FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Looking back at WWE TLC 2011

Good Morning Slapnuts and Sparklecrotches to another brand spanking new edition of Flashback Friday here on WrestlingNewsSource.com. The dust from Survivor Series has hardly settled and we are already gearing up for another pay per view, this time the now Smackdown exclusive TLC. Some matches have already been announced such as AJ Styles vs Dean Ambrose in a TLC match for the WWE World Championship while Dolph Ziggler has his last chance against The Miz in a ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship and one that peaked my interest which was the announcement of a no disqualification match between Nikki Bella and Carmella which could be Smackdown’s attempt to show that their women may not have had a Hell in a Cell match but they could put on show if given their chance. Whether Nikki and Carmella live up to my expectations is anybody’s guess, it could be all the beer and food on thanksgiving going to my head! Anyways, you are not here to discuss whether Smackdowns women’s division can rival Raw’s, you are here for a trip down memory lane Flashback Friday style and I have just the pay per view for you. Yes, I will be looking back at none other than WWE’s TLC from 2011. This TLC was memorable for a variety of reasons, you had a triple threat ladder match for the WWE Championship, the end of Mark Henry’s memorable reign as champion and the beginning of a reign for a certain beloved superstar who looked quite like a goat. You also had The Kliq coming to blows as Triple H battled Kevin Nash and lastly, you had Zack Ryder defy all the odds and become United States Champion out of the push he created for himself. So, sit back and relax while I take you through WWE’s TLC 2011!

Opening Promo

Twas the night before Christmas gets a rewriting with verses mentioning our WWE superstars while also running through the matches on tonight’s card. It fits well without being too cheesy. We are live from Baltimore Maryland and the stage is like the designs you would see on Raw and Smackdown with the added bonus of a few ladders, chairs and tables on the entrance way. While it may mean nothing to some, I do miss the more unique stage designs. For example, on my blog (seanomaniacwrestlingreviews.com), I was recently reviewing WCW’s Bash at The Beach 1996 which had sand, chairs and a lifeguard stand along with the unique Beach themed entrance design while this WWE design just makes the pay per view feel like a jazzed up Raw.

(WWE United States Championship Match) Dolph Ziggler © W/ Vickie Guerrero vs Zack Ryder

