Kick-Off Show
The WWE TLC Kick-Off show begins with Renee Young briefly talking about Kurt Angle being in the main event tonight, before introducing Peter Rosenberg and David Otunga as her co-hosts. The trio talk about what kind of shape Angle will be in tonight and if he’s in danger against Braun Strowman.
Renee introduces The Miz via a backstage interview, and he says that whether it’s Kurt Angle or someone else, they’re always trying to steal his spotlight. Miz says that the big news this past week was not Kurt Angle and Roman Reigns, it was that his baby will be a girl and yet Angle tried to steal that thunder. Regardless, tonight’s match is still a 3 V 5, which includes a monster among men, a big red machine, one of the best tag teams there is, and the best Intercontinental Champion there is. Peter Rosenberg asks if Kurt Angle being in the match changes The Miz changes the strategy, to which Miz says that Angle’s accolades are always considered, but they won’t matter. He wants Angle to come down to the ring tomorrow night and shake his hand to let him know there are no hard feelings after he demolishes him tonight. Otunga says that Miz has made this personal between him and Kurt Angle, to which Miz says Angle made it personal. The Miz finishes by saying tonight he will break Angle’s neck again.
The next topic of conversation is the upcoming battle between the two former Bullet Club leaders, AJ Styles and Finn Balor. Rosenberg says that this match has the entire WWE Universe is squealing with delight at this match being made. Otunga points out that AJ Styles came from South America to jump into this match. They commend Kurt Angle for bringing Styles in for the match.
Mickie James will join Charly Caruso in the Social Media Lounge later to talk her title match with Alexa Bliss. The panel briefly talk about Sasha Banks Vs. Alicia Fox, which will feature on the kick-off show, before showing a video package for the debut of Asuka. Emma is interviewed backstage about the huge match tonight, and she complains about the attention Asuka has gotten. Emma says Asuka got too many vignette’s, and she can’t even open her Twitter anymore. Emma says that tonight marks her first-ever singles match on a PPV, and afterwards people will be Tweeting “#EmmaBeatsAsuka.” The panel discuss the match and Otunga says Emma will get her head kicked off. Rosenberg points-out that there is no pressure on Emma to win, so she has nothing to lose. Regardless, they all think Asuka will win handily.
We see Kurt Angle and Jason Jordan backstage, and Jordan says he is an inspiration. Elias Samson walks in and asks for a minute of Angle’s time. He says last night the spirit of Prince overtook him and he believes this city needs to hear him perform. Jordan steps in and tells him that this is Kurt’s night and he shouldn’t be interrupting. Angle tells them to stop arguing and that he can sing his song. Jordan sarcastically thanks him for saving the PPV, to which Elias responds, “at least I’m on the PPV.”
Next up is Kalisto Vs. Enzo Amore for the Cruiserweight Championship. Rosenberg says that this is the most exciting the cruiserweight division has been, because you never know what’s going to happen and who’s going to side with who. Drew Gulak interrupts the panel with a loud megaphone and says that the man has silenced him. He says that his segment tonight was cut from the show, and he had a 200-slide PowerPoint presentation prepared. He then looks into the camera and says that he believes in a better 205 Live, one without flipping, diving, and such crap. Eventually Renee tries cutting him off but he keeps talking and we cut to commercial.
We see a promo for the Women’s Championship match between Mickie James and Alexa Bliss. We join Charly Caruso and Mickie James in the Social Media Lounge, Mickie says she feels great and she wants to mark her seventh title reign. The first question asks Mickie how it feels knowing she might win her 7th title, to which she says it feels amazing to maybe be the 2nd woman in history to win 7 titles. The second question asks if Mickie thinks age is catching up to her, and she shoots it down immediately. James points out that several women in the division are the same age as her and half the male roster is older, so she doesn’t understand where this stuff comes from. She says she feels confident and the oldest woman’s Champion ever was the Fabulous Moolah at 76!! The final question asks Mickie what she will do if she wins the title tonight, and she says give the title a facelift, then a photoshoot, then FaceTime her son in the morning. Charly wishes her luck and she says she is excited. Peter Rosenberg predicts a win for James, as does Renee Young, while Otunga disagrees.
We get a promo from AJ Styles backstage, and he says that tonight is huge. He says tonight is a match that a lot of fans are super excited for, some thought they might never see it, but he’s incredibly excited and flew from South America not to miss it. Renee asks if he feels prepared on such short notice, to which he says he is a professional and he is always prepared. Rosenberg asks what the game-plan is for facing an entity like The Demon, to which Styles says nothing changes because he is prepared for anyone, and he’s happy to hand The Demon his first WWE loss.
Alicia Fox Vs. Sasha Banks
The bell rings and a Fox fires a slap off and Banks shoves her in return and we have a brawl! Sasha lands a forearm and Alicia heads for the floor. Back in, a knee lift takes the Boss off guard, a right hand follows and she smashes her into the turnbuckles. Banks turns it around, punches in the corner, Fox gets a mat slam off and mocks Sasha’s pose before getting back on her with another right. Reverse chinlock follows, Banks escapes and lands a short-arm Lou Thesz press into mounted punches! A series of biels, Alicia begs off in the corner and ends up in full-blown teary meltdown as the Boss dropkicks her face in!
Fox to the outside, throwing a fit on the apron, and we take a break for a house ad for WrestleMania. Back from our ad, Alicia forces a break on a Bank Statement by getting the ropes. To the corner, Sasha climbs but Fox stops her short and shoves her off the turnbuckles to the outside! Following after, Alicia catches her with the tilt-a-whirl backbreaker on the floor and referee Darrick Moore begins his count. Back inside, a cover gets two, and Fox goes back to the reverse chinlock.
Banks to her feet, Alicia pushes her back with forearms but the Boss hits a headscissors that puts her into the turnbuckles! Off the ropes for a crossbody, Fox catches her and just dumps her through the ropes to the floor like a sack of potatoes and orders Moore to count. Banks back in at the count of nine but Alicia is on her right away, Sasha throwing hands, bridging northern lights suplex and we get a two-count!
Another doesn’t do the trick either, Banks off the ropes, tilt-a-whirl and she counters with the crossbody for a nearfall! Jocking for position, against the ropes, O’Connor roll… Sasha kicks out and puts Fox through the ropes and to the floor! Back inside, Banks ducks a slap and throws some rights, off the ropes, multi-revolution headscissors, a knee to the nose gets a kick to the face but only a two-count! Alicia advances on the referee before deciding the better of it, Scissors Kick misses and Sasha counters with the Bank Statement and Alicia taps!
Winner: Sasha Banks
After the match we get an amazing video hyping the return of Kurt Angle. Only 6 minutes until the main show begins. We get an interview backstage with Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins, who talk about great it is to team with Kurt Angle tonight and say that the match will be insane. Ambrose is all fired-up and ready to go!
And so are we, that’s it for the WWE TLC Kick-Off Show. The main card begins right now!
