WWE TLC 2011 Results: Grading Each Match at the Latest Pay-Per-View

Marking the last WWE pay-per-view of the year, TLC 2011 is now in the history books. It was the first pay-per-view in a very long time where John Cena didn't make an appearance; in fact, his name wasn't even mentioned once.

The purpose of the show was to finish off the Triple H-Kevin Nash rivalry and test CM Punk's drawing power as the WWE champion.

Actually, viewers were left with impressions they may or may not have expected—Zack Ryder becoming the new U.S. champion, the 52-year-old Kevin Nash flying through a table and Daniel Bryan successfully cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase.

For the most part, it was a middle-of-the-road show with ups and downs in areas of the card one would expect.

That being said, let's review and grade (A through F) each of the 10 bouts:

1) Dolph Ziggler vs. Zack Ryder for the U.S. Title was an energetic matchup that had the crowd in a frenzy from the outset. As great of a vulnerable babyface Ryder was, it was Ziggler who shined as a star on the precipice of main event stardom.

Together, the two were in sync, putting together not only a highlight reel of moves, but having the audience in the palms of their hands. The crowd finally got their wish when Ryder won the "big" one.

It's not too often that one witnesses a truly emotional moment in the WWE, but Ryder's victory was one of them.

Grade: A-

2) Air Boom versus Epico and Primo for the tag titles was the second match on the card. Unfortunately, despite all four men in the squared circle, it failed to rally the fans as well as the opening match. And that was to be expected given the emotional drain of Ryder-Ziggler.

Still, Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne got to show off their high-flying prowess and look like world-beaters on a major scale.

Grade: C+

3) Next, we had Wade Barrett versus Randy Orton in a tables match. The two, who also feuded one year ago, had improved chemistry this time around. They brawled back-and-forth, pulled off well-executed moves and had an invested audience on their side.

From a psychological standpoint, the stipulation of the match—which entailed that one put his opponent through a table to win—added a degree of anticipation to each move that would not have existed if it were a regular singles affair.

While not a classic by any means, Barrett proved he can hang with the WWE's upper echelon. In addition, Randy Orton added another impressive-looking "RKO" and win to his resume.

Grade: B-

4) Thereafter, Kelly Kelly and Beth Phoenix trotted out to determine the divas champion. Due to the time restraints, women's matches can be hit-or-miss, but this one was very solid. It was a female rendition of David vs. Goliath played effectively by Phoenix and Kelly, respectively.

Unfortunately, the crowd could have been livelier, but the majority of the blame goes to the company, which has the habit of treating divas' bouts as "filler" on pay-per-view.

Nevertheless, the two—especially Phoenix who looked dominant in the outcome—turned in a respectable effort.

Grade: C

5) The middle of the event pitted Triple H against Kevin Nash in a ladder/sledgehammer contest to settle the score once and for all.

It wasn't the disaster many, including myself, were predicting nor was it an epic encounter by any stretch of the imagination.

The two former "Kliq" buddies did the best they could given their age and limitations, focusing on more of a story-driven, methodical match.

Throughout the duration, Triple H fixated on his opponent's knee with a cerebral assassin-like mentality. In turn, Kevin Nash did an admirable job selling the beating, and even more so when he took a surprising bump off a ladder through a table.

The exclamation point of Triple H driving the sledgehammer into the seven-footer's skull served as a satisfying conclusion to their four-month feud.

Grade: B

6) As an added bonus, fans were treated to an unadvertised Jack Swagger versus Sheamus bout. After riding the roller-coaster ride of the prior match, it was inevitable that the fans come down.

It just so happened that Swagger and Sheamus were the casualties. They tried, as the professionals they are, to put on a good show; however, it came across as the usual Raw or SmackDown match.

On the bright side, Swagger's placement on the card indicates the WWE may have plans to reestablish his character even though he lost to the popular "Celtic Warrior."

Grade: C-

7) Mark Henry and The Big Show then proceeded to have their fourth match on pay-per-view this year alone. This time, though, it was a chairs match for the world heavyweight title.

Right off the bat, Henry was suffering through a real injury that caused him to move gingerly.

Following a game of dueling chairs, The Big Show punched in a chair—and by extension, Henry's face—to become the new champion.

The bout was entertaining while it lasted, but it was too short and devoid of any actual wrestling. Not to mention, "The World's Strongest Man" didn't deserve to capitulate his memorable reign in only five minutes.

Grade: C

8) However, just as soon as "The World's Largest Athlete" could celebrate his first world championship win in over nine years, Daniel Bryan galloped to the ring to cash in his title shot.

The cunning opportunist he is, Bryan took full advantage of the fallen Big Show, who just had his face "DDT'd" through a chair by the incredulous and enraged Henry.

Seven seconds had elapsed before the submission wrestling specialist outfoxed "The Giant" to become the new world heavyweight champion.

It wasn't much of a match, but it ranked up there with Ryder's triumph as a spectacular moment.

Moving forward, the viability of Bryan as a headliner will not only depend on how he's portrayed against other top dogs, but also if he can, at long last, shut up his biggest detractor, Michael Cole.

Grade: A for the moment; F for the actual match.

9) The subsequent contest involved Cody Rhodes and Booker T—who made an exception to his retirement—for the Intercontinental title.

While not a bout that will be recalled even a month from now, the layout of their match was impeccable.

Booker T started aggressively, Cody turned the tide, Booker T rallied back and, finally, Cody put away the wrestling legend for good.

Members of the WWE universe were into it from beginning to end, cheering on their beloved SmackDown color commentator. In the end, the right guy—who will pay out ample dividends in the future—came out on top.

Grade: B-

10) The last battle on the card also happened to be the best. CM Punk defended his WWE title against Alberto Del Rio and The Miz in a TLC war.

It was non-stop action, featuring spots that seemed organic, as opposed to contrived. Besides the assortment of tables, ladders and chairs, handcuffs were also used in brilliant fashion.

Punk's wrists were targets for both Del Rio and The Miz, who were intent on literally restricting the "Straight Edge" superstar's ability to walk up the rungs to retrieve the belt.

And while the bump of the night came from a non-WWE wrestler, Ricardo Rodriguez, all three men did a splendid job weaving athleticism with an intra-match storyline.

Most importantly, the crowd was extremely receptive, dying to see their cult of personality overcome the odds.

Grade: A

Overall pay-per-view grade: B-