WWE TLC 2011: What Will Mick Foley's Role Be at TLC?

Wrestling legend Mick Foley will host a special holiday edition of Smackdown on Tuesday night. Most of the WWE Universe would agree it's nice to have the master of hardcore back, but will he play a prominent role at December's hardcore pay-pew view, Tables, Ladders and Chairs?

Foley's return was overshadowed by The Rock on Monday Night Raw a few weeks ago. Unlike Rocky, it appears Foley is back for the long haul. He's never going to go back to wrestling on a weekly basis, but Vince McMahon will surely keep him busy with different gimmicks.

There are several options for Foley at TLC, with the most likely being a special guest referee gig.

Following R-Truth's wellness suspension, it appears as though The Miz is going to get an immediate push into the main event picture. He's already taken out his former Awesome Truth partner and did the deed of sending John Morrison to future endeavors.

It wouldn't be surprising to see him go after the WWE Champion next week on Raw to begin the buildup toward Dec. 18. There really aren't a ton of other candidates to face Punk. Alberto Del Rio proved he isn't ready for an extended title run, Dolph Ziggler still needs to lose the United States belt before getting a possible push and John Cena is caught in limbo.

Foley has either participated in or witnessed every possible match there is, so an intriguing storyline could be allowing him to pick the stipulation for the WWE title match.

He could be pressured by both men to pick certain matches. Punk, who probably prefer an I Quit match because The Miz recently lost one of those to Cena and Miz, would push for something where he could involve the rest of the dissenters to his advantage.

And then, of course, Foley would pick something completely different.

It's a plan that would allow him build his character for the newer fans who don't remember him from his previous stints and have only seen him struggle through a “This Is Your Life” segment with Cena.

Other options include hosting the show, like he is for Smackdown tonight and The Rock did for WrestleMania, or working on commentary. Booker T has become a staple of PPV announcing teams, but appears to be entering a feud with Cody Rhodes, which could open a spot for Foley.

There's always a chance it could turn out where Foley isn't involved at all, like at Survivor Series. Prevailing wisdom was that he would make some type of impact, but he never made an appearance.

Hopefully, that doesn't happen again, though, because Foley is a fan favorite. Diehard wrestling fans have proven there is always a spot in their hearts for blasts from the past.

And a hardcore PPV would seem like the perfect chance to get him back into the mix.

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