WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs 2015 predictions

WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs 2015 predictions

WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs is almost upon us, and with it comes speculation over who will leave the demolition derby not only intact, but also victorious. Will Roman Reigns reclaim the WWE World Heavyweight Title from Sheamus? Can Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens fight off Dean Ambrose? Maybe most important of all: How many tables, ladders and chairs will be laid to waste?

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Check out these WWE TLC predictions from “The Voice of ECW” Joey Styles, WWE Hall of Famer Howard Finkel and WWE.com editors, and add your own predictions in the comments section below.

Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose

@HowardFinkel: I’m truly torn picking a winner; I have the utmost respect for both participants. That said, I’m giving the nod to Dean Ambrose, just on a hunch. I’ve called him “Mr. Perpetual Motion” in the past, and I believe Ambrose will have more gas left in his tank to overcome Owens, becoming the new Intercontinental Champion in the process. WINNER: Dean Ambrose

@JoeyStyles: I look for this to be a smash-mouth meeting that will end with neither Dean Ambrose’s Dirty Deeds nor Kevin Owens’ Pop-Up Powerbomb. Rather, the prizefighter will win with a schoolboy and a handful of jeans before getting out of Boston faster that the patriots who dumped England’s tea into the harbor. WINNER: Kevin Owens

Is Kevin Owens The World's Most Dangerous Dad?

Greg Adkins: Dad vs. Mad? Dean Ambrose may be The Lunatic Fringe, but he’s not deranged enough to underestimate Kevin Owens a second time. For his part, the pugnacious brawler seems to have figured out in short order how to not only win titles, but how to keep a firm grip on them with power and poise. In this case, father really does know best. WINNER: Kevin Owens

Jeff Laboon: Dean Ambrose beat Kevin Owens in Survivor Series’ WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament, and there’s no reason he can’t do it again. Ambrose will rise to the occasion with the Intercontinental Championship on the line. WINNER: Dean Ambrose

John Clapp: Like a modern-day version of Dick Murdoch vs. Terry Funk, this match doesn’t need ladders, chairs or tables to be a demolition derby. Haymakers will fly, and Ambrose will endure more of them, and better, than Owens. WINNER: Dean Ambrose

Dean Ambrose: 3, Kevin Owens: 2

Ryback vs. Rusev

@HowardFinkel: Beauty (Lana) and the beast (Rusev) are back together again, which, to me, has rejuvenated Rusev to the max. That can only spell trouble for the Superstar from Sin City. Ryback will be a difficult opponent for Rusev to handle, but the end result will see The Bulgarian Brute prevail. WINNER: Rusev

@JoeyStyles: Forget TMZ, Summer Rae and Dolph Ziggler. With Rusev and Lana reunited, The Bulgarian Brute is no longer distracted by his broken heart; instead, he’s more concerned with breaking backs. Even though I don’t see Rusev making Ryback tap out to The Accolade, I do think he can steal a win with the help of Lana. After all, who can’t she distract? WINNER: Rusev

Photos: We Want Lana! |  See Ryback host a Superstar Training Experience

Greg Adkins: With his betrothed, Lana, in his corner, Rusev will have the undying support of The Ravishing Russian. Will that, along with the punishing Accolade, be enough to starve Ryback of victory? Da! WINNER: Rusev

Jeff Laboon: Rusev seems to be distracted of late, but you can’t blame him: He has a wedding to plan! But he will regain his composure as love conquers all — or in this case, crushes all. WINNER: Rusev

John Clapp: Until Lana inserted herself into the match, Ryback had Rusev scrambling Monday on Raw. Assuming he learned from that experience, The Big Guy can and will clinch the big win against The Bulgarian Brute. WINNER: Ryback

Rusev: 4, Ryback: 1

United States Champion Alberto Del Rio vs. Jack Swagger (Chairs Match)

@HowardFinkel: It’s great to see Jack Swagger back in business. I’ve always been so impressed with his never-say-die attitude. Yet, Alberto Del Rio has been virtually unstoppable since returning to WWE. I look for Del Rio to emerge victorious here. WINNER: Alberto Del Rio

