Dean Ambrose vs. AJ Styles - TLC 2016:
I downloaded and watched this match unspoiled based on the live reactions from the TLC thread. It looked like it was unfolding as a great main event.
The match was very good. I loved the heat the guys showed which was something I had complained about in a recent match from the NXT Toronto event. It had some really great moments. AJ sacrificing for that industry to get pops:
I thought that when Dean set the ladder on the table that AJ would get a reverse on that situation and do the 450 from there. Boy was I wrong and what followed was a great looking spot where Dean didn't just put his elbow on AJ's stomach, it looked as if he was trying to drive it through AJ's stomach.
Some more battling and then in a spot I'll probably never forget because of my thoughts prior to it happening. AJ puts Dean on a table. AJ goes to the turnbuckle, AJ goes past the turnbuckle into the ring, and here I'm saying to myself "he's going to do the 450! there's no way he's going to do it!". Boom! Hits the 450 perfectly on Dean while nearly breaking himself in half. What a ****ing spot!
Then it gets weird. JBL insists the crowd is chanting "This is awesome" when they're chanting "AJ Styles" because, you know, heels. AJ gets back in the ring and the match takes a turn for the worse. AJ ascends the ladder and then descends it when James comes down the aisle. AJ goes outside and in a great show of a ruthless character, AJ doesn't jaw jack with James like every other wrestler would do, he just kicks him in the gut and punches him in the neck. Superb work from AJ there. Dean saves James. James costs Dean the championship. Awful ending and here's why:
I've read James's reasoning for interfering, however, it makes no sense. He'd have gotten the match with AJ if AJ would've won. AJ would've won if James never came out. This was Russoesque swerving for the sake of swerving. It was total garbage. There are much better ways to turn him heel with the same motivation...like just costing Ambrose the match as Ambrose climbs the ladder before the overbooking? Just a thought. This instantaneously made me think of Heyman turning on Punk when Axel came out and it was just overbooking until Heyman turned which defied any kind of logic. This heel turn defied any logic and ruined a great match.
It's like they want to give AJ this visual clean win without giving it to him because they don't want Dean beaten clean which is all kinds of ridiculous because it's clear AJ is the man, AJ beat Cena clean, and it's a ladder match ffs. Dean isn't on this level where he needs to be protected like some superhero like SuperCena of 05-13, Austin, Hogan, Rock, etc..
My rating: ***3/4. It was an insanely fun match but I just can't call this match great when it has such an illogical finish.