WWE TLC 2012: Big Show (c) VS Sheamus - World Heavyweight Championship [Chairs Match]

[Mitch Henessey]

After turning in back-to-back contenders for “Match of the Year” in their first two meetings at Hell in a Cell and Survivor Series – in addition to brawling in an English pub and a parking lot – World Heavyweight Champion Big Show and Sheamus will battle for the illustrious World Title for a third time in a Chairs Match at WWE’s final pay-per-view of 2012, WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs.

Following Big Show’s World Heavyweight Title victory over Sheamus at Hell in a Cell on Oct. 28 in an incredibly intense contest that ended after, not one, but two KO Punches, it was clear that the competition between the two was just heating up.

That proved true as Show assaulted Sheamus and William Regal at an English pub during WWE’s recent European tour, leaving Regal battered. The vitriol between the massive new champion and The Celtic Warrior then exploded in a parking lot slugfest on the Nov. 16 edition of SmackDown. But, the most shocking sequence of events yet would emerge from their epic rematch at Survivor Series.

When Big Show sensed the possibility of defeat in the climatic final moments of their showdown, the World Champion suddenly pulled referee Scott Armstrong in front of the Brogue Kick, before hitting a distracted Celtic Warrior with the KO Punch. Because The World’s Largest Athlete lost by disqualification, he was able to hold onto his priceless title. But that wouldn’t stop Sheamus from unleashing his own brand of retribution.

Picking up a steel chair, Sheamus attacked The World’s Largest Athlete in one of the most extreme assaults in recent years. Repeatedly blasting the gigantic titleholder, Sheamus tossed away his weapon only after Show repeatedly appealed for him to stop. Discarding the chair was not a compassionate decision, though, as the Irish Superstar put the painful icing on the cake with the earth-shattering Brogue Kick.

In the wake of Big Show’s controversial title defense and Sheamus’ brutal chair assault, SmackDown General Manager Booker T made the announcement on the Nov. 23 episode of SmackDown: Big Show will defend his World Heavyweight Championship against Sheamus at WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs on Sunday, Dec. 16. But Booker’s proclamation included a twist.

Most likely based upon Sheamus’ savage chair attack, this World Heavyweight Championship clash will be a Chairs Match, which is sure to add a wrinkle to the proceedings. Sheamus has gotten the best of the giant once with a chair already, so the match stipulation could help The Celtic Warrior.

For Big Show, however, both the chair and the upcoming pay-per-view hold a dark place in his heart. After all, at the WWE TLC event one year ago, the giant lost his newly captured World Title after only 45 seconds when Daniel Bryan cashed in his Money in the Bank Contract seconds after his Chairs Match against Mark Henry.

Complicating matters even further, current Mr. Money in the Bank Dolph Ziggler is always waiting in the wings for the opportunity to cash in his own contract on the champion. If he does choose WWE TLC as moment to seize his opportunity, the question is: Who will the champion be?

With two instant-classic matches as a blueprint, the WWE Universe has an idea of what to expect when these behemoths collide: high-impact, high-intensity action between two of WWE’s biggest and most powerful Superstars. With each battle, with each war of words, this grudge has only grown more barbaric. Can either Sheamus or Big Show survive another show down?

WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs emanates from Brooklyn, N.Y.’s Barclays Center Sunday, Dec. 16, at 8/7 CT. Don’t miss out on WWE’s final – and possibly most intense – pay-per-view of the year!

They had the best match at Hell In A Cell, and if you can look past the screwy ending, Sheamus and Show had the best match at Survivor Series. Yes, after doubting their match at HIAC, I've gladly jumped on the Sheamus/Show bandwagon. Good matches, and Sheamus has shown a more serious mean streak lately.

This should be another physical and hard fought match between these two, and I fully expect Show to retain the title here. I just can't picture Sheamus winning the title so close to the Rumble and Wrestlemania.

