WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders And Chairs 2009 DVD Review

When WWE decided that their PPVs (or, at the very least, most of them) would be named after specific match stipulations, pretty much the entire internet wrestling community groaned a sigh of painful discontent.

Certificate: 15

Running Time: 175mins (excluding extras)

Chapters

Ladder Match for the ECW Championship: Christian v Shelton Benjamin
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match: John Morrison v Drew McIntyre
Josh Mathews interviews Drew McIntyre
WWE Women’s Championship Match: Michelle McCool v Mickie James
Tables Match for the WWE Championship: John Cena v Sheamus
Chair Match for the World Heavyweight Championship :Undertaker v Batista
Ted DiBiase & Cody Rhodes confront Kofi Kingston
Kofi Kingston v Randy Orton
Batista meets with Teddy Long in his office
Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match for the Unified Tag Team Championships: Jerishow v D-Generation X

Extras

DX celebrate after their match

Now, having an event named after a match type hadn’t done theRoyal Rumble PPV any harm and, when you look at it logically, changing No Way Out to Elimination Chamber isn’t too bad in the grand scheme of things (after all, the Chamber matches have been a February tradition for a few years now and were already established at that event), but when Hell in a Cell was announced, and then when it was revealed that there would the THREE matches contested inside the structure, those groans seemed more justified.

The show itself only compounded the apparent mistake WWE had made, but Vince McMahon is nothing if not stubborn, so now we have a PPV based around the concept of the TLC Match. Where this differed from the aforementioned HiaC debacle, though, was that there would only be one bout contested under the eponymous stipulation. Rather, the undercard would build and tease what we would be in for during the main event by having three matches fought using only one aspect of a TLC Match.

Did this work? Ask Meatloaf and he’ll tell you.*

The first ever TLC match officially took place at Summerslam 2000 (although you could argue that the Three-Way Ladder Match at WrestleMania 2000 was a TLC Match in all but name) and was contested by Edge & Christian, The Hardy Boyz and The Dudley Boyz. The second (and some would say the pinnacle of the) TLC Match was held at WrestleMania X-Seven, again featuring the same three teams and, over the years, it evolved to include other wrestlers and, eventually, became a staple of singles competition rather than tag-team bouts, with Edge being the wrestler credited as the master of the stipulation (even going so far as to have him be pushed as undefeated in TLC matches, despite not winning TLC III).

Surprisingly, before this PPV, there had only ever been eight official TLC matches since it was introduced.

TLC I – Edge & Christian v The Dudleys v The Hardys(Summerslam 2000)
TLC II – Edge & Christian v The Dudleys v The Hardys(WrestleMania X-Seven)
TLC III – Benoit & Jericho v Edge & Christian v The Dudleys v The Hardys (Smackdown – May 24th, 2001)
TLC IV – Kane & Hurricane v Jeff Hardy & Rob Van Dam v Bubba & Spike Dudley v Christian & Chris Jericho (RAW – October 7th, 2002)
TLC V – Edge v Ric Flair (RAW – January 16th, 2002)
TLC VI – John Cena v Edge (Unforgiven 2006)
TLC VII – Edge v Undertaker (One Night Stand 2008)
TLC VIII – CM Punk v Jeff Hardy (Summerslam 2009)

Since the first TLC match, every one of the subsequent bouts have featured at least one wrestler who had competed in one before and the 9th would be no different. Every one of the previous eight had been great matches, so the big question was whether that run would continue.

Before we get to that, there’s the small matter of the rest of the card. Starting off with a fantastic Ladder Match for the ECW Championship was a smart move, as Christian and Shelton Benjamin meshed together perfectly and put on a stunning battle. The build for this was interesting because WWE actually acknowledged the complaints that the ECW Title was being overlooked when it came to PPVs. Christian challenged Shelton on an episode of ECW on SyFy, daring Benjamin to face him, show the world that ECW matters and “steal the show.” They didn’t quite manage the last part, but they did come damn close.

Big jumps, dangerous falls, blood (and kudos to Matt Striker for covering Christian getting his wounds treated by claiming it was a Texas State Athletic Commission ruling, taking the heat away from WWE… but a metaphorical kick in the nuts to Jerry Lawler for killing that cover story within three seconds by mentioning it’s actually WWE’s rule) and a stunning finish, all add up to a high-octane opener that got the fans into the show from the off. It’s also interesting to note that, outside the main event, this was the longest match on the card.

Of the two remaining matches featuring weapons from the TLC main event, the Tables Match between Sheamus and John Cena works better with the stipulation it’s fought under. The Irishman does look out of his depth against Cena, but not overly so and he does grow into it as the match progresses. A truly stunning ending makes sure this bout would be talked about for a long time after the final bell.

