411 PPV Roundtable Preview – WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders, and Chairs 2010

Introduction:

This Sunday, WWE presents their final PPV of 2010, a show in which every match has a stipulation related to the title: Tables, Ladders, and Chairs. And for anyone who can’t remember from last year, here’s a primer for what each stipulation means.

Tables: The only way to win the match is to put your opponent through a table.

Ladders: The only way to win is to climb a ladder and retrieve the prize that is suspended above the ring.

Chairs: Chairs are legal for use.

I know, that last stipulation is so lame, but without it the show doesn’t make any sense. I guess. Anyway, three titles, including both World championships, are on the line in dangerous matches, plus John Cena will look to put a final nail into the coffin of Nexus and his tormentor Wade Barrett. With so much potential action on the card, the 411 Staff is here to give their thoughts and predictions on this Sunday’s show.

The Staff

Stephen Randle, The Wrestling News Experience

Chad Nevett, High Road/Low Road

Michael Bauer, Wrestling Top 5

Michael Ornelas, Your News, My Views

Greg DeMarco, The Wrestling 5&1

Obi Justice, The Grand Stage

Benjamin Waller, The Wrestling Layer Cake

James Cooke, Positively Raw

Steve Cook, News From Cook’s Corner

Michael Weyer, Shining A Spotlight

John Morrison
vs
King Sheamus
Ladder Match
Winner Becomes #1 Contender To The WWE Championship

Stephen Randle: With the winner of this match getting the throwaway title shot at the Rumble, that will only serve to extend Miz’s title reign until Elimination Chamber (where they can put the belt on the person they actually want to main event WrestleMania), plus the fact that they have a ready-made feud that won’t require much thought, all signs point to Morrison. Plus, it’s a good test to see how Morrison does in a main event one-on-one PPV title match, like they did with Jeff Hardy a couple years ago.

Winner: John Morrison

Chad Nevett: Does the winner of this match basically spoil the winner of the WWE Championship match? If Morrison wins, Miz wins. If Sheamus wins, Orton wins. The WWE is very big on face/heel matches as the King of the Ring shows. Personally, I’d love to see the Miz/Morrison for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble, if only because the Miz could retain cleanly without it seeming too out of place. This match could be good. I’m curious to see what Sheamus can do in a Ladder Match and I’m not a fan of him losing a big match so soon after winning the King of the Ring, but…

Winner and NEW #1 Contender for the WWE Championship: John Morrison

Michael Bauer: Sheamus is the King of the Ring and a loss here to Morrison would do nothing to help him sustain his second life of a push. Yes, everyone wants to see Morrison vs. The Miz at the Royal Rumble, but I’m not sure I can buy Morrison as a legit contender. Not to mention, they teased Miz vs. Sheamus a ton months ago. Not like it means anything now, but who knows?

Winner: Sheamus

Michael Ornelas: I disagree with Chad Nevett that the result here determines the WWE championship match, as the Miz tried to cash in on Sheamus a couple times, so a match between those two would make sense as well. Having said that, I’m still going to pick Morrison because I think Triple H’s music will play (but no appearance), distracting him long enough for Morrison to scale the ladder. I still don’t expect Triple H to actually show up until the Royal Rumble though.

Winner: John Morrison

Greg DeMarco: This feud has been old school, and wonderful. It’s been built both in the ring and on the microphone, and Sheamus KotR victory has actually been a push for Morrison. I love the idea of Miz vs. Morrison for the WWE Championship, it’s a perfect Royal Rumble title match.

Winner: John Morrison

Obi Justice: I don’t really know about this one. It’s been lost in the shuffle a bit, and I guess I didn’t really get into the Morrison/Sheamus/Santino shenanigans. These two should put on a good match and hopefully they don’t get further lost with two other ladder matches on the show. Since Sheamus is actually kept fairly strong and there’s talk of a Game on the HHHorizon, I can’t see Sheamus giving this one up.