Also, this could be the perfect opportunity for a Ziggler cash-in. By the time TLC rolls around, Ziggler should have a good amount of momentum from the horrendous AJ/Cena/Vickie storyline. Sheamus and Show won't be in any condition to defend themselves. They'll be beaten and bruised after taking so many chair shots, and just like all the other heels, who cashed in before him, Ziggler will have a golden opportunity to take advantage of a worn out and defenseless champion. Plus, WWE needs to pull the trigger on Ziggler's WHC run soon, or waiting until after Mania might be the best option, because every other storyline will take a backseat to The Rock's return.

 

[Ruthless-RKO]

Whether you like their current feud or not, you have to admit, The match at hell in a cell was really good IMO and easily best of the night at that ppv.. Even though many people thought it would be Orton/Del Rio..

Then the rematch at Survivor Series, again they put on a very good match, good spots for 2 big guys, and towards the end we saw it go fast-paced.. Which I liked, the ending, I think it should of just stayed as Big Show win..

What i'm trying to say, it the build up to both those ppv's were strong IMO, and the fights they've had have paid off.. Chairs match isn't the best way to go, Big Show being involved in it 2 years running, this is where the questions about Ziggler finally cashing in.. I honestly don't know where they're going to go with this match, I don't mind seeing Sheamus lose again to the Big Show, because he's still coming out looking strong an equal to the Big Show..

If I have to pick a winner, I'm going with the Big Show.. With NO CASH-IN!

 

[sanefan_har]

I agree. The fact that this stole the spotlight of the HIAC show was shocking yet pleasant to a wrestling fan like me. The welts that Sheamus endured during the match at HIAC were sick. Yet it showed the brutality of an HIAC match more than the Main Event did. Survivor Series was no different, apart from the match ending which has been done many times. This feud has basically progressed over the story the match told, rather than the actual build up (the debate was terrible. And they measured the intensity of the finishers, seriously is this Deadliest Warrior or something??). This match , with the chairs stipulation, is bound to be as good as the first two, if not better. Secretly however, I wish Sheamus could perform a Celtic Cross(his powerbomb) on Big Show, that would be awesome. I predict Sheamus to win, but I could be wrong.

That being said, I can't really be a 100 percent sure that Ziggler will cash in. I mean, its like he and the WWE have forgotten he has the briefcase just because he's feuding with Cena. However if he does cash it in, then we might have a triple threat match at Royal Rumble just like the last time. In that scenario, Ziggler will win because Sheamus hit the White Noise on Show, and Ziggler hits the Zigzag and pins sheamus.

 

[blindman]

Honestly cant wait for this match, after all those chair shots Sheamus hit their matches been intense and exciting. I may even watch smackdown again.

 

[Pedigree1]

The first two matches have been nothing short of exceptional which is very surprising! This match i am looking forward too alot. Its quite shocking that these two have so much chemistry together in the ring i for one didnt think that could happen.

Chairs match is not the best way to go but not the worse either. This is going to be an all out war with chair shot after chair shot! I expect this match to be the most physical yet best of the bunch at TLC. I also think Ziggles will cash in on the winner as neither man will be able to put much of a fight.

 

[YouGoingToJailNow]

Mehhh, this feud aint my cup
Of tea. I mean ty've had good matches l enjoyed the one at SS I just dont care for the Big Show much anymore
And have never really cared all that much for Sheamus.

 

[HBKistheHOF]

Why does the World Heavyweight Title picture still seem so bland & pointless? Bored of Sheamus? Poor feuds & storylines in the Smackdown Main Event? Poor creative & writing on Smackdown?

The matches between Sheamus & Big Show have been A TON better than I thought but I'm already WAY past caring about this feud.

I think the Show/Sheamus feud starting at HiaC but not taking place inside the Cell REALLY hurt this feud. Not to mention the World Title picture has been very slow moving, crowded with a certain irishmen, & hasn't had the best of feuds to begin with.

Then they go and have another plain singles match that didn't even come close to the first IMO. And now they are having possibly the lamest match in all of WWE currently...a chairs match...how pathetic.

