TLC 2011: United States Champion Dolph Ziggler vs. Zack Ryder

Will Zack Ryder finally get a United States Championship Match
against Dolph Ziggler? Woo Woo Woo! You know it!
At WWE TLC: Tables Ladders and Chairs, the self proclaimed
Internet Champion will finally have an opportunity to win his first recognized WWE
singles title, thanks to his No. 1 Broski, John Cena.
On the Dec. 5 edition of Raw SuperShow, Cena selflessly agreed
to Executive Vice President of Talent Relations and Interim Raw General Manager,
John Laurinaitis’ stipulation that The Cenation Commander-in-Chief forego a WWE
Championship Match himself in order for Long Island Iced-Z to get one last opportunity
to earn a United States title bout. All Ryder needed to do was defeat Mr.
Laurinaitis’ handpicked opponent, The World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry in
a match with no disqualifications and no count-outs! The overwhelming
expectation of the WWE Universe was that the Twitter-trending leader of the”
Zack Pack” was going to be the next inductee into The World Strongest Man’s
“Hall of Pain.”
When all hope seemed lost and Ryder’s title-free match pinfall
victory over Ziggler and almost 25,000 twitition signatures seemed moot, Cena
charged the ring, took advantage of the fact that there were no disqualifications
and assured that Ryder won the contest. In doing so, Ryder finally won the
opportunity to challenge Dolph for the United States Championship.
Will Zack make the most of this opportunity he’s worked so
hard for and be able hang the United States Title next to his Christmas
stocking and headband? Not if the longest reigning champion in WWE stays true
to form. Over the last few months, Ziggler’s win-loss record in title-free
matches has been less than stellar but he’s continuously found a way to win
when it really counts, in title matches.
Dolph has also had two matches on the last two WWE pay-per-view events.  At TLC, he’ll be completely focused on
deleting the Internet Champion from title contention once and for all.
Can Zack show up the showoff and win the vaunted United
States Championship? We’ll find out at WWE TLC on Dec. 18, live on
pay-per-view.

TLC 2011: Triple H vs. Kevin Nash (Sledgehammer Ladder Match)

There was a time when Triple H and Kevin Nash were the best of friends: two Superstars bound by mutual respect unsullied by ego, money, or bad blood of any kind. They fought and bled together, slowly rising through the ranks of WWE. And yes, they would occasionally square off, but there was never a doubt that their differences would pass. They were, after all, friends.
This is not that time, and when Triple H and Nash face off in a Sledgehammer Ladder Match, with The Game's signature weapon up for grabs above their heads, it will be as enemies, not friends. The ring warrior who retrieves the weapon is free to use it against their enemy without any ramifications until there is a winner.
Nash tossed his friendship with The Game out the window months ago, after he returned at SummerSlam and, allegedly on Triple H's orders, drilled WWE Champion CM Punk into the canvas following Punk's championship match against John Cena, allowing Alberto Del Rio to cash in his Money in the Bank contract, claiming Punk's title for himself.
We now know this wasn't Triple H's idea, that Nash returned of his own volition to make an example of Superstars who he believed were disrespecting him. What Nash wanted all along was to renew his dominance in WWE, and expected Triple H - his friend - to stand aside and allow it.
This didn't happen, of course, and The Game, in his position of Chief Operating Officer and at the cost of their fraying friendship, was forced to fire Nash for insubordination only weeks after his return. (PHOTOS) It didn't stop Nash, who returned again in September, nearly costing Triple H his COO position at Night of Champions and prompting a mass walkout of WWE Superstars, who claimed a vote of no confidence in Triple H's leadership as a result of Nash's unpredictable appearances. When Executive Vice President of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis was promoted to Interim Raw General Manager, Nash was hired back and made his presence felt against his former friend, attacking Triple H at Vengeance and, the next night on Raw, taking The Game out of action with his own sledgehammer. (WATCH)
Things have been quiet since then. But now, Triple H is back. The match is made, the stage is set, and the friendship is a thing of the past. And at WWE TLC, with the sledgehammer hanging above and ladders at their disposal, these former friends will settle their score, once and for all.
Who will prevail? Find out at WWE TLC, Sunday Dec. 18, at 8 ET/5PT, only on pay-per-view.

