WWE TLC 2011: Why CM Punk Will Destroy The Miz and Alberto Del Rio

WWE champion CM Punk is set to defend his title against The Miz and Alberto Del Rio in the first ever triple-threat Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match later tonight.  

Both The Miz and Del Rio earned their shots two weeks ago on Monday night RAW, but only one of those men seems like he may pose a legitimate threat to CM Punk at this time—and that is The Miz.

The Miz has been very successful this month.  After Survivor Series, he took out his now former partner, R-Truth.  The next week he did the same thing to now former WWE superstar, John Morrison.  He then scored a victory over Randy Orton to earn his shot at the WWE Championship. Just last week he scored the pinfall on CM Punk in the tag team match that also included Randy Orton and Alberto Del Rio.

So, with the Miz on such a hot streak, does CM Punk really stand chance at TLC?  The answer is yes.

I've practically already ruled out Alberto Del Rio's chances of winning the WWE title at TLC. That's based on the fact that the only reason that he is in this match is because WWE Creative still hasn't come up with anything for him to do after dropping the WWE title.  

He failed miserably as a champion, and more work needs to be done on his character and presence as a top heel before we can seriously worry about him contending for the WWE title.

The Miz on the other hand, looks like he could step in and take the title from Punk tonight.  However, that isn't going to happen.

Sure, The Miz is currently on a month-long hot streak, but that truly pales in comparison to CM Punk's hot streak, which has been running strong for nearly six months.  CM Punk faced a little bump in the road when Del Rio cashed in Money in the Bank and stole the title, but it hasn't effected the fan reactions in any way.  CM Punk is still at the height of his popularity.

Meanwhile, The Miz is just starting to build even more heat.  He took out R-Truth, seemingly turning Truth back into a face and turning himself even further heel.  He took out fan-favorite John Morrison, and seemed very happy to do so.  But before he can take back the WWE Championship, he needs to develop this even more.

The Miz needs to keep proving that he can take out other superstars, showcasing his power and strategy.  It doesn't need to be an attack every week, where the superstar who is on the receiving end of it gets carted out on a stretcher, but he needs to prove his dominance.

CM Punk will still be able to pick apart The Miz, pinpointing the weaknesses in his yet-to-be-finished game plan to take back the WWE title.  

While I don't think that The Miz is going to end up looking like a loser in this match, I can't say the same for Alberto Del Rio.  

This is a TLC match, so anything can happen.  However, at the end of the match, I expect the audience will be on the edge of their seats because of CM Punk and The Miz.  As the two may be battling atop a ladder, Alberto Del Rio will have (hopefully) already crashed through a table and will be laying outside of the ring, completely oblivious to the match.

At this point, with Del Rio being as big of a failure as a WWE champion as he was, and with CM Punk potentially starting something with The Miz over the coming months, WWE needs to get Del Rio out of the title picture as soon as possible.

But, if you still have your doubts that CM Punk will walk out of TLC with the WWE Championship, just remember that WrestleMania is only just over three months away.  WWE is currently planning on having CM Punk as the reigning WWE champion. CM Punk will possibly take on Chris Jericho in what would be a match that could even outshine Cena vs. Rock, so why would they start with the WWE title hot potato?

Even if Jericho isn't coming back, CM Punk is one of, if not the, most popular superstar in WWE right now. Why wouldn't he be booked into WrestleMania as the WWE champion?

It all translates to a CM Punk victory tonight at TLC.  Whether or not he destroys both of his opponents, or just Alberto Del Rio, remains to be seen, but I have no doubt that Punk walks out as the WWE champion.