WWE TLC 2011: 8 Possible New Match Types for the TLC PPV and Beyond

Before any of the TLC gimmick matches grow stale, there are a few possible variations to give those matches exciting makeovers.

Many a classic has been born from a ladder match or TLC match, but that doesn't mean that WWE can't or shouldn't experiment with ways to make them a little different and hopefully even more entertaining.

The always-disappointing chair match needs some life injected into it more than any of the others.

From small tweaks to major overhauls, I've come up with eight new versions of these matches. 

Iron Man Tables Match

Rules: The wrestlers involved will try to put their opponents through tables as many times as possible during the specified time limit.

The issue with table matches is how suddenly they can end, often without a proper climax.  The Iron Man Tables Match increases the drama in the way that an Iron Man match does. 

One wrestler may build up a big lead and the other has to try and get his opponent through several tables at once to catch up.  Or perhaps the two superstars are tied near the end and they frantically try to get a fall as the clock winds down.

Wrestlers who would rock this type of match:

You need durable guys in great shape who can take multiple big bumps.  Sheamus comes to mind immediately. 

Randy Orton and Wade Barrett would also be great for this. 

Tables Elimination Match

Rules: Four (or more) wrestlers begin this match.  Wrestlers are eliminated when they go through a table until there is one competitor remaining. 

These would have more drama than a traditional tables match. 

It'd allow for fans to see multiple table spots during a match.  It also opens the door for us to see one superstar eliminate two guys at once.    

More wrestlers are given a chance to shine and this would be a good chance to handle multi-person feuds.

Wrestlers who would rock this type of match:

Kane would be awesome here, choke slamming two superstars through tables at once.  Someone like Christian with plenty of experience giving and receiving table bumps would be great for this match too.

King of the Ladder

Rules: During the specified time period, the wrestler who is able to stand at the top of the ladder for the longest total amount of time is the winner.

 How often have we seen a wrestler creep ever so slowly up a ladder waiting for their opponent to prevent them from grabbing the title?

This match at the very least offers something novel.

The goal would be to stand at the top of the ladder in a very vulnerable position for as long as they could with a scoreboard tallying their total time.  If a wrestler saw someone coming, they could hop down to safety.

The strategy would be totally different and hopefully create a number of new spots and excitement along the way. 

 Wrestlers who would rock this type of match:

Speedy, athletic guys who can jump off the ladder or onto it from the turnbuckles would be the best fit.  Unfortunately the perfect candidate for this, John Morrison, no longer works for WWE.

Kofi Kingston, Daniel Bryan and Dolph Ziggler could be suitable replacements however. 

Ladder Match for Last Entrant in Royal Rumble

Rules: This is a standard ladder match but instead of a title or contract hanging from the rafters, the opportunity to enter last at the Royal Rumble would be up for grabs.

The action won't look any different than a plain old ladder match, but allows for wrestlers without a title to utilize this gimmick match.

It also creates some drama.  Being the last man to enter the Royal Rumble is a delectable prize; feuds could easily start over the chance to claim that right. 

Wrestlers who would rock this type of match:

Cody Rhodes, Christian, Sheamus and Alberto Del Rio have all proven to be quality performers with a ladder in the ring. 

Chair Mountain

Rules: A standard chairs match where a "mountain" of chairs is first piled into the ring.

Chairs matches are basically a No DQ match where chairs are the primary weapon.  They don't create any new spots or generate added excitement. 

At least this version begins with a powerful visual. 

The two wrestlers have to battle atop a pile of chairs assuring plenty of big chair shots from the opening bell. 

A subtle twist to the bastard child of matches at TLC may make it slightly more interesting. 

 Wrestlers who would rock this type of match:

If Mick Foley is serious about his return, he is the best man for the job.  No one can take a chair shot like him. 

Perhaps the old Mankind vs. Undertaker feud should be rekindled for this, assuming of course that we haven’t seen the last of those men in the ring. 

Style Points Chair Match

Rules: During the specified time limit, judges at ringside will rate the chair shots given and award points for creativity and velocity.  The wrestler with the highest point total wins.

Too often chair shots are delivered to a bent over opponent who takes the blow on his back in a ho-hum spot.

With this match, the superstars involved would have to be creative, trying more to impress than to bludgeon. 

It also allows for celebrities or rivals to serve as judges.  If John Laurinaitis were to judge CM Punk in a match like this, a lot could be made of a potential bias, adding some intriguing conflict.

Wrestlers who would rock this type of match:

Someone with creative offense could turn whacking someone with a chair into an art form. 

If Rob Van Dam were still with WWE, he'd be the obvious selection.  Working with the current WWE roster, R-Truth and Evan Bourne should find some interesting ways to use the chairs. 

TLC Delayed Entry

Rules: A Tables, Ladder and Chairs match where two wrestlers begin in the ring and the other participants join in after a specified time a la the Royal Rumble or Elimination Chamber. 

Sometimes a match like Money in the Bank starts off awkwardly because of how many bodies are in there. 

Within a few moments a number of guys are inevitably knocked out to provide room to work and so that there isn't just a mess of flying flesh in the ring. 

In this new version of the match, by the time the third or fourth wrestler comes in, one of the superstars already in there will be weakened or laid out on the outside of the ring. 

Besides making the match easier to manage, there is also the element of surprise as to when each wrestler will enter.  The first two guys in will also try their best to end the match before any of their opponents have joined them, forcing them to quicken the pace at the outset. 

Wrestlers who would rock this type of match:

Big Show and Kane should be spectacular at something like this, especially if they are the third or fourth to enter.  The guys already in the ring could have a defeated look as the see one of these giants stomping their way.

Tables, Ladders, Cage

Rules: This is standard TLC match with the title or briefcase hanging from an extremely tall cage that surrounds the ring. 

When all else fails, put a cage around it.

While not all that different from a TLC match, adding the element of a cage could step up the violence and action of the match.

Perhaps someone could try to bypass the ladder altogether by crawling along the cage ceiling to the title or briefcase.

Fans get to see the added addition of cage face scraps and the (attempted) prevention of outside interference with a locked cage door. 

Wrestlers who would rock this type of match:

Again, John Morrison would be the first guy you’d imagine crawling along the top of the cage like monkey bars.  Perhaps Rey Mysterio could return to do a Spider-Man impression instead.