TLC 2011: World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry vs. Big Show (Chairs Match)

At WWE TLC, World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry will once again lock horns with Big Show in a World Title slug fest of gigantic proportions.
On Dec. 8, SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long revealed to WWE.com that the two titans will collide in a Chairs Match.
The fuse for the colossal competitors' explosive showdown was lit at WWE Money in the Bank, when Henry sent The World's Largest Athlete to his infamous Hall of Pain – trapping his giant adversary's leg inside a chair before dropping down onto it from the ropes. (PHOTOS)
A rage-filled Big Show returned from injury with retribution on his mind, igniting a World Heavyweight Title battle between the two goliath Superstars at Vengeance that literally could not be contained. When Henry suplexed Big Show off the top rope, the shock waves made the ring collapse beneath them. Though the earth-shattering impact made history, the WWE Universe was denied a clear victor in the mega clash of the titans. (WATCH | PHOTOS)
Their brutal rematch at Survivor Series would prove just as intense and just as inconclusive. Though the ring was reinforced, the bitter collision between the two larger-than-life grapplers could not be so easily controlled. After Henry got himself intentionally disqualified and failed to once again induct his giant foe into the Hall of Pain – The World’s Largest Athlete turned the tables – injuring Henry to such an extent that the World Heavyweight Champion would not walk out of the arena. (PHOTOS)
Despite his injury, Henry overcame Mr. Money in the Bank Daniel Bryan in a Steel Cage Match on a special live edition of SmackDown – clearing the road for the monumental third act of this World Title trilogy of pain between Henry and his humongous No. 1 contender.
On the Dec. 9 edition of SmackDown, things came to a head
between the two massive foes when Henry sucker punched Show. In retaliation,
The World’s Largest Athlete delivered a hellacious beating with a steel chair
(WATCH).
Which massive competitor will emerge victorious when chairs
become a completely legal weapon? Find out at WWE TLC, Sunday Dec. 18 at 8 ET/5
PT, only on pay-per-view.

TLC 2011: WWE Championship Triple Threat TLC Match

WWE Champion CM Punk, Alberto Del Rio and The Miz will square off in
a Triple Threat Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match with the WWE Title on the
line. Only one man can leave a winner when the current and two former WWE Champions meet in the first-ever Triple Threat TLC Match for the WWE Championship at WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, live on pay-per-view Sunday, Dec. 18.
Executive Vice President
of Talent Relations and Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis announced
this high-octane match where the Superstars will use tables, ladders and chairs as weapons and as tools to reach the WWE Title, which will be suspended some 20 feet in the air over the ring. Dangerous, harrowing and thrilling, TLC matches push competitors to the limit physically and mentally as they battle at dizzying heights in their quest for squared circle immortality.
The Miz and Del Rio had to defeat two SmackDown Superstars - Randy Orton and Daniel Bryan, respectively - on Raw Supershow to earn their spots in the WWE TLC Match. While John Cena was named as another participant, he gave up his chance at the WWE Title to give his friend, Zack Ryder, an opportunity to earn a U.S. Title Match against Dolph Ziggler.


Since CM Punk won the WWE Championship from Alberto Del Rio
at Survivor Series (PHOTOS), The Mexican Aristocrat has been pining for an opportunity
to get the title back. Although he was unsuccessful in his first bid to recapture the WWE Championship, Del Rio
can look forward to another crack at The Second City Savior, along with another
dangerous former champion.


The Miz, the third competitor in the Triple Threat Match, is
flying solo after separating from tag team partner R-Truth. After The Rock and
John Cena defeated The “Awesome Truth” at Survivor Series, the Cenation leader
confronted The Miz and R-Truth. He played mind
games on the underhanded pair, culminating in them turning on each other and
Miz blasting Truth with a brutal Skull Crushing Finale on the steel entrance
ramp. (PHOTOS)


A loner again, The Awesome One looks to regain the WWE
Championship and then get revenge on Cena. Not one to be limited to one
rivalry, The Miz attacked CM Punk. Having to defend himself
from Del Rio and The Miz, Punk must feel like he’s being assailed on all sides;
and that includes certain WWE management.

