| TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs | |||
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 Promotional poster featuringRoman Reigns | |||
| Promotion | WWE | ||
| Date | December 13, 2015 | ||
| City | Boston,Massachusetts | ||
| Venue | TD Garden | ||
| Attendance | 14,903[1] | ||
| WWE event chronology | |||
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| TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs chronology | |||
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The 2015TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs was aprofessional wrestlingpay-per-view (PPV) andlivestreamingevent produced byWWE. It was the seventh annualTLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs and took place on December 13, 2015, at theTD Garden inBoston,Massachusetts. This was the last TLC event to be held before the reintroduction of thebrand extension in July 2016.
Eight matches were contested at the event, including one on the Kickoff pre-show. In the main event,Sheamus defeatedRoman Reigns in aTables, Ladders, and Chairs match to retain theWWE World Heavyweight Championship. In other prominent matches,Dean Ambrose defeatedKevin Owens to win theWWE Intercontinental Championship and in the opening match,The New Day (Big E andKofi Kingston) defeatedThe Lucha Dragons (Kalisto andSin Cara) andThe Usos (Jey Uso andJimmy Uso) to retain theWWE Tag Team Championship.
TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs was an annualprofessional wrestlingevent produced every December byWWE since 2009. Theconcept of the event was based on the primary matches of the card each containing a stipulation usingtables,ladders, andchairs as legal weapons, with the main event generally being aTables, Ladders, and Chairs match.[2][3] The 2015 event was the seventh TLC and was scheduled to take place on December 13, 2015, at theTD Garden inBoston,Massachusetts. The event aired onpay-per-view (PPV) worldwide and was available tolivestream on theWWE Network.[4]
The event comprised eight matches, including one on the Kickoff pre-show, that resulted from scripted storylines. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers,[5][6] while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television shows,Raw andSmackDown.
AtSurvivor Series,Roman Reigns defeatedDean Ambrose in a tournament final to win thevacantWWE World Heavyweight Championship, butSheamus then cashed in hisMoney in the Bank contract and defeated Reigns to win the title.[7] The following night onRaw, Sheamus was scheduled to defend the championship against Reigns in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match at the event.[8] On the November 30 episode ofRaw, Reigns received an early title match, in which he would win the title if he could defeat Sheamus in under 5:15; Reigns won the match by disqualification, but he did not win the title.[9]
On the November 26 episode ofSmackDown, Dean Ambrose defeatedTyler Breeze andDolph Ziggler in atriple threat match to earn anIntercontinental Championship match againstKevin Owens at the event.[10]
On the November 30 episode ofRaw,The Lucha Dragons (Kalisto andSin Cara) andThe Usos (Jey Uso andJimmy Uso) faced in a number-one contender's match forThe New Day's (Kofi Kingston,Xavier Woods, andBig E)WWE Tag Team Championships, where The New Day attacked both teams, causing a double-disqualification.Stephanie McMahon decided that, because neither team lost, both would challenge the champions in a triple threattag teamladder match at the event.[9]
At Survivor Series,Charlotte defeatedPaige via submission to retain theWWE Divas Championship.[7] On the following night onRaw, Paige argued that Charlotte had cheated to retain the title, and received a rematch, which ended in a double countout.[8] Following this, another rematch was scheduled for TLC.[11]
On the November 23 episode ofRaw,Bray Wyatt andLuke Harper defeatedThe Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray Dudley andD-Von Dudley).[8] The Dudley Boyz then defeatedBraun Strowman andErick Rowan on the next episode ofSmackDown.[10] The next week onRaw,Tommy Dreamer returned to WWE and joined The Dudley Boyz, after which, the two groups fought to a no contest. On the December 3 ofSmackDown, Wyatt defeatedD-Von Dudley.[12] On the December 7 episode ofRaw,Rhyno returned to WWE, joining The Dudleyz, after which aneight-man tag team eliminationtables match pitting The Dudleyz, Dreamer, and Rhyno againstThe Wyatt Family (Wyatt, Rowan, Harper, and Strowman) was scheduled for the event.[11]
On the November 30 episode of Raw,Ryback interruptedLana's return and defeatedRusev by countout in an impromptu match.[9] After a rematch the following week on Raw, which ended in a double countout,[11] a match was scheduled between the two at the event.
