WWE TLC 2011 Results: Did Zack Ryder Make Long Island Proud Tonight?

Tonight at TLC the first match on the card was the United States Championship match between the show-off Dolph Ziggler and Long Island Iced Z Zack Ryder.

The match started off with both men exchanging a few takedowns before Ziggler took the early advantage. The match, for the most part, began to slow down at this point.

Ziggler dropped a series of elbows on Ryder before beginning a more mat-based approach. Ryder eventually got a quick two count which saw Vickie save Ziggler by putting his foot on the ropes.

The ref saw the indiscretion by Vickie and appropriately booted her from ringside. This gave Ryder the boost of confidence he needed to take the advantage.

The match saw some impressive spots, but overall I would not rate it as the best encounter from these two in their series of matches.

Ryder hit an impressive top rope huricanrana on Ziggler for yet another near fall. At one point towards the end Ryder missed his finisher and ate the ring post for his troubles.

Ziggler almost got the win by pulling Ryder's tights for leverage, but the YouTube sensation managed to once again kick out.

After a little more back-and-forth Ryder finally hit his finisher, covered Ziggler and got the pin, making him the new United States Champion.

Ryder was beside himself after the match, acting as if he had won his first world title. He ran to the crowd and embraced the man we have all come to know as the Morrison-obsessed father of Zack Ryder.

It was truly a great moment to witness this young superstar who has worked so hard over the past year to make a name for himself finally achieve one of his long-time goals.

His first major singles title in WWE is one he will never forget. Ryder and Ziggler may not have had the match of the night with this outing but it was a fitting way for Ryder to take hold of the title Ziggler has held for so long.

I hope this is the first step toward Ziggler becoming a main event player, but this was a moment for Ryder to bask in the glory of what may have been his most important victory to date.

Congratulations, Iced Z. You deserve this.

What did you guys think of the U.S. title match between Ryder and Ziggler tonight?