And while this feud lacks all meaning & Big Show still seems like a boring transitional champion, even in 2012, I think this feud has only enhanced Big Show if anyone at all (isn't Sheamus their star for the future?!). Big Show has been given possibly his most dominant title reign ever, he has fully embraced his heel persona & is better than when he was fighting Cena early in the year.

And I really hate being negative about WWE right now since I feel the product has been consistent since the "pipe bomb" & it seems to possibly be getting even better. And usually I would LOVE feuds lasting several months & having some epic culmination, but a weak storylined feud & the culmination is a chairs match?!?!

This is by far the weakest thing going in WWE right now & unless the whole point of this feud is to make Big Show slightly less crappy before he loses the title, I don't think it is achieveing much of anything.

 

[The Living Receiver]

I certainly cannot argue with the quality of matches that Sheamus and Show are having, these two are probably the best thing that could have possibly happened to one another in terms of pairing.
Sheamus needed a feud like this to up his game and Show looks like a man rejuvenated, I look forward to the third (and hopefully final) match in their feud.


However, I feel Ziggler needs more momentum before he cashes in and takes the gold. He is finally on the cusp of reaching the level he has worked so hard for so long to reach, I think he needs a good, protracted feud with Cena (or another top guy) and a legit W over him before he takes it home, maybe around elimination chamber time or even post 'mania.
My point is, Ziggler definitely deserves the belt, but I feel it needs to be done right for the sake of making his first title run the first of many for the modern day Curt Henning of the WWE.

 

[HBsam31]

I too was surprised how great their match was at HIAC. I didn't see their match at SS, but it seems it was a pretty good match too. I didn't expect much out of this feud, but they proved me wrong. It had been enjoyable. It seems like having a chairs match would be the perfect time to have Dolph cash in after the champ has been beaten senseless, but I think they hold that off a bit longer and Big Show retains here. He seems to be rejuvenated, and I think they let him keep the title a little longer.

 

[thebarber]

the matches have ben much better than any bright they had to be. In saying that, Im well passed these two feuding. I feel this match has been specifically aimed at weapons like chairs so whomever leaves the match as Champion will be set upon by the loser and chair shotted to fuck. Enter Dolph Ziggler, who earlier on the card will lose clean to John Cena. After Ziggler wins the title, he will have a rematch with Cena on Raw where I see AJ turning heel and aligning with Ziggler leading to Royal Rumble.

 

[JBK2008]

This feud has been surprisingly good and Big Show is finally getting the push he deserves. Sheamus doesn't need the title back anytime soon and honestly should be away from it for a little while. Have Big Show eat up whoever is left on the SmackDown roster until Wrestle Mania.

Dolph shouldn't cash in at TLC. It would be too predictable and his feud with Cena is more important aside fromt the love angle. Cena putting over Ziggler would do him wonders before he finally cashes in for the World Title.

Big Show will retain here and continue this run that a lot of us have waited to see.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

Sheamus & Big Show have, in my opinion, given us a pretty damn good feud overall that's, thus far, resulted in two killer ppv matches. What's made it all the more enjoyable for me is that so many people moaned & groaned when this particular feud came about. I myself wasn't all that fired up for it but they've proven me wrong.

With TLC being the last ppv of the year, I'm expecting Sheamus to regain the title. It's been a good feud overall but, in the grand scheme of things, I don't think most people are interested in Big Show having a long term run as champ. I might be wrong, it's just that I don't know many people who are interested or have heard about all that much interest. Personally, the only real feud off the tops of my head that I'd be really interested in seeing is Show as the heel working a title program against Daniel Bryan as a babyface or Dolph Ziggler as a babyface. Both are capable of carrying Show through great matches and very interesting feuds, we've already seen Bryan do it after all. But, since neither of those two are likely, I can't say there's much that entices me. If Show retains, it'll probably be Randy Orton up next and I've got little interest in it. We've seen it too often in the past. Granted, Show hasn't really been the sort of dominant character he's been, but it still doesn't hold much interest for me. At the end of the day, though, I might have to eat some more crow in terms of Show's next feud if he retains.

