WWE TLC 2011 Review

In perhaps the coldest night in Baltimore this December, the WWE Universe turned out and was well ready for another history making night. The amount of "Broski" headbands, and Best in the "World" T-Shirts proved that if one day John Cena was to become a heel, then merchandise sales would not be an issue. Prior to the pay-per-view, fans had only expected six matches. But on a night where, every championship was defended and two historic title changes, WWE TLC proved that wrestling is in a great state heading into to 2012.

Alex Riley def. Drew McIntyre in a dark match. 
These are two superstars who have been on the mid card level and have the potential to be future stars in the WWE. Unfortunately, there is nothing for these guys on television, but I do not think these guys are written off. In a match good enough to warm up the audience, McIntyre scored the victory.

Zack Ryder def. Dolph Ziggler to become new WWE United States Champion
With the Broski and Woo Woo Woo chants filling the First Mariner Arena, Ryder entered the arena and received on the biggest "pops" in his career. Working with one of the best wrestlers on the card, Ryder proved that he could indeed hold his own inside the squared circle. In the end, it was a Ruff Ryder, a count 1-2-3 and Zack Ryder accomplished his dream of winning the United States Championship! Immediately after the match, Ryder was celebrating with his dad. How ironic, the last time Ryder was in Baltimore, he was in a dark match, defeating Drew McIntyre.

Air Boom def. Primo and Epico to retain the WWE Tag Team Championship
After Borne being suspended for 30 days, Air-Boom finally had the chance to defend their tag titles. In what many say is a failing tag team division, this match did not seem bad. Rather than have two teams put together, it was two men who had great chemistry which made this a match worth watching. In the end, it was Air Boom retaining their titles.

Beth Phoenix def Kelly Kelly to retain the WWE Womens Championship
These two have been battling for the title since Money in the Bank. The match may been used to allow the crowd a short intermission, but having a different finish, Beth Phoenix delivering a simulated alley-oop to Kelly Kelly made it unique especially after the GlamSlam was reversed.

Randy Orton def Wade Barrett in a Tables Match
Orton has been seeking vengeance on Barrett since Team Barrett defeated him at the Survivor Series. These two went all over the arena just trying to beat the living hell out of each other. Orton, who has had yet another great year in his career ended this one on a high note as he was able to catch Barrett with an RKO off the top rope through a table to score the victory.

Triple H def Kevin Nash in a Ladder Match
The last time Triple H was in Baltimore, he was defeated by Sheamus and would never be seen in the ring until WrestleMania. On this night, he would be seeking revenge on his former best friend who also put him on the shelf. For these two veterans who, one being well out of their prime, the match seemed well enough to keep the crowd into it. There were many times the two tried to put the other through a table, but when both men would attempt to climb and get the sledgehammer, it was The Game knocking Nash off and sending him crashing through a table. Once Triple H retrieved the sledgehammer, he went on to beat Nash into oblivion. In the end it was Triple H gaining the victory and leaving Nash battered and beaten.

Sheamus def. Jack Swagger
This match was made in the middle of the night and it was good enough to warm everyone up before the World Heavyweight Championship. These two former World Champions put on a great match, even though there was no story behind it. Sheamus has been well over with the crowd for a while. And this night was no different. Sheamus has been on a roll and it continued as he defeat Swagger.

Big Show def Mark Henry for the World Heavyweight Championship in a Chairs Match
Before the match, Big Show reminded everyone that it had been nine years since he was a World Champion. He said that on this night, Henrys time of running away was over. In their third consecutive match, these two have given the WWE Universe something different every night. But in Baltimore, Big Show delivered a knock out punch to Mark Henry that could be heard in Washington D.C. and before anyone realized it, Big Show was the New World Heavyweight Champion. While Show was celebrating, Mark Henry got back to his feet and beat him with a chair.

