WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders, & Chairs 2016: Matches, Rumors, and More

Survivor Seriesis in the books and now the Rawand SmackDownbrands are left back to their own devices...at least until January. Our next stop is WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders, & Chairs. A SmackDown-based PPV, the show will feature a TLC Match and elements of the TLC Match spread across the rest of the card.

As a PPV, TLCwas introduced in 2009, making this the eighth installment. It’s been a regular, annual show and has been kind of a more predictable Extreme Rules. There was also 2014, when the show was called Tables, Ladders, Chairs, & Stairs due to a silly Chairs Match between Big Show and Erick Rowan, but that was enough of a dud to send the show back to normal in 2015.

WHEN IS WWE TLC: TABLES, LADDERS, & CHAIRS 2016?

The show will take place on Sunday December 4 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

CONFIRMED MATCHES

AJ STYLES (C) VS. DEAN AMBROSE

TLC Match for the WWE World Championship

Months back, AJ Styles challenged for Ambrose’s championship and won due to a kick to the crotch. They had a triple threat against Cena and Styles went to town with a chair to retain. He had a non-title match with Ambrose where Ambrose had the chance to earn another title shot, but James Ellsworth screwed the pooch by accidentally getting Ambrose disqualified. In another match, Ellsworth made it up to Ambrose by distracting Styles enough for Ambrose to capitalize and win his title shot.

The two tried to put aside their differences at Survivor Series in a match between Rawand SmackDown, but their hatred ruled over civility and caused Ambrose to get picked off by Braun Strowman. Ambrose returned later in the match to attack Styles, reunite with his old Shield buddies, and put Styles through a table.

As a warm up for this TLC Match, Styles competed against James Ellsworth in a Ladder Match where Ellsworth’s SmackDowncontract was on the line. Ambrose interfered yet again and made Ellsworth 3-0 against AJ Styles.

In the week that followed, after neutralizing Ambrose, Styles took out his revenge on Ellsworth and badly beat him down, including a Styles Clash off the steel steps. Ellsworth was taken away in an ambulance while Ambrose blamed himself. At the end of the show, Ambrose attacked Styles.

BECKY LYNCH (C) VS. ALEXA BLISS

Tables Match for the WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship

After weeks of hype (due to Becky being on the shelf), Becky Lynch successfully defended her championship against Alexa Bliss by making her tap to the Disarmer. There was still some controversy in that as Alexa’s legs were under the rope. She continued to complain about the injustice until Daniel Bryan relented and put together this rematch.

During the contract signing, the two traded barbs back and forth until Becky attacked Alexa and set her up on the top rope. Alexa shoved Becky off of her and through a table. Now it's going to be a Tables Match. Funny how that happens.

THE MIZ (C) VS. DOLPH ZIGGLER

Ladder Match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship

Miz and Ziggler have been fighting tooth and nail for months and we were set to have Ziggler defend the Intercontinental Championship at Survivor Series against Raw’s Sami Zayn. Miz challenged Ziggler beforehand and won his title back via Maryse’s cheating. Maryse then helped Miz retain against Zayn at Survivor Series, therefore keeping the belt on SmackDown.

After a match against Kalisto, Miz was ambushed by Ziggler, who superkicked him into unconsciousness. Miz complained to Daniel Bryan. Bryan decided on a Ladder Match, insisting that it would settle the score and would be the end to their feud, no matter the winner.

BEAUTY AND THE MAN-BEAST (C) VS. BRAY WYATT AND RANDY ORTON

WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship

The champs have had basically nothing to do with the build for this at all. Instead, SmackDownhad a Gauntlet to see who would be #1 contenders. American Alpha braved through it and defeated the Usos at the end despite being worn down from prior falls. Their celebration was cut short when the Wyatt Family appeared on the Titantron to say that they would face off a week later to decide who was truly the #1 contenders.

It made sense. After all, Wyatt and Orton were the two survivors in the Rawvs. SmackDownelimination tag match at Survivor Series. Thanks to the help of Luke Harper, they were able to defeat American Alpha and now have their sights set on getting Wyatt his first WWE championship.

NIKKI BELLA VS. CARMELLA

No Disqualification Match

Since the women’s division started up on SmackDown, Carmella has had a habit of constantly attacking Nikki Bella. 9 out of 10 times, she’d get the best of her one way or another. They decided to put that aside for Survivor Series, but...did they really?

Nikki was found beat up backstage and couldn’t compete. After the fact, she’s blamed Carmella, but Carmella’s pointed out that she’s usually pretty open to gloating about beating Nikki up. Regardless, they’re going to have their final battle at TLC.

KALISTO VS. BARON CORBIN

Chairs Match

Months ago, Baron Corbin roughed up Kalisto so badly backstage that their planned PPV bout was scrapped.

Corbin was chosen to represent SmackDownin the Survivor Series elimination tag, but his overwhelming selfishness got him kicked off the team. Instead, he was given a match on SmackDownagainst Kalisto, which he lost via roll-up.

Corbin got his revenge by doing a run-in and causing Kalisto his shot at the Cruiserweight Championship. Two days later, he repeated the action and prevented Kalisto from winning the Intercontinental Championship. Kalisto got him back by running in during a Corbin vs. Kane bout and taking Corbin down with a Van Daminator.

UNCONFIRMED AND LIKELY MATCHES

Storywise, nobody else is really unaccounted for, but expect some throwaway match during the pre-show. Probably involving all the tag teams that don't have anything else going on.

Check back for more news on WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders, & Chairs 2016!

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