Something I've been pondering with the upcoming TLC PPV (and likewise, the HIAC PPV): the overuse of the stipulations really cheapens the gimmick even more so than normal. I remember when stipulations were used to really blow off a feud or add something dramatic to give emphasis to the conflict between the wrestlers involved. Instead, we're getting an overbooked mess of a PPV that's the equivalent of wrestling Chinese food: tastes great at first, but none of it stays after an hour or so.
Let's look at the card for the PPV.
For the most part, they're all well established feuds with the exception of maybe Morrison/Sheamus (I don't really like their first PPV match as a Ladder Match, and #1 contender John Morrison ain't happening unless it's for the US Title). My issue lies with the actual stipulation - the "chairs match" just sounds dumb, and it was at the last TLC PPV. Are we to believe that although chairs are legal, everything else stays the same? Does a ladder match mean anything when there's not one, not two, but three of them on the card? Even the Divas table match sounds terrible on paper (but better with Phoenix, Natalya, and LayCool involved instead of Rosa or the Bellas).
I don't envy anyone trying to top the spots that happened 45 minutes earlier, and I envy the fans that have to sit through three hours of the same thing even less.
Let's look at the card for the PPV.
Tables Match for the WWE Title
Randy Orton vs. The Miz
TLC Match for the World Heavyweight Title
Edge vs. Kane
Chairs Match
Wade Barrett vs. John Cena
Chairs Match
Alberto Del Rio vs. Rey Mysterio
#1 Contender's Ladder Match
Sheamus vs. John Morrison
Divas Tag Team Tables Match
Michelle McCool and Layla vs. Natalya and Beth Phoenix
Triple Threat Ladder Match for the Intercontinental Title
Jack Swagger vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Dolph Ziggler
Randy Orton vs. The Miz
TLC Match for the World Heavyweight Title
Edge vs. Kane
Chairs Match
Wade Barrett vs. John Cena
Chairs Match
Alberto Del Rio vs. Rey Mysterio
#1 Contender's Ladder Match
Sheamus vs. John Morrison
Divas Tag Team Tables Match
Michelle McCool and Layla vs. Natalya and Beth Phoenix
Triple Threat Ladder Match for the Intercontinental Title
Jack Swagger vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Dolph Ziggler
For the most part, they're all well established feuds with the exception of maybe Morrison/Sheamus (I don't really like their first PPV match as a Ladder Match, and #1 contender John Morrison ain't happening unless it's for the US Title). My issue lies with the actual stipulation - the "chairs match" just sounds dumb, and it was at the last TLC PPV. Are we to believe that although chairs are legal, everything else stays the same? Does a ladder match mean anything when there's not one, not two, but three of them on the card? Even the Divas table match sounds terrible on paper (but better with Phoenix, Natalya, and LayCool involved instead of Rosa or the Bellas).
I don't envy anyone trying to top the spots that happened 45 minutes earlier, and I envy the fans that have to sit through three hours of the same thing even less.