Daniel Bryan def. Big Show for the World Heavyweight Championship after Cashing in Money in the Bank Briefcase
A few weeks ago on Smackdown, Big Show knocked out Mark Henry and told Bryan to come in and cash in his Money in the Bank. After the decision was reversed, Henry was re-awarded his championship. On this night, Bryan seized the opportunity. While the Big Show was unconscious, Bryan stormed down to the ring, handed the referee his briefcase and pinned the Big Show. As Bryan was awarded the World Heavyweight Championship, the crowd was left in shock. Finally Daniel Bryan is on top. Bryan ran all over the crowd celebrating and Big Show was left in the ring was a look of disbelief.

Cody Rhodes def. Booker T to retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship
When this match was originally supposed to occur, Rhodes attacked Booker T as he was making his entrance. Prior to that he attacked him backstage during an interview. Booker T said that this is personal and he had to take care of Rhodes, and that this was not about the Intercontinental title. Booker T battered and beaten gave everything he had in this match, but it was Cody Rhodes who executed two kicks to the skull from the ropes to gain the victory. For Rhodes, this victory was huge. A win over a legend helps him to continuously elevate himself into the main event picture.

CM Punk def. Alberto Del Rio and The Miz in a TLC Match to retain the WWE Championship
The last time Punk was in Baltimore in June, he was demanding the anonymous general manager to give him a WWE Championship match. He was booed profusely. On this night, Punk walked into the First Mariner Arena and received the loudest pop of the night next to Zack Ryder and Daniel Bryan. Alberto Del Rio and The Miz used many opportunities to double team Punk. But as soon as he received an opportunity, Del Rio  delivered a couple of cross arm bars to the Miz and Punk, one through a ladder, the other on a broken table. Ricardo Rodriguez played his part well as a manager, often notifying Del Rio when he had a clear opportunity for him to grab the title. But Rodriguez would get involved one time too many, and he was sent flying off the ladder through two tables. Punk overcame many obstacles throughout this match. First, he was handcuffed to the ladder, but he escaped and last, The Miz handcuffed him to the middle turnbuckle. As Del Rio and Miz seemed to have Punk out of this match, Punk untied himself, by breaking the ropes apart. After freeing himself, Punk knocked both men off the ladder and climbed up the ladder and retained his WWE Championship.

WWE TLC 2011 Predictions

In the final pay-per-view of the year, history will be made and I will be live at the First Mariner Arena in Baltimore, MD to witness it. Here are my predictions.

Wade Barrett vs Randy Orton in a Tables Match
Last month at Survivor Series, team Barrett defeated Team Orton. Since then, Barrett has been telling everyone that he is better than Orton. 2011 has been a great year for Orton, winning at both WrestleMania and SummerSlam along with winning the World Heavyweight Championship title twice. Barrett on the other hand has repacked into a monster. After dropping from the World title picture in the beginning of the year, he reminds me of a young Triple H. Going solo has been great for Barrett and he has been a role ever since. A win over Orton will elevate him even further. In my opinion, Barrett wins this in a hellacious battle.

Zack Ryder vs Dolph Ziggler (C) for the United States Championship
After months of putting himself over, WWE officials have finally taken notice to Zack Ryder. Sunday he will be in the ring with one of the brightest young superstars. A win over Ryder will not only bring Ryder the United States Championship, but it will also give him a victory over a former and future World Heavyweight Champion. Ziggler has been great all year, but Ryder has so much momentum and he will win the title Sunday in Baltimore.

Booker T vs Cody Rhodes (C) for the Intercontinental Championship
This match is very personal. Booker T has been saying somethings from the commentary both that Rhodes have been offended by and decided to do something about it. This match shall be entertaining. In the end, Rhodes will retain his title over a future hall of famer, but I believe his emotions will lose him the match.

Kevin Nash vs Triple H in a Ladder Match
When Triple H was in charge completely, he brought one of his bestr friends, Kevin Nash back but not to disrupt the flow of business. Since Nash has returned, he has nothing but reek havoc in the WWE. Nash put the game on the shelf the night after Venegence and this Sunday Triple H seeks revenge. With a sledgehammer suspended 15 foot above the ring, Triple H will deliever Nash the beating of his life.

