EXPECT the unexpected is a good rule of thumb in the WWE.
Following last week’s tidy preview on this page, the wrestling world was stunned by the news that not one but two of the key players in the TLC show on Sunday night were ruled out due to illness.
Wrestling has always been a slave to events and Roman Reigns and Bray Wyatt were pulled from the show on Friday due to a virulent “viral infection”.
Sad to hear the two gentlemen were under the weather but, arguably, fans got a better show as a result and WWE got to keep the powder dry on The Shield actually wrestling a match together.
Legend Kurt Angle filled the breach in the main event and acquitted himself very well – bumps and all.
Ambrose and Rollins worked themselves into the ground, which they probably would have done in any event. The pair were terrific. And Miz really is worth the entrance money, a polished performer.
Nice to see Angle found the “Die Hard bad guy” section of WWE’s wardrobe department too.
“Yes!” chants rang out as The Shield took to the ring – a timely reminder from the crowd that there is one other retired gentlemen on the management team who absolutely fancies lacing up his boots again but should not do so.
FT would be astonished and very concerned if Daniel Bryan was allowed to set foot between the ropes again in WWE.
His safety and health is far more important than pleasing us – the great unwashed.
One person who would have been punching the air in delight about the change of plans was Finn Balor, who got to wrestle AJ Styles instead of Bray Wyatt, who he would have met for the third time in what seems like as many weeks. FT always has time for Wyatt but friends and colleagues have been clamouring for a shift in direction for the third generation star for some time. Few were looking forward to the two men going at it again. Instead, Balor, who has seemed pedestrian since his serious shoulder injury, got to turn up the heat with an excellent match against a man who turns in inspirational performances in his sleep. Let’s hope he can keep that momentum going and get back to the level he belongs at. Losing to Kane on RAW wasn’t the ideal start but an honourable mention must go to the Big Red Machine, making his record 175th PPV appearance for WWE. Both hotly anticipated women’s matches were very good, with last week’s interviewee Alexa Bliss and Mickie James rightly taking the plaudits. Asuka and Emma tipped the curtain and got a decent reception but they weren’t quite as strong. The Japanese remains unbeaten. So, on we go for some serious champion v champion fun at Survivor Series in three weeks’ time.