emma slaps Asuka in the face, angering Asuka, who gets a near fall rollup. Asuka lands a huge knee right to the face of Emma and then unloads a fury of strikes. Asuka goes to the top rope and nails a missile drop kick on Emma. Emma lands a shot to the back of Asuka's head and then connects with a drop kick of her own for a near fall. Asuka goes for an ankle lock submission, but Emma counters out. Asuka counters that counter with a german suplex, sending Emma outside to the floor. Emma grabs Asuka by the hair and pulls her outside. Both ladies end up back in the ring where Asuka connects with a kick. Asuka hooks Emma and locks her tight in the Asuka Lock submission for the tap out win.
Winner: Asuka, by submission.

- Backstage, The Miz is with his entire team. Miz rants about Kurt Angle, but Braun Strowman interrupts and tells Miz to save the pep talk. Strowman tells everyone to stay out of his way because he's taking out Angle, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose by himself. Kane says he does what ever he wants and he will be the one to take out their opponents. Miz says there's plenty of carnage to go around and they will all run RAW after tonight. Kane and Strowman walk off as Miz, Sheamus and Cesaro mock The Shield fist pose.

- Elias Samson's Concert Performance: Elias is in the ring with his guitar and begins to sing when suddenly he gets hit with a piece of celery. Elias stops singing and is irritated before beginning again. Elias starts getting hit with more veggies and it's revealed to be Jason Jordan throwing them at him from ringside. Elias gets annoyed and cancels his performance.

- Brian Kendrick and Jack Gallagher vs. Cedric Alexander and Rich Swann: The match closes out with Alexander and Swann double teaming Kendrick which leads into a near fall Tilt a Whirl backbreaker. Gallagher takes control now and unloads on Swann. Gallagher with the take down on Swann and then lands some stomps. Gallagher and Kendrick work over Swann with offense and quick tags. Swann counters a suplex and tags Alexander. Alexander unloads on Gallagher and gets a near fall kick. Alexander connects with a corner kick and then gets a near fall on Gallagher with a springboard. Kendrick sends Swann to the floor, helping Gallagher. Kendrick tags in and almost gets pinned on a Alexander rollup. Kendrick connects with a big boot and a super kick on Alexander before applying the Captain's Hook submission. Alexander counters out of it by getting a near fall rollup. Kendrick keeps the Captain's Hook submission applied on Alexander until Swann breaks it by hitting a Phoenix Splash. Gallagher is in, lands a kick on Alexander and then head butts Swann to the floor. Alexander ends up hitting the Lumbar Check on Kendrick and scoring the pinfall.
Winners: Cedric Alexander and Rich Swann, by pinfall.

- Backstage, Alexa Bliss is interviewed. Alexa says Mickie James is sensitive about her age and she admits to looking up to her as a kid. Alexa says after tonight Mickie's days will be just old.

- "WWE RAW Women's Championship Match": Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Mickie James: The match closes out with Mickie and Alexa trading shots and slaps. Mickie and Alexa hit each other with kicks and both go down. Alexa lands a kick, but Mickie unloads punches. Mickie takes down Alexa and lands a couple kicks for a near fall. Mickie kips up and goes to the top rope, but gets clipped in the knee by Alexa. Mickie hits the mat and injures her shoulder on the landing. Alexa misses a moonsault off the top rope and hits the mat hard. Mickie hits a drop kick off the top rope on Alexa for a near fall. Alexa lands a throat thrust on Mickie, but Mickie lands a kick. Alexa goes to the corner, suckers Mickie to follow and gets in a cheap shot. Alexa hits the snapping DDT on Mickie and scores the pinfall to retain her title.
Winner: Alexa Bliss, by pinfall, to retain the WWE RAW Women's Championship.

- After the match, Mickie James gives thanks to the fans, says that really wanted to take the title home, she's proud of her performance and promises it won't be her last title match.

- Backstage, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose confront Kurt Angle. Angle says he's going to give it his all tonight. Rollins says they respect what Angle did by putting himself in the match. Rollins says they didn't come to talk strategy they came to give Angle a gift. Rollins hands Angle a Shield vest.

- Elias Samson's Concert Performance Take 2: Elias is in the ring and begins singing and playing his guitar. The fans continue to interrupt him with boos, making him have to start over. Elias tells the fans to hold off on their applause until he's done. Jason Jordan appears again and throws more veggies at Elias. Elias gets annoyed and ends the performance again. 

- "WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match": Kalisto (c) vs. Enzo Amore: The match closes out with Enzo grounding Kalisto and unloads. Enzo lands a kick on Kalisto and fakes a top rope maneuver. Kalisto catches Enzo and sends him into the corner. Enzo plants Kalisto into the mat for a near fall. Enzo begins to argue with the referee and then nails Kalisto as he gets up. Enzo takes Kalisto back down to the ground, but Kalisto fights back and sends Enzo back into the corner. Kalisto charges, misses and hits the turnbuckle. Kalisto comes back, hits a kick and then springboards onto Enzo. Kalisto delivers a series of offense and gets a near fall on Enzo. Enzo counters Kalisto and sends him back into the corner. Enzo hits the DDG on Kalisto for a near fall. Kalisto goes for Salida Del Sol on Enzo, but Enzo counters and then sticks his thumb in Kalisto's eye. Enzo hits Kalisto with the JawdonZo, scores the pinfall and wins the title.
Winner: Enzo Amore, by pinfall, to win the WWE Cruiserweight Championship.

