WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs. From one of the most iconic series of matches that happened in 1999 and 2000, a match was born and, later, a PPV. Edge and Christian and the chairs, The Dudley Boyz for the tables, and The Hardy Boyz for the ladders. Only 26 TLC matches have competed in the history of WWF/WWE, and only two involved women. These matches are gruelling, for the bodies and the souls.

TLC became a PPV concept in 2009. The concept of the show is based on the primary matches of the card each containing a stipulation using tables, ladders, and/or chairs as legal weapons. With only two TLC matches, the card looks a little poor on extreme sensations. Once again, when the Red brand was quick to determine who will be on the card, the Blue brand only has two matches. Those, like me, who watched SmackDown yesterday were expecting some announcements, maybe a stipulation. Nothing. In the WWE ThunderDome, the sound of the bodies breaking on the ladders, tables and chairs will be deafening. May the roar of the crowd be the same.

Note: Predictions are pure that, predictions. None of us has heard of anything before, we promise.

Firefly Inferno Match
Randy Orton vs The Fiend

Orton and Wyatt are no stranger to the destructive flames, as The Viper once sadistically burned down The Wyatt Family Compound. Last week, The Viper trapped Wyatt inside a burning box, but The Fiend emerged unscathed to punish Orton for his brutality. Now Orton will have to step inside The Fiend’s twisted inferno, and HE never forgets.

After The Fiend’s mind games cost Randy Orton an opportunity to once again compete for the WWE Championship, The Viper fired right back by taking hold of Alexa Bliss in attempt to coax The Fiend during a tense instalment of “A Moment of Bliss.”

The Fiend has changed every man to step into the ring with him, but Orton has proven time and again to be a different breed of Superstar? Can The Legend Killer walk through the fire or will The Fiend burn Orton for his past transgressions? And most importantly, what is a Firefly Inferno match, may it be a cinematic match?

Danny Cause’s Prediction: Randy Orton – The late change of stipulation has left me second-guessing myself. If this has the traditional matches of an Inferno Match, then I can’t see Orton being set on fire. Whereas, creatively they could do a lot going forward if “The Fiend” gets burnt. If anything, I would expect it to make his character stronger.

Steph Franchomme’s Prediction: “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt – We are in Wyatt’s world.

RAW Tag Team Championship
The New Day (Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston) (c) vs The Hurt Business (Shelton Benjamin & Cedric Alexander)

The Hurt Business continue their quest to capture all of the Gold on RAW. Bobby Lashley has held the United States Championship since the end of August, while Shelton and Cedric previously attempted to dethrone the New Day before Survivor Series. Not to be deterred, they’re set for a second opportunity at the final WWE PPV of the calendar year. The way they carry themselves and wear sharp suits does seem to echo Evolution. Lashley and co have some ways to go if they want to be considered in the same tier, but they are making positive steps. Will we see them build on those foundations at TLC?

Danny Cause’s Prediction: The New Day – There’s something about Xavier and Kofi. Even when the odds are against them, on PPV, they often find a way through.

Steph Franchomme’s Prediction: The Hurt Business.

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler vs RAW Women’s Champion Asuka & TBD

Nia and Shayna have become more distracted by Lana in recent times – specifically putting Lana through the commentary table over consecutive weeks – than they have on their Women’s Tag Team Championships. They made Lana the butt of all jokes, but Lana had the last laugh when she was the Sole Survivor at Survivor Series. While this made the team of Shayna and Nia more irate, they injured Lana on the recent episode of RAW, taking her out of this tag team match. So, Asuka is now in the need of finding a new partner in time for this match. That will lead to a lot of speculation as to who will join Asuka at short notice? Will Lana still have a hand in the outcome of this match?

Danny Cause’s Prediction: Asuka and Mystery Partner – regardless of who the partner is, I see a title change here. Also, the odd couple pairing of Nia and Shayna – which has always been tense between them – could finally reach the boiling point.