The main problem for the Chair Match between Undertaker and Batista was that the chair doesn’t have the same impact as ladders or tables and also doesn’t afford the wrestlers the same number of options when it comes to using said weapon. The other issue was that this match had an extra stipulation where the chair was the only illegality allowed (neither the Tables, Ladder or TLC matches had this proviso). It pretty much rendered the stipulation redundant. Our saving grace? It was Undertaker v Batista, two guys who, for me, have never had a bad match against the other. An added bonus was that this had Batista as a heel, the role he was born to play. Clubbing blows, power moves and counters were the order of the day and the match is really good… if only the finish lived up to the rest of the contest.

Also on the card, there were three non-gimmick matches, two of them being title bouts. The first of these was for the WWE Intercontinental Championship, with Drew McIntyre challenging John Morrison for the premier midcard title in the company (perhaps all of pro-wrestling). The match itself is good, with some of the exchanges being really good. Highlights are a tilt-a-whirl DDT on Drew by Morrison, an inverted Alabamaslam on Morrison by Drew and the ScotDrop DDT used to end the match. I’m genuinely excited to see how Drew develops from here, due to our professional friendship that goes back years. Oh, and McIntyre gets a nice little rub from Vince McMahon himself immediately after this match ends.

The other title bout is for the WWE Women’s Championship. Unfortunately for both wrestlers, nothing they could do in the ring could erase the stench of the disgusting “Piggie James” angle leading into it. That being said, the match itself wasn’t that bad, but the finish was terrible.

The only straightforward match on the card was between Kofi Kingston, who had been on an unbelievably hot streak since before Survivor Series, and Randy Orton, a man who the fans were itching to cheer. They put on a really good match, with some great sequences (a triple-jump crossbody to the floor being countered by an Orton dropkick is the highlight, with a successful crossbody from Kofi and Orton’s suspended DDT close behind) and the fans were into it in a big way, but I can’t help but feel that, despite the well worked finish, the wrong man won.

Lastly, we have the actual Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match between the surprise package of 2009, JeriShow, and DX. This was a fitting end to a surprisingly good PPV, with all four guys working their boots off and creating some new Ladder Match spots, coming up with yet another way to get the Punch of Doom in and finishing off with a truly innovative ending. The action flows incredibly well throughout and the legacy of the TLC Match was kept intact.

Extras

Only one extra on the collection, which is a shame considering WWE could’ve had a history of the TLC Match and brought newer fans up to speed on why it’s such an exciting concept. As it is, the bonus we do get is similar to one on the previous month’s Survivor Series DVD; Shawn Michaels and Triple H from after the show went off the air.

The difference here is that TLC took place in San Antonio, Texas, HBK’s home town, so the celebrations are a little bit more personal. There’s not commentary and minimal dialogue, but I do enjoy seeing the wrestlers interact with fans after the cameras stop rolling (so to speak). You really get to see that DX are genuine friends by the way they interact with each other and it’s a nice little extra. It’s just a pity there’s nothing more substantial to compliment it.

Overview

WWE TLC is a much better event than I thought it would be going in. With the stink of Hell in a Cell still fresh in our minds, the fact there was only one actual match fought under the main stipulation helped a great deal. Only Mickie James v Michelle McCool lets the side down, although it’s not that bad, with the remainder of the card ranging from good to great.

My main gripe about the entire event is to do with Teddy Long. I can understand him coming out to reverse the original decision in the Batista/Undertaker match. With the chair being the only thing legal outside a normal wrestling match, Batista hitting his opponent with a low blow before the chair is technically a disqualification. What annoys me is that the finish to the Intercontinental Championship Match is the EXACT same. Drew pokes a thumb in Morrison’s eye (an illegal manoeuvre) before hitting his finisher, so why didn’t Teddy Long, who should’ve been watching it in the back, come out and reverse this decision?

I know it’s a small, trivial matter, but the inconsistency annoyed me a great deal.

Apart from that, this DVD is well worth the money and being able to pick it up for around £10 elevates it to almost must-buy status.