This would be the highlight of Zack Ryder’s career, let me elaborate: Zack Ryder was going nowhere and fast, The Long Island Iced Z was directionless since the break-up of The Edgeheads. Ryder appeared mostly on ECW until its closure and Superstars with Ryder being nothing more than a jobber. Ryder saw the machine would not get behind him so he decided he would get himself over. Ryder’s Revolution began on Youtube where he created videos showing him doing skits, talking about fans and being himself. The result was Ryder becoming one of the most popular superstars on the roster and his merchandise selling out despite Ryder not being featured prominently on Raw or Smackdown. To WWE’s credit, they took notice of Ryder’s popularity and took Ryder away from the fans so the reactions would grow louder and louder each week. The reactions were so loud at Survivor Series that even The Rock had to acknowledge the popularity of Ryder. After months and months of Ryder chants, Zak has another chance to capture The United States Championship from Dolph Ziggler. What a heart-warming story right? Well, Mr. Ziggler did not see things that way, Ziggler saw Ryder as nothing but a joke and that Ryder will choke on the big stage. This match is all about Ryder proving whther he can hang or not. Ziggler sweeps Ryder’s legs on two occasions without a less than interested look on his face. Ryder fires back with two arm drags before Ziggler floors Ryder with a shoulder block. Ryder counters back with a catapult into the turnbuckle and a clothesline which sends Ziggler to the floor. Tope con hilo by Zack and the crowd chant along with The Long Island Iced Z. Ziggler cuts off Ryder’s momentum with a DDT on the ring apron. Ryder climbs into the ring at a count of nine but Ziggler wastes no time in bringing down Ryder with a neckbreaker. Series of elbows by The Show-Off, cover by the champion gets a two count. Ryder blocks the right hand but Ziggler nails Ryder with a back elbow to the face. Ziggler applies a reverse chinlock, Ziggler begins doing set-ups beside a prone Zack Ryder. Ziggler locks in the sleeper once more, Ryder fires up. Ziggler shuts down Ryder with an Angle Slam but Ryder stays alive and the frustration is starting to build up on the face of Ziggler. Ziggler props Ryder on the top rope and slaps the challenger. Big mistake as Ryder slaps back and drills Ziggler with a missile dropkick. Two count for Ryder, Ryder scores with two clotheslines and a facebuster. Elbow in the corner and Ryder motions for The Broski Boot. Ryder connects and Vickie Guerrero places Ziggler’s foot on the ropes. The referee ejects a screaming Vickie Guerrero, O Connor roll by Ryder, Ziggler rolls through and grabs the ropes but Ryder powers out of the pin attempt. Ziggler hotshots Ryder, Ziggler misses a FameAsser and Ryder counters with a schoolboy. Two count for Ryder, Ziggler goes low and nails a FameAsser. Two count for Ziggler as Ryder digs down deep to power out at two. Ziggler measures Ryder for a Zig-Zag, Ryder shakes off Ziggler but Ziggler maintains control with a  beautiful dropkick that Hardcore Holly would be proud of, Ziggler hooks the leg and Ryder kicks out at two and a half. Ziggler ascends to the top rope, Ryder crotches the champion. Top rope frankensteiner and it is a two for Zack Ryder. Ryder is motioning for The Rough Ryder, Ziggler flapjacks Ryder into the turnbuckle, roll-up with a handful of tights but Ryder holds on in the match. Ziggler was looking for a Stinger Splash but Ryder gets the knees up and nails Ziggler with The Rough Ryder. 1…2….3! Zack Ryder is your United States Champion. A great moment in Ryder’s career as he celebrates with his father and friend The Big O at ringside. They say a crowd can make or break a match and the crowd was fully invested in Ryder. It makes me sad watching this match as Ryder’s career would never be higher than this moment and Ziggler has future World Champion written all over him in this match. These two worked hard, Ziggler comes off as the biggest jerk walking God’s green Earth. His mannerisms and offence were just great while there was not one person who did not want a Ryder win in this match. I never thought much of Ryder’s gimmick and as someone special in the ring but on this night, he was over like rover and no one could deny that he earned that championship win. Great opening match from these two!

Winner: Zack Ryder over Dolph Ziggler via Rough Ryder!

(WWE Tag Team Championship Match) Air Boom (Kofi Kingston & Evan Bourne) vs Epico & Primo W/ Rosa Mendes

WWE can do great things when they try and at other times, certain aspects of the product can be ignored. From various times WWE’s tag team division, has dripped with greatness and mediocrity. I will let you decide for yourself what I think of Epico & Primo as your number one contenders for the championships. Anyways, the match kicks off with Epico and Bourne trading various pinning holds until Bourne tags Kofi who kicks Epico’s head into row Z. Epico batters Kofi into the corner and tags Primo but Kofi ducks the double clothesline and nails a dropkick to both of his opponents. Primo tries a monkey flip on Kofi but Kofi lands on his feet, Kofi nails his own monkey flip and tags Bourne. Bourne and Kofi combine to hit a headscissors, Bourne is taken down after Epico tags himself in with a blind tag and the two Puerto Ricans combine to throw Bourne to the floor. In the corner, Primo and Epico stomp Bourne over and over. Front chancery by Primo, Bourne kicks out of Primo’s hold but Primo drives Bourne into his team’s corner to prevent the tag. Epico nails a dropkick on Bourne, titl-a-whirl backbreaker by Epico for a two count. Nice back suplex by Epico into a German suplex for a two count. Epico applies The Gory Special in the middle of the ring while the crowd wills on Evan Bourne. Bourne kicks Epico and nails Epico with two knees to the mush. Kofi receives the hot tag and takes down Epico with a huge springboard chop, Epico is knocked to the floor. Leaping clothesline by Kofi, Boom Drop on Primo. Primo saw Trouble in Paradise coming so Primo backs himself into the corner, Kofi jumps over Primo and nails a Crossbody before Epico saves Primo. Bourne takes out Epico on the floor and seconds later, it is all over as Kofi nails Primo with a Trouble in Paradise. Standard tag team match that would be right at home on an episode of Raw. Epico and Primo did ok but they never looked like a threat and there were beaten so decisively that I don’t know why they positioned as the number one contenders. Kofi and Bourne had good chemistry with one another but after Ziggler and Swagger, there were not a lot of teams that the two men could work against and it hurt their matches, that and the fact that Bourne might have liked his weed a little too much which would lead to his release.