Winner (and still King of the Ring): Sheamus

Benjamin Waller: The projection of Miz vs. Morrison at the Royal Rumble seems like a logical idea due to their previously formed tag team throughout 2008 and 2009. Miz will say that he knew he wasn’t the ‘Jannetty’ if the duo, and the feud will encapsulate further. It’s time that Morrison is given the moment to compete at the tip-top level, because he’s been around for such a long time and never done anything of true significance. This might leave Sheamus in the wind, waiting for a Triple H return just before ‘Mania.. maybe the return will come at Elimination Chamber.

Winner: John Morrison

James Cooke: In the past couple of weeks Sheamus has managed to bring back a lot of his momentum, and this feud has always felt as if it’s been about building up Morrison. Therefore I’m going with Morrison to win what could be match of the night. Sheamus could then go on to face a rumoured-to-be returning HHH, while Morrison can compete for the top prize in Sports Entertainment.

Winner: John Morrison

Steve Cook: As most of my colleagues have pointed out, this seems like a pretty easy way to set up a Miz vs. Morrison title match at the Rumble. It makes sense on a couple of levels…they’ve been feuding off and on since their split as a tag team and it’d only be right for Miz to have to face his old demons while on top of WWE. Morrison’s not quite ready for the title from where I sit, but a title shot at one of WWE’s major PPVs could do a lot to get him closer, especially if he’s involved in a really good title match. King Fella’s business will be in the Royal Rumble Match.

Winner: John Morrison

Michael Weyer: I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the great build for this as both men are coming alive on the mic. Morrison is always great in ladder bouts and should be able to carry Sheamus along. For the result, I don’t see Sheamus losing so soon after his “coronation” so he gets the win to push him back in the limelight.

Winner: King Sheamus

Robert S. Leighty Jr: This has been a very solid feud that has helped elevate Morrison and given Sheamus a shot in the arm since losing the WWE Title. Morrison should be great in this type of environment and Sheamus will more than hold his own. Morrison vs Miz at the Rumble seems like a pretty safe bet though.

Winner: John Morrison

Wade Barrett
vs
John Cena
Chairs Match

Stephen Randle: The only way Cena doesn’t win this in a walk is if they forget to ban Nexus from ringside for once and everyone goes nuts with chairshots on a distracted Cena. And even then, I think that still counts as a DQ win for Cena. I suspect the opposite will happen, however, as Cena gets shots on every member of Nexus and finally moves on, leaving Nexus in the dust.

Winner: John Cena

Chad Nevett: Cena finally gets his revenge. The kids of the world celebrate. Merry Christmas, everyone!

Winner: John Cena

Michael Bauer: If Cena doesn’t win this match in an abosulte blow out, I will be shocked.

Winner: John Cena

Michael Ornelas: Cena should tear through Barrett like toilet paper after bad Mexican food. I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a lot of Nexus involvement here, but I also think that Nexus will split into two groups of three (Barrett gets Slater & Gabriel, Otunga gets McGillicutty & Harris). That way the Nexus has it’s own storyline to move onto, while Cena can move away from the Barrett feud. Regardless of how wrong my booking predictions might be, I’m confident in choosing Juan Cena’s cousin to win.

Winner: John Cena

Greg DeMarco: So Cena’s back–seems like he never left. I just can’t imagine this being that competitive, given that Cena has had the best of all seven Nexus members in the past.

Winner: John Cena

Obi Justice: Hustle, Loyalty, Respect.

Winner (and still John Cena): John Cena

Benjamin Waller: Hurr hurr hurr. You’re seriously asking me that? After this: End feud. Please. Barrett has better things to come.

Winner: John Cena

James Cooke: This is a touch one to predict, as the result of this match could cause some major consequences. If Cena wins, will Wade Barrett become a complete joke, resulting in the disbanding of Nexus? If Barrett wins, will Cena continue to try and exact his revenge? It’s the end of the year, so I’m calling an end to the storyline.

Winner: John Cena

Steve Cook: I’ve learned not to pick against John Cena in these things. With the Royal Rumble coming up, where it’s every man for himself, I have a feeling that the Nexus might be finding it harder to work as a collective for the greater good. It’s a shame that great wrestling friendships never last.