TLC 2011 :Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett

Viper is defined as any snake belonging to the family Viperidae,
characterized by protruding venom-conducting fangs.
Most men would steer clear of
such a malevolent creature but Wade Barrett has proven himself to be bolder
than most men. Since winning WWE NXT’s inaugural season, Barrett has managed to
work his way up WWE’s food chain, first as the leader of The Nexus, then as
founder of The Corre and now as the one man “Barrett Barrage.” The former
bare-knuckled fighting champion is looking to knock off Randy Orton as WWE’s
“Apex Predator.”
In Liverpool, England, on
SmackDown, Barrett managed to escape the RKO and used a thumb to Orton’s eye to
steal a victory. If that weren’t enough, Team Barrett outlasted Team Orton at
Survivor Series when Barrett pinned The Viper with the help of his fellow
survivor, Intercontinental Champion, Cody Rhodes. (PHOTOS)
Since then, the British
grappler has been stalking Orton and has made it clear that he feels beating
the youngest World Heavyweight Champion once and for all will clear his path to
holding that same prize.
On the Dec. 9 edition of
SmackDown, Randy Orton defeated Dolph Ziggler faster than Wade Barrett, and as a result of that Beat The
Clock challenge, won the right to choose the stipulation for their match at
TLC. Without a word being spoken, Barrett “suggested” a Tables Match and Orton
“agreed” at the expense of Ziggler. (WATCH)
Will it be Orton or Barrett
looking over a broken table and possibly also the broken body and spirit of
their opponent? We’ll find out on Dec. 18 at TLC.

Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes vs. Booker T

For weeks, Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes and Booker
T have been at odds with each other, exchanging heated words and a series of ambush
attacks.

At WWE TLC, it’s put up or shut up time for both Superstars,
who are embroiled in one of the most emotional wars right now in WWE. Losing this match would be a tough pill to swallow for either verbose Superstars. For the winner, it could very well direct the course of his future in WWE.

For Rhodes – who is seeking his first singles World
Championship – a victory over a veteran like Booker could be just the thing he’s
looking for to help catapult his career to the next level.

For Booker – who has not competed at all this year and focused
on announcing – capturing his second Intercontinental Championship could very well be the final punctuation mark on an already impressive career in the ring. (MORE ON BOOKER'S CAREER: CODY PICKED THE WRONG MAN TO ANGER)

Things finally came to a head between the two Superstars on the Dec. 9
edition of SmackDown, when Rhodes attacked Booker as he entered the arena.
Later that night, Booker retaliated by assaulting the Intercontinental
Champion during his match with Daniel Bryan (WATCH). Realizing a match between
the two was necessary sooner rather than later, SmackDown General Manager
Theodore Long announced the two would do battle at WWE TLC.

After not competing for so long, does Booker have what it
takes to win in the ring? Can Rhodes score a victory against such a formidable veteran? Find out at WWE TLC, Sunday Dec. 18 at 8 ET/5 PT, only on pay-per-view.

12-09: Why the Barrett Barrage stands above The Nexus and Corre

Since
winning NXT season one, Wade Barrett has aligned himself with powerful factions
like The Nexus and Corre. However, while these alliances have ultimately
backfired on the English Superstar, the Barrett Barrage is destined to succeed.

Wade’s
affiliation with both The Nexus and The Corre seemed to serve as security for
Barrett, a way for the ruthless Brit to give himself cover while he acquainted
himself with new battlegrounds. When he brought his fellow NXT season one
cohorts with him to Raw, he had just become a WWE Superstar. With The Corre, he
was just beginning his tenure on SmackDown.

In
contrast, the Barrett Barrage comes into being at a time that Barrett is
already anchored on Friday night, armed with an ability to understand both the
lay of the land and the path he must take to achieve his lofty goals.

Moreover,
without a large group standing at his flank, Barrett is not likely to attract
overwhelming opposition forces. In the past, A-list Superstars such as John
Cena and Big Show were quick to take on the cause of vanquishing what they saw
as a huge threat to the entire WWE. Since the Barrage is a solitary quest by
one Superstar, these same forces might never see him coming.

Furthermore,
without other competitors watching Barrett’s back, the English Superstar will be
less likely to get soft – often one of the side effects that comes with
depending on others. The Barrage will allow him to remain razor-sharp as he
pursues great wealth and the World Heavyweight Title.

Above
all else, the Barrett Barrage gives The Bare-knuckle Brawler unprecedented
focus. With such a single-minded determination in place, the needs of one will
surely outdo the needs of the many.