Winners: Air Boom over Epico & Primo via Trouble in Paradise!

Josh Matthews/Booker T promo

Booker T is ready for his match against Cody Rhodes when Rhodes attacks Booker T and Booker T is taken to be looked at by the doctors. Josh Matthews provides us with a useless update by saying Rhodes was happy with his work while Booker T might not be able to compete tonight for the championship. Teddy Long is dressed as Santa and Hornswoggle share a bit of bad comedy with Hornswoggle stomping on Teddy’s foot after a supposed bad gift.

(Table Match) Randy Orton vs Wade Barrett

The former leader of The Nexus and The Corre had a serious problem with The Viper which led to assaults and confrontations with Barrett coming out on top due to dastardly tactics. The feud comes to a head in this table match, Orton and Barrett engage in a slugfest to start the match. Orton gains control with his unique backbreaker, Orton stomps Barrett and goes right for the table, Barrett thrust kicks the table into Orton’s head before Orton could put the table in the ring. Barrett now grabs the table and shoves the table into the ring, Orton uses the table as a see-saw to smash Barrett’s face. Barrett is now sporting a cut above his eye, Orton begins setting up the table by the ringside area while Barrett tries leaving the arena. Barrett elbows Orton on the ramp way and looks to pumphandle slam Orton through the table. Orton slips out the back and pummels Orton back to the ringside area. Orton measures Barrett for a suplex from the steel steps through a table but Barrett powers out and shoves Orton into two ringposts before booting The Viper in the face. Barrett sets tables up in the ring while clubbing Orton across the back, Barrett lays Orton on a table at ringside. Orton rolls off the table before Barrett jumps, Barrett goes right after Orton by ramming The Viper into the apron. Orton is tossed into the ring and Barrett measures for an elbow from the second rope. Barrett scores, Barrett knees Orton in the ribs and tries to boot Orton through a table. Orton holds onto the rope to avoid being put through the table, Barrett lays a table in the corner. Barrett picks up Orton for a powerslam, Orton slides out and nails his comeback consisting for the clotheslines and powerslam. Orton was looking for his rope-hung DDT, Barrett fought out of the hold and went for a big boot. Orton dodges and both men are on the apron, Barrett was looking for The Wasteland through the table but Orton slid out and nailed his rope-hung DDT. Barrett blocks The RKO and nails The Winds of Change. Barrett smacks Orton with a table in frustration and prepares Orton for a tope rope splash through the table. Barrett dives but Orton was lying in wait and Orton brings down Barrett with a RKO through the table. Good back and forth contest between these two. The teases of the finish had the fans attention every time and the finish was well worked. I would say that was good for a table match.

Winner: Randy Orton over Wade Barrett via RKO through the table!

