{"id":5517,"date":"2015-12-13T10:24:34","date_gmt":"2015-12-13T16:24:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=5517"},"modified":"2015-12-14T04:55:22","modified_gmt":"2015-12-14T10:55:22","slug":"5517","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2015\/12\/13\/5517\/","title":{"rendered":"Now Is The Winter Of Our Discontent: McNEILL Previews TLC\u00a02015 (w\/Wrestling History Lesson!)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-3868040338\" class=\"pwtor-before-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><hr \/><b>SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... <\/b>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?show_id=3076978&theme=light&playlist=false&playlist-continuous=false&autoplay=false&live-autoplay=false&chapters-image=true&episode_image_position=right&hide-logo=false&hide-likes=false&hide-comments=false&hide-sharing=false&hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"140px\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe>\r\n<hr \/><\/div><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-2659\" src=\"http:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/StaffMcNeill07_120.jpg\" alt=\"StaffMcNeill07_120\" width=\"120\" height=\"138\" \/>Wake the pets &amp; call the neighbors, it\u2019s time for our exclusive WWE Network pseudo PPV projections!<\/p>\n<p>DISCLAIMER: Projections are based on what the columnist would do if he were booking this event, instead of Paul \u201cNXT\u201d Levesque, Runjin Singh, Ed Koskey, and WWE President Bats\u2014 Crazy Vincent Kennedy Gagne. Projections are not predictions, because this is the column where everything\u2019s made up and the points don\u2019t matter. This preview has been sealed in a mayonnaise jar on Funk &amp; Wagnall\u2019s porch since noon today. Some of our departing contestants will receive a year&#8217;s supply of Minwax Wood Finish. America&#8217;s finest line of interior stain products, in twenty-two colors. Minwax makes and keeps wood beautiful. Pat McNeill\u2019s wardrobe provided by Rubin Brothers International Fashions Limited. Remember, this is only an exhibition. This is not a competition. Please, please, no wagering. This lineup is based on the best available information as of this writing. These projections are based on what the columnist would do if he had creative control over WWE, right after he brings back the World Six Man Tag Team Titles.<\/p>\n<p>Remember how upset Mr. McMahon got last December during the Stone Cold Podcast when Steve Austin suggested that the Chairman might be, you know, out of touch? It\u2019s one year later, and it sure looks like the man who\u2019s booking World Wrestling Entertainment has completely lost the pulse of his audience. Things are bad enough that Mr. McMahon\u2019s subordinates are talking to the wrestling press, which is how we know it was Vince\u2019s idea to pair Alberto Del Rio up with Zeb Colter. Still, if the Boss can wait until January, he\u2019ll have John Cena, The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar back, and that will make up for some poor booking decisions.<\/p>\n<p>Before we preview tonight\u2019s show, let\u2019s get to this month\u2019s edition of the <b>Wrestling History Lesson<\/b>, because that\u2019s why many of you clicked here in the first place. Twenty years ago, on December 17, 1995, the World Wrestling Federation presented its \u201cIn Your House 5: Season\u2019s Beatings\u201d pay-per-view from Hershey, Pennsylvania. On that event, it was <b>Henry Godwin<\/b> locking up with <b>Hunter Hearst Helmsley<\/b> in our first ever Hog Pen Match! Vince McMahon and Jerry \u201cThe King\u201d Lawler had the call.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zEcUWLxjoZ8\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>What was happening in World Wrestling Entertainment fifteen years ago? I\u2019m glad you asked! On December 11, 2000 the World Wrestling Federation presented a live episode of Monday Night Raw from Memphis, Tennessee. The opening match was a big tag team contest, as <b>The Hardy Boys<\/b> took on <b>Dean Malenko &amp; Perry Saturn.<\/b>. Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler had the call.