The WWE’s final big event of 2015, TLC, takes place on Sunday. Here is a look at the matches announced so far and our predictions on who will end up victorious.
Sheamus to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in a TLC match against Roman Reigns
Two things are certain here in my mind. Sheamus is retaining and it will not be in a clean fashion. In many ways the interesting thing is not the result, but how it comes about.
Sheamus should have back up from his League of Nations colleagues, King Barrett, Alberto Del Rio and Rusev, but, if it is Triple H who costs Reigns the match, then that sets up a clearer sign that we are heading towards a Reigns v Triple H WrestleMania 32 match.
I personally do not think WWE will go that way. Their best main event match right now for Mania in my view is Reigns v Brock Lesnar II, a rematch of this year’s main event in San Jose.
I believe Reigns will get a rematch against Sheamus next month and win the title there, with Lesnar winning the Royal Rumble to set up their clash in Texas in April.
Title glory is in Reigns's future, it just will not be on Sunday, as Sheamus's run with the title, which was predicted here last month, will go on for at least another six weeks.
Sheamus on life as WWE champion and his love of Liverpool FC
Kevin Owens to retain the Intercontinental title against Dean Ambrose
This should be a strong match and is a rematch from Survivor Series, where Ambrose won in what was the semi-final of the World title tournament.
Owens’s title is on the line this time, and I see him getting his win back.
The WWE has big plans for Owens and cutting short his Intercontinental reign would be unwise.
Ambrose can cope with a loss, he has lost before and he will lose again, and will remain popular despite this.
It is a credit to just how good Ambrose is as a performer, both in and out of the ring, that the fans remain invested him, despite how often he comes up short in big matches.
Hopefully better things come for him in 2016 as he deserves better.
Alberto Del Rio to retain the United States title against Jack Swagger in a chairs match
Now Del Rio has been booked poorly since his shock return to the WWE in October when he stunned John Cena.
That win should have built him as a serious player, but instead he has been messed around in the daft MexAmerica gimmick with Zeb Colter.
Hints of dissension between Del Rio and Colter were shown on Raw, but I think this is a swerve, at least for now, and I see Del Rio retaining his title, ahead of a likely rematch with Cena in January, with help from Colter, as Swagger tastes defeat again.
New Day to retain the WWE tag team titles in a triple threat ladder match with the Usos and the Lucha Dragons
This could be match of the night for the entertainment, and if they are given at least 15 minutes this could tell a great story.
I think the numbers game should favour New Day here and they will sneak the victory.
Both opponents could be creditable winners, but, especially in the case of the Lucha Dragons, a better story needs to be told about their journey to the top to get the fans to care.
The Wyatts to defeat the ECW Originals in an elimination tables match
The Wyatts must win this. They have to win this. Bray Wyatt continues to entertain, but after more than two years on the roster he and his brothers remain largely aimless and an empty threat.
It was understandable they lost to the Undertaker and Kane at Survivor Series, but the one-sided manner of the loss hurt them badly, especially after Wyatt had lost his feud with Roman Reigns in October.
The Dudleys, Tommy Dreamer and Rhyno are ideal opponents here, as they are here purely to have a hard-fought match and be put through some tables.
Expect a dominant display from the Wyatts with Bray and Braun Strowman standing tall.
Charlotte to retain the Divas title against Paige
Now this feud has been a mess and a big disappointment, but the ends could justify the means.
Having Charlotte partnered with her father Ric Flair, and not being afraid to use nefarious tactics to get what she wants, could be a fun new direction for her and the division.
There is more upside to Charlotte as champion so expect her to retain with feuds with Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks on the horizon.
WWE’s TLC event will be televised on the WWE Network, which is available through OSN, on Monday morning in the UAE from 3am.
gcaygill@thenational.ae
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.5-litre supercharged V6
Power: 416hp at 7,000rpm
Torque: 410Nm at 3,500rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Fuel consumption: 10.2 l/100km
Price: Dh375,000
On sale: now
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
JOKE'S%20ON%20YOU
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TOURNAMENT INFO
Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier
Jul 3- 14, in the Netherlands
The top two teams will qualify to play at the World T20 in the West Indies in November
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (captain), Chamani Seneviratne, Subha Srinivasan, Neha Sharma, Kavisha Kumari, Judit Cleetus, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Heena Hotchandani, Namita D’Souza, Ishani Senevirathne, Esha Oza, Nisha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi
THE BIG THREE
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
19 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 5 (2011, 14, 15, 18, 19)
French Open: 2 (2016, 21)
US Open: 3 (2011, 15, 18)
Australian Open: 9 (2008, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21)
Prize money: $150m
ROGER FEDERER
20 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 8 (2003, 04, 05, 06, 07, 09, 12, 17)
French Open: 1 (2009)
US Open: 5 (2004, 05, 06, 07, 08)
Australian Open: 6 (2004, 06, 07, 10, 17, 18)
Prize money: $130m
RAFAEL NADAL
20 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 2 (2008, 10)
French Open: 13 (2005, 06, 07, 08, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20)
US Open: 4 (2010, 13, 17, 19)
Australian Open: 1 (2009)
Prize money: $125m
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, semi-final result:
Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona
Liverpool win 4-3 on aggregate
Champions Legaue final: June 1, Madrid
SPECS
Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now
Pieces of Her
Stars: Toni Collette, Bella Heathcote, David Wenham, Omari Hardwick
Director: Minkie Spiro
Rating:2/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Company%20Profile
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Company%20Profile
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
SUZUME
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.