AtHell in a Cell,Alberto Del Rio made his return to WWE to win his firstUnited States Championship, while joining forces withmanagerZeb Colter,[13] leading to confrontations with Colter's former protege,Jack Swagger. After Del Rio ended his association with Colter on the December 7 episode ofRaw, a title defense against Swagger in achairs match was scheduled to take place at the event.[11]
| Role: | Name: |
|---|---|
| English commentators | Michael Cole |
| John "Bradshaw" Layfield | |
| Jerry Lawler | |
| Xavier Woods(opening match only) | |
| Spanish commentators | Carlos Cabrera |
| Marcelo Rodríguez | |
| Interviewers | Tom Phillips |
| JoJo | |
| Ring announcers | Lilian Garcia |
| Eden Stiles | |
| Referees | Darrick Moore |
| Chad Patton | |
| Jason Ayers | |
| John Cone | |
| Ryan Tran | |
| Rod Zapata | |
| Dan Engler | |
| Mike Chioda | |
| Pre-show panel | Renee Young |
| Byron Saxton | |
| Corey Graves | |
| Booker T |
During the TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs Kickoff pre-show,Sasha Banks facedBecky Lynch. In the end,Lynch applied the Dis-Arm-Her on Banks butTamina distracted the referee whilstNaomi kicked Becky. Banks forced Lynch to submit to the Banks Statement to win the match.[1]
The actual pay-per-view event opened with The New Day's Big E and Kofi Kingston defending the WWE Tag team Championship against The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso) and The Lucha Dragons (Kalisto and Sin Cara) in a triple threat tag team ladder match. During the match, Kingston - with the help of Big E - dropkicked a ladder into Jey Uso, who was seated in the ring corner. Big E then executed an Overhead Belly to Belly Suplex into the ladder on Jimmy Uso. Later in the match, Jimmy and Jey dropkicked a ladder into Big E. Jimmy performed a Running Hip Attack into a ladder which Jey held against Kingston, who was hung in the Tree of Woe. Kalisto performed a Salida Del Sol on Jey through a ladder bridged between another ladder and the ring ropes. The match ended when Xavier Woods threw histrombone at Kalisto, who was about to retrieve the title belts. Kingston retrieved the belts to retain the titles.[1]
Next, Rusev faced Ryback. In the end, Ryback attempted Shell Shocked on Rusev but Rusev countered the move and performed a Roundhouse Kick on Ryback. Rusev applied the Accolade on Ryback, who passed out, giving Rusev the win.[1]
After that, Alberto Del Rio defended the United States Championship against Jack Swagger in a Chairs match. During the match, Swagger attempted a Swagger Bomb on Del Rio but Del Rio countered with a chair shot to Swagger's midsection. Swagger applied a Patriot Lock whilst Del Rio's ankle was trapped inside a chair but Del Rio escaped the hold. The match ended when Del Rio executed a Diving Double Foot Stomp on Swagger, who was hung in the Tree of Woe, onto a pile of chairs and pinned Swagger to retain the championship.[1]
In the fourth match, The Wyatt Family (Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, Erick Rowan, and Braun Strowman) faced The ECW Originals (Bubba Ray Dudley, D-Von Dudley, Tommy Dreamer, and Rhyno) in an eight-man tag team elimination tables match. Erick Rowan was eliminated after Bubba Ray and D-Von put him through a table with a 3D. Rhyno was eliminated by Harper after getting hit by a Big Boot causing Rhyno to fall through a table. D-Von was eliminated by Wyatt after a Uranage Slam through a table. Dreamer was eliminated after Harper performed a Suicide Dive on Dreamer, pushing him through a table. Bubba Ray poured lighter fluid on a table but Strowman put him through a table with a Chokeslam to win the match for The Wyatt Family.[1]
Next, Kevin Owens defended the Intercontinental Championship against Dean Ambrose. During the match, Ambrose performed a Suicide Dive on Owens and attempted a Rebound Lariat but Owens countered with a Fallaway Slam into the barricade on Ambrose, which he followed by a Running Senton. Owens performed a Super Rolling Fireman's Carry Slam on Ambrose for a near-fall. Owens attempted a Pop Up Powerbomb but Ambrose countered the move and executed Dirty Deeds. Ambrose pinned Owens but Owens placed a finger on the bottom rope to void the pinfall. In the end, Owens attempted a Pop Up Powerbomb but Ambrose countered with a Hurricanrana and pinned Owens with a roll-up to win the title.[1]