Winner: John Cena

Michael Weyer: The inevitable blow-up has occured and this should be a pretty cool matchup as Cena gets some revenge but I also see him taking a harsh beating as well. While giving Barrett the win serves the storyline, I see Cena winning this one instead to push things along

Winner: John Cena

Robert S. Leighty Jr: I don’t like how quickly they wrapped up the Cena is fired angle, but it is what it is. This has been the #1 feud this year in the WWE and it seems like a letdown to have it end here. I’ll go with Cena getting the win, but I still don’t think it settles everything.

Winner: John Cena

Natalya and Beth Phoenix
vs
LayCool
Tag Team Tables Match

Stephen Randle: Call me crazy (you won’t be the first), but I can see a Phoenix heel turn happening here, since Nattie and Beth so clearly outclass LayCool, and a Phoenix-Natalya match is the one everyone wants to see anyway.

Winners: LayCool

Chad Nevett: Hmm… two power-based Divas that can wrestle against two skinny heel with varying, inconsistent skills. I know who should win…

Winners: Natalya and Beth Phoenix

Michael Bauer: Um… why? I understand it’s a TLC PPV, but not every match needs a stipulation. Yet another match that should be a blow out.

Winner: Natalya and Beth Phoenix

Michael Ornelas: I see Layla taking the table bump in this match (and I will say, she has improved SO MUCH this year), meanwhile giving McCool a reason to view her as better than her British counterpart (since she won the Slammy). I don’t think the match will last long, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see some post-match antics. A Glam Slam through a table would look pretty brutal…just saying…

Winner: Natalya & Beth Phoenix

Greg DeMarco: While the above match doesn’t seem competitive, I really hope this one isn’t. I have no desire to see LayCool try to put Phoenix & Natalya through tables. This one should be dominant and short, LayCool should get destroyed.

Winners: Natalya & Beth Phoenix

Obi Justice: I’m gonna go with LayCool to set up a future match for the Diva’s title.

Winner (and still Flawless): LayCool

Benjamin Waller: Logic would say the babyfaces are to win in this match, so I am just going to say Phoenix will win with a Glam Slam through a table onto any member of Laycool which will be brutal as hell.

Winner (and accomplishing nothing): Natalya and Beth Phoenix

James Cooke: LayCool no longer have the Divas title, but they’ve still been running around, running their mouths, and running the same old shenanigans. The only way to shut them up once and for all is to have both of them slammed through tables!

Winner: Beth and Nattie

Steve Cook: I have more faith in Natalya & Phoenix to go through tables without killing themselves than Lay & Cool.

Winners: LayCool

Michael Weyer: This actually looks pretty fun as the ladies get to show their skils in a hard battle. It’s easy to go with Natalya and Beth but I have a hard time seeing LayCool taking those bumps so they somehow find a way to get the faces through the tables and win.

Winners: LayCool

Robert S. Leighty Jr: This is kind of interesting, and has me intrigued by a Woman’s match for the first time in a while. The fun here will be seeing Phoenix and Natalya toss around LayCool and eventually put them through a table.

Winner: Natalya and Beth Phoenix

Dolph Ziggler ©
vs
Kofi Kingston
vs
Jack Swagger
Triple Threat Ladder Match

Stephen Randle: Dolph has elevated his game during the title reign, to the point that maybe they’ll have him drop it and see what he can do without a belt for a while. Maybe they’ll finally resolve the Dolph-Vickie-Kaitlyn stuff or something. Meanwhile, Kofi is still treading water after an uneventful 2010, but Swagger looks to be ascending again, and after the horrible way he was treated while World Heavyweight champion, surely he deserves a good run with the secondary belt.

Winner: Jack Swagger

Chad Nevett: Will the All-American American captures gold again? I sure as hell hope so, because he’s been fantastic in the ring lately and needs to begin climbing his way back up the card. What better way than crushing Ziggler and Kingston?

