Hart Murmurs # 124 by Bruce Hart
Greetings.
I’m a pretty big fan of spectacular, high intensity wrestling, the kind that guys like Terry Funk, Harley Race, Jushin Liger, Finn Balor, A. J. Styles, the late, great Dynamite Kid and my brother Owen were capable of – in part, because whatever they did was for a prevailing reason and, regardless of whether it was perceived to have elements of hard core, for all intents and purposes, it was still wrestling.
I might add that when I was booking my dad’s highly acclaimed Stampede Wrestling promotion back in the day, our promotion was the originator of special matches, such as triple threat matches and ladder matches (which my friend Dan Kroffat conceived of), but those so-called stipulation matches were always the by-product of appropriate build up and were usually the culmination of some hot storyline or buildup. In other words, the ends would justify the means, which is why the fans were so excited about seeing a contest that would render some resolution and is what it’s all about
I don’t like to sound cynical or derisive, but having said that and acknowledging that even though it can be exciting and, once in a while, might rise to the occasion or live up to the hype, I’m not really much of a fan of this weekend’s Tables, Ladders and Chairs (T,L & C) pay per view, because in most cases there’s not any prevailing reason or compelling build up to the matches – which is the essence of good booking or matchmaking. I
Instead, the WWE invariably tends to just throw together a bunch of people with very few issues or conflicts with each other and attach a bunch of extreme, hard core type stipulations and gimmicks (such as tables, ladders, chairs, kendo sticks and assorted other illicit crap which renders the main course – WRESTLING, almost incidental to all the bullshit.
It was that kind of illicit extremism and hot-shotting back in the day that killed many a promotion, including Detroit (during the Sheik’s reign of terror) or Tennessee and several others that went down the drain. I might add that’s still the biggest detraction of many of today’s misguided indy promotions, who go overboard of hardcore horseshit and allow the proverbial tail to wag the dog by catering to the whims of those mindless morons who are constantly chanting “holy shit” or “you fucked up”.
In any case, I’ll now endeavor to briefly render my predictions and related perspectives on what might happen at TLC, for whatever the hell it’s worth.
World Heavyweight Title Match: Daniel Bryan vs. A. J. Styles – In previous columns, I’ve expressed my disdain with the WWE’s decision to turn Daniel from the popular, hard to hate, quintessential “yes, yes,. . .yes” underdog into an undersized heel – which the fans already refused to get into in the first place. In the meantime, the WWE has A J, who not that long ago was a lukewarm heel, himself, now being pushed as a face. In the meantime, the WWE has these two classic mat wrestlers – neither of whom needs gimmicks and props, compromising themselves by having to use chairs, ladders and all the other. Having said all of that, these two are both more than savvy enough to have a great match, regardless of the props an gimmickry. I’m anticipating Daniel to go over, as he’s just turned back to heel and needs to get some heat, while A J, on the other hand, could probably benefit from dropping the fall on a hot finish that garners him some sympathy and sets the stage for a hot re-match, maybe at the Royal Rumble pay per view in January.
Intercontinental Title Match: Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose –
The lead up to this match has been illogical and lame, with the two former Shield stalwarts breaking up for now perceptible reason and the WWE’s attempts to generate heat since then being contrived and confusing. Even so, these two are both pretty decent workers and should be able to have a pretty decent match. As is the case with Styles and Bryan, Ambrose, the heel, could probably benefit more from going over than Rollins, especially if it’s a hot finish that whet’s the marks’ appetites for a return.
Brawn Strowman vs. Baron Corbin (double stipulation match: if Brawn wins, he gets Universal title match against Brock Lesnar at Royal Rumble/ while, on the other hand, if Corbin wins, he becomes the full time RAW general manager).
