WWE needs a TLC home run
Raw and Smackdown are going in opposite directions, and WWE needs TLC to be a hit tonight.
When you factor in how bad Raw has been lately, it needs a strong showing at TLC to make up for the abysmal ratings the show has had.
Two weeks in a row now, Raw has scored record lows, and it has to have the WWE brass thankful it already negotiated its new TV deals with NBC Universal and Fox.
After the Dec. 3 edition of Raw drew an all-time low of 2.29 viewers, this past Monday鈥檚 version only drew 2.194 viewers.
This isn鈥檛 to say that Smackdown is blowing it out of the water with viewers either as Tuesday鈥檚 show had 1.977 viewers, but that is down over 500,000 viewers from the same week a year ago.
With two of Raw鈥檚 main stars, Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman out, and with another wrestler, Kevin Owens, who is trying to break through the glass ceiling to become a star, also out, the show has been lifeless at times.
Smackdown has been the more compelling show as of late, and it is not even close.
With tonight鈥檚 PPV being the last special event of 2018, the Road to WrestleMania is right around the corner and TLC needs to deliver.
The most hyped match on either show is the Smackdown women鈥檚 title match that will see Becky Lynch defend against Charlotte Flair and Asuka in a TLC match.
Daniel Bryan defends the WWE championship against AJ Styles and look for the match to be stellar.
On the Raw side, the two big matches will see Seth Rollins defending the Intercontinental title against Dean Ambrose and Ronda Rousey will defend the Raw women鈥檚 title against Nia Jax.
A match that should be excellent is the Finn Balor versus Drew McIntyre bout.
McIntyre is about to become the next top star on Raw, so look for him to win, or demolish, Balor.
Elias faces Bobby Lashley in a ladder match with a guitar hanging above the ring and look for Lio Rush to get involved.
The Bar defends the Smackdown tag titles against The New Day and The Uso鈥檚, Natalya faces Ruby Riott in a tables match, Randy Orton takes on Rey Mysterio in a chairs match, Buddy Murphy defends the Cruiserweight title against Cedric Alexander and the team of R-Truth and Carmella takes on Jinder Mahal and Alicia Fox in the Mixed Match Challenge finals where the winning team will get the No. 30 spot in the Royal Rumble matches.
Strowman is scheduled to face Baron Corbin, but it is still not known if Strowman will be cleared to wrestle following his recent surgery.
Regardless, look for him to appear.
WWE really needs a solid effort tonight, and for its sake, I hope it delivers.
McMahon and Angle back Monday?
Word is that Vince McMahon and Kurt Angle will both return Monday on Raw.
McMahon is said to be ready to 鈥渟hake things up.鈥�
WWE Week on USA Network
The USA Network鈥檚 annual WWE Week kicks off Monday with Raw and Smackdown airs on Tuesday.
On Wednesday at 10 p.m., a new WWE special titled, New Day鈥檚 WWE 2018 Pancake Powered New Year Super Spectacular will air.
On Thursday at 9 p.m., the annual Tribute to the Troops show airs and at 11 p.m., there will be a Miz and Mrs. marathon.
On Friday, Dwayne 鈥淭he Rock鈥� Johnson鈥檚 movie San Andreas airs at 6 p.m.
Email questions/comments to Bill at powerhousehughes@gmail.com or tweet them to me @BillHughes_III.