Winner and NEW Intercontinental Champion: Jack Swagger

Michael Bauer: Dolph has held the title long enough and Kofi is barely treading water right now. Swagger holding the title doesn’t excite me either for some reason. But looking at Raw, only one of these three won, so I will pick that person.

Winner: Kofi Kingston

Michael Ornelas: This could easily be the match of the night. All of these guys can work, and all of them have been in ladder matches before. I think Dolph’s a great champion, and I don’t see any reason to get the belt off of him any time soon.

Winner: Dolph Ziggler

Greg DeMarco: Dolph Ziggler has been one of the most consistent performers on Smackdown as of late, and if he loses to Kofi, I want it to be one-on-one.

Winner (and still Intercontinental Champion): Dolph Ziggler

Obi Justice: Not too thrilled about this match, but I’m gonna pick Kofi because the odds are against him. It should be an entertaining match, though I don’t think either of these men will really benefit in a huge way from a win here. On the other hand, it’s not really gonna hurt anybody either.

Winner (and NEW Intercontinental Champion): Kofi Kingston

Benjamin Waller: Really not sure about this one. Ziggler’s run his course with the best, and very successfully at that. I can’t tell whether he’s given it credibility (due to the amount of successful defences) or made the IC title picture bland due to it’s limited contender. A new contender in Jack Swagger makes me sway to Swagger winning the belt.. feels like Kofi is just the filler. But Swagger’s the man here.

Winner: NEW Intercontinental Champion Jack Swagger

James Cooke: This also has the potential to be a match of the night candidate and is my pick to be the show’s opening bout. Ziggler has been impressive as champ, and by today’s standards has had a pretty lenghty reign. Kofi and Swagger have both lost their momentum over the past few months, so I figure that it’s maybe time that one of them held some gold once again…

Winner: Umm… Jack Swagger

Steve Cook: Adding some Swagger to the mix should help freshen up the IC title scene a little bit, which has mostly consisted of Kofi & Dolph for the past few months. It’s not that Kofi vs. Dolph is a bad match-up, it’s just that we’ve seen it 15,000 times. Time to move on to something or somebody else.

Winner: Jack Swagger

Michael Weyer: Ziggler has been doing an awesome job as IC champion but seems overdue for a title change. Swagger is a possibility but I see Kofi getting it to give the IC belt a new push and set up rematches with Ziggler leading to the Rumble.

Winner and NEW Intercontinental Champion: Kofi Kingston

Robert S. Leighty Jr: I think would have been pretty boss to throw Daniel Bryan in this match and add someone else from RAW. Hang both the US Title and IC TItle and then whoever claims whatever belt walks out as that champion, but this match should be fun. All three of these guys were in MITB at WM XXVI, so they should have no problem adapting to this match. Kofi is becoming the new Shelton Benjamin in ladder matches and I’m sure he will try to kill himself for my enjoyment. Dolph has been doing well, so keep the strap on him.

Winner: Dolph Ziggler

The Miz ©
vs
Randy Orton
Tables Match

Stephen Randle: Miz wins, because he doesn’t have to pin Orton to retain, and we know how important never letting anyone get a dominant pin on a top star is, don’t we?

Winner: The Miz

Chad Nevett: A Tables Match is set up so that the Miz can retain the belt without really beating Randy Orton. Plus, him versus Morrison for the belt at the Royal Rumble would be pretty cool to see.

Winner and STILL WWE Champion: The Miz

Michael Bauer: Do I ever hate The Miz. I hate him holding the title, I hate that he has as much charisma as John Cena and as little talent, and I hate that he actually main events a PPV. That said, he will probably win here or else cashing in the briefcase was a fucking waste of time.

Winner: The Miz

Michael Ornelas: The Miz’s first run with the WWE Championship is very similar to that of Edge, but the main difference is that I don’t see him losing his belt at the first Pay-Per-View that follows. I see Miz/Morrison at the Royal Rumble, which is a long time in the making with these stakes, so I see Randy eating wood in this match. That sounded less gay in my head…

Winner: The Miz

Greg DeMarco: Edge lost his first world title back to John Cena three weeks after winning it, and I hope The Miz doesn’t suffer the same fate. The stipulation does allow for some Alex Riley, Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole shenanigans (if needed). I think The Miz has done great thus far, and Orton doesn’t need the title.