Points: 8/10

Buy It:

UK: DVD

USA: DVD

Cookie	Description
_pxvid	This cookie is used for detection of the browser and distinguishing whether it is a real user or malicious bot.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-advertisement	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Advertisement".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics	This cookies is set by GDPR Cookie Consent WordPress Plugin. The cookie is used to remember the user consent for the cookies under the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-non-necessary	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Non Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance	This cookie is used to keep track of which cookies the user have approved for this site.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-preferences	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Preferences".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-uncategorized	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Uncategorized".
CraftSessionId	This cookie name is associated with the Craft web content management system, where is functions as an anonymous session identifier.
csrftoken	This cookie is associated with Django web development platform for python. Used to help protect the website against Cross-Site Request Forgery attacks
DSID	To note specific user identity. Contains hashed/encrypted unique ID.
JSESSIONID	Used by sites written in JSP. General purpose platform session cookies that are used to maintain users' state across page requests.
PHPSESSID	This cookie is native to PHP applications. The cookie is used to store and identify a users' unique session ID for the purpose of managing user session on the website. The cookie is a session cookies and is deleted when all the browser windows are closed.
viewed_cookie_policy	The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Cookie	Description
b30msc
btc
CMST
cref
d
gpl
i
icts
ig_did
mdata
na_rn
na_sc_e
na_sr
na_srp
session_depth
visitor-id

Cookie	Description
__gads	This cookie is set by Google and stored under the name dounleclick.com. This cookie is used to track how many times users see a particular advert which helps in measuring the success of the campaign and calculate the revenue generated by the campaign. These cookies can only be read from the domain that it is set on so it will not track any data while browsing through another sites.
__stid	The cookie is set by ShareThis. The cookie is used for site analytics to determine the pages visited, the amount of time spent, etc.
_ga	This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to calculate visitor, session, camapign data and keep track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookies store information anonymously and assigns a randoly generated number to identify unique visitors.
_gat_gtag_UA_60765351_1	Google uses this cookie to distinguish users.
_gid	This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to store information of how visitors use a website and helps in creating an analytics report of how the wbsite is doing. The data collected including the number visitors, the source where they have come from, and the pages viisted in an anonymous form.
ad-id	Provided by amazon-adsystem.com for tracking user actions on other websites to provide targeted content
demdex	This cookie is set under the domain demdex.net and is used by Adobe Audience Manager to help identify a unique visitor across domains.
DigiTrust.v1.identity	Registers data on visitors’ website-behaviour. This is used for internal analysis and website optimization.
dmvk	This cookie is set by DailyMotion who display videos, it registers statistical data of visitors' behaviour on the website.
gid	This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to store information of how visitors use a website and helps in creating an analytics report of how the wbsite is doing. The data collected including the number visitors, the source where they have come from, and the pages viisted in an anonymous form.
GPS	This cookie is set by Youtube and registers a unique ID for tracking users based on their geographical location
is_unique	This cookie is set by StatCounter to determine how people are using the website
is_visitor_unique	This cookie is set by StatCounter to determine how people are using the website
sc_is_visitor_unique	This cookie is set by StatCounter to determine how people are using the website
v1st	This is set by DailyMotion to display videos.

