Kurt Angle and AJ Styles to Work WWE TLC, But Is It the Right Move?

When a case of Viral Meningitis affects your roster, what is a company to do, right? WWE knows how this feels better than most, as they have a case of this and mumps going around the WWE RAW locker room. However, they are thankful for the brand split now more than ever. The rosters are not with each other as much as they used to be, which allows for many to be save from harm if an issue like this goes down.

Roman Reigns was set to take part in the WWE TLC main event, along with Shield member Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins. They were going to take on The Miz, Cesaro, Sheamus, Braun Strowman, and Kane in a TLC match to end the night. While the handicap match was certainly a lot to handle, it appears sickness was tougher to battle. Reigns is now out of the event, and has been replaced by WWE RAW General Manager Kurt Angle.

This seems a bit odd. Kurt Angle being added to The Shield for the night? Why would they go with him and not another WWE superstar? Angle's storyline son, Jason Jordan, would have been a perfect pick. However, the WWE feels this is the best plan as Angle is a star and would ideally be liked enough to make sense for the show.

There is a problem though. This is Angle's first match in the WWE in 11 years, and he just entered the WWE Hall of Fame this year. He's an older guy too, and we're putting him one of the most dangerous matches in WWE? Really?!? Story wise, it does make some sense though.

The Miz has been at Angle's throat the past few months now, and even gone after his son on a regular occasion. Clearly, WWE had plans to bring Angle back to the ring and perhaps Miz was a target opponent for the Olympic Gold Medalist. Just, it was not going to occur like this, ya know?

Ideally, WWE could have Angle taken out in the back and replaced with his son, setting up Jordan as the main aide in the match. Angle could then return later in the match to get some revenge on his attackers, therefore helping as a fourth man. This is a No DQ match, after all. Let us not forget this, as it is essential to know that anything can happen in matches such as these.

Of course, this is not the only thing that has happened. As mentioned, Bray Wyatt is also out due to this horrible sickness. He was set to take on Finn Balor, er, The Demon King, at WWE TLC on Sunday. He has been replaced by former WWE Champion and SmackDown Live talent, AJ Styles. This match makes sense, and fans have wanted it for some time now.

There is a story behind this match that few may know. Finn Balor, as Prince Devitt in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, created the Bullet Club. Yes, that faction you have been hearing about for the past few years....that was Balor's idea. He held it down as the leader there until he left the company for WWE a few years ago.

As he left, AJ Styles was going into NJPW. He then took on the role as the leader of the Bullet Club for a few years until he left for WWE at the beginning of 2016. Now, fans want to see a match with the former leaders and it is now happening.

If there was a storyline around this, it would have been far better for fans. It is odd that we have to see the match, a dream one at that, happen under such terms. It is WrestleMania quality! It is likely WWE could open the show with this match, and it is likely to steal the show. Fans expect a lot out of it, and you cannot blame them.

The question is, does it make sense to take a SmackDown talent when RAW is stacked with a ton of workers for Balor to face? Many are there. From Elias and Apollo Crews to the aforementioned Jason Jordan and Samoa Joe (who's now cleared). This is honestly nonsense for WWE, and a panic move. While WWE fans will love the match, without a big story behind it, the match feels empty.