(WWE Divas’ Championship Match) Kelly Kelly vs Beth Phoenix ©

Beth Phoenix defends her championship against Kelly Kelly, Beth would be keeping a hold on the division while trying to make stars of the likes of Kelly and Eve. I will never put down anyone who is making an effort, Kelly Kelly was being positioned as the next babyface of the division. While she was no Trish Stratus, Kelly improved leaps and bounds in her matches against Beth. Kelly slaps the taste out of Beth’s mouth to kick us off, Kelly lowbridges Beth and slams Beth’s face into the floor with a bulldog from the apron. Kelly uses a handstand to choke Beth with her feet, headcissors by Kelly takes down Beth. Kelly was looking for a monkey flip but Beth counters with a military press slam. Beth proceeds to beat down Kelly by clubbing Kelly into oblivion. Beth steps all over Kelly’s back by using the ropes for leverage and yanks Kelly into the middle of the ring. Beth locks Kelly in a camel clutch as Kelly screams out in pain. Kelly inside cradles Beth for a two before Kelly nails a facebuster. Beth shoves off Kelly, Kelly kicks off Beth. Crossbody goes wrong as Beth nails a spinebuster for a two count. Beth climbs to the top rope, Kelly dodges a huge leg drop from Beth. Beth blocks The K2, Beth motions for The Glam Slam, Kelly rolls through with a victory roll. Two count, Kelly looked for a frankensteiner and Beth counters with an Alley Oop drop ala Big Show and Beth Phoenix retains the championship. Beth dominated Kelly Kelly in convincing fashion which makes me miss her that much more and angry that we never saw Kharma vs Beth in what could have been a great match. Anyways, Kelly was booked like a top babyface of the division but by this time, Kelly’ time was almost up in the WWE. Kelly would not be released until September of the next year but her significant run had ended, I cannot say too much about the match because of how short it was, Kelly showed some fire in the beginning which got me excited for the match but it became apparent after a minute that this was going to be The Beth Phoenix Show. Beth looked unbeatable and the divas’ division needed a hero to stop The Glamazon but you could call into the question the booking of The Divas as by Wrestlemania, Eve would be a heel alongside Beth while Kelly was teaming with Maria Menounos.

Winner: Beth Phoenix over Kelly Kelly via Domination!

Christmas Teddy Part II/ Del Rio is an angry man

The Bellas are arguing over who is nicer and naughtier while Teddy sits there with a smile on his face, Teddy says he has the perfect gift for them (Get your mind out of the gutter right now!) and pulls out a card that has his number on it. The Bellas huff in disgust and slap Teddy which leads to Swagger and Sheamus deciding to have a match tonight. Meanwhile, Del Rio roars at Ricardo to get him some food because he is not a happy man because it was his destiny to be champion until the end of time and CM Punk ruined his destiny. Miz walks in and makes it clear that there is no alliance between Del Rio and Miz. Miz does his really shtick while ripping on the sports team of Baltimore. Del Rio calls Miz weak, pathetic and a fake. Ricardo retrieves the food and Miz smacks the food into Ricardo’s face. Del Rio does not defend Ricardo and shoves Ricardo. Man, surprising that it took so long for Ricardo to turn..

Cody Rhodes attacks Booker T part II

Booker makes his entrance and Cody proceeds to beat the piss out of Booker T, the doctors check on Booker and for the second time, it is teased whether we will have the match or not. What is nice about the angle is that Cody is showing that he is afraid of Booker T and that in a fair fight, Booker might still be able to overcome the young lion that is Cody Rhodes.