There's always a possibility of Ziggler successfully cashing in his MITB briefcase but it all depends on several factors. Over the past 7 days, WWE has given Ziggler what's probably been the most heavily sustained momentum of his career outside of holding a singles mid-card title. Last Sunday, he was the only survivor of his Survivor Series team and he did it by beating Randy Orton clean in the middle of the ring. Monday night, he beat down John Cena and continued building toward whats probably an inevitable match with him at TLC. Wednesday, he cleanly beat The Miz in a what was a fantastic 25+ minute match. This past Friday, he scored another victory over Orton, this time in a one on one match. If WWE keeps building Ziggler strong over the past several weeks, then he'll have the needed momentum to cash in MITB and make an impact. There's also John Cena to consider and where their probably match will take place on the card and as to who will win. If Cena vs. Ziggler happens, and happens prior to the WHC match, then I could see Ziggler cashing in later on in the night if he beats Cena. If this match goes down though, I don't see it happening before the WHC match. With Cena involved, I think this match will either close the show or it'll be on prior to whatever match CM Punk finds himself in for the WWE Championship.

 

[XXJJ]

I'm getting tired of Sheamus to be honest. He has been in the title picture since WM and its been dull for the most part. He has a nice Fit Finlay brawling type of style, but other than that their isn't much to him.

Smackdown was on a great role before Sheamus got so heavily involved in the title picture. They were having great title feuds like Orton/Christian, Orton/Henry and Henry's hall of pain run. Daniel Bryan becoming champion. The angle with DB, Henry and Big Show was very good.

 

[IHW]

If Ziggler can some how manage to go over Cena, then I think he should cash in here while the momentum will be on his side. If he loses to Cena, this match should be just like any other Sheamus/Show match , just with chairs.

It will certianly be brutal. I expect tons and tons of chair shots. Nothing to special here. I really can't think of a big spot that could happen. Big Show hasn't proved to me that he is a good champion, but then again I haven't watched enough Smackdown recently to judge. I say keep the title on Show and then put him up against the Viper. Orton and Show should be able to put on a good feud, and if they want a major player holding the title going into RR and then Mania season, Orton could be that guy.

IHW's Prediction- Big Show retains

 

[The Crock]

Man, this feud has been one hell of a pleasant surprise, hasn't it? Sheamus and Big Show normally wouldn't have been one of the better matches on the card, but they've done a great job the last few shows. I can honestly say that their match may even steal the show. The chairs stipulation will certainly help keep their match fresh, as well. Now, I debated back and forth about who I thought would win this one -- I thought Sheamus had a viable chance to take the title back -- but I ended up settling for a Big Show win. He's been pretty good as champion and I don't think the WWE wants to put Sheamus back in the driver's seat just yet, especially since I see a few feuds away from the title that he can work with (Barrett, a heel Orton).

Now, what most interests me about this match is the finish. I can honestly say that after months of speculation and false guesses, that I think Ziggler FINALLY cashes in here. Regardless of this past week's Raw, I'm assuming we'll see Ziggler and Cena face off at TLC, with Ziggler getting the upper hand on Cena -- through cheating, an AJ turn, or maybe even clean. Then, with that momentum, he'll be ready to pick the bones of Big Show (or, I suppose, Sheamus) and win the World Heavyweight Championship. I can't see there being a better opportunity anywhere down the line, especially since the next few months of WWE programming will center around Cena, Punk, and The Rock.

Big Show's probably going to win this one, but I can see a Dolph Ziggler cash in coming right after the match.

 

[LoudClearVoice]

I think Sheamus wins, just to "throw us off" but then Ziggler cashes in MITB to win the belt.

A Ziggler cash in is the only way I see it ending. It opens the door for both Sheamus and Big Show to feud with Ziggler. It also opens the door for a face Miz to get involved in the world title picture against Ziggler.