Big Show vs Mark Henry (C) for the World Heavyweight Championship in a Chairs Match
Mark Henry has been the monster of the year. He began his campaign with former Tag Team Champions, Big Show and Kane. After putting the two on the shelf, Henry became World Champion. When Big Show returned, he had two attempts at the World title. In one match, the ring collasped, and the next he won by disqualification after Henry delivered a blatant low blow. How ironic is this a chairs match after the two men injured each other using a chair. In my opinion, Mark Henry will renact his mean streak and punish the Big Show walk out of Baltimore still World Heavyweight Championship.

The Miz vs Alberto Del Rio vs CM Punk for the WWE Championship in a TLC Match
2011 will forever be known as the year of Punk. Punk who began his quest to becoming winning the Superstar of the Year Slammy Award right here in Baltimore when he became the number one contender for the title. Six months later, Punk is a two time champion and defending his title against two former champions, Miz and Del Rio. The two former champs have been hungry to regain the WWE gold and they will do anything it takes to wear the strap again. But in order for Punk to establish himself as a top guy in the WWE, he must defend the title successfully. In a triple threat match, his chances of doing so is only 33%. But being the only two-time Money in the Bank winner, he has the exprience of winning ladder matches, therefore Punk will walk out of Baltimore still WWE Champion.

History of Title Changes in Baltimore Maryland

Sunday December 18, 2011 the WWE will be hosting their final pay-per-view of the year TLC in Baltimore, MD. This will be the first time since 2008 that a pay per view has been held here. On that night the crowd was electric as they witness Matt Hardy finally defeat M.V.P for the United States Championship to open the night. they also witnessed the Triple H gain revenge against Randy Orton to recapture the WWE Championship in a fatal four way match that also featured John Cena and JBL.


Through many years, there have been a number of historic title changes in Baltimore. Below is the complete list of title changes that have occurred.

WWE Championship

04-30-1977

Billy graham defeats Bruno Sammartino. 

04-27-08

Triple H defeat Randy Orton

WCW US title 

12-20-99

Jeff jarret defeat Chris Benoit

WWE US Title

10-19-03

Big Show defeat Eddie Guerrero

02-19-06

Chris Benoit defeat Booker T

04-27-08

Matt Hardy defeat MVP

Intercontinental Championship

07-06-85

Tito Santana defeat Greg Valentine

Divas 

06-20-11

Kelly Kelly defeat Brie Bella

Retired belts

WCW World Heavyweight Championship

07-14-91

Lex Luger defeat Barry Windham 

08-02-92

Ron Simmons defeat Vader

12-30-92

Vader defeat Simmons

12-20-99

Bret Hart defeat Goldberg

Hardcore

11-30-98

Big Bossman defeat Mankind

06-16-01

Test defeat Rhyno

Cruiser weight 

12-29-97

Ultimo Dragon defeat Eddie Guerrero

06-14-98

Chris Jericho defeat Dean Malenko

03-30-00

Billy Kidman defeat The Artist

*NWA World Heavyweight Championship

06-07-90

Sting defeat Ric Flair

King of The Ring

06-19-94

Owen Hart 

WWE Vengeance 2011 Predictions

Beth Phoenix (C) vs EVE WWE Divas Championship Match
Beth Phoenix has been really hot since finally capturing the Divas Championship Match. Eve is a great in ring competitor, but I do not think that she has enough momentum to defeat Beth Phoenix.

Air-Boom (C) vs Jack Swagger & Dolph Ziggler WWE Tag Team Championship Match
Despite Evan Bourne's injury, this team has been on fire. Unfortunately, Ziggler has been carrying the team of he and Swagger. In the end, Air-Boom keeps the titles.

Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes vs Randy Orton Non-Title Match 
I cannot wait for this match. Rhodes and Orton are both in-ring generals. They have had great matches on Raw and Smackdown, and now with these two on a bigger stage, I can truly see this match stealing the show. Its very ironic, how these two were involved in matches at WrestleMania that could be considered the best match of that night. In the end, I see Cody Rhodes escaping with the victory.

Triple H & CM Punk vs The Miz and R-Truth
As my cohost of the Wrestling Wrealm The Real Dwayne Allen stated, this is a match with a legend, Triple H, a veteran, CM Punk, and two stars that are still rising, The Miz and R-Truth. I really love the build up to this match, and I do think that Johnny Ace will try to get involved, but I see Triple H and Punk picking up with the victory.

Mark Henry (C) vs The Big Show World Heavyweight Championship Match
Normally I am not a fan  of a match between two Superheavyweights, however, Mark Henry and The Big Show have been battling throughout 2011. These two had a decent match at Capitol Punishment and it showed that it is possible for guys of this size to keep our attention. Mark Henry has been dominant and the Big Show has been angry and looking for payback. I think Big Show wins, but does not get the title.


Alberto Del Rio (C) vs John Cena WWE Championship Match
There was no better way John Cena could have showed us that we were in store for a last man standing match. With the beating delivered Del Rio on Monday, and then beginning the count, this match looks like it will be the climax of a war. This is a very hard match to call. Cena never loses two matches, an I quit or a Last Man Standing. If Del Rio wins, he must be creative.

Mr Main Event's Night of Champion Thoughts, Mark Henry New World Heavyweight Champion!

Night of Champions, a night in which every title in the WWE is defended. This is a night where you are almost guaranteed to see at least one title change. Tonight, the WWE Universe witnessed the two most important change hands, the World Heavyweight and the WWE titles.

 For fans who have been loyal to the WWE for years, they saw Mark Henry, a 15 year veteran earn his first World Heavyweight Championship. Henry has been terrorizing the Smackdown roster for the entire summer, and he stated that his goal was to win the World Championship, which he accomplished by defeating Randy Orton in a dominating performance.

John Cena defeated Alberto Del Rio in a solid match. I was not expecting much from this match, however I was not disappointed. It was not a bad, nor boring match, but it was not Cena-Punk either. For the first time, I actually was not upset that John Cena came out as the new WWE Champion. In my opinion, at the end of this man's career he will be a 25 time champion.

Triple H and CM Punk's No Disqualification match really lived up to the hype. At least, I think so. These two had a lot of pinned up emotion and they really took it to each other from start to finish. Triple H was in the ring for the first time since facing the Undertaker at WrestleMania in April. The Game really proved that he could keep up with Punk. Punk, who has been on a roll all Summer, threw everything at Triple H except the kitchen sink. However, Nash entered the ring, only to knock both men out. And just when Triple H landed a sledgehammer to Kevin Nash, out came R-Truth and Miz, who stated that they were tired of the conspiracies. In the end, it was Triple H defeating Punk and maintaining his role of the Chief Operating Officer of the WWE. We all know that CM Punk will be back, but in what form.

Kelly-Kelly surprised me. I just knew that her title reign would be over at the end of the night. Every time I see her take on Beth Phoenix, I become more impressed. Phoenix has really brought out the best in her. Prior to their matchups, the divas division seemed to be a dying breed. Now watching Kelly Kelly seems to be interesting because she has really improved her craft.

Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase Jr work so well in the ring together. When the two debuted as a tag team, I just knew that DiBiase Jr would be the star of this group. He seemed to have all the makings of a future world champion. However, he just cannot seem to get over. The two had a solid match tonight, but in the end it was Cody Rhodes outsmarting DiBiase to retain his Intercontinental Championship.

The United States Championship match was very entertaining. Since the Royal Rumble, I have said and will continue to say that Dolph Ziggler is a future main event star. He may not be the biggest, but his in ring ability and intelligence is well ahead of his class. Ziggler escaped with the victory tonight and retained his US Championship by simply outsmarting Alex Riley, Jack Swagger, and John Morrison.