(Ladder Match for a Sledgehammer) Triple H vs Kevin Nash

The Kliq were a group of friends who held a lot of political power in the WWE. The group consisted of Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Shawn Michaels, X-Pac and Triple H. They pulled the strings in the WWE. Years passed but all the men I mentioned stayed close friends and in touch. Kevin Nash returned to the WWE expecting a WWE contract but Nash was handed no contract and this did not sit well with Nash. Nash felt betrayed by his friend Triple H and the bitterness grew inside Nash. So, Nash would attack CM Punk and attack Triple H on multiple occasions until Triple H decided he would have to take down one of his best friends. Nash had even utilized Triple H’s sledgehammer to victimize The Game to show that the friendship was dead and that Nash meant business. The amount of history and backstory to this match is staggering which adds so much to the match. Triple H and Nash stare a hole through one another before locking up, the bell rings and Nash knees and clubs Triple H. Triple H uses his speed to rough up Nash in the corner, Nash counters with a knee and begins throwing bombs at Triple H. Triple H turns the tide but Nash overpowers Triple H. Triple H continues to keep coming at Nash, clothesline by The Game leaves Nash on the floor. Triple H grabs a ladder but Nash big boots Triple H into the ladder. Nash uses the ladder as a battering ram to knock Triple H into the timekeeper’s area. Triple H climbs the announce table to jump onto Nash, Nash is floored as Triple H reigns down on Nash with many a fist to the face. Triple H knocks Nash into the crowd with a huge clothesline, Triple H looks like he is suffering as Cole brings up the sledgehammer attacks by Nash have messed up Triple H. Nash uses snake eyes across the barricade on Triple H, Triple H greets the steel steps with his face. Triple H creates some separation with an Irish whip into the ringpost, Triple H has a ladder in the ring. Triple H wallops Nash in the knee (No Nash did not tear his quad during this match, get your head out of the gutter!). Triple H stabs Nash’s leg with the ladder in a great psychological spot as it weakens Nash strength but Nash will now struggle to climb the ladder. Triple H picks apart Nash’s knee with a figure four using the ladder, that is certainly a first. Triple H suplexs the ladder onto Nash’s knee. Nash catches Triple H with a knee and Irish whips The Game into the ladder in the corner, Triple H clutches at his neck as Cole reiterates the damage done to Triple H’s neck. Nash elbows and elbows the head of The Game. Nash nails a sidewalk slam onto the ladder, that looked nasty. Nash places Triple H under a ladder and guillotines Triple H into the ladder. Nash rolls Triple H to the floor, Nash starts to rip up the announce table. Triple H blocks The Jacknife and back body drops Nash over the table. Seizing the opportunity, Triple H begins to climb towards the hanging sledgehammer, Nash clubs The Game in the back and floors The Game with a right hand. Triple H is whipped into a ladder in the corner and Nash scores with a Chokeslam. Nash searches under the ring and pulls out a table, Nash sets up the table and looks for The Jacknife. Triple H spears Nash into the ladder in the corner, Triple H knocks Nash to the floor before climbing to the top of the ladder. Nash and Triple H are climbing high for the sledgehammer, Nash punches and pummels The Game. Triple H uses the hammer to knock Nash through the table in the ring, Triple H pulls down the sledgehammer and looks ready to finish his former friend. Sledgehammer shots to the knees and ribs, Triple H wears out Nash like Austin at Mania against The Rock with the chair. Triple H clears the ring and stares at Nash who is on his knee.  Triple H puts down the hammer and nails a Pedigree. Triple H is not satisfied and looks towards the hammer, Nash is on his knees and in a last resort, throws up The Kliq sign but Triple H tells Nash to suck it to emphatically end the friendship and delivers a hammer blow to wipe out Nash. I did like this match, you could say it was slow in parts but I enjoyed the psychology and story-telling aspects of the match. I like how both men traded bombs for the opening two minutes, these two hated one another and abandoned all game-plans. I like how Triple H went for the knees of the bigger Nash while Nash went for the neck which was injured of Triple H. Little touches like Triple H rolling out Nash anytime he went to climb and the finish with Nash symbolically throwing up The Kliq sign only for Triple H to take down his former friend with the very weapon that Nash had used to cripple The Game.

Winner: Triple H over Nash via Sledgehammer Shot!

CM Punk Promo

Punk rips on Alberto, Miz and John Laurinitis before Big Johnnie walks in and the two have a heated exchange. Punk claims luck is for losers and prepares for his TLC match.

