WWE TLC 2011: 5 Ways for Show to Leave Lasting Impact

WWE's December pay-per-view, Tables, Ladders and Chairs, is used to bridge the gap between Survivor Series and Royal Rumble. Its gimmick matches have lost momentum in recent years, as the company has moved to a more PG format.

That doesn't mean the show will be a total waste, though. There are several intriguing matches already on the card that should have a major impact on storylines in the coming months. And a couple more will probably be added this week.

Without further ado, here are five ways that TLC can leave a lasting impact.

Add More Pieces to Kevin Nash vs. Triple H Feud

It appears the feud between Kevin Nash and Triple H is here to stay, regardless of how much momentum it has lost in recent weeks. It could be saved by adding some new dimensions to it, though, because fans have shown they still love Triple H.

Whether the addition be a former nWo member making his return or just a current WWE superstar in need of a fresh angle, there are virtually unlimited possibilities. Especially when you consider how many friends both men have made during their time in the business.

With two wrestlers at an advanced age trying to make a ladder match look good, fans will need some type of distraction to keep their minds off how much Nash struggles to move around. A run-in or two will serve that purpose while also adding more fuel to the fire moving forward.

Make Booker T Look Strong in Defeat

Booker T makes his long-awaited return to the ring on Sunday night against Cody Rhodes. The match is for the Intercontinental Championship, which makes Rhodes a heavy favorite to emerge victorious, but the WWE needs to make Booker look good.

His stint as a commentator yielded a mixed bag of results, but he definitely brought some laughs to SmackDown with his over-the-top style. However, he's much better suited to be in the ring and is still in good enough shape to do it on a weekly basis.

If he were to win at TLC, it would ruin months of building Rhodes into a formidable force. It seems like Rhodes is destined to move into the main event picture relatively soon. So he can carry on a feud with Booker T until that happens, at which point he can pass off the title.

Wade Barrett Beats Randy Orton

Few superstars have been getting as big of a push in recent weeks as Wade Barrett. His “Barrett Barrage” has taken SmackDown by storm, and his recent foray into a marquee feud with Randy Orton has proven he can handle himself atop the card.

However, all of that work will be for not if Orton wins at TLC. He's been the blue brand's predominant superstar for a long time and doesn't need a win over Barrett to prove his worth. Barrett, on the other hand, could receive a major boost from a victory.

Since it's a gimmick pay-per-view, it's tough to imagine the finish being considered “clean.” But as long as Barrett comes out on top, it will do wonders for his exposure to a casual fan who might not watch SmackDown on a weekly basis.

Zack Ryder Title Win

Sooner or later, the WWE needs to give Zack Ryder a title reign to see if his character has staying power. TLC would seem like the perfect opportunity to make that happen since they can abort it quickly at Royal Rumble if need be.

That's not a likely scenario, however. Ryder has gone over huge with fans in all corners of the WWE Universe because of his YouTube show and constant Twitter presence. Even die hards have enjoyed watching his rise from a glorified jobber to a legitimate mid-card threat.

Dolph Ziggler has illustrated his immense talents over the past few months and is ready to take the next step as well. Allowing Ryder to win the title in a wacky fashion is perfect storyline progression toward both wrestlers becoming even more relevant.

CM Punk Promo

CM Punk was a man without a mission during late spring and early summer. He didn't have a clear path to the top, and he was too talented to spend an extended period in the mid-card. Then he dropped a couple epic promos on Monday Night RAW and everything changed.

He quickly became one of the company's biggest stars, and his merchandise started flying off shelves at an amazing clip. Now he's the WWE Champion. If Vince McMahon is smart, he'll let Punk keep the belt for a couple months.

As for TLC, there should be a new twist at the conclusion. Most PPVs end with the main event winner celebrating and Michael Cole thanking us for watching. This time, they should leave enough time for Punk to get on the mic and crush it like he always does.

Imagine the social media blitz if there was a promo which only a select portion of the fanbase got to witness? It would be gigantic as everybody tried to search for the video. Plus, it would be completely unexpected, which makes it all the better.