Winner (and still WWE Champion): The Miz

Obi Justice: I think this one is pretty cut and dry. If they were going to shift this back to Orton I think they would have built him up even stronger than he is right now. Miz holds onto the belt longer than a month, though we’ll probably have Orton back to challenge again because this is a tables match and Orton didn’t get pinned.

Winner (and still WWE Champion): The Miz

Benjamin Waller: It’s fairly obvious to everyone that Miz will not lose this match as he’s only had the belt for 3 weeks, plus if he beats Orton it will prove he can do it and will look stronger for his next opponent: John Morrison. Queue 5-6 week hype of that match at the end of January, hopefully it will turn out well. Miz retains!

Winner: still WWE Champion The Miz

James Cooke: If you hadn’t already heard, The Miz is the future of WWE, and if you wanted proof, just look at all the media appearances that he’s made on behalf of the company this year. Add in the fact that his title win pulled in more media coverage than any other title vicotry has had in a long time, with the awesome audience reactions, and it’s clear that The Miz as Champion is here to stay. I already predicted that Morrison wins the number one contender ladder match too, and The Miz vs. Morrsion for the title at the Rumble would be great.

Winner: The Miz

Steve Cook: Randy Orton has accomplished the impossible over the last couple of weeks, as he’s managed to drive Alex Riley & David Arquette through tables. Unbelievable. It’s hard to pick against a man that’s on that kind of a hot streak, but Miz has been slicing his way through the competition like Cutco scissors through a penny ever since he got the strap.

Winner: The Miz

Michael Weyer: Would WWE really end the Miz’s title run this early? I don’t see that happening either. The match should be good and Orton will dominate before the Miz pulls off some surprise moves to get Orton through a table and retain, giving WWE some fresh energy at the main event level.

Winner and STILL WWE Champion: The Miz

Robert S. Leighty Jr: I can’t see the Miz dropping the strap this early in his run. This could be a decent match if they just don’t let Orton squash Miz before some fluke where he gets put through a table. I’m sure Miz wins by some fluke like Sheamus did over Cena last year, but Orton needs to make sure Miz comes off on his level during the match.

Winner: The Miz

Kane ©
vs
Edge
vs
Rey Mysterio
vs
Alberto Del Rio
TLC Match

Stephen Randle: Two feuds conflated for time purposes, apparently, and as counterproductive as it seems (well, as long as Kane-Taker isn’t in the cards for Mania again), it doesn’t make sense for Edge not to walk away with the belt here, given that he’s played endless mind games and Kane has never been weaker. Plus, then we can probably get Edge-Del Rio at Rumble, and that ain’t not bad neither.

Winner: Edge

Chad Nevett: Well, this is unexpected. Instead of giving Del Rio and Mysterio their proper blow-off, suddenly everyone is in the title match. I haven’t read the Smackdown spoilers, so I have no idea what confluence of events led to this. It’s certainly interesting and introduces a whole host of possibilities. But, even with the two new contenders, I still think Kane’s walking away with the belt. Why? Who would see that coming?

Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champion: Kane

Michael Bauer: This was out of left field. There really was no reason for this to happen, other than to keep both feuds from ending before the Royal Rumble. Meaning, Edge and Kane will battle once for the gold, but now Kane will be the challenger on the overused and underappreciated rematch clause.

Winner: Edge

Michael Ornelas: It’s a shame that Del Rio vs. Mysterio isn’t getting a proper one-on-one blow-off match, but I guess the match should still be pretty exciting. A cross arm breaker from Del Rio in which he holds the arm in a ladder sounds like a cool spot, and Mysterio in a ladder match (his first since his feud with Eddie in 2005, if I’m not mistaken) is exciting. I still think with the mind games Edge has been playing on Kane in recent weeks will give him the upper hand, and I see Del Rio and Mysterio taking one another out of the match anyways.