 

[Terry Gyimah]

Definitely smell a Dolph Ziggler cash-in coming at TLC considering the last time a Smackdown briefcase was cashed in, was actually at a TLC PPV when Daniel Bryan cashed in on Big Show to become the World Heavyweight Champion, so I can see it ending with Sheamus winning and then Big Show attacking Sheamus right after the match hitting him with a KO Punch as a sucker-punch laying out Sheamus which then brings Ziggler out with his MITB briefcase and a referee in tow

 

[King Patrick Star]

With CM Punk currently “injured” and Brock Lesnar still saving his dates, I think it’s time for Paul Heyman to add more Horses to his Stable. No, this is not a “Paul Heyman is behind the Shield and Brad Maddox” post. Let’s take Heyman out of one Main Event Title picture and put him in another Main Event Title picture. I think it’s time to rekindle a past relationship, and a great past relationship at that.

Besides, Big Show could use a Shield against Sheamus. This will also keep Paul Heyman on TV, which is oddly what everyone wants. Maybe Sheamus can come out with an “I’m a Paul Levesque Guy” t-shirt. Wait, what would that make Brad Maddox??

 

[carrantonio688]

These two had a very great match at Heck In A Cell, and another good one at Survivor Series. I think the reason why it's a Chairs Match is because when Sheamus got screwed at SS, Sheamus didn't like that so he got a chair and hit Show with the chair more than 30 times.

This should be a hard-hitting, medium-paced match between the two and should at least get 10 minutes or more. Both have possibilities of winning. Show can retain the title after giving Sheamus 30 chair shots at the same time, or maybe have Sheamus win so they can say that Sheamus has beat Big Show before.

But then........ after whoever wins..........and they're both too weak to defend themselves at the minute..... THE SHOWOFF DOLPH ZIGGLER CASHES IN THE MONEY IN THE BANK BREIFCASE AND BEATS SHEAMUS OR SHOW 1................2..................3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a feeling that they're gonna do the EXACT same thing they did last year when Bryan cashed in his breifcase on SHow and could possibly do it again with Ziggler. I will be jumping up and down if Ziggler wins the WHC. It will be awesome.

 

[El Rev sXe]

As everybody has already said, this was a great surprise. Who was going to guess that these could have actually two great matches in a row? I know this gimmick PPV is TLC, but I was really hoping to see these two in a last man standing match....

Anyway, probably a good match, very intense with heavy chair shots. I don't know if is going to be as good, if not better, as their past matches, but is time for this feud to end. I don't see a clear winner, cause if Big Show retains, well who is he going to feud? Ok Orton, then who? There are rumors that he will retain and go against Ryback....I'm not totally sold on that idea.

If I have to pick a winner, Big Show, I'm not convinced but stranger things have happened.

 

[Dagger Dias]

I really hope this closes the show. With there not being a WWE Championship match on this PPV, it makes the World Heavyweight Championship the most prestigious belt on the line at the show. We have not had a World Heavyweight Championship match close a show in over two years now, time to change that. There's no reason for Ryback & Team Hell No VS The Shield to go on last although unfortunately it might. Cena VS Ziggler also might go on last.

The match itself I'm not interested in at all. As much as I like Sheamus, this feud needed to end a long time ago. Big Show sucks as World Heavyweight Champion, especially while trying to be his extremely boring "serious" heel persona. I doubt that Sheamus will end the reign but he will put up a fight. Big Show is only still holding the belt so that the winner of Cena VS Ziggler can cash in on him. I don't see a cash-in attempt happening during or after this match. They will probably save that for Raw's upcoming anniversary. This boring feud should finally end here and this match hopefully closes the show as it deserves to.

DAGGER'S PREDICTION
Big Show will retain the World Heavyweight Championship.
No Money In the Bank cash-in.

 

[EStreet]

Picking a straight up winner leads me to thinking Sheamus walks out WHC because it sets up something a bit more attractive for Ziggler OR it sets up a child's wet dream in Cena v Sheamus.

However I could see this match going on before the MITB match and somehow Ziggler cashes in and makes his match a title match.