Jack Swagger W/ Vickie Guerrero vs Sheamus

As an Irishman, there is a soft spot for Sheamus as I can understand his pale complexion, I could never tan. Anyways, Swagger tries punching Sheamus and it goes as well as pissing in the wind as Sheamus uses a Polish hammer to knock down Swagger and hammers The All-American American. Swagger dodges a punch and looks for an abdominal stretch, Sheamus overpowers Swagger and engages in the ten beats of the bodhran. Clothesline to the floor by Sheamus, Swagger dodges a suplex into the ring and Vickie distracts Sheamus. Spinebuster into the ringpost by Swagger and Sheamus is hurled into the barricade. Swagger scores with The Swagger Bomb for a two count, Swagger smacks Sheamus in the back which only makes Sheamus angry. Polish Hammer and corner clothesline by Sheamus, powerslam for a two count. Sheamus climbs to the top rope but Swagger knocks Sheamus to the floor. Sheamus returns the favour to Swagger by smacking Swagger into the ringpost, shoulder block from the top rope by Sheamus. Sheamus motions for The Brogue Kick Swagger dodges and chop blocks the leg of Sheamus twice. Swagger Bomb directly onto the leg, Patriot Lock is locked in on Sheamus. Sheamus rolls through, Swagger eats the turnbuckle. Massive Brogue Kick and that’s all she wrote. Sheamus is on the up as a top star on Smackdown while Swagger is floating around the mid-card. Very short but it accomplished its goal in making Sheamus looking like a beast.

Big Show Promo

Smiley Big Show feels Mark Henry will be going down in their chair match tonight, Show feels there will be a new champion.

(World Heavyweight Championship Chair Match) Big Show vs Mark Henry ©

Another match filled with a rich and interesting backstory. Mark Henry had the year of his life, WWE discovered they had a monster on their hands and it began with Henry’s turn on Big Show. Henry opened his Hall of Pain and ran through many superstars on The Smackdown roster. No one was safe and at Night of Champions, Henry became World Heavyweight Champion with the credit going to Randy Orton putting over Henry like an absolute monster. Show returned after having his broken ankle fixed due to Henry and a chair. The two engaged in a series of matches for the championship with Henry and Show recreating the ring break and Henry finding ways not to lose the championship. Going into this match, Henry’s ankle is injured which meant that The Hall of Pain has to close. It was a remarkable reign for Henry, so many people felt for the guy and I am glad Henry had his moment. Henry’s injury severely limits what these men can do but let’s see what happens. Show throws tonnes of chairs into the ring while Henry stands tall not showing any fear or concern. Both men have chairs and Henry bails to the floor. Henry claims the match is not happening and Show is out of his damn mind. Show is not too keen on this, chair to the back by Show. Show lays out Henry with the chair, punches to the ribs by Show. Henry knees Show to gain control, chair shots by Henry. Both men have chairs and start swinging, Henry wins the war and begins beating on Show. Show battles back on his knees and attempts a Chokeslam, Henry overpowers Show and now has a chair. Wham! Henry stomps on the hand of Show so Show cannot deliver The WMD. Show blocks a World’s Strongest Slam, Show nails The WMD on Henry out of nowhere, Show crawls to the cover and pins Henry to win the World Heavyweight Championship. Henry is back on his feet and on one ankle, Henry lays waste to the man who ended his moment in the sun. Henry nails a DDT onto the pile of chairs and hold on a second here….. Daniel Bryan is cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase and we have a new World Heavyweight Champion as Daniel Bryan has pinned The Big Show. Show looks on in shock as Bryan celebrates in front of Michael Cole. Like I said, Henry’s injury messed up any serious plans for a proper blow-off but Henry managed to deflect the attention from his injury as Daniel Bryan cashed in to win the championship. I like the twist involving Bryan, Show had encouraged Bryan to cash in so how ironic was it as Bryan cashed in on Show and ruined his moment. You could now have Show vs Bryan with Show gaining his revenge on Bryan, you cannot say it is a bad match when it sets up your next feud so perfectly.

