Kevin Owens [c] vs. Roman Reigns (Universal Title)

Sasha Banks [c] vs. Charlotte (30-Minute “Iron Man” Match, Women’s Title)

The New Day [c] vs. Cesaro/Sheamus (Tag Titles)

Rich Swann [c] vs. TJP vs. Brian Kendrick (Cruiserweight Title)

Seth Rollins vs. Chris Jericho

Braun Strowman vs. Sami Zayn (10-Minute Time Limit Challenge)

Pre-Show: Rusev vs. Big Cass

 

At last, the Road-Endending has arrived. The second not-a-PPV of 2016 to be named “Roadblock” is moments away, and my predictions appear above in bold. The year’s final big-ish show is poised to make Tables, Ladders, and Chairs look like Great American Bash ’89: who ya got?

Hey, it's Sam ! Awesome!

Very low expectations here other than Sasha/Charlotte, which hopefully means a pleasant surprise. Interested to see what closes the show. Most matches have a lot of potential with the right layout and booking. We'll see how many hit, but I especially expect the two main men's singles matches to set up the title picture at the Rumble rather than anything conclusive.

Very excited for Zayn vs Strowman.

Part of me wants to watch Roman win the title just to see everyone lose their mind at the stupidity of it. But Owens really should win this match. Even if it is with the help of Jericho

 

I figure that Charlotte vs Sasha will be good but it is a lock that Charlotte is winning the belt again

I want Roman to win this because he's a better wrestler and because I want to see people mad, but it's probably not going to happen, and for the sake of the - very weak - storylines going, it shouldn't.

 

However, since Reigns is very good, I expect this match the be at least the 2nd best of the show, behind Sasha/Charlotte.

 

Also I hope Braun doesn't lose tonight as well.

‘Member when Sasha and Bayley were good talkers?

 

Hype packages-on-repeat for Sasha/Charlotte suggest it might close out the show: makes sense if you wanna go with a face win to finish the year. The “rivals who bring out the best in each other / exceptional athletes / for serious, we respect women now” concept is real heavy-handed when the scripted promos are this bad, and they’ve had at least one or two matches too many in such a short span. WWE managed to make the feud suck despite the matches being great.

I think all the video production and promotion of Sasha/ Charlotte has been fantastic.

Perhaps I'm crazy but feel like Charlotte has to win tonight. She's unbeaten on PPV and would like to think that kind of streak isn't broken without being part of the build to the show, but logic and whatnot aren't always a part of the equation.

I think it's a bit weird, because this is maybe the smallest PPV possible for this sort of match. Charlotte has her PPV streak, Sasha has the belt, and both are being treated as equals, hence why the belt traded hands so much.

 

I wouldn't discard a draw, but if this IS the culmination to the feud, which I hope it isn't, I would go with Charlotte winning it.

Sam Roberts is doing a great job. He's totally diving into the role instead of being just an outsider who's happy to be there. Which isn't a surprise given that he's a lifelong fan.

I think I'm just naively hoping that they won't change the women's title for a * sixth * time in eight months. In that promo package I mentioned earlier, it begins with Cole hyping Banks getting her first WWE championship back at the end of July, then moments later hollering about her "third Women's title win" on Nov 28th. It's been excessive even by modern-day standards.

This Enzo-Lana storyline is so ass-backward and the perfect example of why wrestling is still so dated and embarrassing.

Pre-Show: Rusev vs. Big Cass

• Match was just a few minutes, worse than expected: just a way to get Enzo/Cass to do their intro for the crowd. Almost no action. Cass’ rampage was dull, looking like a Dan Spivey for our time.
• Rusev and Lana’s spirits seem totally broken. Rusev looking like he hasn’t slept in days, Lana going through the motions of her role like an improv beginner wander-mumbling through a scene.
• Even Renee’s reaction of shrugging after the match felt like a discreet burial of all involved. This Kickoff team is like watching the inmates from Titicut Follies try to sell a streaming network on live TV.

This Kickoff team is like watching the inmates from Titicut Follies try to sell a streaming network on live TV.

 

:o :o

 

Damn!

I cannot see this Roman/KO affair as anything other than a heel vs heel match, specially with this sort of promo package.

This Enzo-Lana storyline is so ass-backward and the perfect example of why wrestling is still so dated and embarrassing.

Followed by the New Day intro. How fitting.

I think Roman will win the title at the Rumble or sometime early next year but not tonight. Have a feeling he'll be defending at mania and not chasing like the last two years

I am calling it now, everyone in that Black Excellence tweet is losing their belts tonight.

I am calling it now, everyone in that Black Excellence tweet is losing their belts tonight.

I was like "nah that's not possible, the Cruiserweight Title isn't being defended tonight". Then I looked at the card again. You're right, damnit.

Props for a very original finish to the tag match.

The New Day [c] vs. Cesaro/Sheamus (Tag Titles)

• Liked Big E’s offense, even as his selling seemed off at times (perhaps due to knowing the finish).
• Cesaro and Sheamus’ double-team work was awesome: they’re such strong bases that they can really work some crazy throws. Cesaro on his own was likewise good in his tope, Giant Swing, Neutralizer,
• Give New Day their due: they started the year with a mega-over performance in which they kind of embarrassed the babyface Usos at the Rumble, and were pretty steady all year even as their reign went longer than it might have under different circumstances.
• Both teams told a solid story in which the challengers were juggernauts, while the face champs worked like borderline heels who had to resort to Xavier interference and sneak attacks just to stay afloat.

Owens thinks he’s the Rock when he buries these backstage interviewers, when he’s coming off more like La Resistance.

New Day has gotten really good at bomb throwing sprints. Really liked their match against the Bullet Club at Oct RAW PPV and thought this one with Sheamus/Cesaro was very fun. Very happy Sheamus and Cesaro won.

Alexandra York would say Zayn, you will lose this match in 9:59. Also, New Day should have held the titles till the beginning of 2017, so they could have said they were the ONLY Tag Team to hold the tag titles for a full calendar year.

Who dressed Mick for this?