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Ezgvm6Za_1s\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Did you catch WWE Smackdown? Well, you can watch one of the segments from this past Thursday night right now. It\u2019s the contract signing between Kevin Owens and Dean Ambrose for Sunday\u2019s battle for the Intercontinental Title. And nothing\u2019s more exciting than a contract signing on a wrestling program. Enjoy.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/EJQvbHPbpQk \" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler and John B. Layfield will be announcing the show. Renee Young, Booker T and Byron Saxton will be doing the preshow while Tom Phillips will sit alone in the social media lounge, reading your tweets in the dark. On with the program!<\/p>\n<p>Will we have a pre-show match to round out the show? Sure. Let\u2019s say that it\u2019s <b>Goldust<\/b> defeating <b>Bo Dallas.<\/b><\/p><div id=\"pwtor-4252855751\" class=\"pwtor-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>We probably also need another match for the pay-per-view, don\u2019t you think? Let\u2019s go with <b>The Prime Time Players<\/b> getting some air time with a win over <b>Los Matadores.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Ryback vs. Rusev (w\/ Lana):<\/b> Over on WWE.com. John Clapp opened his preview of the bout by writing \u201cWith the emersion of The League of Nations\u2026\u201d With apologies to Mandy Patinkin, I do not think that word means what Mr. Clapp thinks it means. <b>Projection?<\/b> It is time to bust out another classic. Lana brings a handbag with her to the ring. Like Missy Hyatt\u2019s handbag in the 1980\u2019s, Lana\u2019s purse contains a brick. Rusev whacks Ryback with the loaded purse and gets disqualified. Don\u2019t look at me that way, I never would have put this match on the show to begin with.<\/p>\n<p><b>Charlotte Flair vs. Paige Knight (WWE Divas Title):<\/b> Two heels are fighting for the title, yay. <b>Projection?<\/b> Charlotte finally applies the Figure Eight on Paige, and gets extra leverage from The Dirtiest Father In The Game outside the ring to force Paige to tap. We still have Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch, Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks and Charlotte vs. Bayley to get through by WrestleMania. There\u2019s no more time for the First Daughter to feud with the Alabaster Angel.<\/p>\n<p><b>The Dudleys, Tommy Dreamer &amp; Rhyno vs. The Wyatt Family (Tables Elimination Match):<\/b> Okay, I like the idea of sending Dreamer &amp; Rhyno out on the road to fill spots until some of the injured roster members return. That\u2019s good thinking. Having Tommy Dreamer wrestle Braun Strowman on Raw? Sound booking, but it didn\u2019t make for much of a match. <b>Projection?<\/b> The New Day\u2019s \u201cSave The Tables\u201d campaign takes a major hit, as Bray drops Bubba through a table to be the Sole Survivor for his flock.<\/p>\n<p><b>Alberto Del Rio vs. Jack Swagger (WWE United States Title \u2013 Chairs Match):<\/b> That\u2019s right, Zeb Colter and Alberto Del Rio are on the rocks. It\u2019s a good move, because the only thing less useful than a babyface manager is a babyface manager working with the heel he\u2019s been opposing for two years. <b>Projection?<\/b> Zeb comes out to ringside in the middle of the match, and tries to help the Real American. It ends poorly as Del Rio removes Zeb from his Rascal and clobbers Swagger with the vehicle, knocking out Big Jack. Del Rio wins with an assist from the (*ahem*) wheeled chair.<\/p>\n<p><b>The New Day vs. The Lucha Dragons vs. The Usos (WWE Tag Team Titles \u2013 Ladder Match): <\/b> Yes, two ladder matches on the same show. If the company has any brains, this will be the opener, to put as much distance as possible between the tag titles and the main event. <b>Projection?<\/b> While the six participants brawl all over the furniture, Dr. Xavier Woods uses a ladder and a couple of tables to build himself a bridge to the tag titles, enabling The New Day to remain champions. Let\u2019s let the Usos work for it.<\/p>\n<p><b>Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose (WWE Intercontinental Title):<\/b> Okay, what did I write for this month last month? Because I know WWE didn\u2019t use my finish. <b>Projection?<\/b> \u201cI have a feeling that protecting Owens will be a bigger priority than protecting Dean Ambrose, so let\u2019s go with Owens poking Dean in the eyes and winning with a rollup.