WWE TLC 2011: Predicting the Winners of Each Match at the Next PPV

WWE TLC takes place in Baltimore, MD this Sunday on PPV.  Six matches are set to take place, and there are a bunch of stipulations to go along with most of those matches.

The main event is a triple threat TLC match for the WWE Championship, as champion CM Punk defends against both Alberto Del Rio and The Miz.

A notable absence is John Cena, who may face Kane as a last-minute addition based on the events of Monday Night RAW.  But, at this point, WWE.com has not reported any such thing at this point.

Nonetheless, four championships will be defended at the event.  What can and will happen?  What will the last PPV of the year have in store as we come closer to 2012 and the Royal Rumble?

Here are my predictions.

Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett (Tables Match)

As of late, it seems that both of these men have made it their mission to get into each other's head and have an upper hand in their rivalry.

This Sunday, all the mind games will come to an end.  Orton hasn't looked as dominant since losing his World Heavyweight Championship to Mark Henry a number of months ago, and Barrett has been looking more and more like the Barrett we knew and despised as the leader of the Nexus in their heyday.

This isn't about championships, for Orton.  This is about redemption for his loss in the elimination match at Survivor Series.  For Barrett, this is about proving he has what it takes to get to the next level and back into the main event picture.

This is a match that Barrett will win.  First of all, it's a tables match.  Orton losing will knock him down a peg but won't be too devastating.  This will be a minor win but a sign of things to come for the winner of NXT season 1.

Winner: Wade Barrett

Intercontinental Championship Match: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Booker T

Cody Rhodes has been getting the ire of Booker T for his disrespectful actions.  The fact is, Rhodes is establishing the Intercontinental title as a legitimate championship once again, and the fact that Booker T is going after it makes that statement hold true.

Of course, Booker getting a piece of Rhodes will be first on his mind, but a chance to walk away with the prestigious IC Championship would be sweet too, as it would cripple Rhodes emotionally.

Rhodes is on his way up the WWE ladder, and this feud is merely in place to put him over as a powerful, dominant champion.

Expect Booker to lose this match and return to the announce booth by SmackDown.

Winner: Cody Rhodes

United States Championship Match: Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Zack Ryder

There is a changing of the guard in the midst of this PPV, and it will occur during this contest.

Ziggler has been establishing for weeks on end that he is ready for the next step and a shot at the WWE Championship.  He has the mic skills, talent, athleticism and an annoying mouthpiece in the form of Vickie Guerrero.

The one thing holding him back is the title he currently holds.  The United States Championship has been a starting point for the future of the WWE, as a good run with the belt usually leads to good things in the future. Just ask The Miz or John Cena.

Zack Ryder has been wanting this shot for a long time and, in the process, legitimizing the championship as some piece of gold that somebody actually wants and isn't some throwaway title like the Hardcore Championship (24/7 title defense era).

Ryder has been getting under Ziggler's skin lately, and thanks to Cena, Ryder finally has his time to shine. Something tells me that this is the time to put the belt on the Internet Champion.

Keeping the belt on Ziggler will just bury Ryder, and from what we have seen on WWE programming as of late, that isn't something the WWE plans on doing.

Winner: Zack Ryder

Triple H vs. Kevin Nash (Sledgehammer Ladder Match)

This just seems like a blow-away match.  Kevin Nash and Triple H have the capability to work amazingly together for this contest, but, in the end, this feud won't go past the Royal Rumble, as Triple H looks to start up his WrestleMania rivalry shortly.

Nash wanted to assert himself in the WWE once more, and he had his shot.  Unfortunately, he pissed off the one man he considered a brother in the industry, and with that sledgehammer hanging above, it seems fitting that Triple H will get his revenge on Nash and smash the hammer down.

Winner: Triple H

World Heavyweight Championship Match: Mark Henry (c) vs. Big Show

It looks like the third time might be the charm for Big Show.  He gets to face a bitter rival with chairs deemed legal to use.

Mark Henry took a step back from his destruction, losing to Zack Ryder (thanks to Cena's help) a couple weeks ago and going to a no-contest against Cena this past Monday night.

If SmackDown is any indication, it looks like this feud will end at this event.  The only issue now is who will be next in line for the World Heavyweight Championship, and why does it look like a RAW guy is being set up for a SmackDown title?

Jack Swagger is a former world champion, and it may just look like he is about to get pushed to the main event once again.  There are plenty of opportunities coming up, including a split-up of Swagger and Dolph Ziggler and have Ziggler go after Swagger for the World Title.

Where are we?

Oh yes, Henry will be his super self and send Big Show packing, retaining the World Heavyweight Championship.

Winner: Mark Henry

WWE Championship Match: CM Punk (c) vs. Miz vs. Alberto Del Rio

The article I posted a couple days ago states my opinions on this match and what all three bring to it.

On a creative note, RAW returns to Chicago in a couple weeks, and much like Alberto Del Rio's epic return to Mexico as the conquering champion, the "Second City Saviour" shall return to the place in which he won the title at Money in the Bank with the title.

It is not known if John Cena will play a factor in this match or if he will even be in the building on Sunday night, but one thing is for sure: The main event looks to be a great precursor to the Royal Rumble PPV.

All three men know what it is like to win the Money in the Bank ladder match, and with a big prize on the line, all three will have to channel what they learned in each of those individual ladder matches and use it to their advantage.

Punk will retain the belt and go into 2012 as WWE Champion.

Winner: CM Punk

What do you think?

Mark Pare is a WWE Featured Columnist. You can follow him on Twitter and don't forget to check out his sportswriter page.