- "The Demon King" Finn Balor vs. AJ Styles: The match closes out with Styles getting sent to the apron, goes for a springboard, but gets sent to the floor. Balor connects with a running kick and then sends Styles into the barricade with a running drop kick. Balor breaks the 10 count, but then gets sent flying over the announcers table by Styles. Both men beat the 10 count and take each other out in the middle of the ring. Styles and Balor are both up and trade shots. Balor lands an overhead kick, counters offense with Styles and then hits 1916 for a near fall.

Balor hits Styles with the running drop kick into the corner. Balor goes for Coup de Grace, but eats a Pele Kick from Styles. Styles hits a springboard hurricanrana on Balor sending him flying off the ropes for a near fall. Styles misses the springboard 450 Splash and takes a Balor lariat. Balor hits another corner drop kick and then the Coup de Grace to score the pinfall.
Winner: Finn Balor, by pinfall.

- After the match, Styles and Balor stare each other down and then "too sweet" each other.

- Elias Samson's Concert Performance Take 3: Elias is in the ring with his guitar and is about to sing a song about Jason Jordan. Jordan immediately interrupts and we get an impromptu match.

- Elias Samson vs. Jason Jordan: The match closes out with Jordan unloading on Elias. Jordan sends Elias into the corner and then into the opposite corner. Jordan hits a belly to belly on Elias, a running spear and a suplex for a near fall. Jordan goes for a superplex, but Elias tries to counter it. Elias unloads punches to the gut and sends Jordan to the mat. Jordan charges up the turnbuckle towards Elias and eats a knee. Elias tosses Jordan down, Jordan lands on his knee wrong and goes down. Elias takes advantage as the referee checks on Jordan's knee injury. Elias goes for a suplex, but Jordan counters and scores a rollup pinfall.
Winner: Jason Jordan, by pinfall.

- Backstage, The Miz says that he has a surprise for the fans and for his team, when they drive their opponents to the dump.

- "Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match": Kurt Angle, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose vs. The Miz, Braun Strowman, Kane, Sheamus and Cesaro":

** Spot Highlights **

- The Shield unload chair shots on Strowman and Kane.
- Angle and Rollins nail Miz, Sheamus and Cesaro with a ladder.
- Angle gets ladder shots on Strowman.
- Angle, Rollins and Ambrose triple team Kane with a ladder.
- Team Miz gain control as Strowman unloads on Angle and goes to powerbomb Angle through the announcers table. Rollins makes the save with steel chair shots. 
- Strowman and Kane get laid out on the announcers tables. Rollins and Ambrose leap off ladders and drive both Strowman and Kane through the tables. 
- Angle gets triple teamed and beat down with steel chair shots by Miz, Sheamus and Cesaro.

- Angle hits three straight german suplexes on Miz. He then german suplexes Sheamus and Cesaro.
- Angle applies the ankle lock submission on Kane. Strowman makes the save, sends Angle into the barricade and then power slams Angle through a table, forcing WWE Medical to rush out to check on Angle.
- The Shield take a 5 on 2 beat down as Angle is stretchered out.
- Kane accidentally hits Strowman with a steel chair and they go face to face, forcing Miz to try to calm both men down.
- Sheamus and Cesaro power bomb Ambrose through a table as Miz goes up to the stage and directs in a garbage truck.

- Rollins and Ambrose get tossed into the garbage truck, but come back and leap off it onto Team Miz.
- Rollins and Ambrose chase down Miz to put him through a table, but Kane makes the save. Rollins and Ambrose go to put Kane through the table instead, but Strowman makes the save.
- Kane still angry at Strowman, grabs Strowman and choke slams him off the stage and through another part of the stage below.
- Kane rips down a display of steel chairs hanging from the ceiling and they all fall on top of Strowman.
- Strowman rises from the broken stage and pile of chairs, stalks Kane and attacks Miz, Sheamus and Cesaro in the process.

The match closes out with Team Miz tossing Strowman into the garbage truck and close him inside. Miz hits a DDT on Rollins. Sheamus and Cesaro with a double team White Noise for a near fall. Kurt Angle's music suddenly hits and Angle returns to the ring limping. Angle hits the Angle Slam on Sheamus and Cesaro on the stage. Kane goes for a Tombstone on Angle, but Ambrose makes the save with a chair shot. Ambrose and Rollins send Kane through the barricade. Miz hits the Skull Crushing Finale on Angle, but Angle kicks out at two and a half. Angle counters another Skull Crushing Finale and Miz escapes the Ankle Lock submission by kicking Angle outside. Angle, Rollins and Ambrose all surround Miz and beat him down. Rollins hits the high knee, Ambrose hits Dirty Deeds and Angle hits the Angle Slam. Angle, Rollins and Ambrose plant Miz with The Shield triple power bomb and score the pinfall.
Winners: Kurt Angle, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose, by pinfall.

- WWE TLC closes out with Angle, Rollins and Ambrose celebrating.