WWE TLC 2013: Slammy-Themed Raw Will Hamper Build for PPV

WWE will hold the 2013 Slammy Awards on the December 9 edition of Monday Night Raw. The event first began in 1986, and this year will mark the eighth time it has taken place.  But while some fans are looking forward to the Slammys, I for one believe that the ceremonies will do nothing but hamper the build for TLC.

TLC is of course the pay-per-view event that could very well be the biggest one in recent WWE history.  The reason for that is due to the main event of World champion John Cena facing WWE champion Randy Orton in a title unification match.

This is the one that many fans are heavily anticipating, the one that has been hotly debated for a very long time now.  The idea that there will be one champion from this point on is a very enticing concept, mostly because of the notion that two titles water down the product.  One championship means one main event, one set of challengers and only one road to the top of WWE.

Make no mistake about it: This match is a very big deal—in more ways than one.

And we're going to spend the last Raw before the event watching one silly spot after another on the stage as meaningless trophies are handed out.  That doesn't sound like much of a dramatic buildup, does it?

Perhaps this is being a bit too critical of WWE.  After all, it is the No. 1 pro wrestling company in the world; its talent are the ones that every website posting yearly awards is actually writing about.  Why not hold its own awards show, complete with presenters and goofy comedy bits that we would be more likely to see on the Oscars or Grammys?

This is WWE we're talking about; we expect over-the-top moments like the ones we will see during the Slammys.  It's not out of the ordinary at all.

But for this to take place the week before what WWE wants fans to believe could be a defining moment for it seems like very bad timing.  And it does nothing to help sell the TLC card to fans that are possibly still on the fence about buying the event on pay-per-view.

And truth be told, this one looks pretty good thus far.

Of course, there is the aforementioned title unification main event match.  But also featured at TLC is CM Punk in a three-on-one handicap match against The Shield.

Punk's heat with the trio of Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins began very recently on Raw. Roman unexpectedly speared Punk, which was followed by a triple powerbomb executed by all three Shield members.  

Now Punk is out for revenge, and while a handicap match does not bode well for him, the fact is that this should be off the charts.  The Shield has been enjoying the spotlight for over a year now and has consistently delivered on the main event stage.  Punk himself is of course very accustomed to being in the spotlight, so I for one expect this bout to perhaps steal the show at TLC.

Another big handicap match involves The Wyatt Family taking on Daniel Bryan.  Bryan was abducted after the match in which Punk was attacked by The Shield, and since then, the mind games have only gotten worse.

Bray Wyatt has made no secret about the fact that he wants Daniel in the family, and he will stop at nothing to make it happen.  Much like Punk, Bryan does very well in the main event, and this match could very well top The Best in the World's showdown with The Shield.

The Intercontinental and Divas Championships will both be on the line as Big E Langston defends against Damien Sandow, while AJ Lee defends against Natalya.

While these two bouts may not have the overall appeal of the handicap matches, the fact is that they are title matches involving four very capable stars.  There is every reason to believe that both matches will deliver at TLC.

But as of this writing, that's it: four matches on the card for an event that is supposed to make history in WWE. 

This is actually nothing new; WWE often tends to wait until the go-home program to announce any more matches.  Sometimes, it's even later in the week before fans know what will be happening and who will be booked on the pay-per-view.

However, when this is combined with the Slammys, I believe that the buildup for TLC will do nothing but suffer.  Again, December 15 should be a very big night for the company.  But how can anyone take it seriously when the week before is filled with one poorly executed bit of nonsense after another?

The truth is that there is really no good timing for the Slammys.  Despite when the event is held, it just never seems to match the program going on around it.  It's as if the entire ceremony is forced into a format that is simply not the best fit.  And this time out, it could directly impact a very important pay-per-view event.

WWE TLC is happening on Sunday, December 15.  And while the Raw before it should be used to build hype for the event, the fact is that it will be burdened with the Slammy Awards, which could take up more time than is really necessary.

And there are no winners in that scenario.