Winner: Daniel Bryan over Henry and Show via pinfall!

(WWE Intercontinental Championship Match) Booker T vs Cody Rhodes ©

Despite the attacks of Rhodes, Booker T is going to suck it up and take the fight to Cody Rhodes. Cody Rhodes could make chicken salad out of chicken shit, the man took every gimmick and made it his own. This might be my favourite variation of Cody Rhodes or perhaps his mask wearing Dashin Cody Rhodes. It is a close call between the two, Booker T comes to the ring while Cole says Booker might not have been cleared by the EMTS. Rhodes and Booker T exchange blows, chops by Booker. Big reverse elbow from Booker, scoop slam and make it two. Rhodes counters the third but Booker scores with a thrust kick. Cody kicks out at two, Booker tosses Rhodes to the floor. Booker T rams Rhodes into the barricade. Rhodes hotshots Booker and nails a forearm to the face of the possibly concussed Booker T. Rhodes slams Booker head first into the barricade. Booker fights out of a hold from Rhodes, Booker lowers his head and Rhodes kicks Booker square in the face. Rhodes has Booker in a full-nelson but Booker breaks out of the hold. Elbow by Booker and a double knock-down in the middle of the ring. Slugfest with Booker winning out, Rhodes Irish whips Booker but Booker fires back with clotheslines and a sidewalk slam. Spinebuster by Booker T, Rhodes powders to the apron and Booker T is feeling like it is time for the spinaroonie. Booker misses The Scissors Kick and Rhodes drills Booker with The Beautiful Disaster. Two and a half as Booker digs deep. Second Disaster Kick and the match is over. Some stories will always resonate with fans, the plucky underdog and the ageing veteran looking for one last moment of glory are two common stories which grab people’s attention. Booker plays the veteran in this match, Booker looks a little blown-up and rusty but Booker pulls it off. Rhodes is younger and by that right, believes he should wipe the floor with Booker. However, Rhodes finds out that Booker still can fight but the attacks from earlier had their effect on Booker, Booker sold it like he had a concussion and while Booker fought for as long as he could, Rhodes was too strong in the end. The match was decent and the story could suck you in but the slot they were given and the lack of concern or passion in either commentators voices hurt the match a lot.

Winner: Cody Rhodes over Booker T!

