The Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match is one of the most unforgiving but most enticing matches. However, the last 10 televised TLC matches were a mixed bag of brilliant and horrendous.
Edge, Christian, The Hardy Boyz, and The Dudley Boyz set the bar in spectacular TLC matches in their encounters at SummerSlam 2000 and WrestleMania X-Seven. The huge importance of the TLC match has seen TLC have their own pay-per-view since 2009. Largely, the majority of TLC matches are virtually exclusive to this event. But there have been some instances where TLC bouts have taken place on TV.
The most recent TLC matches saw some of the biggest names involved, which made the TLC matches memorable. Many stars stepped out of their comfort zones but rose to the occasion. Nevertheless, the appeal of TLC matches always creates for compelling television.
10 Braun Strowman Vs. Baron Corbin (TLC 2018)
Arguably the worst TLC match in WWE history pitted Braun Strowman against Baron Corbin at TLC 2018. Corbin received a lot of heat as he boasted that he was the Raw General Manager elect. However, Strowman rocked up to the event with his arm in a sling as he was nursing an injury.
Strowman and Corbin are not TLC specialists by any stretch of the imagination, which failed to make this match special. Moreover, Corbin created a lot of enemies as Bobby Roode, Chad Gable, Finn Balor, Heath Slater, and Apollo Crews all viciously assaulted Corbin. It was a complete waste of time, and it did not need to be under TLC stipulations with Strowman prevailing.
9 Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins & Kurt Angle Vs. The Miz, Braun Strowman, Kane & The Bar (TLC 2017)
At TLC 2017, Kurt Angle competed in his first WWE match in 11 years, and it was a huge match for the former six-time WWE World Champion. Angle donned The Shield gear for one night as he teamed up with Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins. They had their hands full in a three-on-five TLC handicap match against Kane, Braun Strowman, The Miz, Sheamus, and Cesaro.
There were some bright moments in this hotly anticipated clash but it was a cluster with too much going on. The heels collapsed by failing to co-exist consistently with The Shield picking up a huge win in an underwhelming TLC match that close out the 2017 show.
8 King Corbin Vs. Roman Reigns (TLC 2019)
Roman Reigns was drafted to SmackDown in the 2019 Superstar Shake-up, and he was the biggest acquisition of the show with SmackDown moving to Fox. Unfortunately, The Big Dog's introduction to SmackDown did not go according to plan. He endured a lackluster feud with King Corbin, who was riding a wave of momentum after winning the King of the Ring tournament that year.
They collided at TLC 2019 and it was a poor TLC match. Obviously, there was nothing at stake hanging in the balance so a pinfall victory would be acceptable. They pummeled each other with weapons, but Corbin had another trick up his sleeve with Dolph Ziggler and The Revival getting in on the act. It was more misery for Reigns with Corbin picking up a shock win with his patented End of Days.
7 The Kabuki Warriors Vs. Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair (TLC 2019)
Another positive step in the Women's Evolution saw Asuka, Charlotte Flair, and Becky Lynch close out TLC for the second year in a row in 2019. This time, Kairi Sane was added to the mix, and it was a TLC tag team match for Asuka and Sane's WWE Tag Team Championship. The Man hoped to become "Becky Two Belts" again and it was interesting to see if she could co-exist with her long-time rival.
Sane unfortunately got injured in this encounter, which limited her involvement in the match. This failed to live up to the expectations with four magnificent in-ring performers. Nonetheless, The Kabuki Warriors retained their titles with Asuka clinching the gold.
6 Seth Rollins Vs. Baron Corbin (Raw, December 10, 2018)
The December 10, 2018, edition of Monday Night Raw, had massive implications heading into the upcoming TLC extravaganza. Seth Rollins defended his Intercontinental Championship against Baron Corbin. Rollins had a high-stake match with Dean Ambrose on the horizon, and Corbin was on a collision course with Braun Strowman.
Nonetheless, Rollins and Corbin's Intercontinental Title match was the first TLC match to be featured on Raw in five years. This is an underrated TLC bout, and there was an added caveat with Heath Slater as the special guest referee. Rollins put Corbin through the table with a Buckle Bomb, and he followed it up with a Curb Stomp. Rollins retained the title, ensuring his match with Ambrose was still for the Intercontinental Championship.
5 Io Shirai Vs. Candice LeRae (NXT Halloween Havoc 2020)
Halloween Havoc had been a legendary event in WCW, and it was reinstated for a special edition of NXT. Io Shirai put her NXT Women's Championship on the line against Candice LeRae in a Tables, Ladders, and Scares match. This was an outstanding TLC match with two of the very best in NXT showing what they had to offer.
Keeping up with the Halloween theme, there had been some body parts that were used as weapons. Neither woman held back and Shirai twisted LeRae's ankle with a chair on the apron. Moreover, LeRae momentarily recovered and put both of them through the table. Ultimately, Shirai retained her title by pushing LeRae off the ladder, who took a brutal fall onto a ladder that was propped on the outside.
4 AJ Styles Vs. Dean Ambrose (TLC 2016)
2016 was AJ Styles' debut year in WWE, and it was one of the best debut years in WWE history. The Phenomenal One defeated Dean Ambrose for the WWE Championship at Backlash, and the two clashed once more at TLC in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match for Styles' WWE Title.
This was another clinic between the two that had tremendous in-ring chemistry together. The only downfall from this match was James Ellsworth getting involved, and he proved to be decisive as he pushed Ambrose off the ladder. Styles held onto his WWE Title, ending the year on a positive note.
3 Drew McIntyre Vs. AJ Styles Vs. The Miz (TLC 2020)
Drew McIntyre was enjoying his second reign as WWE Champion, but he had his hands full in his latest title defense at TLC 2020. The Scottish Psychopath squared off with AJ Styles in a brilliant one-on-one encounter, but The Miz later joined the fray by cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase.
McIntyre and Styles' clash was off the charts, and McIntyre proved that he could compete in a TLC match. The Awesome One's involvement was fun as many believed that Miz would finally clinch that elusive second WWE Championship. It was a nail-biting finish with all three close to claiming the WWE Title. Ultimately, McIntyre prevailed in a high-quality WWE Championship match.
2 Becky Lynch Vs. Asuka Vs. Charlotte Flair (TLC 2018)
Three of the very best on the SmackDown women's roster collided at TLC 2018 for Becky Lynch's SmackDown Women's Championship. The Man defended her title in a triple threat match against Charlotte Flair and Asuka in a TLC match.
What made this match intriguing is that all three had legitimate chances of winning the title. The first-ever women's TLC match was enthralling and fans were heavily invested in this encounter. However, Ronda Rousey interfered in proceedings by pushing both Lynch and Flair off the ladder. Asuka capitalized and claimed the SmackDown Women's Title in an excellent championship match.
1 Roman Reigns Vs. Kevin Owens (TLC 2020)
Roman Reigns' Universal Championship match with Kevin Owens contested in a TLC match was a physical encounter. The Tribal Chief returned at SummerSlam 2020 with a heelish demeanor, which is arguably the best work in Reigns' career.
Owens proved to be a handful for Reigns and the two tore the house down in a magnificent contest. Reigns' cousin Jey Uso continuously proved to be a thorn in Owens' side by doing everything in his power to impress his cousin. Owens was tantalizingly close to claiming his second Universal Title but Reigns retained.