The new team of Air Boom did not prove whether or not they are a fluke. The match simply ended in a disqualification. The Miz and R-Truth believed that they were victims of a conspiracy after the referee allowed  Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston to execute a tag because he said that he heard one, but would not do the same because he did not hear it from Miz and Truth. I liked this a lot. This would lead to the Miz and R-Truth leaving in an uproar and as they indicated they would do something about the "conspiracies."

Mr Main Event BDuB's Thoughts on Shawn Michaels being back in the WWE this weekend

Canadace Kidd recently reported that Shawn Michaels is headed to the WWE this weekend.Read her blog here.

Why else would Shawn visit Triple H this weekend? This is the Game's first match since his epic battle against the Undertaker at WrestleMania XXVII. Prior to that match everyone just knew that Michaels would get involved one way or another. The last time we saw Michaels on WWE television, he and Punk had an exchange of words. Could this be revenge for Shawn against Punk? Or could Michaels double cross Triple H since he fired Kevin Nash?

It is also possible that Nash and Triple H could be in cahoots all along, and that maybe they are bringing Michaels in an effort to rid the WWE of Punk for good. With this report, Night of Champions has just got even more interesting.

Mr Main Event BDuB
@BDuBmrMainEvent
@Wrestlingwrealm

Mr Main Event's Predictions for WWE Night of Champions

Fatal 4-Way U.S. Championship Match 
Dolph Ziggler (C) vs Alex Riley vs Jack Swagger vs John Morrison
In this matchup, Ziggler has his back against the wall. Going against three other phenomenal athletes. This match actually has a chance to steal the show, well it may not be that good, but you get the point. I have often said that Ziggler is the future and in this match he will prove it but escaping with a close victory.

World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton (C) vs. Mark Henry
This should be a great match and the climax to Mark Henry's Hall of Pain. Orton may have been hot all summer, but so has Henry and what better way for him to end the summer than winning the World Heavyweight Championship. In my opinion, Mark Henry does the unthinkable after 15 years out of the limelight and becomes the new World Heavyweight Champion.

WWE Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston & Evan Bourne (c) vs. The Miz & R-Truth
Ladies and Gentleman, for the first time since 2009, I am actually looking forward to a Tag Team Title Match. I respect the team of "Air-Boom," and The Miz & R-Truth are my favorite wrestlers on Raw. A lot of people feel that they are being buried, and rightfully so, however, with these two being a team in the hunt for gold, I feel that they are still being kept relevant, and mentioning Triple H's name also keeps them relevant. However, I believe Air Boom will hold on the titles, and this will be an ongoing feud between the two teams.

Divas Champion Kelly Kelly (c) vs. Beth Phoenix
In order for the Divas of Doom to be effective, Beth Phoenix must win this one. Kelly Kelly has had the title long enough and in my opinion, her reign ends this Sunday.

WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio (c) vs. John Cena
Alberto Del Rio was exposed by the Hitman Bret Hart on the "go-home" episode of Raw. Bret told Del Rio what CM Punk and Cena told him a couple of weeks after he won the title, and that is now that he has the belt he must act like a champion. He needs to prove to everyone why we should care that he is the WWE Champion. If he can wrestle in a good match with John Cena, then maybe he will prove everyone right. In my opinion, Del Rio wins in a controversial matter.

CM Punk vs. Triple H (No Disqualification Match)
This match will be very personal. Many are saying this is too early, but one thing I have said and will continue to believe, CM Punk claimed he was burned out and under-appreciated. Because of this, he threatened not to resign his WWE contract. The WWE went through hoops just to resign him, and Punk claims that he has received some "perks." Because of that, I know that there has to be something bigger in the future for Punk. As far as this match, with Triple H's position in the company on the line, I think that some way Punk will get screwed which will set him up for a rematch.

Mr Main Event BDuB
twitter.com/BDuBmrMainEvent