<\/p>\n<p><b>Sheamus vs. Roman Reigns (WWE Heavyweight Title \u2013 TLC Match):<\/b> I\u2019m sure everyone heard how the fans in Charleston, South Carolina walked out during the final segment of Raw. I am sympathetic to the crowd. Look, at this point they\u2019d already seen Reigns and Sheamus wrestle. Do you really want to hear them tackle their scripted promos. That segment was dead until they both started throwing punches.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-276057265\" class=\"pwtor-content-1 pwtor-entity-placement\"><!-- Tag ID: pwtorchcom_test_300x600 -->\r\n<div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __300x600\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>Is there a way to get fans interested in this main event? Well, maybe WWE could be inspired by the video above and throw in a hog pen. A little pork would add something to the TLC match. In fact, you could make it a Bacon, Ladders, Tables and chairs. The first ever BLTC match! (Okay, that\u2019s a horrible idea for the pay-per-view. That\u2019s a match concept you save for the post pay-per-view episode of Raw this Monday.)<\/p>\n<p>I have heard that Mr. McMahon wants to save Roman Reigns\u2019 title win until WrestleMania, and give the Big Dawg his WrestleMania moment. But I think it\u2019s more important to not have another three months of Sheamus as WWE Champion. <b>Projection?<\/b> Superman punch, put Sheamus through a table, climb the ladder and end the show the way Survivor Series should have ended, with Roman Reigns holding the WWE Title.<\/p>\n<p>If the Philadelphia fans boo Roman Reigns Monday night on Raw, hey, at least they\u2019re not leaving early.<\/p>\n<p><b>Aftermath:<\/b> Next month is the Royal Rumble. Cena, Undertaker and Lesnar are in the Rumble. \u2018Taker eliminates Cena from behind, and beats up Big Match John when he stands up to the Dead Man. Lesnar wins the Rumble in dominating fashion. Also, Reigns beats Sheamus again to end their feud.<\/p>\n<p>February is Fast Lane. Reigns defends the WWE Title against Undertaker. John Cena drops in on the match and bloodies up Undertaker with Cena\u2019s old bicycle chain, enabling Roman to keep his title. What\u2019s that? You think the fans will boo John Cena over this? Dude, they\u2019re going to boo Cena anyway. He\u2019s feuding with The Undertaker.<\/p>\n<p>And yes, we get to Reigns and Lesnar having their WrestleMania rematch in Dallas, and the big Undertaker vs. John Cena blowout in front of 94,000 people. That should prop this company up for another four months.<\/p>\n<p>***<\/p>\n<p><i>Pat McNeill of Greenville, South Carolina has been a PWTorch Columnist since 2001. He\u2019d take the New England Patriots over the Houston Texans on Sunday Night Football. You know, if gambling were legal.<\/i><\/p>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-2503369359\"><div id=\"pwtor-1577699171\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\nTHANK YOU FOR VISITING<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>Wake the pets &amp; call the neighbors, it\u2019s time for our exclusive WWE Network pseudo PPV projections! DISCLAIMER: Projections are based on what the columnist would do if he were booking this event, instead of <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2015\/12\/13\/5517\/\" title=\"Now Is The Winter Of Our Discontent: McNEILL Previews TLC\u00a02015 (w\/Wrestling History Lesson!)\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5296,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[58],"tags":[155,1322,74,328,1101,71,1099],"class_list":["post-5517","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-takes_mcneill","tag-pat-mcneill","tag-pat-mcneill-ppv-preview","tag-roman-reigns","tag-sheamus","tag-tlc-ppv","tag-wwe","tag-wwe-tlc"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/SheamusBelt_3x2.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5517","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5517"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5517\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5518,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5517\/revisions\/5518"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5296"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5517"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5517"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5517"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}