@JoeyStyles: As capable as Jack Swagger is, he has been in a slump for more than a year. The only discernable reason I can see for Swagger getting a title match is that his personal past with Zeb Colter has driven him to target Alberto Del Rio. Add the fact that Del Rio defeated John Cena in quick fashion to win the U.S. Title, and this is WWE TLC’s most easily predictable outcome. WINNER: Alberto Del Rio

Watch Del Rio's backstage confrontation with Zeb Colter

Greg Adkins: Since returning to WWE, Alberto Del Rio has certainly proven himself worthy of the U.S. Title, as well as the WWE Universe’s collective scorn. With the crowd and his country behind him, though, Jack Swagger is poised to pull off the upset. WINNER: Jack Swagger 

Jeff Laboon: It’s fun to yell “We the people!” I’m not denying that. But this matchup won’t be about a catchphrase; it will be about a man reminding everyone that he’s one of the most athletic Superstars in WWE. WINNER: Jack Swagger

John Clapp: The Chairs Match environment guarantees huge physicality from these familiar rivals. It is also particularly well-suited for Alberto Del Rio’s mean streak, to Jack Swagger’s misfortune. WINNER: Alberto Del Rio

Alberto Del Rio: 3, Jack Swagger: 2

Divas Champion Charlotte (w/ Ric Flair) vs. Paige

@HowardFinkel: Recently, Charlotte seems to be relying just a little too much on her father’s influence— and the Flair name, for that matter. Perhaps her ego is swelling? Could be. And who better to bring her back to Earth than the brash Brit? I look for Paige to upend Charlotte and once again reign as Divas Champion. WINNER: Paige

@JoeyStyles: Anyone who believes that the recent problems Charlotte has caused Becky Lynch are absent malice probably also believed that Charlotte’s father wouldn’t turn on Sting (repeatedly) in WCW. Becky may be a fun-loving lass, but she’s no fool. I look for Lynch to be a factor in this matchup by thwarting Paige from winning the Divas Championship so she herself could be the one to take the title from Charlotte. WINNER: Charlotte

Watch video highlights from Survivor Sereis' Divas Title Match

Greg Adkins: To paraphrase the legendary Ric Flair, “To be The Woman, you’ve got to beat The Woman.” No one knows that more than Paige. The two-time Divas Champion seeks a third reign when she faces Flair’s daughter, and current champion, Charlotte. The title won’t come easy, but the unbridled — and arguably unhinged — Paige has proven she’ll sink to any depths for victory. WINNER: Paige

Jeff Laboon: Charlotte has been on a roll, but Paige has the experience advantage. Plus, Paige’s stirring of the pot and causing trouble between Charlotte and Becky Lynch will throw the champion off her game. WINNER: Paige

John Clapp: The Nature Boy’s presence at ringside might be enough to swing things in favor of the ever-cunning champion. Charlotte is hard enough to overcome by herself; add in her father, and Paige is in trouble. WINNER: Charlotte

Paige: 3, Charlotte: 2

WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day vs. The Usos vs. The Lucha Dragons (Triple Threat Ladder Match)

@HowardFinkel: I am looking forward to this match. I think The Usos and Lucha Dragons will negate each other due to their somewhat-comparable styles, and that somehow, some way, the advantage goes to The New Day. Big E, Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston will find a way to keep those WWE Tag Team Titles around their waists. WINNERS: The New Day

@JoeyStyles: Now that The Usos are reunited, I think they are the best of these three teams. However, regardless of which two members of The New Day compete, the third member will be free to interfere in the match, because there are no disqualifications in a Ladder Match. I see the insufferably obnoxious champs exploiting the numbers game to retain the championship. WINNERS: The New Day

How Kalisto became WWE's next great luchador |  Photos: Hall of WWE Tag Team Champions

Greg Adkins: The New Day is riding high. Atop a magical unicorn, no less! Though the high-flying Usos and Lucha Dragons are altitude assassins, Big E, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods will once again climb the ladder of success. WINNERS: The New Day