Winner and NEW 10x World Champion: Edge

Greg DeMarco: Reportedly changed due to injury, Rey & Del Rio are no longer in their own chairs match and are in the TLC match instead. Edge and Kane’s feud has only been saved by Edge’s hilarious attitude during his tormenting of Kane, where Del Rio has shined in his feud with Rey. TLC saw the first world title win for Sheamus last year, and a few years ago, December’s Armageddon was the same for Edge. Could we see that for Del Rio? Even though it obviously wasn’t the original plan, I’ll go out on a limb here.

Winner (and NEW World Heavyweight Champion): Alberto Del Rio

Obi Justice: So we get a mini MitB for the World Heavyweight strap, huh? Okay, I guess. Not that I like the chairs match stipulation at all, so I guess this is an improvement on that. If this had just been a singles match between Kane and Edge, I would go with Edge, but since this is a four-way, I think they’re trying to shift the belt onto someone unexpected. Edge’s Ultimate Opportunist thing gives him the biggest fighting chance here, but I’m going with my gut and my gut says…

Winner (and NEW World Heavyweight Champion): Alberto Del Rio

Benjamin Waller: This is an interesting turn of events.. this leaves my man Alberto with a shot at the World Championship.. I really wish he would win.. But he just doesn’t seem like he should be at the World Championship level.. but wait, wasn’t the Miz in the solid midcard for most of the year and then was given an opportunity with the belt? I’m just getting the vibe that we have two similar scenarios.. I don’t know if I’m right.. but I just wanna say..

Winner: NEW World Heavyweight Champion Alberto del Rio .. but you already knew that.

James Cooke: At TLC last year, the relatively new guy Sheamus shocked everybody by capturing the WWE championship. I foresee that trend continuing this year with new World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio. After all, why else would they suddenly make this match a fatal four way? Also, Kane has had a nice long title run, and losing the title in this manner in no way makes him seem weak, as he won’t have to be beaten at all.

Winner: Ricardo Rodriguez announces it as: Alberto Del Rio

Steve Cook: Looks like WWE’s realized that the Kane vs. Edge feud is pretty much killing off interest in the Smackdown brand. I know that some folks are getting some sort of a perverse enjoyment out of it, but the sagging ratings & diminishing live event attendance don’t lie. Edge has lost any steam he’d picked up since returning to Smackdown, and Kane’s returned to being a parody of a monster instead of a legitimate candidate for the “Devil’s Favorite Demon” award. They need to be cast aside for something fresh, somebody that brings something new to the table. Rey Mysterio is a gentleman & a scholar, but I don’t see him coming out on top here. What Smackdown needs is a kick in the ass, and I think the Essence of Excellence is just the man to do it.

Winner: Alberto Del Rio

Michael Weyer: The Kane/Edge feud has been the focus for a while but not exactly stellar business. Having Rey win the title would be a great moment but he’s already had it a couple of times. That leaves Del Rio. Some will say it’s way too early and no way WWE would do it but then we thought the same thing with Sheamus last year. He is a great presence and having the title would be terrific to push his arrogant mentality and set up a new feud with Rey for the Rumble and beyond. Put it together and hearing Ricardo Rodriguez announce the new champ should be terrific.

Winner and NEW World Heavyweight Champion: Alberto Del Rio

Robert S. Leighty Jr: The word is that Rey is a little banged up and this is a way to protect him a little with 3 other guys to help carry the action. Everyone knows Kane, Rey, and Edge can handle this type of match. The X Factor is Del Rio and what he can bring to a TLC match. In the end this has been building to Edge finally getting the title back. Should be a fun train wreck.

Winner: Edge

Remember to join 411 for our LIVE PPV coverage, starting at 7:30pm Sunday night!

411 on Twitter!

http://www.twitter.com/411mania
http://www.twitter.com/411wrestling
http://www.twitter.com/411moviestv
http://www.twitter.com/411music
http://www.twitter.com/411games
http://www.twitter.com/411mma