In the sixth match, Charlotte (with Ric Flair) defended the WWE Divas Championship against Paige. During the match, Paige performed a Ram-Paige on Charlotte but Ric Flair placed Charlotte's foot on the bottom rope to void the pinfall. The match ended when Charlotte removed the cover from a turnbuckle and tripped Paige into the exposed turnbuckle, pinning Paige to retain the title.[1]
In the main event, Sheamus defended the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Roman Reigns in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match. During the match, Reigns threw Sheamus into chairs set up on tables near the entrance way. Reigns attempted a Powerbomb on Sheamus but Sheamus countered with a Back Body Drop through a table, followed by a Drop Suplex through another table and White Noise off the steel steps through another table. Sheamus attempted a Rolling Fireman's Carry Slam but Reigns countered the move and executed a Deadlift Powerbomb onto a ladder on Sheamus, followed by a Samoan Drop through a ladder bridged between the ring and a broadcast table. Reigns knocked Sheamus off a ladder with aSuperman Punch, causing Sheamus to fall through a table. In the climax, Reigns attempted to retrieve the title belt but Rusev and Alberto Del Rio pulled him off the ladder; Del Rio performed a Superkick on Reigns. Reigns executed Superman Punches on Rusev and Del Rio and pulled Sheamus off the ladder but Sheamus executed a Brogue Kick on Reigns. Sheamus retrieved the belt to retain the title.[1]
After the match, Sheamus, Rusev, and Del Rio were celebrating until Reigns performed a double Spear on Rusev and Del Rio and attacked Sheamus with a chair.Triple H,Stephanie McMahon, and WWE officials attempted to calm down Reigns, who, however, attacked Triple H with a Superman Punch, several chair shots, and a Powerbomb on a broadcast table, ending the attack with an Elbow Drop through the broadcast table. As medical personnel attempted to help Triple H out, Reigns delivered a Spear to Triple H.[1]
The event received generally mixed reviews from critics, though it was considered a major improvement from the previous pay-per-view.
James Caldwell ofPro Wrestling Torch reviewed the event's matches out of 5 stars: the tag title opener received 4.25 stars with "a lot of chaos and crash & burn'ing", and "Kalisto's Salida del Sol off the ladder was the highlight of the match." The U.S. title match and the Intercontinental title match also received the same rating, the former having Del Rio "solid in victory" while "no one seemed to think Swagger had a chance of winning", while for the latter was a "solid match, but not long enough to get to that next level." Ryback-Rusev received 2 stars: "Just a placeholder that didn't seem to move either guy since Ryback keeps losing and Rusev isn't taken seriously anymore." Two matches were unrated: the tables match, where "the hardcore team was just there to help re-establish the Wyatts after the Wyatts went through a series of big losses", and the women's match, whereRic Flair "was a distraction from whatever match they were trying to have between two unlikable characters with no sympathy for Paige." Lastly, the main event was rated 3 stars, as Roman Reigns and Sheamus "tried hard, but the crowd just wasn't into either guy at the main event level."[1]
Nick Tylwalk ofCanadian Online Explorer wrote that "TLC sends the year out on a blah note for the WWE". The event was rated 6.5/10, as "an acceptable though uninspiring affair that at least seemed to get some new fans cheering for Reigns before the show faded to black." The best rated match was the tag title match at 8.5/10, the worst being Rusev-Ryback at 5/10: "the expressionless faceemoji sign in the crowd says it all." For the other matches, Del Rio-Swagger was rated 6/10, the tables match 7/10, Ambrose-Owens 7.5/10 and Charlotte-Paige 5.5/10. The main event, "featuring the least inspiring pairing since the promotion's two top titles were combined into one" and eventually "overshadowed by what followed", was rated 6.5/10: "That it won't go down as anyone's favorite was hardly surprising, though it wasn't for a lack of effort on the part of the wrestlers."[14]
