WWE Tables Ladders and Chairs: A Throwaway Pay-Per-View?

Next week marks the third anniversary of WWE’s TLC pay-per-view. Being just a week away from it, it’s pretty obvious that the WWE Universe’s mind is fixated on the final PPV before the end of the year.

And why shouldn’t WWE fans be looking forward to this PPV? After all, it is the last event standing between WWE fans and the beginning of the Road to WrestleMania.

But what exactly is this final show of the year good for other than being a placeholder show between Survivor Series and the Royal Rumble?

When I asked my Twitter followers what they thought about this year’s TLC show, I got an overwhelming response saying that this was a “throwaway” PPV.

To some extent, I can see where these people are coming from. There are a few matches on the card, like the two world championship matches, that have rather obvious outcomes. In addition, anyone that follows the WWE closely would know that the chances of Booker T winning the Intercontinental Championship are slim to none, based solely on the fact that he isn’t a full-time wrestler.

Aside from the seemingly predictable outcomes, there is a feeling that this PPV isn’t building to any storyline resolutions. Rather, there is a feeling that this PPV is building to what will be an intermediate show between Survivor Series and the Royal Rumble. Based on the way the various stories are unfolding, the assumption is that no feuds will be resolved as a result of the meetings at TLC on Sunday.

But do predictability and a lack of storyline resolution make this a throwaway PPV?

The term “throwaway” implies that nothing will be accomplished at this PPV that could be accomplished on an episode of Raw or Smackdown. Personally, I would label this as a transitional PPV.

I would argue that this PPV is transitional in the sense that it is building towards not just the next PPV, but it is working to establish certain things in the long run. For example, CM Punk is being built as a dominant force over both Alberto del Rio and the Miz because they are trying to establish him as one of the top babyfaces in the WWE. It seems that this WWE Championship run is the beginning of Punk becoming a mainstay as a main event babyface on Raw. Thus, I’d venture to say that Punk would benefit more from just dominating the buildup to the PPV and retaining than he would if retained against challengers that were built in a more credible way.

The United States Championship match between Dolph Ziggler and Zack Ryder could work to establish something in the long run, too. Because Ziggler has been getting more main event exposure on Raw, it’s a safe bet that he’ll drop the title to Ryder. Ryder will continue to climb the mid-card ranks while Ziggler can start seriously contending for the WWE Championship.

My last point is that this show does have a lot to offer that can’t be found on the weekly broadcasts of Raw and Smackdown. The tables, ladders and chairs gimmick matches all have the potential to deliver a few final memorable matches for 2011. Some of the matches, like the WWE Championship TLC match, Booker T’s return to competition and the Kevin Nash vs. Triple H match, should help to make this final WWE PPV of 2011 have a special feel to it.

All in all, I’ve got to disagree with those that feel this is a throwaway pay-per-view. No, there won’t be much closure from a storyline standpoint, but we could see the continued breakout of stars like CM Punk, Dolph Ziggler, Zack Ryder and even Wade Barrett. And you better believe that CM Punk, Miz and Alberto del Rio will put on a stellar TLC match!

As far as I’m concerned, this has what it takes to be an above-average WWE PPV.

Thanks for reading. As always, I appreciate any feedback on my writing. Feel free to spark a conversation with me regarding what was discussed in this column by commenting or reaching out to me on Twitter @MikePW247.

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