Steph Franchomme’s Prediction: Asuka and, why not, Charlotte.

SmackDown Women’s Championship Match
Sasha Banks (c) vs Carmella

For weeks, “The Untouchable One” unleashed a series of sneak attacks on The Boss. In response, Banks surprised Mella during one of her backstage vignettes and unleashed an all-out assault of her own, locking her in the Bank Statement until she was pulled away by WWE personal.

But when a SmackDown Women’s Championship Match at WWE TLC against Sasha Banks was scheduled to be made official on the Dec. 11 edition of the blue brand, Carmella opted to “borrow” the match contract and deliver the signed version to the ring via a sommelier rather than come in person. This only served to further aggravate The Boss, and she decided to flip the script and make the executive decision to face Mella for the title in the main event of SmackDown in order to get her hands on the self-proclaimed “untouchable” Carmella.

Later that night, when Carmella’s sommelier decided to get involved in the impromptu title match, Sasha snapped and got herself disqualified as she went after her challenger with a new level of aggression. After the bell, Sasha went even further by locking the sommelier in the Bank Statement. But Carmella used this distraction to regain the advantage and unleash a brutal assault that culminated in her smashing a bottle of champagne on the back of The Boss! Then, taking a drink herself, she dumped champagne on Banks to add insult to injury.

Six-time World Champion Sasha Banks is truly a dangerous titleholder, making history time and time again whether it be in Hell in a Cell, a WWE Iron Woman Match or simply in a one-on-one contest for the ages. Nevertheless, despite the glamour of Carmella, there is also no denying that Mella is still money. She boasts an impressive title resume of her own as a former SmackDown Women’s Champion with wins over elite competitors like and Charlotte Flair and Asuka.

Danny Cause’s Prediction: Sasha Banks

Steph Franchomme’s Prediction: Sasha Banks

WWE Universal Championship Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match
Roman Reigns (c) vs Kevin Owens

The Reign(s)ing, defending, all-conquering Tribal Chief continues his reign of terror over on SmackDown. Roman has been effective in a role akin to a playground bully pushing around anybody smaller than him. The target of most of Roman’s wrath has been his own cousin, Jey Uso. Despite toeing the line since his loss at Hell in a Cell, Jey continues to disappoint his cousin, which leads to Roman beating him up like an abusive husband, who then gaslights the wife and says it’s her fault, she made him do it. What’s more, is that Roman is so despicable yet engaging in this role. He’s the villain everyone loves to hate and the WWE Universe are on the edge of their seat waiting for someone to dethrone him. The next person who wants a go is Kevin Owens. The Prizefighter has stepped forward and dared to Reigns to pick on someone his own size for a change. Owens is a former Universal Champion in his own right, but he’s been out of the World title scene for quite some time. Reigns and Owens already have quite a bit of history between them, and they will write the next chapter at TLC.

Danny Cause’s Prediction: Roman Reigns

Steph Franchomme’s Prediction: Kevin Owens

WWE Championship Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match
Drew McIntyre (c) vs AJ Styles

A Phenomenal challenger awaits Drew McIntyre at WWE TLC, as the WWE Champion will meet AJ Styles with the title on the line in a TLC Match. The King of Claymore Country reclaimed the WWE Title with a gruelling win over Randy Orton that began his second reign. McIntyre has prided himself on being a fighting champion, and will now face Styles who’s beginning his most recent red brand tenure a perfect 6-0. The Phenomenal One earned his WWE Title opportunity with a “Sudden Death” Triple Threat Match win over Keith Lee and Riddle.

Danny Cause’s Prediction: Drew McIntyre

Steph Franchomme’s Prediction: AJ Styles

WWE TLC is streaming this Sunday at 7 PM EST (midnight GMT) on the WWE Network. The Kickoff Show begins at 6 PM EST (11 PM GMT) on WWE Network and WWE social platforms, including TikTok.

All pics and videos courtesy of WWE