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Welcome to PWInsider.com’s live, ongoing coverage of the 2018 WWE TLC PPV from San Jose, CA!
Before we get started, since this is the last major PPV of the year, I want to take a moment to thank everyone who has read and supported PWInsider.com not just over the last year, but the last 14 plus years as we will be hitting our 15th Anniversary this January. It means the world to all of us how greatly you have supported us and allowed this website to grow into what it has become. Every last one of you, from the free site readers to Elite subscribers, have gifted that to us, and we can never thank you enough.
I also have to mention it's my mom's birthday today and really, without her, I wouldn't even be here. I doubt she will be reading this, but if you are, happy birthday Mom!
I'd also like to dedicate tonight's coverage to everyone involved in the Toys for Tots charity, which does an amazing job of helping gifts arrive for children of families who are less fortunate than many of us are doing this holiday season. With Toys R Us having gone out of business, they have lost one of their major donors this season, so if anyone can donate a new, unwrapped toy or make a direct financial donation to help the USMC this season, you can find toy drive locations or make a donation at www.ToysforTots.org.
If you are an Elite subscriber and want to listen to past TLC Post-Game Shows, click here.
If you want to read last year’s TLC coverage, click here.
WWE TLC KICKOFF SHOW
The Kickoff panel is Jonathan Coachman, Booker T, David Otunga and Sam Roberts.
They claimed there were rumors Braun Strowman may show up tonight.
They ran down the lineup for the show, then discussed Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose. They then discussed the "New" Daniel Bryan. Booker T said he was cold and calculated and it worked for him. He wanted everyone in the right place to pull it off by playing up to the fans and now he's Champion. He's in the driver's seat and is calling all the shots now.
The panel then discussed Baron Corbin vs. Braun Strowman.
They said that if anyone wants Braun Strowman to show up tonight, it’s the Raw locker room, who are done with Baron Corbin.
Backstage, Baron Corbin has Jojo practicing announcing he would be the winner. Heath Slater will be the referee there. Corbin told Charly Caruso she will be interviewing him after he is named the official General Manager. She asked him about the rumor that Braun is showing up. He said that’s just not possible but if he did show up, Corbin would shatter his good elbow as well.
WWE Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy vs. Cedric Alexander
There were some 205 chants. Alexander had his shoulder taped up.
They locked up. Alexander used a backflip into a headscissor takedown and used a big dropkick to the jaw for a two count. Alexander ended up on the apron outside but drilled Murphy with a big forearm. Cedric went for a springboard move but was drilled and knocked to the outside.
Murphy worked over Alexander with a series of elbows. He locked in a rear chinlock but the challenger fought his way back. Alexander sent Murphy hard into the corner. Murphy snatched Cedrick into the air, trying to choke him out before dropping him into the ring. Alexander made a comeback with some kicks, a sliding kick to the outside and clothesline off the top for a two count. He had some nice fire.
Murphy tried to steal a pin, hooking the tights but was unable to do so. Alexander nailed a Michinoku Driver for a two count. Good pace to the match. They went back and forth with some great strikes and exchanges. Murphy nailed Project Ciampa for a close two count. You can hear the crowd really getting into this. There were some more “205” chants.
Murphy followed Alexander to the apron and was waiting to grab him, but Alexander grabbed him with a DVDR on the apron. Alexander nailed the Lumbar Check for a near fall. Murphy sent Cedric into the corner and nailed a running knee strike. He nailed Murphy’s Law and scored the pin.
Your winner and still WWE Cruiserweight Champion, Buddy Murphy!
A really strong first match with all the great, 21st century hybrid action you’d expect. Lots of strikes, fast and physical action and good near falls. A strong paced, entertaining match. Alexander did a great job here as the babyface challenger.
The panel discussed Ronda Rousey vs. Nia Jax.
Backstage, Becky Lynch said she had no problem with Asuka taking the fight to her this past week. She said she was going to beat down Charlotte because she's Charlotte. She asked when was the last time a Smackdown match, much less a Smackdown Women's match headlined a dual-branded PPV. She said there were a lot of debts to be collected, intimating she was looking for Ronda Rousey and Nia Jax tonight. That sounds like a lot of fun.
They ran a video feature on Lars Sullivan, noting each brand is trying to sign him, sort of a modern day version of every heel manager trying to sign Bam Bam Bigelow in 1987.
Elias was sitting center-ring with his guitar. He said it was TLC but tonight you can add guitars to that. He began to play but out came Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush. They made their way to the ring. Rush asked Lashley to show everyone their favorite pose and he bent over and pointed to his butt. They are going to do their Ladder Match now.
Elias vs Bobby Lashley - Ladder Match with guitar hanging over the ring.
Lashley drilled Elias down but was able to kick him down after Lashley grabbed a ladder match. Elias stomped the ladder atop of Lashley, then moved two of them into the ring. He set one up and began climbing but Lio tried to get involved. Elias chased him out of the ring. Lashley went after Elias but was drilled with a knee. Elias worked him over with chops in the corner but his Irish whip attempt was reversed and Elias was sent into a ladder in the corner. Elias went down with the ladder crashing down atop him.
Lashley nailed a big suplex. He then picked up a ladder and flipped it, slamming it down onto Elias, who was still prone on the mat. Elas made a comeback. He used a mule kick on Lashley, but was caught with a belly to belly suplex into the ladder. Elias was taking some pretty physical punishment in this one. Lashley rained down with punches in the corner. Lashley climbed the ladder but Elias slipped underneath and powerbombed him off, slamming him down atop another ladder. Lio Rush tried to run interference but was nailed. Elias retrieved the ladder and apparently, that's how to win because they rang the bell.
Your winner, Elias!
The original stipulation was that the first person to get the guitar could use it on their opponent but apparently they changed it to keep anyone from actually being pinned.
Elias brandished the ladder but Lio attacked him and hit a top rope frog splash (it looked pretty awesome too) before Lashley smashed the ladder over Elias' back.
They closed out pushing the PPV.
WWE TLC 2018 PPV
Jinder Mahal and Alicia Fox vs. R Truth and Carmella in the finals of the Mixed Match Challenge.
The winners will receive #30 in their respective Royal Rumble matches and a vacation to "anywhere in the world." That should lead to some interesting vignettes.
Truth came out in a San Jose Sharks jersey. The crowd was super into Carmella and Truth's entrance, which is pretty fun.
They are streaming the match on Facebook Watch as well.
Truth played to the crowd at the bell. He and Mahal locked up with Mahal taking him down to the mat with a side headlock. Jinder went to rebound off the ropes. Truth ducked but instead of going up and over, Mahal grabbed Truth, only to be reversed and rolled up for a two count.
Carmella and Fox tagged in and faced off. Truth and Carmella nailed a double hip toss, sending them to the outside. They did the Carmella Dance Break. The Singhs tried to take part but Truth tossed them to the floor.
Carmella nailed a spinning head scissors to take down Fox. Fox nailed a Northern Lights Suplex for a two count. Carmella makes the tag to Truth, who nailed a series of clotheslines and a heel kick. He was distracted by the Singhs, allowing Mahal to kick him. Fox tagged in and demanded her captain’s hat. Truth took it and wore it. Fox kicked him but was nailed by Carmella. She covered him but Mahal interfered.
Carmella locked Fox in the Code of Silence and scored the submission.
Your winners, Carmella and R-Truth!
The match was a mix of comedy and action.
After the match, Truth revealed that he had picked Stamford, CT for a trip to WWE HQ as their vacation. Carmella was well, less than enthused.
Coverage will continue on Page 2!
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