(WWE Championship TLC Match) CM Punk © vs Alberto Del Rio vs The Miz

What you might find strange about this review is my lack of references to promo packages and the reason being I have not seen any apart from the match between Triple H and Kevin Nash. I do not know if they are removed or there was none, just a little weird for me because I don’t feel I can give proper context and backstory to the matches that are taking place. Basically, Miz is trying to recapture his success of the prior year with mixed success while Del Rio came to Raw and was champion for a cup of coffee twice while Punk was out to prove that he was as good as he thought he was in the ring. Punk goes after both men but the two heels batter Punk. Punk nails both with dropkicks before Miz floors Punk with a boot. Double hotshot by Del Rio and Miz, double suplex and double stomp by Miz and Del Rio. Alberto and Miz exit the ring for ladders, Ricardo distracts Miz and Del Rio puts the boots to Miz. Del Rio has a ladder and Punk suicide dives onto Del Rio and the ladder. Punk rolls Miz into the ring, Miz jumps Punk and holds the chair. Shot to the ribs by Miz, Miz uses the chair for a springboard, Punk dodges and nails a knee. Punk was looking for a bulldog on a steel chair but Miz puts on the brakes and plants Punk with a back suplex. Del Rio and Miz brawl on the floor until Miz is back body dropped onto the ladder by Del Rio. Punk big boots a ladder into Del Rio’s face. Punk attempts to suplex Del Rio through a table, Del Rio counters but Punk slams Del Rio with a neckbreaker. Miz misses Punk’s head with a chair, Punk wears out Miz with the chair. Punk high knees Miz into the crowd, Punk begins climbing the ladder but Ricardo prevents Punk from winning the championship. Ricardo has handcuffs and Punk is tied up to the ladder. Del Rio blindsides Punk, kicking the champion in the face and ribs. Punk kicks over the ladder and beats Del Rio with the handcuffs, flapjack onto the ladder by Punk to Del Rio. Miz had a ladder in the ring, Punk eats the ladder in the ribs. Miz is so close but Punk makes the save, Miz blocks The GTS. Punk shoulder thrusts Miz in the corner, Punk looks to suplex Miz through the table by the floor but in comes Del Rio out of nowhere and CM Punk falls through the table at the ringside area. Del Rio beats the piss out of Miz on the ramp leaving a path to victory and destiny for Del Rio. Del Rio locks in The Cross Armbreaker on Miz using the ladder, Del Rio could have the match won but Del Rio seems hell bent on punishing Punk. Chair shots to the ribs of Punk by Del Rio, Del Rio locks in The Cross Amrbreaker using the chair on Punk. Del Rio is inching his way towards the title but Miz and Punk tip Del Rio onto the top rope where Del Rio lands cojones first. Punk and Miz trade blows on their knees, huge double knock-down. Ricardo decides to climb to win the belt for Del Rio, Punk and Miz tip Ricardo to the floor through a table. Ricardo takes one nasty bump hitting the table and the floor with a thud. Miz and Punk fight in the corner, Miz ties Punk to the ringpost by the handcuffs and Miz gloats at his superiority. Punk swings at Miz with Miz thinking he is safe from Punk, Punk uses his fist and Punk cannot reach Miz but Miz does not think of Punk’s feet. Punk kicks Miz into death and tries to break the handcuff. Meanwhile, Del Rio is trying to climb to victory alongside a wobbly Miz. Punk unscrews the turnbuckle to free himself from captivity and all three me hammer one another on the ladder. Punk knocks off Miz and drills Del Rio with a kick. Punk almost had the belt, Miz drags down Punk. GTS by Punk on Miz and Punk climbs to retain the championship. That was an entertaining match, the handcuffs played an interesting part in the match with Punk almost losing the championship but Punk was resourceful enough to unscrew the turnbuckle to break free and retrieve the championship. All three men took some big bumps but hats off to Ricardo for taking that bump through the table, the poor guy looked scared to death and that landing will have done nothing to ease his nerves. Really good stuff with everyone looking like they had a chance of winning and a good way to kick off Punk’s reign which would last for 434 days.

So what did I think of TLC 2011? I thought it was one of the better B-level pay per views produced by the WWE. I felt the storylines going into the event where intriguing and made for a very enjoyable watch. You had such joy with Ryder proving he was not a flash in the pan and you had Daniel Bryan winning the championship which made so many fans lose their mind or at least those who had followed Bryan since his days in ROH. You also saw despair and anger in the likes of Show toppling Henry only to lose the title to Bryan after encouraging Bryan to seize his moment while Triple H emphatically ended the friendship between himself and Nash with a hammer blow right to the head. I did not even mention the main event there or the ageing veteran story of Booker T vs Cody Rhodes. I can only point to the tag team title match and the divas match as the low points on this pay per view. There’s so much good and so much entertaining moments on the show that I can look past those less than exciting moments. In conclusion,  WWE’s TLC 2011 was a great end to the year for the WWE and it looks like WWE was ready to begin Wrestlemania Season. However, that’s just my opinion and we at WrestlingNewsSource.com want to know what did you think of TLC 2011? Was it a thumbs up show or a thumbs down show? Are you looking forward to Smackdown Live’s TLC? What match are you looking most forward to at this year’s TLC? Thanks for joining me and I hope to see you again next week!