WWE TLC 2011 Review

Match 1: United States Championship - Dolph Ziggler © vs. Zack Ryder
The hype that is Zack Ryder rolls into Baltimore as he challenges Ziggler for the United States Championship. I will be the first to admit that I am not the bigger Ryder fan but there is no doubting that he is over with the fans and has earned his role. Good opening contest between the two with Vickie getting kicked out and Ryder beating Ziggler with the Rough Rider. Fun to watch but felt canned from what we have seen from them.
Winner: Zack Ryder
Rating: **¾

Match 2: WWE Tag Team Championships - Air Boom © vs. Primo & Epico
Air Boom continues their hot streak into TLC by going up against Primo & Epico! It’s nice to see that we have some tag team wrestling on the show but it’s hard to get the crowd getting behind two teams that were basically just slapped on the show for a filler match. The action was good but nothing memorable or PPV quality good. Air Boom retain the belts after Kofi lands a huge Trouble in Paradise.
Winners: Air Boom
Rating: *¼

Match 3: Tables - Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett
Randy Orton looks to cap off a banner year in the WWE against Wade Barrett in what has been a great feud so far. This was a very smart Tables match, no nonsense and all psychology. Orton finishes off Barrett with an amazing RKO through the table after Barrett jumped off the top turnbuckle. Even though the finish was foreseen from Barrett climbing the top rope, there is no denying that that was certainly an awesome finish. Orton right now is untouchable in my opinion.
Winner: Randy Orton
Rating: ***

Match 4: Divas Championship - Beth Phoenix © vs. Kelly Kelly
It’s time for the Divas part of the show and I won’t be shy to admit that Kelly Kelly has stepped up her game. There is no doubting that and this match is a good example. It wasn’t necessarily the greatest match ever but it was still pretty enjoyable. And really cool to see Phoenix plant Kelly on her face.
Winner: Beth Phoenix
Rating: *

Match 5: Sledgehammer Ladder - Triple H vs. Kevin Nash
You’re reading the title right, it’s Triple H taking on Kevin Nash in one of the marquee matches. A bit odd but understandable considering they needed a match to kill the feud. As expected, this was a slow match but they still managed to come up with a couple cool spots and let the smoke and mirrors of the weapons play a big role. Triple H knocks Nash off the ladder through a table and clubs Nash with the sledgehammer to get the win. Mercifully, this feud is over and Triple H can move on to something better.
Winner: Triple H
Rating: **¼ 

Match 6: Sheamus vs. Jack Swagger
An impromptu match was set up by GM Teddy Long where Sheamus takes on Swagger. It’s pretty obvious who is going to win this one but at least we got a pretty okay match to give both men some PPV time. But again, this is PPV and there is no reason for matches such as this to go on when the quality isn’t even there. Sheamus hit’s the Brogue Kick for the win.
Winner: Sheamus
Rating: *½

Match 7: World Heavyweight Championship - Chairs - Mark Henry © vs. The Big Show
It’s no secret. I’m a huge fan of Mark Henry and his title reign. He defends his championship one more time against The Big Show in a Chairs Match. A type of match that I feel that is perfect for two animals such as these two. The match itself, however, only lasted roughly over six minutes or so before Show knocks out Henry with a huge punch right before Henry was looking to clock Show with the chair. The finish was a little underwhelming but seeing Show celebrate was really cool. But…
Winner: The Big Show
Rating: **

Match 8: World Heavyweight Championship - The Big Show © vs. Daniel Bryan
Daniel Bryan then comes out to the delight of the crowd and cashes in his Money in the Bank contract! Bryan covers a downed Big Show who was attacked from behind by Mark Henry and scores the pin! Who would have guessed it? Daniel Bryan is the new World Heavyweight Champion in the WWE!
Winner: Daniel Bryan
Rating: n/a

Match 9: WWE Championship - TLC - CM Punk © vs. The Miz vs. Alberto Del Rio
Go back two years and never would anyone guess that the last PPV match of 2011 would be this. And that’s a good thing! I’m happy to say that the WWE closed out the year with a bang with one hell of a match. Was it the best TLC match ever? No. Was it even close? Not really. But that’s not to say that all the guys in this match worked their asses off and that includes Ricardo Rodriguez who took a nasty fall off a ladder through a table. Handcuffs were also brought into play when The Miz tied up Punk who eventually broke free as he then went on to land a GTS on Miz and knock Del Rio off the ladder to retain. Very fitting main event to close out the year with Punk standing tall.
Winner: CM Punk
Rating: ***¾

Overall Show Thoughts and Rating:
Even without John Cena, the WWE managed to pull off a decent PPV to finish off a strong 2011. Daniel Bryan winning the big one and CM Punk retaining were the two big highlights and if this is a sign of things to come, then the future is in good hands.
Rating: 6.75/10