Cookie	Description
__asc	This cookie is used to collect information on consumer behavior, which is sent to Alexa Analytics.
__auc	This cookie is used to collect information on consumer behavior, which is sent to Alexa Analytics.
__qca	This cookie is associated with Quantcast and is used for collecting anonymized data to analyze log data from different websites to create reports that enables the website owners and advertisers provide ads for the appropriate audience segments.
_cc_aud	The cookie is set by crwdcntrl.net. The purpose of the cookie is to collect statistical information in an anonymous form about the visitors of the website. The data collected include number of visits, average time spent on the website, and the what pages have been loaded. These data are then used to segment audiences based on the geographical location, demographic, and user interest provide relevant content and for advertisers for targeted advertising.
_cc_cc	The cookie is set by crwdcntrl.net. The purpose of the cookie is to collect statistical information in an anonymous form about the visitors of the website. The data collected include number of visits, average time spent on the website, and the what pages have been loaded. These data are then used to segment audiences based on the geographical location, demographic, and user interest provide relevant content and for advertisers for targeted advertising.
_cc_dc	The cookie is set by crwdcntrl.net. The purpose of the cookie is to collect statistical information in an anonymous form about the visitors of the website. The data collected include number of visits, average time spent on the website, and the what pages have been loaded. These data are then used to segment audiences based on the geographical location, demographic, and user interest provide relevant content and for advertisers for targeted advertising.
_cc_id	The cookie is set by crwdcntrl.net. The purpose of the cookie is to collect statistical information in an anonymous form about the visitors of the website. The data collected include number of visits, average time spent on the website, and the what pages have been loaded. These data are then used to segment audiences based on the geographical location, demographic, and user interest provide relevant content and for advertisers for targeted advertising.
_kuid_	The cookie is set by Krux Digital under the domain krxd.net. The cookie stores a unique ID to identify a returning user for the purpose of targeted advertising.
_px2	This cookie is set by PerimeterX who provide security analyst oversight.
_pxff_tm	This cookie is set by PerimeterX who provide security analyst oversight.
_pxhd	This cookie is set by PerimeterX who provide security analyst oversight.
ab	This cookie is generally provided by agkn.com and is used for advertising purposes.
ad-privacy	Provided by amazon-adsystem.com for tracking user actions on other websites to provide targeted content to the users.
ayl_visitor	This cookie registers data on the visitor. The information is used to optimize advertisement relevance.
bafp	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bafp_t	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bfp_sn	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bfp_sn_pl	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bfp_sn_rf_8b2087b102c9e3e5ffed1c1478ed8b78	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bfp_sn_rt_8b2087b102c9e3e5ffed1c1478ed8b78	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bfp_sn_t_8b2087b102c9e3e5ffed1c1478ed8b78	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bfp_sn_td_2d31c94105a0aa6d1ceaea0c86c6b656	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bito	This cookie is generally provided by bidr.io and is used for advertising purposes.
bitoIsSecure	This cookies are generally provided by bidr.io and is used for advertising purposes.
bsc	The cookies is set by ownerIQ for the purpose of providing relevant advertisement
CMID	This cookie is linked to advertising and tracking the products users were looking at.
CMPRO	This cookie is linked to advertising and tracking the products users were looking at.
CMPS	This cookie is linked to advertising and tracking the products users were looking at.
dc_id	This cookie is used to deliver adverts more relevant to you and your interests. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advertisement as well as help measure the effectiveness of the advertising campaign. They are usually placed by advertising networks with the website operator's permission. They remember that you have visited a website and this information is shared with other organisations such as advertisers.
did	The purpose of the cookie is to identify a visitor to serve relevant advertisement.
didts	The purpose of the cookie is to identify a visitor to serve relevant advertisement.
dpm	The cookie is set by demdex.net. This cookie assigns a unique ID to each visiting user that allows third-party advertisers target that users with relevant ads.
eud	This cookie is from Rocket Fuel and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
euds	This cookie is from Rocket Fuel and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
everest_g_v2	The cookie is set under eversttech.net domain. The purpose of the cookie is to map clicks to other events on the client's website.
evo5_popin_instance	Prevents an interaction from reoccurring for visitors not accepting 3rd party cookies.
id	This cookie is set by DoubleClick (which is owned by Google) to build a profile of the website visitor's interests and show relevant ads on other sites.
IDE	Used by Google DoubleClick and stores information about how the user uses the website and any other advertisement before visiting the website. This is used to present users with ads that are relevant to them according to the user profile.
io.narrative.guid.v2	This cookie is generally provided by io.narrative.io and is used for advertising purposes.
KADUSERCOOKIE	This cookie is generally provided by pubmatic.com and is used for advertising purposes.
KTPCACOOKIE	This cookie is generally provided by pubmatic.com and is used for advertising purposes.
matchliveramp	This cookie is provided by w55c.net and is used for advertising purposes.
mc	This cookie is associated with Quantserve to track anonymously how a user interact with the website.
mxpim	This cookie is generally provided by mxptint.net for advertising purposes.
na_tc	This is a Social Media sharing tracking cookie.
NID	This cookie is used to a profile based on user's interest and display personalized ads to the users.
nnls	The purpose of the cookie is to identify a visitor to serve relevant advertisement.
pxrc	The purpose of the cookie is to identify a visitor to serve relevant advertisement.
pxvid	This cookie is set by PerimeterX who provide security analyst oversight.
rlas3	The cookie is set by rlcdn.com. The cookie is used to serve relevant ads to the visitor as well as limit the time the visitor sees an and also measure the effectiveness of the campaign.

Cookie	Description
__jid	Cookies set on the website by the third-party commenting platform Disqus.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
disqus_unique	These cookies are set by Disqus so that users can comment on website/platform.
G_ENABLED_IDPS	The cookie is used by Google and is used for Google Single Sign On.
mid	The cookie is set by Instagram. The cookie is used to distinguish users and to show relevant content, for better user experience and security.
na_id	This cookie is set by Addthis.com to enable sharing of links on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter
ouid	The cookie is set by Addthis which enables the content of the website to be shared across different networking and social sharing websites.
ov	This is a generic functional cookie that provides enhanced functionality and personalisation.
ts	This cookie is generally provided by PayPal and supports payment services in the website.
vuid	These cookies are used by the Vimeo video player on websites.

WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders And Chairs 2009 DVD Review

Chapters

Extras

Overview

You might also like

FIND THE TOPICS YOU WANT...

Recommended for you