To my way of thinking, the attached stipulations, about the Uni title match and Corbin’s part-time GM tag being removed are more of a detraction than an enhancement, because it’s a pretty clear indication that Brawn will be going over, as a Lesnar-Strownman match was already a given. On the other hand, it really doesn’t matter whether Corbin’s the full time or part time manager of RAW, as he can still do the same as he’s already been doing
SmackDown Women’s Title Match – Triple Threat Format – Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka:
Even though these three are all good workers, the lead up has been illogical and ass backward, with Becky and Asuka having both been cast as heels, even though the fans prefer to take them as faces, while Charlotte, on the other hand, has been pushed more as a face – even though most of the fans have been booing her. Beyond that, there aren’t any really hot issues between any of them, nor does the Tables, Ladders, Chairs format really suit any of their styles. As is the case with Styles & Bryan and Rollins & Ambrose though, all three of them are decent enough workers to overcome the lame booking and should be able to have a good match. I’d be surprised if Becky – who’s really starting to gain momentum, doesn’t go over, perhaps in a manner that reaffirms her status as a face, again.
RAW Women’s Title Match – Ronda Rousey vs. Nia Jax:
I’m a fan of both of these girls, but the lead up hasn’t been very good, with Nia not really that hated as a heel and Ronda not really that loved as a face, Beyond that, their styles don’t really complement each other, nor does the Tables, Ladders & Chairs format seem likely to bring out the best in either one of them. Takin into consideration that Ronda’s the champion and the WWE likely has plans to have her fight a myriad of other viable contenders in the new year, I’d be surprised if Ronda didn’t go over decisively in this hopefully short and without frills charade.
Finn Balor vs. Drew McIntyre:
Like so many other bouts on the TLC card, the lead up to this one has been pretty tepid, with no perceptible rhyme or reason. I’m not sure if the WWE thinks that because both are from the United Kingdom it makes this compelling. If such is the case, it’s a pretty negligible pretext for putting them together. Even so, since both of them are good workers, they should still be able to render a pretty decent match. It probably makes more sense to put McIntyre – who’s just starting to finally get some traction as a credible heel, over than it does to have Balor get his hand raised.
Elias vs. Bobby Lashley:
These guys don’t really have compatible styles and I have doubts that either of them are all that capable of bringing out the best in each other. Even so Elias seems to be getting over since he’s been turned into a face and this match seems to have generated more interest than one would have expected. As such, if they keep it pretty simple and don’t go overboard on gimmicks and whatnot, this one should be okay. It would probably make more sense for Elias, after having done the big sell, to go over, as he seems poised for a pretty decent run as a face.
Randy Orton vs. Rey Mysterio:
Both of these guys are great workers, but there’s no great demand to see them face each other right now, as there are no prevailing issues or anything else in place to have whet anybody’s appetite. As such, adding this match to an already stacked lineup is about like bringing a sandwich to a smorgasbord. It’s a pretty good bet that Orton will be going over here – hopefully on a straight, no strings attached finish.
WWE Cruiserweight Title Match – Buddy Murphy vs. Cedrick Alexander
This is yet another match that would have been better if it had been saved for another pay per view or episode of RAW or SmackDown. Even though these two had a terrific match on the Australian pay per view, nobody really seems to be clamouring to see them fight again. Having said that, it seems to make more sense to have Murphy go over again and build on whatever momentum he may have gained from his initial win over Alexander.
Natalya vs. Ruby Riott:
I, personally, haven’t been that impressed with the storyline leading up to this match – which has consisted of Ruby insulting Nattie’s late father – Jim “the Anvil” Neidhart. I didn’t find that in good taste and would categorize it as cheap heat. Regardless, these two should have a pretty decent match. Although I’d like to see Nattie get her hand raised, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ruby get a cheap win, courtesy of outside interference from one of her Riott Squad accomplices.
That pretty much sums up my perspectives the TLC pay per view. To be honest, I don’t really have super high expectations about the show, but if they go easy on the bullshit and keep it pretty simple and plausible, it should be okay. We shall see. In any case, I’ll look forward to catching up with you all next time to discuss the results and whatever else is trending on the wrestling scene. Until then, stay cool.