Will Pruett ofPro Wrestling Dot Net gave the show a rating of "B−", saying that even though it was "a really good live special with two standout matches bookending it", "the grade was hurt by the storytelling going in and some of the middling-to-bad matches." The main event was "a great TLC match", and when Reigns "got angry" and "sought vengeance" post-match, Pruett praised it as Reigns "seemed to finally find himself after a year of searching". However, Pruett was "confused" when Reigns beat down Triple H twice, going "from a sympathetic release of frustrations to being the true aggressor in the situation ... One has to wonder who the good guy in this feud actually is." The ladder match was "frenetic, entertaining, dynamic, and fun", but it could not mask that "this was a Ladder Match for the sake of having a Ladder Match because December [is] the month where Ladder Matches happen". For the other matches, Del Rio and Swagger had the "best" chairs match Pruett had seen, though "the bar wasn't high". Also, the tables match was "clumsy" and the women's match was poorly wrestled.[15]
On the following night's episode ofRaw, Roman Reigns was confronted byStephanie McMahon andMr. McMahon. After Reigns refused to apologize, Sheamus came to request a match with Reigns that night, putting his WWE World Heavyweight Championship on the line. Mr. McMahon made the match official under the condition that if Reigns failed to win the title, he would be fired. Despite interference from McMahon and The League of Nations, Reigns pinned Sheamus to win his second WWE World Heavyweight Championship.[16] Reigns was then forced to defend the title in the 30-manRoyal Rumble match at theRoyal Rumble[17] as the first entrant.[18]
Also onRaw, after losing the Intercontinental Championship, Kevin Owens interfered in a match between new champion Dean Ambrose andDolph Ziggler and attacked both men, ending the match in disqualification.[16] On Tuesday, December 22, during the live specialSuperSmackDown, Ambrose retained the Intercontinental Championship after defeating Ziggler and Owens in a triple threat match.[19] Ambrose retained the Intercontinental Championship against Owens on the January 7, 2016, episode ofSmackDown after their match ended in a double countout.[20] On the January 14 episode ofSmackDown, Ambrose challenged Owens to aLast Man Standing match for the Intercontinental Championship at Royal Rumble, which Owens accepted.[21]
On the December 14 episode ofRaw, The Wyatt Family defeated The Dudley Boyz, Tommy Dreamer, and Rhyno, in anExtreme Rules match.[16] On the December 21 episode ofRaw, The Dudley Boyz and Dreamer faced The Wyatt Family, this time withKane in a losing effort.[22] The Dudley Boyz lost once again to the Wyatts on the following night's live specialSuperSmackDown, while teaming with Kane and Ryback.[19]
Charlotte's heel persona continued to strain her friendship with Becky Lynch after the event. On the following night'sRaw, Charlotte and Becky defeatedBrie Bella andAlicia Fox after Ric Flair's interference allowed Becky to lock Alicia in submission for the win.[16] On the December 17 episode ofSmackDown, Becky defeated Brie by submission due to interference by Charlotte. On the specialSuperSmackDown show, Charlotte defeated Bella by submission while also leaving Becky to be assaulted byTeam B.A.D. On the January 4, 2016, episode ofRaw, Becky defeated Charlotte by roll-up despite Ric Flair interfering on his daughter's behalf. After the match Charlotte attacked Becky, turning both her and her father into villains.[17] Charlotte defeated Becky with help from Flair to retain the Divas Championship on the January 7 episode ofSmackDown.[20] Another title match between Lynch and Charlotte was then scheduled for the Royal Rumble.[21][18]
The 2015 event would be the last TLC event held before the reintroduction of thebrand extension in July 2016, which again split WWE's main roster between theRaw andSmackDown brands where wrestlers were exclusively assigned to perform.[23] The2016 event was in turn held exclusively for wrestlers from the SmackDown brand division.[24]
| Eliminated | Wrestler | Team | Eliminated By | Method of elimination | Time[1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erick Rowan | The Wyatt Family | Bubba Ray Dudley & D-Von Dudley | 3D | 04:10 |
| 2 | Rhyno | The ECW Originals | Luke Harper | Big boot | 06:25 |
| 3 | D-Von Dudley | The ECW Originals | Bray Wyatt | Side slam | 08:26 |
| 4 | Tommy Dreamer | The ECW Originals | Luke Harper | Suicide dive | 10:41 |
| 5 | Bubba Ray Dudley | The ECW Originals | Braun Strowman | Chokeslam | 12:26 |
| Winner(s): | Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, & Braun Strowman (The Wyatt Family) | N/a | |||