WWE TLC 2011: Power Rankings and Predictions for the 2011 TLC Pay-Per-View

With TLC 2011 just a little under 10 days from now on December 18th, the card for the event is shaping up to be a good one. When the WWE makes its return to pay-per-view for this annual event, TLC means something far different than tender, loving care.

While there's a likely divas title match to be added this week, here's a look at the power rankings of the current card for the third annual Tables, Ladders and Chairs event, as well as predictions of who will walk out of Baltimore in the win column on December 18th.

Big Show vs. Mark Henry: Chairs Match for the World Heavyweight Title

In the Smackdown main event, Mark Henry will defend his world heavyweight title against Big Show for a third time in the very appropriate chairs match—fitting, considering the constant use of the object in their rivalry over 2011—between the two behemoths.

I just can't get excited for this match between Henry and Show because there isn't a whole lot more these two can give us at TLC.

The top top elbow drop by Big Show at Survivor Series and the ring-shattering superplex at Vengeance were great spots, but I see this being the worst match of the night, with Henry retaining his title over Big Show.

Triple H vs. Kevin Nash: Sledgehammer Ladder Match

After being on the shelf for the past few weeks, Triple H will return to the ring for the first time since his appearance at Vengeance in a tag team match against Awesome Truth. He'll face his former friend Kevin Nash in a ladder match with a sledgehammer hanging from the roof—whoever grabs it can use it on the other.

If this were about a decade ago, I would be excited about this match between two former Kliq members (The Game and Big Daddy Cool or Big Sexy, or whatever Kevin Nash calls himself these days). In the 2011 version of this encounter, it will be slightly better than Henry-Show—but not much—as Triple H will win and get revenge on Nash.

Zack Ryder vs. Dolph Ziggler: United States Title Match

After waiting months—and getting an assist from John Cena on Raw Super Show—the fan favorite, Zack Ryder, will get his shot at Dolph Ziggler and the United States championship. This will be one of two matches that doesn't come with a typical tables, ladders and chairs match stipulation added.

While most people will love to see Ryder win the US title in this match, I can see the WWE taking this bout in either of two ways. Ziggler could get a sneaky win by holding the trunks on Ryder, or Ryder could win the match and elevate Ziggler up to the WWE championship race with Punk, Miz and others on RAW.

Booker T vs. Cody Rhodes: Intercontinental Title Match

In his first match since his surprise appearance at the Royal Rumble, Booker T will return to the ring at TLC to challenge Cody Rhodes for his Intercontinental Championship. This will be a standard match that doesn't feature any tables, ladders and chairs references.

As much as I would love to see Booker T become a two-time Intercontinental Champion in the WWE, Cody Rhodes will beat the former champion at this event in some kind of cheating fashion.

Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett: Tables Match

In a budding rivalry between two of the WWE's best young stars from Smackdown, Randy Orton will finally get a chance to get his hands on Wade Barrett after weeks in which the two have been getting involved with each other's matches on RAW and Smackdown.

As the WWE continues to build Wade Barrett as a major heel for the company, Barrett will get a big victory over Orton. The former Nexus and Corre leader will win this match after outsmarting the Viper to put him through a table.

The Miz vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. CM Punk: Triple Threat TLC WWE Title Match

Even with a fractured hand that would put most people on the sideline, CM Punk will defend his WWE title against The Miz and Alberto Del Rio in the first ever triple-threat Tables, Ladders and Chairs in the main event of the final pay-per-view event of 2011.

In a similar case to the Fatal 4-Way match at the 2010 edition of TLC, I can see this match being a great back-and-forth battle between the three superstars. I envision CM Punk walking out of Baltimore with his WWE title in tow, as I can't see the WWE taking the belt off their most popular star right now.

Chris Humphrey is a featured columnist for BleacherReport.com. He has covered everything from college football, college basketball, UFC, NFL, NBA and the WWE in his short time writing for the website. You can become a fan of him on B/R and follow him on Twitter @_CBH_.