12-09: SmackDown Photos: Orton clocks in and sets the table for WWE TLC

Rey Mysterio Returning To WWE, Lilian Garcia's Song

Partial Source: The Wrestling Observer

-- Rey Mysterio, who has been sidelined since August due to knee surgery, is reportedly scheduled for this weekend's Tribute to the Troops festivities. He obviously won't be wrestling.

-- WWE Classics On Demand has not aired recent advertised shows due to legal reasons, notably two episodes of Prime Time Wrestling from June 1989, a September 10, 1988 house show, as well as events emanating from Madison Square Garden.

-- SmackDown Diva Lilian Garcia has released her first music video, U Drive Me Loca. The video, which was shot in August in Los Angeles, California, features appearances by former WWE Divas Candice Michelle and Torrie Wilson.

WWE House Show Results From Augusta, GA (12/3) - Booker Vs. Rhodes, Henry Vs. Orton

Thanks to WrestlingINC.com reader Chris Cushman for sending in these results and videos from WWE's house show in Augusta, GA on 12/3:

Ring Announcer Tony Chimmel comes out and introduces General Manager Teddy Long. Long welcomes everyone to the show and announces the card for the night.

1) Ted Dibiase defeated Jinder Mahal. Solid opener with the crowd really behind Dibiase. Lots of Teddy and USA chants throughout. Dibiase hit the dream street for the win. After the match, Cody Rhodes attacked Dibiase.

2) Tyson Kidd defeated Damien Sandow. Sandow is from FCW and was formerly known as Idol Stevens during his last run. It took a little bit for the crowd to get into this one, but Sandow did a pretty good job getting heat (especially with the pin tights he was wearing). I think people were a little confused that Kidd was the face.

3) Justin Gabriel defeated Heath Slater. Again, it took a little bit for the crowd to get into this one, but Gabriel won them over with some impressive moves, including a variation of the 450 splash from the apron for the win. Again, Cody Rhodes attacked after the match. This time he jumped Gabriel as he was signing a fans poster. After the attack, Rhodes cut a promo saying he could do this all night. For some reason, Hornswoggle came out, got in the ring, and got knocked down by Rhodes.

4) Daniel Bryan defeated Hunico. A really good back and forth match that saw Bryan lock on the Lebell Lock for the submission.

5) Booker T defeated IC Champion Cody Rhodes by DQ in a title match. Booker looked really good in the ring and really didn't seem to miss a step. Booker missed the scissors kick a couple times before landing the Book End. This led to Rhodes rolling out of the ring and grabbing his belt. As Booker approached Rhodes, he popped him with the belt. After the match, Booker and Rhodes continued the fight, with Booker getting the upper hand and finally hitting the scissors kick. He then called out Hornswoggle who came out and hit the tadpole splash on Rhodes. Hornswoggle and Booker T then did the spin-a-roonie much to the crowd's delight.

Kaitlyn is out next as the special host for the night. She announces a dance contest with the winner getting to go backstage. The contestants were a guy, 2 girls(one dressed in military uniform), and a kid. The guy got the biggest support, but since it was so close, Kaitlyn said they all won and got to go backstage.

Intermission

6) AJ and Alicia Fox defeated Natalya and Rosa Mendes. Pretty good match. I can see AJ having a Mickie James type career if given the right chance (or push). Finish saw fox pin Mendes following an impressive flip into a leg drop.

7) Sheamus defeated Wade Barrett in a street fight. The main weapons used in this street fight were chairs and a Kendo stick. Finish saw Sheamus escape the Wasteland and hit the Brogue kick for the win.

8) World Champ Mark Henry defeated Randy Orton in a cage match for the title. Orton got by far the biggest pop of the night. Finish saw Orton hit the RKO on Henry, and it appeared that he was on his way out of the cage when Wade Barrett ran in to prevent it. Henry then walked right out as Barrett continued his assault. Henry then rejoined the fight and the two worked over Orton until Sheamus made the save. Orton and Sheamus cleared the ring and posed for the crowd to send everyone home happy.

Really good show tonight. It was my son's first WWE event and he had a blast. We got to the arena early to try to meet some of the wrestlers. Hunico came over and signed autographs and posed for pictures for everyone. Hornswoggle blew everyone off(same as he did the last time I saw him), which really disappointed the kids, my son included.

Biggest Pops:
1) Randy Orton
2) Sheamus
3) Booker T

Most Heat:
1) Mark Henry
2) Cody Rhodes
3) Wade Barrett