Welcome to another edition of WWE Heat Index, wherein we discuss the interest level for the various feuds heading into the pay-per-view events. This time around, we’re focusing on Tables, Ladders and Chairs 2019 coming this Sunday night.
The way this works is a pretty simple three-way breakdown of Hot, Lukewarm and Cold. If you like something and you’re very interested in how WWE is setting up the program, it’s Hot (aka Good). If you’re a bit on the fence about it and see some problems, but it’s not awful, then it’s just Okay or Lukewarm. The ones that are the most problematic that you have no interest in are Cold (aka Bad).
Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section to let everyone know what your thermometer reads for each feud as I tell you what my thoughts are below!
Without further ado, let’s get started!
TLC Match: Roman Reigns vs. King Corbin = Lukewarm
The only reason this is a TLC match is because WWE wants TLC to happen every December, and that stuff bothers me. Yes, this should have a gimmick to settle the score, but why TLC? They haven’t done anything to justify the need of tables, ladders and chairs. If anything, this should be a scepter and handcuff and dog food match based on the build.
But at least this should be the end of it. They’ll finish the feud and move on to something else. And for what it’s worth, I’m more of a fan of Corbin than most people and I think the match has potential.
Prediction: Roman Reigns wins.
Bray Wyatt vs. The Miz = Lukewarm
I’d be SO much more into this if Daniel Bryan were involved and it were a Triple Threat. As it stands with just The Miz as a challenger and this being non-title, I’m left feeling like this has no buzz. Why is it non-title?? I don’t get it.
I really like The Miz. He’s one of my favorites. But I don’t think he’ll be able to work an enthralling match with The Fiend, who I feel is very limited in what he can do. He’s either going to have to be a constant dominator, which is boring, or get his ass kicked and no-sell, which we’ve seen enough of. If he wrestles the sweater version of Wyatt, then that could be super interesting, but even then, why isn’t the title on the line?
Like many other things on this card, I feel like WWE is trying to stretch something out as long as possible rather than giving me the next step.
Prediction: Bray Wyatt wins.
Aleister Black vs. Buddy Murphy = Lukewarm
Man, these two can go, and I really wish it could be the type of thing people will be into. Sadly, I can imagine most casual fans will look at this card and say “Meh, why do I care about these two?” That’s a shame, as they’re capable of some great matches. But I do feel like this is going to hinder them and they’ll be quickly forgotten about after wrestling in front of a dead crowd by being put in between two more grandiose matches.
Prediction: Aleister Black wins.
Tables Match: Rusev vs. Bobby Lashley = Cold
Simply put, I have absolutely hated the overacting in this dumb feud, I have no interest in seeing this continue, I don’t feel like there’s any payoff that will come out of this and I don’t think the match will be good. I’m entirely Cold on every aspect of this.
Prediction: Bobby Lashley wins.
Raw Tag Team Championship Match: The Viking Raiders (c) vs. TBA = Cold
This is an open challenge and I feel like WWE is only going with the mystery route because it’s more interesting than flat out announcing Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows. When WWE lets everyone’s imaginations run wild, it’s a potential disappointment, as everyone starts jumping to conclusions. Expectations grow and then, when it’s announced that it’s just The O.C., it falls flat.
That, or AOP come out and Kevin Owens interrupts and brawls with Seth Rollins, and this is how they go about putting those guys on the card without actually doing the match.
I’m setting my expectations very low for this in the hopes that I’m pleasantly surprised.
Prediction: The Viking Raiders retain unless they’re up against AOP.
SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match: The New Day (c) vs. The Revival = Cold
I hate saying this is a Cold, because I’m a huge fan of both these teams and I know how great of a job they can do in the ring. However, I’ve seen this match enough times that simply doing it again does nothing for me.
There’s no hook for intrigue. Either The New Day retain the titles or they don’t. If The Revival win, we’re back to the same state we were like 6 times this year. If the belts stay where they are, nothing changes, either. It’s just sort of happening for the sake of happening and doesn’t push anything further.
The match should be fine, if not good or great. I have no doubts about that. But when it comes to intrigue, it’s not psyching me up.
Prediction: The New Day wins.
Women’s Tag Team Championship TLC Match: The Kabuki Warriors (c) vs. Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair = Hot
Fundamentally, the level of talent in this match is amazing. All four of these superstars are great and I inherently trust that they’ll put on a great contest.
What throws me off and makes it so I’m admittedly not 100% Hot about it is that I feel like this is just a stall. I don’t think WWE has anybody in mind to challenge Becky Lynch and they’re literally throwing this together because “that’ll keep her busy” for now. Then, there’s another easy stretch with Royal Rumble. Then, if someone wins and challenges her, they can coast even more until WrestleMania. That way, they basically have nothing they have to do but crown a challenger and wait for one match over the course of a five month period.
Very cheap, if that’s the case, and I’m also concerned the titles will change hands and it will lead to Becky vs. Charlotte AGAIN. But I’ll still give this a Hot because the match itself has a ton of potential to be great.
Prediction: The Kabuki Warriors win.
Those are my thoughts, but how do you feel about these particular feuds? What’s hot and what’s cold in your mind? Fill us in on your point of view in the comments below!