Jeff Laboon: The Usos spent much of 2015 watching The New Day succeed while Jey Uso recuperated from an injury. That had to get under their skin. The twins come into Boston more driven than ever. WINNERS: The Usos

John Clapp: This high-risk affair plays to the strength of The Lucha Dragons. If Kalisto & Sin Cara can avoid major damage in this fast-moving, six-Superstar melee, they will score the upset. WINNERS: The Lucha Dragons

The New Day: 3, The Usos: 1, The Lucha Dragons: 1

The Wyatt Family vs. The Dudley Boyz, Tommy Dreamer & Rhyno (8-Man Elimination Tables Match)

@HowardFinkel: On paper, this contest is tailor-made for “Team Extreme.” But with The Wyatt Family, you have a team that is fiercely loyal to their leader; they obtain victory at any cost, and won’t go down without a fight. The tables will turn, per se, in the direction of The Wyatts. WINNERS: The Wyatt Family

@JoeyStyles: As the voice of ECW, I’m obviously biased. Bubba, D-Von, Rhyno and Tommy have been my friends for more than 20 years. If this was a standard match, I would begrudgingly and broken-heartedly choose The Wyatt Family. However, anything can happen in a Tables Match. It’s going to take a lucky break (of a table), but I think my fellow ECW Originals can make magic for one more night. WINNERS: The Dudley Boyz, Tommy Dreamer & Rhyno

5 craziest moments from the original ECW |  Tag team table mayhem

Greg Adkins: This band of ECW Originals has been splintering pine since before The Wyatts were saplings. That extreme experience will prove overwhelming and allow the stalwart foursome to topple Bray’s renewed brood, featuring the alarming strength of Braun Strowman. WINNERS: The Dudley Boyz, Tommy Dreamer & Rhyno

Jeff Laboon: The ECW Originals will bring a crazy fight, but The Wyatt Family thrives on that style. ECW may have originated and perfected it, but The Wyatts will own it by the end of WWE TLC. WINNERS: The Wyatt Family

John Clapp: You never want to bet against an ECW Original, much less four of them, in a Tables Match. Yet, Braun Strowman might be indestructible. Not even this wily crew of extremists can force the living, breathing boulder of a human through a table. WINNERS: The Wyatt Family

The Wyatt Family: 3, The Dudley Boyz, Tommy Dreamer & Rhyno: 2

WWE World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus vs. Roman Reigns (TLC Match)

@HowardFinkel: Isn’t it amazing what winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship does for one’s psyche? Sheamus is certainly living proof, as wearing the title has made him that much more impressive. Despite The Celtic Warrior getting the worst of it in his impromptu Raw brawl against Reigns, the luck of the Irish will be with him at WWE TLC, as he retains his title in what should be a hard-fought TLC Match. WINNER: Sheamus

@JoeyStyles: If I believed that this was going to be a one-on-one match with no outside considerations, I’d pick Roman Reigns. However, with the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion flanked by The League of Nations, I see this match ending in controversy. Look for The League to make sure Sheamus remains champion. WINNER: Sheamus

Relive Sheamus and Roman Reigns' wild all-out brawl from Monday

Greg Adkins: To call Roman Reigns slightly motivated is like calling a great white shark a decent swimmer. Despite Reigns’ drive, the Irishman will continue to find a way to thwart him and retain. WINNER: Sheamus

Jeff Laboon: It’s been a long 2015 for Roman Reigns. He has had so many big moments spoiled by coming up just short. WWE TLC makes for the perfect setting to right those wrongs. WINNER: Roman Reigns

John Clapp: Will this be fought strategically or viciously? The Celtic Warrior might well have a better plan for retrieving the title, but he can’t match Roman Reigns’ ferocity. After many collisions with steel and timber, Sheamus will have trouble climbing to his feet, let alone a ladder. WINNER: Roman Reigns

Sheamus: 3, Roman Reigns: 2

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