Earlier this week it was reported that a meningitis outbreak had sidelined Bray Wyatt, Bo Dallas, and ring announcer JoJo. There was speculation that more members of the roster would be affected. That has turned out to be the case and WWE has announced two MASSIVE changes to the TLC PPV this Sunday, October 22nd. Roman Reigns and Bray Wyatt are both sick and out of action. Because of this KURT ANGLE will make his long-awaited return to a WWE ring to replace Reigns in the TLC match alongside Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose. AJ Styles will replace Wyatt in the match against Finn Balor. HOLY CRAP!!!!
Here’s more via WWE.com
A WWE Hall of Famer and the current General Manager of Raw, Angle will join forces with Raw Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose to battle the daunting combination of Braun Strowman, Intercontinental Champion The Miz, Cesaro, Sheamus and The Big Red Machine Kane in a Tables, Ladders & Chairs 5-on-3 Handicap Match.
The showdown between “The Demon” and Styles is one that the WWE Universe has been wanting for a long time and promises to be one of the most exciting matches of 2017.
This is huge on TWO accounts. First, Kurt Angle is returning to wrestle in WWE after more than a decade.
Is it true??? Oh It's damn true! Your Olympic Hero will be wrestling along side of The Shield… https://t.co/Q6MMYO5pCA
— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) October 20, 2017
There were rumors that he would be returning to the ring soon, but no one expected it to be like this. Styles and Balor is a dream match that many have wanted ever since the two came to WWE. Balor and Styles promise to be an incredible match despite a lack of build. Both are incredible in-ring performers who know how to put on a good show. As for Angle, it isn’t like he’s been on the shelf for a decade. He’s proven he can go in the ring still with stints in TNA and the indie circuit.
Predictably people are reacting strongly to this massive turn of events!
Why wouldn't they just put Finn with Ambrose and Rollins? #WWETLC
— Mister Gator (@TheMisterGator) October 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/DMcIntyreWWE/status/921463740578586624
Kurt Angle competing in a WWE ring again and all is right in the world 😭❤️
— LIV Morgan (@YaOnlyLivvOnce) October 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/judekilgour/status/921474519658885122
wait what's this illness affecting the WWE locker room?
It's not ELEVATED ENZYMES OF THE LIVER again is it?
— forever botchamania (@Maffewgregg) October 20, 2017
#WWETLC is shaping up to be that weird fantasy PPV you booked when you were 12.
I'm pretty cool with that. pic.twitter.com/SaWUtsXpQR— The History of WWE (@TheHistoryofWWE) October 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/adamlucidi/status/921465597422133248
Of all their enemies over the years, who would have thought that the WWE would be brought to its knees by viral meningitis? https://t.co/CiHTslBBRL
— Derek Montilla (@Cap_Kaveman) October 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/GregoryIron/status/921467862740537346
https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/921468386126843905
Holy shit. This illness spreading through the locker room has the company scrambling but also giving us huge matchups. https://t.co/O3uZrLurNN
— Computerized Man of the 2020s (@wrestletony) October 20, 2017
Are you excited about this surprise? Share your thoughts in the comments below!